Gusto Review - Mustang

I had had a really long day at work on Thursday and cooking was the last thing I felt like doing... hubby suggested we go out to dinner.. what a man! :) Out came Gusto and Mustang American Bistro it was!

The location: This gem of a place is found in Naxxar, in the road leading to the old Trade Fair Grounds. Easily accessible even by public transport as it is close to a main road. For those driving there, parking on the road right in front of the restaurant is usually not a problem.

The place: Tastefully decorated.. you will spend a couple of minutes looking around and taking in the design and the wall paintings. A smallish restaurant, though to their merit, the tables are comfortably far away from each other to prevent you irritating your table-neighbours every time you get up!

The menu: This is a place for the MEAT LOVERS! They claim to serve "Malta's Largest and Juiciest Charcoal Grilled Steak!" My fiance decided to give the 700g Long Bone Cowboy Rib Eye a shot and he was nowhere near disappointed! A fantastic cut of meat! And they allow you to bring your own favourite wine with you (and only charge 2 euro corkage fee) while they throw in a free starter of their choice too with this offer! :)

The staff: Really nothing to complain about in this department

Gusto: Got 50% off our dinner and saved 23 euro in the process! :)

P's recommendation: If you're a meat fan, this is the place to go to! See if you can finish "Malta's Largest and Juiciest Charcoal Grilled Steak!" .. while getting 50% off your food bill by getting your Gusto Card here :)

Gusto Review - Black Pearl

A short while ago, my best friend came over from the UK for a weekend break. We consulted Gusto for dinner plans... and the Black Pearl in Ta Xbiex it was, seeing as we're both Johnny Depp fans!!

The location: Set at the Ta Xbiex yacht marina, the location is very central. Free parking is abundant nearby - a great plus particularly if it's raining (yes, it did rain on this particular Saturday evening in May!!) And the view of the beautiful boats is a feast for the eyes :)

The place: The Black Pearl is a ship (of course!!) The restaurant is on the upper deck, and the lower deck is reserved for Flynn's Lounge (but that will have to be another visit altogether). Indoor and outdoor seating is available and the decor is all you can ask for on a poshy (not only piratey) ship :) It comes complete with a ship's steering wheel, dark wooden floor boards and a slighty rickety gangway!

The menu: Great selection to choose from, particularly the seafood dishes! Norwegian salmon salad and the soup of the day were tasty and light starters, while the main course baked salmon was cooked to perfection. Hubby had a great time feasting on his steak :) Wine list above average and enough choice to compliment a fantastic dinner.

The staff: Well mannered gentleman who showed us directly to our table with no waiting time at all upon arrival. They served us in a timely and efficient manner throughout dinner.

Gusto: 50% off two of our starters, mains and desserts (we were a party of three) upon presentation of our Gusto booklet pronto. Prior booking is recommended. We saved a fantastic 35 euro :)

P's recommendation: A definite must for anyone in love with the nautical/ piratey theme and good food :) The place to go to wow your guests from the word 'Go'.. and you can save 50% off your food bill for two by getting your Gusto card here :)

Gusto Review: Patrick's Tmun Victoria Gozo

On a sunny Sunday, we decided to travel to the sister island of Gozo for a quiet day out.. and hubby had booked a sumptous Sunday lunch at award-winning Patrick's Tmun Victoria as suggested by Gusto.. and what a surprise!!!

The location: From Mgarr Harbour, drive to Victoria, Gozo's capital city. Patrick's Tmun is found close to the gym... ask the locals for directions for an added touch of Gozo :) Parking on the street is free and easily available.

The place: As you enter, you notice a couple of tables on the front porch - ideal for a lunch or dinner al fresco. Once you step inside, you are greeted by a stylish bar and cocktail area. The restaurant is set up further inside the restaurant, designed around a nautical theme (hence "Tmun" meaning "Ship's wheel"). A pleasure to behold :)

The menu: Definitely an upmarket selection from the cocktail menu to the world-representing wine list to the daily specials to the regular menu.. you will be spoilt for choice! Complimentary starters were on the house as well as warm Gozitan bread and olive oil (even available for buying a bottle and taking it home). Of particular note for all meat lovers (just like me) the 300g rib-eye steak of Irish Prime Steer .. and of course, don't forget to leave a corner for the wonderful home-made deserts!

