Lunch Date at La Rampila in Valletta

Last weekend I was invited to review La Rampila a fine dining restaurant and wine bar in Valletta. So, on Saturday morning I wore my new leopard print shirt and black trousers from BBY, paired them with my black Guess heels and Liu Jo Bag, my fave Victoria Beckham shades and off I went to the Malta’s beautiful capital city with my husband for a lunch date!

So, after a morning of shopping, people-watching and looking up at Maltese balconies which I find so fascinating, we arrived at the restaurant hungry and very excited to explore this new venue. Greeted warmly by Marvic Zarb, one of the restaurant owners, we were shown into the wine bar which is a great kick-start to the experience.

This cosy little wine bar at Rampila boasts a small but complete wine list with a selection of over eighty wines including some of the local favourites from various wineries. They also offer a wide selection of spirits, liqueurs, cognacs and whiskies for pre-dinner or after dinner. Love this place already!

The Tunnel

The indoor seating is set in what they call “The Tunnel” which was the tunnel that back in the 1580s linked the Embassy of the Sovereign Military of the Order and the St John’s Cavalier. Very special ambiance. Soft lighting throughout, cosy and inviting.

Museum

This venue also offers a Traditions and Crafts of Malta Exhibition in a room next to the exit to the outdoor terrace. It is an amusing and surprisingly lifelike street scene of life in Victorian Valletta. I thought to myself “A lot of people visiting Malta would really appreciate this touch in the restaurant!”

Outside Terrace

It was a sunny day with a fresh breeze so we opted to eat out on the terrace which overlooks the City Gate Bridge. Back in 1582 this terrace was connected to the Cavalier of St John and was crucially important as a defence against attacks from the land and it held a gun emplacement overlooking the ditch below. Today, it is a combination of romantic and historic setting with a relaxed atmosphere for all of us to relish. So let’s begin with our culinary experience….

What We Ate:

Drinks served and warm bread served on the table, our lunch kicked off with a selection of three appetisers to share. The first, was the Asparagus Napolean, a delicious combination of asparagus and whipped, melted Gozo cheese served sandwiched in between a filo-type pastry with fresh tarragon and grilled vegetables. The second was a fresh Burrata Mozzarella salad served with vine tomatoes, toasted sesame seeds and drizzled with a dash of tasty local honey and beer. The third was an amazing beef carpaccio, marinated prime Angus beef filleted and served with crushed pistachio, artichoke wedges and truffle oil. These Mediterranean dishes were all refreshing offering contrasting textures and gratifying flavours. We would like to forward our compliments to the Chef for the choice of the tasty elements in the dishes and for the personal twist and attention to detail given to these very well-presented creations.

For mains, I enjoyed a rack of lamb, cooked medium rare, served on a bed of green lentil stew. My husband ordered chicken wrapped in pancetta and served with a creamy leek and champagne sauce. I absolutely loved each bite. It was cooked to perfection and I went through it slowly, every so often stopping to enjoy the view across of people walking into the Capital. My husband enjoyed the sauce of the chicken very much. Being Swedish, it is part of his culture to loves his sauces with all meat dishes, and this one got a thumbs up from him.

For regular followers, you know by now how we love our sweets so we were looking forward to try some at La Rampila. For dessert, we opted to enjoy the remainder of our rose’ wine with a selection from the menu on offer. The strawberry cheesecake came pleasantly served in a glass cup served with fresh strawberries on top – divine! The date cakes (known as Mqaret in Maltese) were served warm and drizzled with soft chocolate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side – Super tasty. The third choice was the pannacotta served with fresh berries, which we also enjoyed a lot!

To conclude, I cannot tell you more how positively I am impressed with this restaurant tucked away right at the entrance to Valletta. I’d like to recommend this restaurant to all of you who have been looking to try a different restaurant in Valletta. This is ideal for corporate lunches for all of who work in the city, for date lunches and date nights, staff or special events such as birthdays and group events for foreigners visiting the island. The menu is varied and also includes a selection of pasta, soups and fish. It is open every day Monday to Sunday for lunches and dinners and the service is fantastic!

Whats New at La Rampila

Starting from October, the management informed us that La Rampila will be launching Sunday Roasts! So this is your chance to check it out. Also, this coming weekend, the annual event the Notte Bianca is on and we all know how difficult it is to find a good restaurant that night so I leave it in your hands to book in advance and mention that you saw this review on Grazielle’s Blog please  Thanks!

Stay tuned for more at www.graziellecamilleri.com/blog

Address: St John Cavalier Street, Valletta

Getting there: When you enter Valletta from the main city gate, take the new modern steps on the left up those stairs and follow the sign to the restaurant a few metres away!

Contact: 00356 21226625 / 9944 1120
Opening times: daily, Monday to Sunday 12.00-10.30 pm
Prices: three-course meal around €40
T: (+356) 2122 6625 (+356) 7922 6625
E: info@rampila.com
W: www.rampila.com