Gusto Review - TANG

Hubby and I are now married! :) The reason why we abandoned our eating pleasures on lovely Malta for about a month - we were on honeymoon! Now we are back and we wanted our date nights again - out came Gusto as usual, and the choice for our first date as a married couple was TANG :)

The Location: Set in the beautiful bastions of our capital city, Valletta, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea... a wonderful ambience! Parking on Great Siege Road between the bastions and the sea is usually quite easily available on weekdays and early evening on the weekends.

The Place: Seating is available inside where the decor is striking and ultra modern. However, the best idea on a spring/ summer/ autumn evening is the spacious terrace :) Views are fabulous and the tables are nicely spaced out on a number of split levels. Relaxing Jazz tunes in the background...

The Menu: They have salads, pasta, meats, fish and recently also pizza. The wine and cocktail menus are definitely worth a look! Hubby and I each opted for fresh tuna, cooked as advised by the Sicilian chef - and it was the best tuna ever! We also tasted what must have been the salmon and octopus carpaccio - this is what it was meant to be!! :) I must also mention the great tasting cocktails which accompanied our meal - they contributed to our chilled evening no end! Delicious mousse desserts finished our meal in style :)

The Staff: There are not enough words to describe how great they were - but I will try! The chef himself came over to our table to advise his suggestions and also came along after to make sure it was all good - he left with our heartfelt compliments! The gentleman in charge was wonderful - he was unintrusively present throughout the evening making sure we had a great night out. He also kindly offered an aperitif and the previously mentioned carpaccio on the house to celebrate our recent wedding! Much appreciated! :)

Gusto: Called 45 minutes in advance to book and confirm that they accepted Gusto on the night. Very plain sailing. We also saved €28 off our fantastic dinner! :)

P's recommendation: If you want a truly special night out, whether as a couple, with friends or family, I would definitely suggest TANG :) I cannot recommend it enough! And you can save 50% off your food bill for two, by getting your Gusto card here :)

Gusto Review - Townhouse 5

It was a Wednesday evening and at 8.30pm, hubby and I were still out doing errands... our last stop was in Zebbug and we were starting to get really hungry! Gusto was quickly fished out of my bag, and Townhouse 5 in Rabat was the choice for the evening :)

The Location: In the center of Rabat (Malta). As you come up from Saqqajja Hill, take the small road alongside the petrol station towards the church of St. Paul. The alley on the right is where you can easily spot Townhouse 5. Parking a little bit of a problem close by.. though if you don't mind walking 5 - 10 minutes, it is not so much of an issue :)

The Place: Quite a small restaurant, with some nice tables outside in the alley where you can eat (weather permitting). Decor is modern.

The Menu: Quite varied and included different meats like duck and kangaroo :) I ordered a duck carpaccio for starters, which was more of a duck salad than anything else, but still tasted good :) They also had a less formal menu available, including sandwiches, wraps and salads.

The Staff: They were nice, polite and helpful throughout our dinner.

Gusto: Accepted Gusto with no hassle whatsoever! We saved 50% off our food bill for two amounting to €35 in savings :)

P's recommendation: Townhouse 5 is a quaint location for lunch or dinner while in Rabat or surrounding areas :) And you can save 50% off your food bill for two, by getting your Gusto Card here :D

Gusto Review - Le Luci Di Marsascala

Hadn't seen hubby for a couple of days due to busy work schedules, studying time, wedding planning and honeymoon organizing - and only a month left to the Big Day!! So we decided to go on a date! :D We looked online on the Gusto website and Le Luci Di Marsascala caught our eye for its romantic-sounding name and great reviews :)

The Location: As the name goes, it is to be found in Marsascala in the south of Malta. The restaurant is on an elevated level with the local children's playground right below it and overlooking the pretty bay. Parking on the street on weekdays is no problems and very accessible by public transport (bus stop right outside).

The Place: Small and cozy with a very posh decor - the chairs are all dressed up matching the lovely curtains, contrasting with the stone walls and metal-work light fittings :) Cutlery polished until it shone!

The Menu: Definitely different - and not on paper! Presented on a small blackboard per table with the menu written in white chalk! Really original :) You will find a couple of standard main dishes (e.g. veal rib eye) but most of the menu is inventive and unique including pork belly and cheeks! We both had a great pumpkin and oyster mushroom soup for starters which had a very particular, but interesting taste :)

The Staff: A chatty, hospitable lady gave the place a family-run feel :)

Gusto: Called 30 mins before arriving there to check if we could book a table and use our 50% discount - our table booked and Gusto accepted with no problems :D and we saved €30 off our bill :)

P's recommendation: For a romantic dinner in a beautiful decor, with staff making you feel you are part of the family, Le Luci is the place :) and the constantly changing, unique menu is a definite plus! :) And to top it off, you can get 50% off your food bill for two by getting your Gusto Card here!

Gusto Review - Sapori Cafe

In between marriage preparations (yes! hubby and I are getting married!!) and keeping up with our family, friends and hobbies, we found ourselves in BKara with half and hour to spare and grumbling stomachs... out came Gusto.. and Sapori Cafe it was :)

The location: In Valley Road BKara, right next to McDonalds. Parking is easy after 7pm, but during shopping hours, it is somewhat more of a hassle! If coming by bus, the bus stop is right outside the Cafe. And if you're already shopping in the area, well there you have it!

The place: Small with modern, stylish decor. We instantly got the impression of a clean, well-kept place.. and the small chandeliers added some sparkle :)

The menu: Well-priced selection of salads, wraps, baguettes, pies, pastries, omelettes, pasta and pizza. On the drinks menu, the healthy smoothies really stand out. In fact, considering I'm not much of a salad person, I really enjoyed my Caprese :) and hubby was actually full after having the Greek salad!!

