Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/444527
XII maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 JANUARY 2015 Food Charles Grech & Co. Ltd., Valley Road, B'Kara Tel: 2144 4400 Anderra Carmenere 2012, Central Valley Baron Philippe Rothschild, Chile The flag carrier of Chilean grape varieties, Carmenere is to Chile what Malbec is to Argentina. Carmenere is a very late-ripening varietal, and ours is a true expression of how juicy and round this varietal can be when ripened properly. Its also notable for its elegance and complexity. Anderra wines are fruit-forward, youthful, elegant wines designed for everyday enjoyment. COLOR Dense purple, with violet streaks. AROMA Black currant and blackberry aromas open up to reveal bright strawberry and cherry notes, and a subtle spicy character. PALATE A touch of vanilla oak complements the fruit and the ripe, sweet finish. FOOD PAIRING Savory dishes, like earthy stews; spicy dishes, like braised short ribs, chile con carne, Texas ribs, or steak au poivre.. Imported by Charles Grech & Co. Ltd, Valley Road, B'Kara T: 2144-4400 Anderra Carmenere 2012, Central Valley Baron Philippe Rothschild, Chile Palazzo Parisio Now that the cold weather has settled in and the Christmas festivities are done and dusted and long, lingering lunches are out of the ques- tion, at least for the time being, what to do with your weekend afternoons? Though some days are still warm and sunny, once the sun dips below the horizon the temperatures plummet and what better way to spend an afternoon than enjoying the outdoors while the sun shines and settling down to afternoon tea at Palazzo Parisio afterwards. The entrance hall is grand, though still a little chilly, but the clink of china and muted conversation along with a soft glow from the rooms on the right lead the way to a magical place that is warm, dry and most of all magical, so far removed from the cold outside. Settling down at a table with white linen tablecloths, shiny silverware and china cups, while surrounded by 19th century art, com- missioned by the Marquis Guiseppe Scicluna, and girly pink blankets and cushions, makes you feel like you're part of a centuries-old civi- lisation with the comforts of central heating. You half expect Carson from Downton Abbey to come around the corner with your tea. I'm not a tea-drinker myself and would sit down to 'tea' for all the extras but not the actual tea, but judging from the menu, no tea- drinker could possibly be disappointed, with page after page of different selections of teas including black and scented teas. Traditional afternoon tea commences with a raspberry parfait which not only tastes great but also matches the room in yet another shade of pink. The creamy, icy textures of the parfait providing the perfect combination with a first glass of prosecco, if you feel inclined to swap the tea for prosecco! The rest of the 'tea' comes on a three-tiered platter and includes finger sandwiches made with traditional fillings like salmon, cucum- ber, egg and ham and cheese, crusts removed of course. These traditional sandwiches have fallen from grace over the years as we tend to go for more hearty bread. Crusty, farmhouse varieties with mixed seeds and, of course, the Maltese loaf often take over in popularity contests. However the real reason they have lost their appeal is that they are made hours in advance and by the time they come to your table, are dry, tasteless. Palazzo Parisio has restored my faith in simple finger sandwiches. Made to order, using the finest ingredients for their fillings, these sandwiches are as soft and tasty as they are classy. To make the traditional afternoon complete there are perfectly baked scones, dusted in icing sugar and served with clotted cream and jam. Enough to satisfy the need for sweetness for me, but if sweet is more your thing at tea time, then you can indulge in the selection of sweet pastries on the bottom tier. Is the afternoon pricey? If you're looking for a cup of tea, a sandwich and a slice of cake, then the answer has to be yes, but you really do get what you pay for. The attention to detail is impeccable and everything is absolutely per- fect, transporting you to a time when leisurely afternoon tea was the order of the day. That feeling of aristocracy is not one that can be replicated easily and I'll happily part with a few euros to do it again soon. Tea is served daily from 3pm till 6pm. WINE OF THE WEEK 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 Time for tea Indulge in afternoon tea with raspberry parfait, finger sandwiches, scones and a selection of pastries Resto of the week Palazzo Parisio Victory Square, Naxxar Tel: 21412461 Email: info@palazzoparisio.com Web: www.palazzoparisio.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/palazzoparisio