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A Vegetarian’s Guide to Malta

March 13, 2017

As a Mediterranean island once occupied by a number of foreign empires, and in close proximity to North Africa and Italy; Malta has developed one of the most unique culinary cultures in the world. Unfortunately, however, Maltese cuisine is not particularly vegetarian-friendly. Tuna and rabbit are both very traditional and highly prevalent in dishes. Restaurants and cafes have become better at catering to vegetarian tourists and the growing local vegan community than ever before, but finding a spot offering plenty of high quality vegetarian or vegan options is still difficult. Here’s a quick guide to help you along the way.

STREET FOOD

Traditionally Maltese

All across the island you’ll find pastizzerias offering the classic pastries for which Malta is famous. Out of these, vegetarians can enjoy the classic ‘cheese pastizzi’ (ricotta cheese filled pastry) or its mushy-pea filled counterpart. Similar to the pastizzi, but with a harder and less flaky pastry case, is the ‘qassatat’. These snacks come with numerous fillings, the most common vegetarian of which usually consists of ricotta and spinach. If you’re feeling like something sweeter, try Malta’s traditional ‘imqaret’ instead. This tasty and vegetarian pastry is filled with sweet dates. Equally traditional is the Qagħaq ta’ l-Għasel – a bagel-shaped ring of honey-flavored pastry with molasses filling.

Dr Juice

This Maltese smoothie chain has a mostly vegetarian menu. Dr Juice offers a comprehensive menu of detox juices, healthy yogurt shakes and refreshing smoothies. All smoothies and milkshakes can be made with non-dairy milk. There are plenty of vegetarian food options, such as the avocado and feta wrap, or Middle Eastern hummus and falafel salads. There’s even a couple of vegan salads and sandwiches. So for a vegetarian or vegan takeaway lunch to enjoy down by the seaside, keep an eye out for the Dr Juice outlets in Sliema, St Julians, Valletta and Bugibba. To top things off – you can finish your meal by treating yourself to one of their raw and vegan cakes or protein bites.

Roots

Roots is a vegetarian food van which travels around the island in its mission to provide organic and delicious veggie meals for tourist and locals alike. The van serves up stir fries, crepes, polenta burgers, chickpea curries, quinoa salads, cakes and more! So keep an eye out for the light green van and its friendly chefs.

BREAKFAST & LUNCH

Grassy Hopper

This is the island’s number one vegetarian haven; no meat is served at the Grassy Hopper. Ingredients are organic, fresh and hearty. Choose between eating at the cosy cafe in Valletta or in Gzira, with their impressive menu of vegan and vegetarian dishes ranging from noodles, salads, curries, soups and burgers. There’s always a special of the day, as well as the option to get some healthy pre-noon breakfast like chia pudding or vegan pancakes. Vegan cheese, chocolate, banana bread and carrot cake are also available here.

The Grassy Hopper is an absolute must for any vegetarians visiting the island. The big portions are very reasonably priced, and you’ll be able to find a number of uncommon health foods sold at the cafe. If you’re looking for a pick-me-up, try their wheat grass shot!

Mint

This Sliema cafe is an excellent place to stop by when you’re feeling like vegetarian sandwiches, baguettes or quiche. The cafe is located on the strand, just a few steps from the sea and close to all bus stops. If you’re looking for a place to grab some afternoon coffee and vegan cake, Mint is a great place for this too. Their vegan brownies deserve a special mention!

Juuls

A reggae bar with great vibes, live music and amazing cocktails. The St Julian-based Juuls is open from 12pm each day, making it an amazing place to enjoy some food (from its predominantly vegan menu) in a friendly atmosphere. Try their stuffed peppers or pumpkin seed bread. As for cocktails – the strawberry mojito is a clear winner.

DINNER

Blue Elephant

One of the island’s best restaurants, and a paradise for any lovers of Thai cuisine. The gorgeously decorated and atmospheric Blue Elephant is an excellent place to dine with friends, as the platters allow for sharing and the cocktails are divine. The menu offers an abundance of vegetarian options, including a much-recommended vegetarian platter which is comprised of several small dishes. Since the restaurant is inside the island’s five-star Hilton Hotel, it’s also in close proximity to St Julian’s nightlife. The Blue Elephant has  become known as the go-to place for the hundreds of international poker players who flock to the island during the Battle of Malta tournament – so booking a table is recommended!.

Electro Lobster Project

This chic restaurant and bar has an avant-garde vibe, with a Mediterranean-inspired menu with Asian influences. There are number of vegetarian and vegan dishes on both the lunch and dinner menus. The venue also hosts the occasional vegan-themed event, so check out its online calendar for full details.