The staff: Curteous and polite :) Nothing to complain about at all :)

Gusto: We wandered in and asked about using our 50% off Gusto offer prior to being seated and it was immediately accepted. No prior booking or calling needed. We saved €6.50 off our super quick dinner, and considering the total bill only came to €11, we were rather pleased!

P's recommendation: Recently opened, I think this place is going to become popular fast owing to its good food, good service and good prices! And you can save 50% off your food bill by getting your Gusto card here!! :) Enjoy!

Gusto Review - Henry J Beans

A long day at work and a party planned for the evening :) Sounded fun until we realised that mainly nibbles would be served at the party and hubby and I were starving!! So out came Gustoand Henry J Beans was the place we chose for our pre-party mega-dinner… oh it was a great choice!

The location: Henry J Beans is found at the Corinthia Hotel in St. George’s Bay. If you’re early (like we were), parking is no hassle at all. Later on in the evening though, or on Saturday nights, your car has to be left a considerable distance away, unless you use the hotel’s parking area, come on foot or via motorbike :)

The place: Wonderfully decorated in an “all American” way and with visible big screens throughout the place to watch sport or the latest American shows (Disaster Date was on while we were there) :) It definitely provided lots of starting points for dinner conversation!

The menu: Let me say one thing: the portions are HUGE! We shared one starter – nachos with cheese which tasted great. We then had a burger each from their “Legendary Burgers” menu: one “Classic” and one “Mushroom and Jack Cheese”… yummy and so large we just could not finish our fries! To top everything off, we had scrumptious desserts: Mississippi Mud Pie and Hot Fudge Brownie – simply superb!

The staff: Generally helpful, efficient and unobtrusive. One particular member of the staff called Leighton deserves a special mention on the good side of things, while the man who took our reservation on the phone was somewhat brusque… but that can definitely be forgiven given our dinner experience at Henry J Beans!

Gusto: Got 50% off our food orders and saved €18 on an already good value-for-money selection :) Remember to call in advance and make a reservation, together with a mention of your intent to use the Gusto 50% offer.

P’s recommendation: For a meal in a relaxed atmosphere, when you’re starving and in the mood for an American hearty meal, Henry J Beans is the place to go! Oh, and their drinks and cocktails menu is a real treasure too! :) To save 50% off your food bill, get your Gusto Card here!

Gusto Review - Chukkas

Hubby and I needed a special place to have dinner with a married couple who are friends of ours.. we were looking for a place serving meat, in proper decent quantities and cooked to perfection, where we could park with no hassle, have a glass of wine and a chat... all 4 of us decided on Chukkas, as recommended by Gusto :)

The location: Chukkas, at the Malta Polo Club, is found in Marsa. The entrance, through a small, unassuming red door, is opposite to the entrance of the Royal Malta Golf Club. Parking in the street is not a problem as the road is not used much in the evenings.

The place: Wonderfully cozy and warm.. a welcome change from the cold air outside thanks to a number of heaters :) Tables are well spaced out, and you can tell from the way they are laid, that Chukkas means business. We could imagine the view overlooking the Marsa horse racetrack being grand!! We promised ourselves we would be back in daylight!

The menu: Meat, meat and more meat :) They also serve fish, and a selection of mouth-watering starters, but the meat is definitely the focal point! The men had the 700g beef T-bone each, cooked medium-rare to perfection.. their plates were polished clean! Us ladies settled for a 300g ribeye steak - heavenly! Cannot forget to mention the exquisite warm brownie with ice-cream I had for dessert.. hhmmmm!

The staff: They love their meat and their restaurant and they show it! They were extremely helpful while we were trying to navigate the menu! Excellent service with a smile :)

Gusto: We had two Gusto booklets (one per couple). We called in advance to book a table and mentioned that we'd like to use the 50% off offer. We did not have to mention it again on the night.. had no problems at all! And we saved 27 euro per couple!! :)

P's recommendation: In the mood for a meat feast? Think Chukkas! You will be set up for a pleasant meal in a one-of-a-kind ambiance (particularly in daylight), with people who know and love their meat.. and who will be happy to advise! :) And you can save 50% off your food bill for two by getting your Gusto Card here!

Gusto Review - Zeri's Restaurant

Sadly for me, I was working on Christmas Day this year... happily for me, hubby decided to take me out to dinner on Boxing Day :) I had been longing to go to Zeri's for a while, so out came Gusto. I called and made a reservation, and even more happily, they were accepting the 50% discount offer that evening!

The location: Overlooking the fabulous Portomaso marina with the lovely lovely boats! Parking in the Portomaso carpark is kindly offered by Zeri's. A wonderful hassle-free start to a memorable night :)

The place: Not too big, not to small... but just right :) Very stylish decor and cosy warm ambience. So easy to settle into and get very relaxed :)

The menu: Now where do I start!! In their own words, the menu is "imaginative and inspirational" and that is right on the mark :) Hubby's carrot and pumpkin soup was superlative and my fish cake starters were simply heavenly. We both had fish for main course and boy, they definitely know their fish! My fresh tuna was perfect and I had it down in a minute.. so much so that the Chef Patron himself came over to wonder where it all vanished to! :P

The staff: It is obvious that the staff are all excellent professionals. The service was impeccable!

Gusto: Booking required to get the 50% off your food bill for two.. but I promise, that is a VERY minor hassle for a meal that you will remember for a long time in the most positive of ways :) We saved 35 euro thanks to Gusto :)

P's recommendation: As you've noticed, I've waxed lyrical about this place.. and in all honesty, it deserves it all and more! If you're out to impress yourself and your dining partner, this is it! I will definitely be back! And you can save 50% off your food bill for two, by getting your Gusto card here :)