A Georgian Night in Malta

Those who follow my blog know that this is not the first time that I write about my love for Georgian traditions. I won’t even try to hide it. After all, why should I?

I got to know Ms. Maka Lashki a few years ago now and since the first time we met, it was an instant click. Two minds that do not necessarily think alike all the time but certainly two open hearts that appreciate each other’s culture, good wine, great food and unforgettable fun.

Ms. Maka Lashki as Founder and Director of the Georgian Cultural Centre in Malta organised another familiarisation trip with a group of Georgians who came to our beautiful Malta. I won’t be talking about the cultural exchange this time round as I have done so already so many times in the past. Instead, I shall focus my article on the Georgia Restaurant that just opened a few weeks ago in Spinola Bay Malta.

Like any other Georgian activity, a dinner get together cannot start without good Georgian wine. Although Mark Cassar was not with us tonight, we still mentioned him and his passion for the Qvevri method wine. Hopefully, I will get the opportunity to visit him soon in his fields and will promise to write all about that as well. For more information, please visit his website about his dedication for wine: https://marcasar.com

But let’s get to the chase. Laughter, warm smiles and good Georgian food was the main welcome atmosphere in this cosy restaurant that certainly inspires a good future. As soon as I sat down, I couldn’t help but notice the original white ceramic plates carefully bitten at one end as a special design. I bet it’s not just the Maltese that say that we were so hungry that we even felt like eating the plates. Link to Georgia's Restaurant Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091389677906

Immediately after the great wine tasting, arrive the variety of good bites: Khinkali, Khachapuri, Pkhali, Eggplant Walnut Rolls and much much more. A brief explanation of what this Georgian food entails follows:

• Khinkali are similar to dumplings filled with meat and broth. Ideally eaten warm and tricky to assimilate all the meat juice inside. It’s a delicacy that I cannot explain and as I try to find the exact words, I find myself salivating again like a hungry dog.

• Khachapuri is basically fried dough with generous amounts of Georgian cheese. In some cases, some variations also include a raw egg served on top. The latter is for the more adventurous palates.

• Pkhali are similar to our dips. Their base is always a vegetable or fruit. Tonight we had the pleasure to try spinach based ones and pomegranate based ones. These are usually accompanied with a generous helping of crushed walnuts inside. Their taste is beyond description. They’re an ideal accompaniment with the basic khachapuri mentioned before.

• I shall now bow in front of the item that I most loved: Eggplant Walnut Rolls. The name describes it all but only the taste speaks on its own. This is indeed a true Georgian delicacy.

Given, it was an unusual cold evening for April in Malta, I was pleased to be offered a hot coffee in a very original cup. A cappuccino served with perfection to accompany the cold evening and the lovely strawberry profiteroles brought to us to celebrate our friend Irina’s birthday.

I encourage you to visit Georgia Restaurant. Although the place is quite small and booking is recommended, the cosy setting will allow you to enjoy the best of Georgian traditional food in Malta. What I mentioned here were just a few appetisers but Georgian food is by far a wider variety of dishes that we’ve yet to explore.

Bring on the next visit to Georgia Restaurant!

Address of this special place is: 123, Main Street, St Julians, Malta

More photos of the evening below...