The Foodist

ELSA MESSI INTERVIEWS CHEF ROBERT CASSAR FROM ROOT 81 ON ACCOMPLISHING HIS DREAM, THAT OF OPENING HIS OWN RESTAURANT.

It’s not often that a restaurant wins an award a year after opening its doors but Chef Robert Cassar managed to scoop the title for ‘Top Food’ at last year’s reputable ‘Definitive(ly) Good Guide to Restaurants’ award ceremony.

“I love cooking anything, from a simple tomato to the most expensive truffle,” Cassar said. Cassar’s Root 81 restaurant is a dream he never imagined would materialise. His story had challenging beginnings. He spent four years at the food canteens of two of the largest factories in Malta. He worked very long shifts, doing everything from food orders to cooking and food preparation. Despite these hardships, it was here that he developed a passion for food and decided to pursue a path that revolved around his love for it.

After receiving a Diploma in Food and Culinary Arts, Cassar worked abroad at The Vineyard Relais & Chateaux - one of the most prestigious 5 AA Red Star restaurants in Berkshire. Following his stint there, Cassar returned to Malta and continued working in the catering industry for over 14 years at some of the leading 5-star hotels on the island. At long last, in November 2017, Cassar’s dream project of opening his own restaurant came true.

“Sheer determination combined with my passion for the art of food has infused this unique culinary project,” Cassar said. He added that his experiences working in the industry alongside top chefs like Joe Vella, the former executive head chef at the Hilton Malta, made it easier for him to have his own establishment. He learned a great deal from his chef-mentors as they helped him acquire a broader understanding of techniques, ingredients and ideas in the kitchen.

Cassar maintains a seasonal menu at Root 81, where he serves as the chef patron, and combines food and art, using local, fresh ingredients that are in season. He stresses the importance of studying the cooking methods and cuisines of other cultures, taking the time to experiment with new ideas in different dishes. His goal is to come up with wholesome and hearty dishes that demonstrate an attention to detail, stay up-to-date with the latest food trends, and show off an aspect of traditional Maltese food.

“An interesting menu should offer local food, using local ingredients, with a traditional Maltese cuisine twist,” Cassar said. “Adding a bit of foreign influence to our dishes make it the more exciting and allows us to be more creative,” he added.

Robert Cassar

Being a chef and owner of an award-winning restaurant like Root 81 keeps Cassar on his toes. He dives in everyday at the restaurant, doing everything from placing orders to putting his personal touch on dishes as they head out of the kitchen, to ensure that every customer has a positive experience when dining at his restaurant. Yet, he also believes that one should maintain a healthy work-life balance. When not at Root 81, Cassar likes to spend time with his family and fiancée. He also enjoys working out at the gym, travelling and relaxing at the beach during the summer.

And while he can work his culinary magic with any ingredients you may give him, there is one item that is his go-to when he wants to treat himself to something special: local wild fish John Dory – Pesca San Pietru. “I love cooking it with a drizzle of butter and a squeeze of lemon juice, and some good white wine to accompany it!”

Root 81

The hottest new café openings for every food lover

THERE HAS BEEN AN INFLUX OF NEW OPENINGS ON THE ISLAND RECENTLY, MANY BEING OF THE RESTAURANT KIND, BUT I’D LIKE TO FOCUS ON CAFES. I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT YOUR RUN-OF-THE-MILL TYPE OF CAFÉ EITHER, BUT REAL GOURMET ONES THAT WOULD APPEAL TO EVEN THE MOST DISCERNING FOODIE.

CAROLINA’S PETIT CAFÉ

This absolutely charming gem just opened its second location in Qawra and it’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to the 50’s. If you want a bit of vintage (and colour) in your life, Carolina’s Petit Café will not disappoint. Imagine yourself sitting in a retro kitchen with décor looking like you’ve been transported to the times of Mad Men. Here you’ll enjoy a plethora of adorable cupcakes with flavours such as Jammy Dodgers, impressive afternoon teas, savoury brunch snacks and old school sweets. Because Carolina loves children, the place welcomes the tiny ones to special cupcake decorating sessions. You’ll want to snap tons of pics… so go there with your phone on full charge.

Carolina's Petit Café

MARELLI CAFÉ

New and stylish, it catches everyone’s attention with its Scandinavian décor and aesthetically pleasing dishes. This is probably one of the hottest breakfast, brunch, and lunch spots happening now and it only opened last month. The menu tempts you with dishes such as Amatriciana eggs (two baked eggs in bacon and tomato sauce, parmesan and toasted bread), as well as other creative egg dishes. The pasta offering includes linguine zucchini, casarecce sausage and tagliatelle chicken parmesan. Expect hearty daily specials as an added bonus. Just check out their Facebook page and you’d want everything on the menu.

Marelli Café

THE CREW CAFE’ BAR

Opened last month in Gzira, the place is family-run by a Maltese couple with the help of their fierce young daughter. The sea view terrace offers a quiet place to enjoy breakfast, brunch or dinner with some great food choices. Rump carpaccio and calamari fritti are worthy starters, the pasta options are exceptionally generous in portion and they do authentic fish and chips.

The Crew Café Bar

Restaurants that offer vegan wines

VEGANISM IN MALTA IS ON THE RISE AND IT’S NEVER BEEN EASIER TO FIND EITHER EXCLUSIVELY VEGAN EATERIES OR RESTAURANTS OFFERING A PLETHORA OF CREATIVE PLANT-BASED DISHES. VEGANS OFTEN HAVE A HARD TIME ENJOYING A GLASS OF WINE WITH THEIR MEALS BECAUSE WINES CATERED TO THEIR DIET ARE PRETTY MUCH NON-EXISTENT IN MOST RESTAURANTS. A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE OBLIVIOUS TO THE FACT THAT YOUR USUAL WINE CONTAINS ANIMAL ADDITIVES SUCH AS ALBUMIN (EGG WHITES), ISINGLASS (FISH BLADDER) AND CASEIN (MILK PROTEIN). VEGAN WINE IS MADE WITHOUT THE USE OF ANIMAL PRODUCTS, BUT INSTEAD SWITCHED WITH VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN OPTIONS LIKE BENTONITE CLAY, LIMESTONE OR PLANT PROTEIN.

Here are some local eateries that will serve you some vino minus the animal products.

RASOI | St Julian’s

This authentic Indian restaurant in St Julian’s offers vegan wine offerings, which include the internationally famous Running Duck brand. All their wines are organic, with no added Sulphur during the stabilisation, filtration and fining process. You’ll find a Chardonnay (South Africa) 2018, Sauvignon Blanc (South Africa) 2017, a Merlot 2018, to name a few.

Rasoi

THE LORD NELSON |Mosta

This fine dining institution stocks the Donnafugata range and Masi Campofiorin wines to complement its very refined and creative vegan food offering.

Lord Nelson

LE BISTRO | St Julian's

Tuck into their exemplary vegan dishes whilst sipping on a Amphorum Sauvignon Blanc or the Amphorum Merlot that they pride themselves in carrying.

Le Bistro

U&CO | St Julian’s

Here you’ll find a nice selection of Masi wines, a very popular Italian brand. U&Co will give you the option of either two reds including a Merlot, a Rose (Rosa dei Masi) and a Pinot Grigio, also known as Grauburgunder.

U&CO