Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/878567
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2017 32 Food "Everyone told me because it's the south, it's not going to work. No, it's different. It's fusion. People won't like it." But luckily, they were wrong. If you thought the south was just burgers, pasta and pizza, you need to take an evening to enjoy Tully's Fusion – a healthy fusion concept switching things up and opening taste buds in Senglea. I admit it; I did a little TripAd- visor scan to see if it would be worth the journey to Tully's Fu- sion. With only glowing reviews about quality and price, with some going as far as claiming this was even the best restaurant in Malta, I knew I had to try Tully's Fusion for myself. Upcycled palette furniture and a striking black and red sign caught our attention immediately. Tucked unexpectedly along the Senglea waterfront looking out towards the majestic Fort St An- gelo, we found Tully's Fusion and Chef-Owner Jonathan Tully tak- ing in a breath of fresh air before settling into the kitchen for the evening. With an ever-changing menu, based on seasonal produce, I asked Chef Tully to surprise us. After inquiring about any food al- lergies, intolerances or choices, he hurried to the kitchen. He would bring us a vegetarian mixed plat- ter. Now, I tend not to think twice about mixed platters and I'm sure most of us can relate – having nib- bled from the same mixed plat- ter repeatedly around the island. When Chef Tully brought out this beautiful mixed platter towering with fresh mixed fruits, cheeses, olives, hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki, herbed flatbread, dolmas, dates, baked falafels and all this fresh goodness, I just don't have words to give it justice. The three of us chatted away in the mediaeval paradise that is Senglea and picked at our gor- geous platter, wishing it would never end. Trained as a computer engineer, Chef Jonathan Tully's love of food has kept taking him back to the kitchen over the last 16 years from small restaurants to Corin- thia's Rickshaw Restaurant to pri- vately serving high profile clients around the world. His diverse up- bringing and life abroad has gifted Tully with the imagination to try new things in the kitchen and keep creating, picking up Asian, Arabic and Mediterranean influ- ences along the way and further mastering the art of fusion cui- sine. A year and a half ago, family- run Tully's Fusion was born in Senglea where guests can enjoy fresh, locally sourced ingredients in genuine dishes at incredibly reasonable prices. We couldn't go home without trying a main and the day's catch was line caught tuna. Jonathan Tully whipped up some Asian fu- sion magic with his take on Medi- terranean spaghetti aioli, expertly marrying the two cuisines. From first glance, the dish appeared to be a traditional spaghetti aioli complemented with fresh tuna chunks, but after a few bites, I started to taste this subtle fresh- ness and zest. "What am I tasting?" I asked. "I added mint, basil and lemon zest right at the end to give the traditional aioli an Asian twist. You have to touch people through their stomachs. Why not make a twist? People are bored of the same recipes again and again." For those wanting to master the art of fusion for themselves, Tul- ly's Fusion offers cooking classes and team building. Resto of the week The 2014 vintage was the most challenging in 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 Le Volte dell' Ornellaia 2014 Ornellaia, Tuscany Unexpected flavours at Tully's Fusion Tully's Fusion 64, Triq Dingli Cornelio Senglea Tel: 99627301 Facebook: tullyfusion WINE OF THE WEEK Options for more than just burgers are limited in the south. This was until Tully's Fusion came along. Marrying flavours from the Mediterranean with those from Asia and the Middle East, Tully's is sure to provide diners with something they are not expecting. SASHA SHUMARA heads down there to check it out.