Root 81
Root 81 things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Best hospitality experience in Malta so far. Dined here for dinner outside. Great experience from arrival to departure. Looking at the menu prior to arrival, it did seem a tad basic and lacked invitation however i contemplated if cooked perfectly it would deliver which it did. The drinks menu only had alcoholic items so I asked if they could make me a sweet and sour cocktail which they executed perfectly. My wife and I decided to order 2 items on the specials menu which was the white lasagne with groper and cuttlefish and the black Angus tomahawk steak with truffle mash and root veggies. We also ordered the lobster risotto, chocolates lava cake and chocolate delice off the main menu. To start they offered table bread with butter and a tomato butter. The best table bread and butter I have had in Malta to date. They also offered what I believe was a burnt pramsean with brioche item which tasted lovely. It came out at room temp but I think if it were wamer, it would be a lot better. The risotto and lasagne came out next. My wife and i shared it and they were quality. I am a tough critic when it comes to risotto however the lobster risotto was the best risotto I have ever eaten. Instantly infused with lobster with every bite. May I mention it was the best presented dish of the session. The lasagne was the best lasagne I have eaten on my European holiday. I was constantly getting let down when it wasn't even on the menu and when I saw here I jumped at it and wasn't disappointed and was my highlighted dish of the night. The generous tomahawk steak was served to share for the main. We asked for it to be cooked medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. Both my wife and I are a fan of salt so we kindly asked the staff for extra seasoning. The only issue I found was that we were eating outside which was beautiful however it was a bit windy so when got to 2nd half of the steak it was cold. This was out of venues control. If I were to come here again (which I will if I go to Malta again) I would request a seat on the balcony which might protect it from the wind. All in all, the sides were great as well was the desserts. P.S. if you have a table for 2 and want to come here ask for a balcony seat as the views would be great. Best hospitality I have experienced in Malta to date.
John DuffieldJohn Duffield
00
Entering the restaurant we were greeted by pleasant and joyful faces of the staff. We were seated down on the ground floor in a dark yet atmospheric room resembling Maltese house of character. However, the decorations especially, the fake climbing plant on the walls along with cheap napkins and table mats created demeanor that exuded a certain lack of refinement, suggestive of a less-than-generous disposition. The repetitive chaotic music played from a single tiny speaker became irritant after dining for two hours in the restaurant along with the phone ringtone bell which could wake up a bear from its hibernation. In overall the food was scrumptious! I’ll begin with all the starters I’ve had. The duck tortellacci was a great choice with a rich creamy sauce. Risotto was also very heavy but well balanced. Lastly, the chicken liver pate didn’t disappoint as one of the signature dishes of Root 81. Furthermore, the main courses are a source of vexation for me. The venison was a beautiful dish, rich in flavor and beautifully presented. The source of my vexation was sadly the Argentinian ribeye. The meat was very fatty which is understandable to some extent as each cut of beef is different but it was really difficult to eat it at certain moments. I’m not a desert type of person but I was very satisfied with the ones I’ve had. Again, the staff was helpful and lovely. Their kindness went as far as giving us a free aperitif. We spent a lovely evening in the restaurant and came out well fed and extremely happy. P.S. Big and good selection of both affordable and higher end wines
Jakub PiecykJakub Piecyk
40
My wife and I just finished eating here. We've been in Malta for about 5 days, and decided to go somewhere nicer as our vacation winds down. My wife chose Root 81 thanks to mention by Michelin guide. We were not disappointed. Roberta waited our table, and she was fantastic. She was very attentive, being careful not to disturb us unless our glasses were empty, dishes needed to be removed from the table, or she was bringing us our orders. She was excellent. In addition, the bartender (who I believe was also the floor manager, but I'm not sure) was incredibly generous and a complete joy to interact with. My wife was also a big fan of the mixed drinks. He even went out of his way to email us a Spotify Playlist when I requested to know what music had been on. The food was as wonderful as the service. The starters were my favorite part. I had the beef tartar, which was just divine. My wife had the lamb ravioli, and it was also top notch. The duck and rabbit entrées were perfect, and the desserts finished it all off nicely. At the beginning and end of the meal, we were given small items from the chef that were also excellent, and small complimentary drinks to wash it all down. Overall it was a great restaurant, a great meal, and a great experience. Highly recommend.
Richard HortonRichard Horton
40
5/5 (I tried to add this post 6 months ago but an error with google) Root 81 is seriously impressive. They've held a Michelin Star for four straight years, and that speaks volumes. Definitely a top contender for the best dining spot in Malta. I put it in my top 10 in my life time of travels around the world. I make a point to try dine in a few Michelin rated restaurants every where I go. My experience there started off as a lucky accident when another restaurant nearby was closed. The sommelier, Sean, who's a level three, knocked it out of the park with his wine pairings from regional vineyards. They also have this awesome signature cocktail list, focusing on gin and tonic creations and fusions prepared by Mike. I got there a bit early, right before opening, which gave me a chance to enjoy the place more privately. Their seven-course meal was amazing. The chef makes it a point to greet guests, and they even surprised me with a special dessert for my birthday. The highlight for me was the exceptional service, especially when I needed to make a work call. They offered me a quiet space, and Mike kept the cordials coming. All in all, it ranks at the top of my list for dining experiences worldwide. What else is there to know? I’ll let the photos do the talking
Nicholas DockeryNicholas Dockery
00
Served very well at root81. The Maitre’d was very nice and provided a very good professional service. The food was very well prepared and we took truffle risotto and quail as starters and the trio of fish (meagre, amberjack and scallops) ending with a chocolate pudding (lava cake). The quail was amazing, the truffle risotto was nice but did miss the truffle kick I was expecting and the promised white truffle (which I was told it would have) i didnt see any shavings. However it was perfectly executed as a porcini risotto. The main was amazing and the sauces were very well balanced. Dessert followed the trend of excution and it was cooked to the right spot for gooeyness that it must have. Price overall is average for the quality, and you would actually expect to pay more, hence my five stars. It shows that there is pride in the ingredients used and chosen, and research for flavour combinations. Keep it up and well done. Restaurant caters for gluten-free customers.
Mark Anthony BorgMark Anthony Borg
00
Root 81 was nothing short of a fabulous experience. From the first bite to the last we were blessed with an exciting array of flavors. The local snail risotto will be something I dream about for months to come. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that we were well taken care of without being in your face. The bartenders smoked Negroni was a delicious take on a classic drink. (If we hadn't ordered a bottle I would have gotten more!) Our server Daniel was fantastic, his insight and suggestions were spot on and thanks to him I had one of the best ribeyes in my life. His knowledge of the local cuisine and wines was went perfectly with his attentive, helpful, and pleasantly charming personality. When you go, (not if, make your reservations now) make sure to request him, you won't regret it.
Kasey DickensKasey Dickens
20
Nearby Attractions Of Root 81
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