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32 RESTO OF THE WEEK FOOD Sharma The beautiful city of Mdina, though popular with the tourists, offers only a handful of places locals choose to visit. Coffee and cake on the bastions or a meal at one of the few restaurants gives us an excuse to meander through the deserted streets of Mdina taking in its ancient history. Sharma is one such spot worth a visit. Offering an eclectic mix of ethnic food together with some local Mediterranean dishes and some traditionally Maltese dishes too, Sharma is a great spot for a touch of something different. The fact that Mdina is closed to traffic is no deterrent, however precious car park space outside the city walls has recently been turned into a park, which though it looks pretty, has turned a night of easy parking into the usual frenzy for a spot common in so many other areas on the island. The walk is enough to release the parking frustration and on step- ping into Sharma you are instantly transported to a different world, one that mixes traditional Mal- tese culture with Middle eastern treats. The concept of the restaurant was inspired by the history of Malta and Mdina itself. Proprietor Frank Cachia said that since the Phoenicians established Malta as one of their Mediterranean trad- ing posts, Malta has been at the crossroads of civilisations and the centre of trading routes from Mo- rocco to Afghanistan. Trade, he said, encouraged interaction be- tween people of different cultures sharing their cuisines as well as their ways of life. The décor is inspired by the ancient spice route, which used to run from India, through the Middle East, North Africa before landing in the Mediterranean. The magnificent Casa Magazzini, which houses the restaurant also has a large terrace on top of the bastions, great for lunch in the sun, enjoying a pre-dinner drink while watching the sun set or having a romantic meal under the stars. Deciding on what to eat requires strong decision-making skills. The menu includes ethnic dishes from all over, allowing you to match your own f lavours. Starters in- clude a myriad of cuisines from dips from the Middle East, baba ganoush and hummus, Indian ap- petizers, including samosas and pakoras or simply poppadums with chutney, Arabian dolmah and boureek or simple Mediter- ranean fare. If you can't make up your mind you can choose platters from a single region and feast on the best they have to offer. Mains include curries and tan- dooris from India, Arabic meats and stews and some fresh meat just off the grill. Also included in the mains are some of Malta's traditional local dishes, rabbit, bragoli and octopus stew. Though the menu offers an im- aginative mix of dishes from coun- tries across the spice route, some of the dishes lack the f lavour and punch generally associated with- said spice route. That being said, the meats were tender, rices and breads perfectly cooked and fried starters were crunchy yet not oily, making Sharma an ideal spot for palates that appreciate milder meals. Considering the style of restau- rant and location, when the bill comes at the end of the meal, you are pleasantly surprised. Food prices are cheap to reasonable with starters costing an average of €6 per person and mains approxi- mately €12. What make the bill even lighter are the wine prices, which are substantially cheaper than what one is expected to pay at a restaurant. If you're on a really tight budget you can bring your own wine – a concept not very popular on this island though very popular abroad – and you will be charged a corkage fee of €4.90. The atmosphere at Sharma is warm and cosy, with friendly staff ready to cater to your every need. If you're looking for somewhere special to while away and evening at great value for money then Sharma is the ideal spot. Sharma is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 – 16:00 and from Monday to Sunday from 18:30 onwards. Rachel Zammit Cutajar takes a look at a restaurant and brings a recipe, wine and delicacy of the week. Write to us with your comments on restaurants or submit your own recipes to rzammitcutajar@mediatoday.com.mt Charles Grech & Co. Ltd., Valley Road, B'Kara Tel: 2144 4400 Remole Bianco – Marchese di Frescobaldi, Tuscany - Italy Villa di Remole, in the heart of Tuscany, is the cradle of 700 years of history and tradition of the Frescobaldi family. Remole Bianco makes every moment a pleasure with its freshness and its pleasant fruity notes. Ideal for appetiz- ers and first courses of fish or poultry. Remole Bianco offers a brilliant straw-yellow colour with golden highlights. The nose opens with intense fruits like pear and apple fol- lowed by floral scents of chamomile and sub- tly elegant wisteria. The finish, persistent and captivating, leaves behind wonderful flavours freshness. SERVING SUGGESTIONS: A fresh and fruity white wine; pleasing and eclectic: excellent as an aperitif and able to enhance a variety of dishes such as salads, pasta and fish. Exclusively imported by Charles Grech & Co. Ltd, Valley Road, B'Kara T: 2144-4400 WINE OF THE WEEK Sharma 19, Casa Magazzini, Triq l-iMhazen, Mdina. MDN 1201 Tel: 21453817; 99996315 Email: info@sharma.com.mt Web: www.sharma.com.mt Middle Eastern flavours and aromas The décor is inspired by the ancient spice route, which used to run from India, through the Middle East, North Africa before landing in the Mediterranean Offering an eclectic mix of ethnic food together with some local Mediterranean dishes and some traditional Maltese dishes too, Sharma is a great spot for a touch of something different