Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1455666
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 FEBRUARY 2022 4 FOOD Top Malta restaurants retain Michelin star, new entry for Bib Gourmand Plenty of choice to eating out in Malta with five Michelin stars, four Bib Gourmands, and 21 recommended restaurants THE five restaurants awarded One Michelin Star in 2021 have all retained their Star status for another year. These are: Under Grain in Valletta; Noni in Valletta; ION – The Harbour in Valletta; De Mondion in Mdina; and Bahia in Balzan, previously located in Lija. The latter moved from a neighbourhood spot in Lija to elegant new premises within the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Balzan. "The talented kitchen offers three menus: 'Past' features so- phisticated dishes inspired by various time periods through- out Maltese history; 'Future' explores new, sometimes daring combinations of flavours; while seasonal à la carte 'Present' fo- cuses on local ingredients," the Michelin Guide said in its offi- cial announcement. As for the Michelin Bib Gour- mand, a new restaurant joins the line-up for its good quality, good value cooking, bringing the total number of 'Bibs' in this year's Guide to four: Grain Street in Valletta, which comes from the same stable as Miche- lin-starred Under Grain. This joins the three other res- taurants who all retain their Bib Gourmand distinctions: Ter- rone in Birgu; Rubino in Vallet- ta; and Commando in Mellieħa. As well as Grain Street, Miche- lin inspectors found three other restaurants worthy of a place in the guide: Marea in Kalkara, described as a "cool, contem- porary restaurant" with a tiered terrace overlooking the Grand Harbour, and its kitchen mixes Mediterranean food with Japa- nese influences; AKI in Valletta, a stylish basement restaurant with an Asian-influenced menu; and Rebekah's in Mellieħa, which occupies a period farm- stead and specialises in hearty Mediterranean flavours. Gwendal Poullennec, Interna- tional Director of the MICHE- LIN Guides, said: "Thanks to the increasing optimism sur- rounding Covid-19, many peo- ple are starting to think about travel and holidays once again. The beautiful islands of Malta and Gozo should be on every- one's list. Five MICHELIN Stars, 4 Bib Gourmands and 21 recommended restaurants mean there is plenty of choice when it comes to eating out". Tourism minister Clayton Bartolo said the gastronomic sector plays a crucial role in the government's vision of making Malta a hub of tourism excel- lence in the Mediterranean. "The road to achieving this goal is an ambitious one but togeth- er we can make it happen." A dish prepared by DeMondion Above: Under Grain, Valletta