Pastizzi Gourmet fans (and well, fans of Maltese cuisine and food in general) will have a new local eatery to flock to next year: Marilu Vella’s new tea room, set to open between May and June in the heart of Siggiewi – and she’s got big plans for it!

Set within a historic townhouse smack dab in Siggiewi centre, plans have been in place for some time, she reveals, but permits are now in hand to convert the space into a fantastic tea room and eatery. Right before works begin on the exciting project, I caught up with Marilu for a sneak peek.

“We’ve got quite a bit of work to do,” she explains as she shows me around, including rewiring and opening up of some of the spaces within, while still retaining the homey feel of a house. The space is what you’d expect of a traditional Maltese townhouse, featuring sizeable rooms, each with their own beautiful patterned tiles which, Marilu assures me, will be retained wherever possible.

The plan, she tells me, is to have different spaces where people can eat, work and relax. Apart from a bar and dining area downstairs, a traditional staircase will lead to areas with different uses. These include a salott with comfy chairs where you can sip on a cuppa, as well as a working space where, funds permitting, Marilu wishes to include a mezzanine section featuring a mini library, were people can go, read and relax.

A further dining space that’s perfect for parties and functions leads out into a cosy yard which will be transformed into a tea garden, and stairs leading up to the piece de resistance: a fantastic roof space with spectacular church views, which the animated Marilu has earmarked for one-off film screenings and events.

And how about the food? What can we expect to find on the menu?

The concept revolves around traditional Maltese food reminiscent of parties of our youth, Marilu says, adding, “I have such great memories of it… not just pastizzi, but also timpana and other party food and sweets.” In the evenings, we can expect more ‘meal-based’ dining, featuring a shared fenkata-style concept that will encourage people to sit and dine together.

And with all this to look forward to, our taste buds can hardly wait!