Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/773562
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 JANUARY 2017 34 Food IT has been almost a year to the day since Tal-Villagg opened its doors, much to the delight of the Lija locals and foodies from fur- ther afield. We caught up with owner/manager Johan to talk about what it's been like. You'd think that with his vast experience and the quality of the experience on offer at Tal-Villagg, Johan would really have nothing to worry about. Still, he will admit that at the start, he was willing to give the venture a test run and then decide whether to keep go- ing from there. The tiny venue has become a second home for both Johan and his wife Luceinne, and their guests. "It feels like our clients are sit- ting in our living room, sharing a meal and a drink with us," Johan says, before going on to explain that despite his years of experi- ence in the restaurant business, he had never had the opportunity to build relationships with his cus- tomers like he does now. The short menu and the small size of the establishment mean that every meal is an intimate af- fair and Johan explains that it is not unusual for different groups of customers to start conversa- tions with one another over a bot- tle of wine. The customers themselves have responded remarkably well to the ambience of Tal-Villagg. Jo- han recalls that over time, the customers who were looking for the relaxed evening, with quality food and carefully selected wines and whiskys, seemed to gravitate towards it. The success of private events is also a testament to Johan's atten- tion to detail and willingness to go the extra mile for his customers. He enjoys tailor-making menus to suit his customers, whose pref- erences he has memorised, and there has been no shortage of appreciation for his hard work. Customers realize that what Jo- han offers them is hard to come by in a food scene that is becom- ing increasingly preoccupied with fanfare and performance. The menu, although only occu- pying a small chalkboard on the wall at Tal-Villagg, is evidence of Johan's experience with fine din- ing. He enjoys offering dishes that are, on their surface, a throwback to the cooking you remember eat- ing at your grandma's dinner ta- ble, but with some extra oomph – an unusual ingredient, an unex- pected twist. Tal-Villagg has set down some deep roots in this cozy little venue in Lija and it's clear that Johan has come up with a winning for- mula that customers love and that keeps them coming back time and again. Resto of the week WINE OF THE WEEK A year in the village TAL-VILLAGG 77, Triq il-Forn, Lija. Tel: 27427058, 99404487 Sasseo Primitivo 2014 Puglia, Italy Made from a strict selection of grapes - exclusively of the Primitivo variety, from unique vineyards that maintain the quality of its indigenous cultivar whilst opening itself up to international taste. The name Sasseo (meaning "stony") was chosen to recall the uniqueness, sunniness and strength of the terroir that has produced this wine. Good body with a soft and warm mouth-filling flavour, supported by sweet tannins. An ideal wine to accompany roasted red meat dishes or roast lamb. Exclusively imported by Charles Grech & Co. Ltd, Valley Road, Birkirkara T:2144 4400