Ali Baba, Gzira, Malta
I never expected I'd be so surprised by a restaurant. Ali Baba, the restaurant situated in Gzira, specializing in Lebanese cuisine, was a real find, one I was wholly unprepared for. And I am glad of it because I could delight in the pleasure of the discovery.
I was, I must admit, a latecomer to the party, having first visited about five years ago. Patrons and regulars remember it in its previous incarnation, but although the decor has changed the food has remained delicious.
There is an impeccable eye for detail in this esteemed establishment. The ambience, the wine list, the quality of the ingredients and the breadth of the menu.
Ah the menu. One can get lost in the menu, and with great pleasure too. The list of starters and mezze is never ending, one more mouth watering than the other. The home made sausages are superior to those offered in most other restaurants (well they're home made for one). The "arayess ghanam", parcels of pita bread filled with grilled lamb meat, remains my favourite each time I eat there. I try to experiment as much as I can but they always win me over. We once even had a meal composed only of starters and mezze - heaven!
When it comes to the main dish, I usually go for one of their lamb dishes, however my dinner companion swears by the cockerel ("farrouj meshwi am toum") which consists of boneless cockerel marinated in cardamom and harissa, "asser hosrum" (verjuice), garlic, thyme, and mixed spices, grilled and served with aioli (garlic mayonnaise).
The sweets are equally divine - the milk and rose water pudding or the dark Valhrona chocolate pudding never fail to delight.
In all our visits to Ali Baba, we have never been disappointed. We have been there in large groups, groups of four, or just two and the service has always been top notch, the sommelier knowledgeable and happy to discuss wine choices with you, and the chef patron Hany Harb sharp and attentive. It really is one of our favourite places to eat in Malta.
Update: we are saddened to hear that the restaurant has adopted a policy whereby when one calls to book, one is asked to choose a time for service: 19:30 or 21:30. We understand that this is a policy adopted by many restaurants abroad, even Michelin starred restaurants. However to us, the beauty of eating out to us is to sit and be together: with friends, family, loved ones, guests. One shouldn't be dine with a stop watch ticking (if you choose the 19:30 slot), especially at a place like Ali Baba. And choosing the 21:30 slot, while giving you more time to enjoy dinner at your leisure, means eating at a late hour, which some patrons might not enjoy. We have not had this experience yet, i.e. we have not called to book in a while and so haven't been asked to choose a sitting, but we are reporting this on good authority having heard from multiple, very reliable sources. Perhaps it is best to move to a slightly bigger location, instead of having to compromise on time because the food here is so good, it is not worth rushing.
Book a table:
http://www.hanyharb.com/
You can book via the website (link above) or call them on 21340119, however do note that bookings are to be made 2 days in advance.
I was, I must admit, a latecomer to the party, having first visited about five years ago. Patrons and regulars remember it in its previous incarnation, but although the decor has changed the food has remained delicious.
There is an impeccable eye for detail in this esteemed establishment. The ambience, the wine list, the quality of the ingredients and the breadth of the menu.
Ah the menu. One can get lost in the menu, and with great pleasure too. The list of starters and mezze is never ending, one more mouth watering than the other. The home made sausages are superior to those offered in most other restaurants (well they're home made for one). The "arayess ghanam", parcels of pita bread filled with grilled lamb meat, remains my favourite each time I eat there. I try to experiment as much as I can but they always win me over. We once even had a meal composed only of starters and mezze - heaven!
When it comes to the main dish, I usually go for one of their lamb dishes, however my dinner companion swears by the cockerel ("farrouj meshwi am toum") which consists of boneless cockerel marinated in cardamom and harissa, "asser hosrum" (verjuice), garlic, thyme, and mixed spices, grilled and served with aioli (garlic mayonnaise).
The sweets are equally divine - the milk and rose water pudding or the dark Valhrona chocolate pudding never fail to delight.
In all our visits to Ali Baba, we have never been disappointed. We have been there in large groups, groups of four, or just two and the service has always been top notch, the sommelier knowledgeable and happy to discuss wine choices with you, and the chef patron Hany Harb sharp and attentive. It really is one of our favourite places to eat in Malta.
Update: we are saddened to hear that the restaurant has adopted a policy whereby when one calls to book, one is asked to choose a time for service: 19:30 or 21:30. We understand that this is a policy adopted by many restaurants abroad, even Michelin starred restaurants. However to us, the beauty of eating out to us is to sit and be together: with friends, family, loved ones, guests. One shouldn't be dine with a stop watch ticking (if you choose the 19:30 slot), especially at a place like Ali Baba. And choosing the 21:30 slot, while giving you more time to enjoy dinner at your leisure, means eating at a late hour, which some patrons might not enjoy. We have not had this experience yet, i.e. we have not called to book in a while and so haven't been asked to choose a sitting, but we are reporting this on good authority having heard from multiple, very reliable sources. Perhaps it is best to move to a slightly bigger location, instead of having to compromise on time because the food here is so good, it is not worth rushing.
Book a table:
http://www.hanyharb.com/
You can book via the website (link above) or call them on 21340119, however do note that bookings are to be made 2 days in advance.
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