Finding a quiet place to enjoy a meal with family and friends in Paceville's lively entertainment district may usually seem like quite a daunting task. However, just a stone’s throw from the main piazza lies a new culinary gem that's causing quite a stir. Tango & Fork, the latest addition to the Triq il-Wilga strip, is rapidly earning a name for itself as one of the area's most outstanding and most warmly inviting restaurants.

Since its opening in November of last year, Tango & Fork has been wowing patrons with its exquisite Mediterranean fare and convivial ambiance. Under the leadership of 30-year-old Macedonian chef, Zoran Bogdanovski, the restaurant has swiftly garnered a loyal following. With a plethora of innovative Mediterranean-inspired dishes on offer, from delectable pastas and risottos to oven-baked pizzas, seafood, meat, burgers, and more, the menu boasts a remarkable diversity of flavours, all crafted and served by a talented and diverse team hailing from Cuba, Colombia, Argentina, Italy, Serbia, Hungary, and Malta. It's this culinary and cultural fusion that sets Tango & Fork apart from the rest.

Despite his youth, Zoran Bogdanovski has already established himself as an exceptional chef, having traversed the globe to learn from some of the most renowned culinary experts. As he recalls, "I used to read a lot of psychology, and one critical lesson I took to heart was that until the age of 25 or 30, our minds absorb knowledge at an unprecedented rate. So, I used this fact to inspire me to travel as much as possible to expand my culinary skills and expertise."

This journey took him to various parts of the world, including Qatar, where he worked in the Middle East, as well as Europe, where he honed his craft under the tutelage of acclaimed chefs in Italy, France, Spain, and Georgia. This wealth of experience has instilled in him the discipline and rigor needed to deliver top-quality food consistently, making him the exceptional chef he is today.

Amid all these culinary adventures, Zoran received an unexpected text from a close friend who happened to be visiting Malta.

"He messaged me out of the blue to let me know that Malta's gastronomy scene was really taking off. This was around nine years ago, when many incredible chefs from around the world were coming over here, opening up many fantastic restaurants. He recommended I should take this opportunity to come to Malta and make a name for myself as a chef," Zoran recalls.

With nothing to lose, Zoran made his way to Malta, where he soon landed a coveted job at Caviar & Bull. Showing his characteristic chutzpah, Zoran cold-called the prestigious fine-dining establishment to inquire about any job openings. Here he was greeted by head chef Marvin Gauci who promptly invited him to work the grill the very next day. Thus commenced a remarkable three-year stint under the expert guidance of Chef Gauci and his highly experienced kitchen team.

"When I started working at Caviar & Bull, I was full of enthusiasm and eager to learn as much as possible," Zoran reflects. "I am grateful for how generous the entire team was in sharing their kitchen secrets and techniques with me. We achieved many incredible successes and won several awards during my three-year tenure. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

After reaching a point where he felt he had hit a professional ceiling, Zoran decided to pursue his dream of owning his own restaurant and stepping out of the shadows as a head chef. During his time in Malta, he met local restaurateur Daniel Bartolo and the two developed a strong mutual respect and camaraderie. They had always talked about opening their own restaurant, and the opportunity finally presented itself when Daniel discovered a great space with lots of potential in the heart of Paceville. Zoran quickly seized the opportunity, inviting talented young Macedonian sous chef Stefan to join him on this new venture. Together with Daniel and Jazmina, Zoran’s wife who heads up the marketing, they set out to build the Tango & Fork story from scratch.

"We sat down and asked ourselves, what kind of experience do we want to offer our guests? Our main goal was to create a welcoming environment where people can come to unwind, connect, and enjoy delicious, comforting food with our own unique twist. While we focus on Mediterranean cuisine, we draw inspiration from a variety of cultures. Of course, being in Malta, we had to include our signature rabbit ravioli with red wine reduction. This is one of our most popular dishes that our guests love. We also offer a tender chargrilled octopus with a Spanish twist and succulent Greek-style Lamb Shank Kleftiko, among many other amazing dishes that take inspiration from all over the Mediterranean. We also encourage our chefs to bring their own influence to the menu, allowing us to incorporate different cooking techniques that add more depth and flavour to our dishes."

Zoran also explains that he and his team are committed to working closely with local farmers to source only the freshest and highest quality ingredients for Tango & Fork's dishes. They take pride in utilising a wide range of locally sourced ingredients, including organic chicken, pork, and eggs, as well as a colourful variety of fresh vegetables to not only ensure the utmost in flavour and quality, but also supports the local food industry.

Since their grand opening before the Christmas holidays, Tango & Fork has been a runaway success, with its popularity only increasing. Despite January and February being the low season, Zoran has been pleasantly surprised to see that demand for his eatery has continued to grow from strength to strength.

"It's truly gratifying to see so many of our guests returning for the fifth and sixth time. We pour a lot of hard work and dedication into this restaurant, and it makes us incredibly happy to see that people appreciate what we're doing," he says with a genuine sense of pride.

Building upon the success of Tango & Fork, Zoran and his team are already looking towards the future. With plans to introduce an avant-garde fixed price tasting menu utilising molecular gastronomy techniques, paired with expertly curated wines, they are striving to offer guests an unforgettable culinary experience. But they’re not planning to stop there. Their vision extends beyond just serving excellent food.

"We don't want to be just another restaurant where you come and simply eat and leave. Our aim is to go beyond that and create a memorable experience for our guests. We envision hosting special events that allow our guests to learn something new about gastronomy and fine wines while still enjoying our concept and menu. We truly want Tango & Fork to fulfil our mission statement of being a place where stories exchange hands as freely as the wine flows, a place where all are welcome,” Zoran concludes.