The staff: Being greeted by owner and Chef-patron Patrick himself should say enough for the exceptional level of service at this restaurant :)

Gusto: 50% off our lunch and saved 40 euro.. booking required but other than that, totally hassle free!

P's recommendation: If you're in Gozo and want to impress partners, family, friends and business colleagues with a truly great eating and drinking experience, go to Patrick's Tmun Victoria Gozo.. and save 50% off your food bill by getting your Gusto Card here :)

Gusto Review - Hugo's lounge

A sunny weekday afternoon... hubby and I decided to have a lunch date!

Consulted Gusto - Hugo's Lounge it was :)

The location: Being Paceville, the area is very central and easy parking (parking a bit more of a problem in the evenings and weekends, unless you don't mind paying 5 - 9 euro for a pay-per-use parking area)

The place: Hugo's Lounge is very modern and artistically done up. We sat in the outside area and we could easily people watch throughout lunch :P ah yes, and the bathrooms are fab!

The menu: Cocktails were 2 for the price of 1 so that was a definite bonus (and this is a regular offer!!) Extensive and original sushi menu: we went for salmon maki and nigiri platter starters and had the wonderful Hugo's Ocean Platter for mains... it's massive and beautiful to look at and heavenly tasting :)

The staff: Happily serve you with a smile :)

Gusto: Easily got 50% off our lunch... and saved 25 euro :) No prior booking needed to get the 50% discount.

P's recommendation: For a great sushi experience, washed down with colourful cocktails, in the Maltese sunshine, at a trendy people-watching place, go to Hugo's Lounge :) And get 50% discount off your food bill too by getting your Gusto Card here :)

Dining in Malta at half the price!

This article is not just for Maltese people but also (and especially) for tourists who regularly spend time in Malta and dining across the Maltese fine restaurants!

If you are an avid restaurant visitor or like dining with your partner every weekend then you might have found out how expensive this hobby this might be. The joy of eating well in some of the nicest places in Malta is indescribable but it has a price to pay! However, did you know that there is an easy way for you and any of your guests, to enjoy your meal at a 50% discount?

We recently discovered this discount scheme called Gusto which gives you this benefit - the big thing is that it is not only a massive 50% discount, but it is also applicable to over 100 restaurants throughout Malta and Gozo...And the number keeps increasing - just keep updated through their website or on our blog.

We suggest you to purchase this Gusto card now, on the slightest hint of interest, because its price might increase again as it happened some 8 months ago. At the moment this card costs only EUR 60. Why is this good value for money? Let us do for you some simple maths:

• Restaurant 1: Average bill per person is EUR 20. That makes it EUR 40 total bill if you are a couple. With a half price discount on the card's holder + guest, you only pay for one  - you save EUR 20!

• Restaurant 2: Average bill per person is EUR 35. That makes it EUR 70 total bill if you are a couple. With a half price discount on the card's holder + guest, you only pay for one - you save EUR 35!

That's already EUR 55 you saved there - the cost of the Gusto card without you compromising on your palate of Maltese fine dining! You got the value of your money back after just two meals!

So let's reiterate all of the above - if you enjoy eating regularly or you would like to impress your partner or your friend with a nice gift, the Gusto card is for you as you only pay half the bill when you eat out! Now you look convinced to buy the card. Aren't you? But before you make this good decision, we have a little gift for you! Read on...

We would like to share with you a special promo code which you can use in the purchasing page of the Gusto site, to get a further EUR 15 discount on your card! Yep that's right..You can get the card for EUR 65 instead of EUR 80.

The promo code is: 2-1012

So enter code 2-1012 when you purchase the card from Gusto to get a special discount.