This week saw me and my husband Marco head out to GRAIN Restaurant in Valletta filled with anticipation. I have been curious to try out this new eatery since it opened its doors a couple of months ago in Malta and I also have seen saw a few enticing photos shared on social media which increased my curiosity. My intention was to visit this one with my husband to see if I could recommend it as a “Date Night” or “First Date” option to followers, married or coupled friends who often ask us for good restaurant recommendations.
The GRAIN restaurant is situated in Merchants Street Valletta and forms part of the new 5 star Rosselli Hotel, one stylish and classy addition to the AX Group portfolio of hotels, one which since opening its doors has already been shortlisted for two design awards, and has already ranked in the top seven for Best Hotel Under 50 rooms and top four for Best Suites In Europe!
We arrived at around 7.30 pm to be greeted at the entrance by two very hospitable attendants, who showed us to our table, and explained how the menu works, while taking our orders for drinks. I immediately felt relaxed thanks to the stylish décor and the choice of soft lighting and fabrics on the surrounding sofas and chairs.
From the menu, which has a pretty interesting presentation, we could see that the cuisine at Grain is primarily Mediterranean with a French twist, designed to give its guests the opportunity to share food and experience different flavours and textures. We did ask the waiter for his recommendations and we did order what he and the chef suggested.
The dinner menu is not split in the traditional method of starters and mains, and for this reason it does not set any conforming rules when you are choosing your food. I love this especially on date nights. Sharing or food tasting with the person you are dining with not only invites that special connection but it is also an ice-breaker for conversations if you are perhaps a little of a shy person taking out a woman on your first date, you can always ask about the food she likes and while tasting, you can ask her opinions and that way you get more comfortable with each other. Marco and I like to share a lot, even when we order separate items, we are known for swapping our plates halfway through the meal so we get to try both items 😉
To give you a tiny glimpse of the menu there is a choice of mains including Scottish mussels cooked in ginger, cider and passion fruit, Chicken Waldorf salad, Acquerello risotto, homegrown tomatoes, guanciale and Comté, Blowtorched burrata, salt-baked beetroots, pear and I.G.P. hazelnuts from Piedmont, Black lasagne with calamari, squid ink, nduja, Cutlet of local pork, cocoa beans, mustard and tarragon.
WHAT WE ORDERED AT GRAIN
For starters, we enjoyed the white fish beignet served with wasabi mayonnaise,Parmesan panisse with a salt-baked avocado cream and Cantabrian anchovies served on a bed of divine ricotta with extra virgin olive oil and warm bread.
For mains, to share, we opted for the delightful Acquerello risotto including homegrown tomatoes, guanciale and Comté, Cutlet of local pork, cocoa beans, mustard and tarragon and Wild sea bass with orange, fennel and samphire paste, served with sweet carrots.
All the wines proposed at Grain are available by the glass, whichinvitates you wine connoisseurs to pair the wines out with the different plates when dining here. We were driving so we only took one glass of Codorniu Cava Rose Brut from Spain.
For dessert, (because for us a dinner is not complete without that sweet ending), we opted for a taster of three items! The Vanilla Panna Cotta, the Chocolate Tart with a unique extra virgin olive oil ice cream and the Red Plum frangipane tart. There were too many other mouth-watering creations, so we will have to revisit to try the others, right honey? 😉
GRAIN Restaurant is equal parts glamorous and delicious and it also offers excellent value for this 5-star experience in the heart of Valletta.We loved many things here. One thing we appreciated about this menu and venue was it that it was perfectly satisfying and its ambiance relaxing, We didn’t roll out stuffed to the brim. That’s quite important to me on date night. (wink wink) It’s not going to completely leave you broke either! Whether you’re looking to just order a few cocktails or a full on menu, this is a place where you really should go if you’re looking to impress your date. Just trust me on this one! I was pleasantly impressed with this experience and I left this place feeling serene and satisfied. Thank you all for the experience.
I hope you enjoyed my Restaurant Review and look forward to sharing another experience sometime soon!
Xxx
Grazielle
Find out more Here about GRAIN and Rosselli
LOCATION
167, Merchants Street,
Valletta, VLT 1174, Malta
CONTACT
T: (+356) 2235 4167
Reserve a Table Online here >>https://grain.mt/reservation/
OPENING HOURS
GRAIN
Monday to Friday: 7:30 am — 1:00 am
Saturday: 9:00 am — 1:00 am
Sunday: 9:00 am — 11:30 pm
Disclaimer: We were guests of AX Group for this visit. However, my review, as all other reviews are very honest and are not positive because they are or could be complimentary. If I don’t think a place is worthy of recommendation, it will not receive my recommendation or a revisit.
