Fernandõ’s Gastrotheque in Tigné Street in Sliema is a hidden gem. Its interiors are intimate, warm and elegant, and its walls are adorned with the caricatures of some of the world’s leading winemakers, setting the tone for what is to come. As this is no ordinary restaurant, this will not be any ordinary meal. Your tastebuds are set to embark on a special journey – one you will remember for a while.

Food here, in fact, takes on an entirely new purpose beyond sustenance. It is a playful game of tastes and flavours, skilfully unfolding one serving at a time. And with over 600 wines to choose from, 100 of which are served by the glass, the experience is truly unique.

We visited the restaurant on a rainy weekday – one of those days you really have to make an effort to get out of the house – but boy were we glad we did.

Ana the restaurant manager welcomed us as she explained that we were in for a treat. Fernandõ’s had just launched their new menu, especially designed to take advantage of the local winter produce. We opted for the tasting menu, which offers a varied selection of dishes, guaranteed to hit all the right notes.

We particularly enjoyed the superb tagliatelle with Sicilian Porcini. Same for the fish main course: the seabass with celeriac velouté was divine. The concluding caramelised I.G.P. hazelnut with banana ganache and Frangelico sponge provided for a fantastic, sweet conclusion, which had us talking about it way after we left the restaurant.

The great thing about the tasting menu is that it takes you on a well-planned journey of flavours, although Fernandõ’s are open to diners choosing their own starter, main course and dessert from the à la carte menu for €65.

The wine pairing with each course was exquisite, clearly reflecting the experience of dedicated connoisseurs. In fact, Fernandõ’s is a wine-lover’s paradise, with its wide selection of 600 wine labels from across the globe to choose from, that can accompany any dish perfectly.

Zach our sommelier took the trouble to explain to us his thought process at each turn, and shared his tasting notes with every dish. His immense passion for wine and all things refined, radiated with every word he shared about the provenance, character, and qualities of each glass. I found Zach’s openness to listen to our particular tastes and adapt his selection accordingly, also most refreshing.

It was most enjoyable to have a chat with Chef Laszlo, the artist behind the masterpiece. We spoke about local produce and how it was becoming increasingly difficult to locate good-quality Maltese fruit and veg, as it was being elbowed out by the gargantuan volumes of near-perfect yet dull imported crop. But Laszlo seems to still have a couple of tricks up his sleeve, and he knows exactly where he needs to look, often going directly to source. The end product is evidence of his vast experience in the game and his delight for the art.

Ultimately, we were very happy to step out of the house on a rainy midweek evening, as it was completely worth the effort! Fernandõ’s Gastrotheque lives up generously to its status on the Michelin Guide where it has been featured since 2020. A special restaurant, recommended for any special occasion.