Asti Brasserie — Restaurant in Valletta

Tourist Trap – Beware of Dishonest Upselling

We had a disappointing experience at this restaurant that felt like a tourist scam. I clearly pointed to the menu and ordered the small Maltese platter, but we were served the large version—priced at nearly three times more. When I questioned the server, we overheard the waitress admitting to the server that she had ordered the large platter herself. Despite this, when I raised the issue with the staff, they insisted we pay for the larger portion.

The waitress later claimed she wasn’t looking at me when I ordered, which directly contradicted what we had overheard. On top of that, most of the items on the platter were overly salty and largely inedible. My husband’s drink was also forgotten and only arrived after we reminded the staff.

We left feeling frustrated and taken advantage of. I’d recommend visitors be cautious and double-check their orders—and their bills.

Edited to add: While I understand it is important to do damage control, we also ordered a meat and cheese platter, which I pointed to on the menu. We had only stopped with the intent to have a cocktail and wanted something light to enjoy with our drinks. The meat and cheese platter showed up significantly later—only when we were ready to leave—so we were under the impression that the two orders had been combined.

It is not the customer’s responsibility to know that the waitress thought "we would prefer a sizeable platter." We rely on our orders being taken correctly. We simply wanted a few finger foods to put on the table while we enjoyed our drinks, like an aperitivo, not a full meal. More than half of the Maltese platter and most of the meat and cheese platter (regrettably as this was better) remained unfinished, and we were three adults and two children—not six people trying to share one small plate,...

We reserved an inside table for 8.30pm, not knowing that the tables inside were somewhat limited, we were given a table just inside the entrance and so close to the table next to us as to almost make it a table for 4. Having seen that the tables outside set on the steps of the narrow street with plants and a Reston of lights overhead it really sets a lovely scene, we asked if there was a table outside and they very kindly offered one as it had come available. So we moved outside, it. Really is a picturesque setting. We ordered our main course (skipping starters) from a fairly modest menu, I ordered Panzarroti, basically mushroom ravioli with Guanciale. My wife ordered the seafood pasta. It was a little while after that the live music started! A very talented guy on an electric piano with great backing tracks singing classic crooner songs, which albeit very well done, in the narrow stone street and at an unreasonable volume made it impossible to have a conversation and after a few numbers it became not only annoying but almost painful, added to that the food took an age to arrive, I mentioned to the staff (who were actually very good) that we’d been waiting some time and were told that they had a rush on pasta dishes! 50 mins in and my pasta dish arrived, my wife’s dish took another 10mins! By this time the background music’ had become more endurance than enjoyment. The food was disappointing, both dishes lacked flavour and the seafood pasta, albeit loaded with seafood was bland, which takes some doing! Needless to say, we hurriedly ate up and left without having anything else. Having walked a block away we could still hear the music at a level that was then comfortable. All in all, very disappointing and by all means have live music but it should be there to enhance the experience...

We're staying at Sally Port Suites, and my husband noticed the charming eatery beside our accommodation.

Thanks to Charibel and Noushad, our meal was salvaged from a very busy dinner rush. We attended Friday night, where the draw - aside from the fresh, Maltese and Italian food - must have been the live entertainment.

We didn't realize that reservations were strongly recommended, given the night of the week. However, we were very kindly seated inside, underneath the stunning crystal chandelier which the Manager's father constructed himself.

We ordered the Maltese bread and burrata, the spaghetti carbonara and the black and white lobster ravioli. The food was delicious, hot and for my husband's lobster ravioli, phenomenal!

Charibel did advise us that since we were ordering pasta dishes, they would take longer (we had arrived after a large group), so we decided to order the burrata dish as our appetizer to sustain us while our pasta dishes were in the queue. Both Charibel and Noushad clearly had exceptional customer service experience as they ran the bar, took orders, and served with efficiency.

The upside of sitting inside (aside from the A/C which tempered the pervasive humidity outside) was being seated beside a Maltese couple A and R. R was a font of information regarding island eateries i.e., in Rabat, Serkin is the go-to for pastizzi.

We enjoyed a lovely conversation with them while dining. Timing is everything. Make a reservation if you wish to dine al fresco; if not, when dining inside, request Charibel to take your meal order. If ordering a beverage, rest assured Noushad will attentively see to...