Tate

Located in the scenic town of Birgu, this large and family-friendly restaurant boasts a large meat-free menu with dishes from a large number of different cuisines ranging from Mexican to Greek. One of the best things about Tate is that there’s something on the menu for everyone. It’s also situated in one of the less touristy towns of Malta, offering you a glimpse into a more historic part of Malta. After your meal you can simply sit outside near the harbour and enjoy the fresh evening air with a cocktail in hand!

All in all, there are just about enough vegetarian and vegan eateries on the island to keep you satisfied during your visit, providing you know where to look!

Food

Beijing’s Food Scene Is Growing Up

March 13, 2017

As late as even several years ago, if you asked any real foodie about where to eat in Beijing, they’d look grim and maybe make a few half hearted suggestions, or maybe even just tell you to get on a plane and go to Hong Kong or Shanghai.

But this is 2017 and the world is a rapidly changing pace. Beijing has recently really started to come into its own as far as fine dining and good gastronomy is concerned. You no longer have to look so hard to find good offerings in tons of different international styles. Here are some of Beijings best offerings, in various styles and at many different price points.

Out of the many styles of Chinese cooking, imperial cuisine is perhaps the most overlooked and underrated. With that in mind, we would like to point you to Tiandi Yijia, where imperial cuisine fuses with select contemporary techniques to produce something truly spectacular. Found in the restaurant district right next to the Forbidden City, this place is not cheap, but it’s worth every last RMB you will spend.

The south of China is famous for its dim sum, among many other things, and Beijing is not short of offerings in this area. Our favorite over here is the famous La Garden, which is highly recommended for its crystal dumplings and egg custards. This place can get crowded, so go there early.

Haidilao is a Sichuan restaurant, serving what many people consider to actually be the most underrated regional cuisine in China, and certainly one of the top exported cuisines. Haidilao is famous for its exquisite bubbly hotpots. Love of spicy food is recommended for the full experience here.

For Japanese fare, especially sushi and sashimi of course, there is Hatsune, with its expertly cut and prepared offerings. Vietnamese food at its absolute best can be easily found at the very chic Susu. And now, there is a delicious little part of Italy that has located itself in a remote little alleyway far away from any of the traditional restaurant districts. Check out Mercante, which serves up simple but absolutely top-notch pastas and ragus etc.

So now, as you are cruising around town in your Blacklane, be sure to stop and check out some of Beijings newest and best culinary offerings. Your palate will thank you for it. Bon appetite everybody!

Culture, Food

Caribbean and Culinary Together?

February 16, 2017

Let’s be honest. When most people go on a Caribbean vacation, they don’t have good gastronomy in mind. Generally we go for the climate and the beaches, and perhaps the activities, maybe even the culture. But the food often is way down on the list of priorities.

But what if you’re a foodie AND a beachie, or what if you’re just a foodie and not much of a beachie, and you’re tagging along for the ride, say with family or such? Here you are, definitely appreciating one of your luxury Caribbean vacations, but you don’t want to eat the mediocre stuff everyone else around you for some reason doesn’t have a problem with. What can you do to save your palate from this particular purgatory? Here are some simple suggestions.

–Go With Your Instinct

This is mentioned because often we get paranoid when we’re on vacation, worried maybe a little too much about sanitary issues and the like. If you’re passing by one of those roadside stands and feel called by it, don’t hesitate. Check it out obviously and make sure everything is copacetic, but don’t get overly cautious. Some of the best food is to be found in those kind of random out of the way places. So don’t be overly afraid to sample what could maybe even be a life-changer.

-Go Into Town

This is another big one, and it goes beyond even the topic of food. This is why all-inclusives are really a double-edged sword. They win for convenience, but not always for quality, and they severely limit your vacation experience. And really, most of the Caribbean is safe enough where you shouldn’t have to limit yourself to some little patch of private property in order to feel safe. There are some exceptions, such as the interior of Puerto Rico, but in general, and especially in the Minor Antilles, you would do well do walk around get some sun and get to know the local culture, and what better place to start than through the food?

-Insist on Going For Local

The Caribbean has a lot of incredible cultural traditions, among them the many amazing styles of cooking. Keep in mind that they do their own thing extremely well, but in general they are not so good at cuisines from other countries. If, for example, dining at some local French or Italian restaurant is suggested, shoot it down immediately. Point out that it’s just going to be a disappointment because it’s almost guaranteed that the French or Italian etc. is going to be better where you actually live. Not to mention, the idea of travelling is to gain new experiences. Try to eat whatever you normally wouldn’t. Some of you may need to break out of your own little psychological box to do this. Do it.

Hopefully with these three simple and easy to remember tips, your next Caribbean vacation will have a huge culinary upgrade. Feel free to write to us and tell us all about your Caribbean food experiences, hopefully positive ones!