Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/509499
VIII maltatoday, SUNDAY, 10 MAY 2015 Food Monelli Pizza is the ultimate comfort food. How- ever you do not have to go down the fast food route to enjoy a gourmet pizza. At Monelli in Paceville, a pizza is as good a meal as you can get. Though summer has hit the Maltese shores and eating outside seems to be the order of the day, when the midday heat gets too much, why not take a break from the sun and charge your batteries with a superb meal – even if it ' just a pizza'. As you go through the automatic doors you are immediately transported to a Sicil- ian world where food is the most impor- tant part of the day. No matter whether it's lunch or dinner, the restaurant is always packed with locals and Italians, many of whom are repeat customers. Brothers Ricky and Luca, who also own Tana del Lupo across the road, and their team of Italian pizzaiolos, waiters and staff are sure to draw you into their world of bustling Sicilian life. The décor is simple with modern tables, cutlery and glassware. You can choose to sit inside or on the terrace outside. Sicilian antipasti and various meats are on display and catch your eye as soon as you walk into the restaurant making your mouth water from the word go. If the antipasti do not whet your appetite then the specials board will give it a second go with innova- tive pasta dishes and fantastic meat treats. The star of Monelli's menu however is the pizza. Cooked in a wood-fired oven the Neapolitan pizzas have a thicker and softer base than the traditional pizza. What set this pizza apart from the rest however are toppings. Imported directly from Sicily you can choose from a selection of moz- zarella di buffola, San Daniele parma ham, ricotta salata, provolone, scamozza and many other Italian treats that are hard to come by on the island. The best way to enjoy these pizzas is to share with friends to get to taste a combi- nation of different toppings. You can also have two different selections of toppings on the same pizza. For the non-meat eaters vegetarian options are also available and are just as tasty as the meat loaded pizzas. Although it is difficult to keep yourself from polishing off the entire pizza, save some room for dessert. The scugnizzi – deep-fried pizza balls covered in warm nutella or pistachio cream are impossible to resist. I can never decide whether I prefer the chocolate covered balls or the pistachio ones, so the only option is to order one portion of each! A great meal is not complete without an accompanying glass – or bottle – of wine and in this area Monelli is sure not to disappoint. The extensive wine list is as good as its sister restaurant across the road, from a glass of the cheap and cheer- ful stuff you can drink in large quantities, to the more expensive wines to sip and savour. The service is usually quick and the staff are attentive and willing to bend the rules to keep the customer happy. However when the restaurant is busy, things take a little longer. The prices are not cheap, compared with other pizza places, however the ingredients aren't either, so if you take the attitude that you get what you pay for the prices seem a lot more reasonable. If you are happy with plasticy mozzarella and ar- tichokes out of a can then Monelli may not be the place for you, however if you can appreciate the oozing, weepy mozzarella di buffola and other top notch ingredients there will be no other pizza after Monelli. Monelli is open daily for lunch and din- ner between 12:15 and 15:00 and 19:15 and midnight. Rachel Agius 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 Resto of the week Monelli Address: Monelli, Wilga Street, Paceville. Tel: 21360036 / 21360037 The naughtiness of Neapolitan pizza Very well balanced and appealing, with the extremely delicate almond note that is typical of Prosecco. A straw yellow color. Creamy mousse and delicate, long- lasting bead. On the nose, it is rich, with excellent fruit, releasing scents of yellow apple and peach, with notes of wisteria and acacia blossom. Wonderful balance and elegance complement a pleasurably crisp spiciness. The palate holds delicious vein of acidity, displaying a crisp, savoury mouthfeel. Generous, lingering flavours nicely mirror the nose and achieve perfect balance. Exclusively imported by Charles Grech & Co. Ltd, Valley Road, Birkirkara T: 2144 4400 Prosecco 'Cuvee 1821' – Zonin, Italy Gold Medal Winner: 2014 Los Angeles International Wine Competition Enjoy the thick, soft base of a Neapolitan pizza topped with the best Sicilian ingredients The cool, modern décor draws you into a world where food is the number one priority