Calling all foodies! Clear your schedules because the Michelin Guide 2021 for local restaurants is closer than you think as it is expected to be revealed on 9th March, WhosWho.mt have announced.
The very first edition kicked off last year, with 26 restaurants making it into the Guide. Three restaurants were awarded a Micheline star, another three were given a Bib Gourmand while 20 other restaurants were awarded a Michelin Plate. YAS!
The Michelin Guide is updated every year and restaurants can actually lose their stars during the year of assessment (Covid sitch not included). Noni in Valletta, De Mondion in Mdina and Under Grain in Valletta were all awarded the Michelin star last year on 26th February - yes, just weeks before the pandemic struck.
How does the Michelin Guide review work?
Michelin stars: A restaurant is able to receive from zero to three Michelin stars, while the dishes are assessed according to five criteria: quality of ingredients, taste and technique of cooking, uniqueness of the chef’s style, value for money, and maintaining the declared bar of food quality.
Bib Gourmand: This category is named after Bibendum, the Michelin mascot. Restaurants given this award serve high quality dishes at affordable prices and are assessed based on whether a three-course dinner meal can be delivered with a set price range. This year, the dinner cannot exceed €36. In the 2020 edition, three restaurants gained Bib Gourmands: Terrone (Birgu), Commando (Mellieha) and Rubino (Valletta).
The Michelin plate: this is awarded to eateries serving “simply delicious food” made with fresh ingredients. It doesn't take into account the restaurant's interior or quality of service, just the scrumptious dishes.
The 20 restos that received a Michelin Plate last year included: The Golden Fork (Attard), Bahia (Lija), Briju (Gzira), Lord Nelson (Mosta), Barracuda (St Julian’s), KuYa (St Julian’s), Rampila (Valletta), Guze Bistro (Valletta), Capo Crudo (Valletta), The Harbour Club (Valletta), 59 Republic (Valletta), Aaron’s Kitchen (Valletta), Susurrus (St Julian’s), Caviar & Bull (St Julian’s), Root 81 (Rabat), The Medina (Mdina), Hammett’s Macina (Senglea), Tartarun (Marsaxlokk), Tmun (Mgarr, Gozo) and Ta Frenc (Xaghra, Gozo).
Curious to see which restos will be included in this year's Guide? Stay tuned!