Giannini Restaurant — Restaurant in Valletta

Pretty poor food given its intended clientele. Overcooked fish and awful prawns that had clearly been left out in the heat for a while. When discussed with waiting staff, was patronised and given the excuse that Mediterranean prawns were different. The only good thing was that they were willing to take it off the bill. Pretty rude maitre d and despite 4 waitresses with only maybe 8 tables at peak, we were still pouring drinks ourselves and waiting for service.

In response to the reply: We had time to count probably because we were waiting for one of your 4 staff members to come and pour wine or water - perhaps you think counting up to 8 takes longer than a few seconds? You sat everyone on one side of the room so please don’t use social distancing as an excuse for poor trade. I’m pretty sure that I’ve probably tasted more seafood than you have across various regions of the world including on multiple occasion in the Mediterranean. Maybe you don’t actually know what a good prawn tastes like which is sad for a seafood restaurant owner. The fact that you pay €43/kilo probably means that you’re being ripped off and you need to change supplier. I think the fact that your response is so rude and defensive shows how little confidence you have in your own business and shows your true colours. The sign of a good business is one that is willing to take feedback from customers. Perhaps spend less time writing your lengthy, rude replies to reviews and a little more in practising hosting...

If I could give a lower rating, I honestly would. I saw the place on Instagram and went with two friends of mine. Once we were seated and wanted to take the order, the manager there informed us that there is a minimum 25 euro spend per person policy (in a very rude and condescending way). My friends and I explained that we were not aware of this policy and were not interested in ordering two dishes each as we were not very hungry and she told us that in that case we can pay for our water and go, and that she can sell the table are a restaurant like that very easily for more (again in a very condescending and rude way). She did not apologize for the inconvenience she had caused us or anything of the sort. The waiter brought the bill immediately after this. Honestly, this restaurant has to reconsider the person they place to meet and greet the customers that walk in. I understand the minimum 25 euro policy but there is always better ways of speaking to customers that were not aware of the policy and not make them feel uninvited. Message to the person we spoke to: If this restaurant is in fact as nice as you claim, you shouldn’t be starving for money and saying it so frankly and openly - not...

2 out of 5 is the maximum I could give. I read so many positive reviews and I'm super disappointed from what I've seen and experienced inside. Starters: 1) mozarrella di buffala - it was standard mozzarella not the buffala, no taste, lack of freshness; 2) beef carpaccio - cuts very thick and chewy, as far as I understand carpaccio should melt in your mouth. Main, fish, seabass. If you order fish I feel that it should be filleted in front of you, so you know what you are eating. Instead I got a fish ready to eat on my plate...covered with tomatoes sauce I didn't ask for. The fish was very tiny, a portion for one and it was charged surprisingly 60€ (fish that I didn't see the size before). I've been in many restaurants in Malta and it feels like a clear fraud. Example - the next day we went to Porto Vecchio restaurant and the food not only was much better quality, but also for 150euros (same price as Giannini) we fed four people with coffees and desserts. For plus is a great service in your place and good...