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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 MARCH 2017 34 Food WALKING into Le Bistro is warm and welcoming with equal parts chic and down- to-earth. Nestled right by the sea, nothing beats enjoying a fresh, healthy meal with that perfect view, which guests can thoroughly enjoy on the outside deck in the warmer months. Being a bit chilly out, we settled in by the window and enjoyed the stylish, organic vibes inside. Le Bistro's modern styling has everything from the interior dé- cor to the copper salt shakers on each table to a tee. We spent some time eyeing Le Bistro's ex- tensive menu and I have to say, it will please any appetite. Their menu offers eve- rything from smoked ham, fried octopus, rabbit pies, gorgeous salads like prawns and avocado to all these beautiful fresh pastas and mains that we'll be back for, like meaty lamb shanks, stuffed aubergines and of course, their fresh, line-caught Mediterranean fish. Expect to eat only the best at Le Bistro. Most menu items are free- range, local and organic thanks to Le Bistro's close relationship with local farmers and suppliers. Many of the homemade dishes draw inspiration from seasonal produce and some meals even in- corporate produce grown on the hotel's premises. Points. As soon as our waitress an- nounced the catches of the day, I knew I had to order the red snap- per, a fish I literally dream about. My guest immediately chose the baked salmon. As a side note, rabbit lovers, the spaghetti rabbit sounds divine with slow cooked chunky rabbit ragout with gar- den peas. To start, we enjoyed Le Bistro's goat cheese and tomato cross bread. The goat cheese with plum tomatoes and red onion melted together into savoury de- licious bites that I wished would never end. And then our mains arrived. Seafood enthusiasts, you're in for a treat. Our fish were cooked to perfection. A refreshing dish, my snapper was lightly herbed com- plimenting the sweet and firm meat. My guest's baked salmon was moist and flavourful, just the way baked salmon should be. Our mains were served with generous sides of mixed roasted vegetables (which added a beau- tiful colour to our table), buttery smooth mashed potatoes and fresh tossed greens. Le Bistro lives up to their prom- ise of genuine goodness. Their simple, fresh and flavourful dish- es and wonderfully comforting atmosphere will keep us coming back to try their whole menu. Resto of the week WINE OF THE WEEK Le Volte dell'Ornellaia combines the Mediterranean expression of opulence and generosity with structure and complexity. The approachable style of Le Volte dell'Ornellaia, a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, reflects the philosophy and savoir- faire of Ornellaia. The 2014 vintage was the most challenging in our memory, but has nevertheless enabled us to produce high quality wines that give immense pleasure. The late ripening of the grapes have made it possible to express the crispness and freshness of the fruit to best effect. What is striking is the high quality of the tannins on the palate: silky, refined and without any sharp edges, albeit with a lower density than in hotter vintages. Le Volte dell'Ornellaia is a balanced, harmonious and very drinkable wine thanks in particular to the beautiful Merlots of 2014. Exclusively imported by Charles Grech & Co. Ltd, Valley Road, Birkirkara T: 2144 4400 2014 Le Volte dell'Ornellaia Tuscany, Italy GENUINE GOODNESS AT LE BISTRO Le Bistro Radisson Blu Resort St Julian's Tel: 21374894 www.lebistromalta.com Facebook: LeBistroMalta Le Bistro, at the Radisson Blu Resort in St Julian's has recently undergone refurbishment, transforming it from any other hotel restaurant to one worthy of our lunch-money. SASHA SHUMARA headed down there to find out just how hard they have been working on creating genuine dishes made with the freshest ingredients – some even grown on their property. She was not disappointed