me me me time

on the chaise, with freshly baked safflower and vanilla macarons, with the Summer edition of indulge............

think I will change my name to L'Oreal!

Watching you watching me....

It's a bit wierd watching yourself eat, last night we finally got around to going to Profumo Di on Ball Street in St Julians having done a review there in my previous life at MaltaToda.I had been going on and on about the grapefruit risotto - but just hadn't had chance to get back to have it again. It was worth the wait. You must try it. Even with cheese on (which I thought would be strange) it's delicious. Though I warn you, the article is there, staring at you.

Post risotto, John had a cotelleto with the ubiquitous rucola and tomato salad and I had one of the starters as it sounded just too interesting to miss. Having just bought a book on terrines and put my sticky tabs through the recipes I want to try, this gave me the opportunity to sample one made by an expert. The dish, which the bubbly blonde (very rare very good) waitress described so enthusiastically came served in a verrine, layers of potato, carrots, swordfish, beetroot, tuna, green beans and smothered in parsley pesto and crowned with a king prawn. We did the cheesy thing and took a picture with the iphone - which I wish you could scratch and sniff - each mouthful balanced, sweet, soft.....

There was no room for dessert and I had satisfied all the flavour and texture requirements for the evening - and had a really good time all round so was happy to call it a night and head home - though desperate to tell you about it - so here I am pre-breakfast doing so - as the Insoglio del Cinghiale had made me a bit merry last night!

A not about food post..........

I haven't given up eating, though my bikini wishes I would.... just been busy putting the Summer edition of indulge to bed and a few other things like selling my delightful dog biscuits at the Artisan Market in Vittoriosa. The day was glorious, the event well organised, and you couldn't have picked a more perfect location. I had cupcakes to my left which flew off the stand - so I had to console myself with rabbit sausages from Taverna Sugu's stand. Three of!

After baking all week and then baking all day it was off the fashion show at the Excelsior to witness Marisa Grima's team in action - saw a few items I may treat myself to, now the magazine has gone to print....

Next post from London!

Oh I do like to be beside the sea side....

There's a new cafe in Ta'Xbiex that has almost got it right. The Yacht Cafe serves appetising looking food, a different menu - mostly Lebanese with salads and wraps as well, masses of parking as the marina is across the road with fast service - so a lunch hour CAN be adhered to with smiley, chatty staff.

Between us, we had a falafel wrap which was a bit too big to eat with my hands and a bit difficult to eat with a knife and fork, but I managed, even if I wasn't graceful, and John had a Lebanese salad which I have to say I was envious of, and picked at. We also had some rather loud people at the next table, spoiled it a bit. The chink chink of the masts, masked completely by a couple of obvioulsy well travelled types, speaking at the volume that some of their far flung friends could hear them without telephones.

The outside benches are for small bottomed types - or perhaps designed to be uncomfortable so that punters don't loiter for too long. This place was busy - and if the standard of food and service remians -  I imagine it will be for the forseeable future.

Wraps are a mere 4 euro to set the pricing guage. Lots of herbal teas and inviting hot chocolates for a windy rainy day, as well as a fridge full of the usuals and some fruit juices. You can phone and order, and wander off to the Marina or back to your desk or your yacht to enjoy your choice: 2133 5256

Follow that van (for the best calamari in Malta)

I know I go on a bit about Primitivo, a fabulous red wine from Puglia, but you really should try it. Needless to say, when I spotted a van wrapped in adverts for Ristorante Tentazione Pugliese in Milner Street (behind the Preluna) - I knew my cravings could be satisfied more easily now... I just had to find the place.

Hidden, like pretty much all good restaurants are, in a back street, the restaurant doesn't look much - but again, the best food is often served in such establishments. The roaming guitar players almost put us off entering but the thought of my precious Primativo strengthened my resolve.

We were greeted by an animated chap - Domenico - who ushered us and in half English half Italian advised us of the choices that were on and off the menu. The van had just pulled up outside carrying abundent fish - and we 'settled' for an antipasto of seafood. I will undoubtedly miss a dish or two but we enjoyed smoked salmon, carpaccio of tuna, octopus, swordfish, neonati and lightly battered trill and sardines, baby octopi (is that the plural?) and much more, including an impossible to do it justice in writing calamari; juliennes of noodle textured tasty melt-in-the-mouth deliciousness. I did hog the plate a bit, but hey, I'm the one that was working....and it is plates like this that are the reward.

Do forgive me but the free flowing Primativo has somewhat dulled my capacity to recall all details. I do, however, remember that we chomped our way through every dish - and our fullness decided for us that we wouldn't opt for a main course but just finish off with desert. After a limincello concoction that has restored my faith in the liquer, the chef delivered warm strawberries in a sticky sweet broth. 

Just close your eyes and imagine - then call this number to book: 21323496