This is a relatively recent transformation of one of the previous eateries that line the main Bugibba square. It has a relatively stylish and avant garde look, and stands out when compared to the other rather expected and sometimes tired, tourist looking joints around. So naturally this is the one my wife pointed at and with absolutely no hesitation I followed her instructions and proceeded to pick one of the many available tables outside.

This was an impromptu affair, as we often like to do on our way home, when we simply glance at each other, give a quick nod and turn the car towards the closest restaurant around, in the form of an unexpected treat. In this particular case we were accompanied by our daughter, it was at the unlikely hour of 16:30, but who on earth cares! That’s what days are for, to rearrange them exactly how you feel like there and then and to fit in a bit of well deserved self indulgence.

So as we were already in Bugibba, we just walked down to the square and into Bistroteca. We were only after something quick and uncomplicated anyway, so this seemed like a very likely place.

As we always have our priorities right, we started immediately with the wine and asked for a first one which was out of stock, as was our second choice too. This seems to be happening more and more in recent times and is quite disappointing. With good beverage stock management this should never happen and if for some very remote reason a restaurant is caught out, then this should be indicated even temporarily on the wine list, or at least advised verbally when handing over the list. We did in the end settle for a 35 South sauvignon blanc, which is always a good choice, but particularly this new 2014 vintage I find has turned out truly excellent and considerably superior to the previous few recent vintages.

So as we happily sipped our wine and eventually gave our order to an extremely friendly and helpful server, if rather unpolished. This is often the case in Malta, although I must admit that being slapped across the back simply cause I’m a nice guy, does not happen to me that often. Still, he was extremely helpful and attentive, which is more important to me than his very apparent need for a good Swiss finishing school.

The menu was quite extensive, interesting and well presented. I also liked their special steak feature on the menu, whereby for a small supplement you could choose any two of a wide choice of sides and extras. Although the steaks themselves seemed slightly on the pricey side, I really cannot judge, as I went for the fish and chips instead. This was lovely and crispy on the outside and filled with tasty succulent fish, which I very much enjoyed. The accompanying chips were also faultless.

We also had a lemon and pepper crusted grilled chicken breast salad, which was copious, well presented and very tasty. And a pan roasted duck breast which was also of a very good standard and cooked exactly as requested. So all three dishes were very satisfactory and certainly commendable.

Based on the quality of their mains, we were thinking of trying out a couple of their desserts, however our table simply took ages to be cleared. My newly made buddy had somehow vanished, until I caught a glimpse of him chatting at the bar in civvies and by then visibly off duty. He was replaced by another seemingly johnny-head-in-air colleague, who was busy buzzing around the empty tables chasing flies or imaginary customers I presume. After what seemed like ages I had had enough and decided to get up and chase him around the empty establishment, at which point he suddenly seemed to realise his great oversight, did admittedly apologise and finally cleared our table.

By that time however we were put off waiting any longer, and as may be expected, had become restless and wanted to go. So we settled the bill, went to the gelateria next door and did it Italian style, strolling and licking our way along the lungomare.

If this place manages to slightly up its service and also clean their toilets, after what visibly must have been a busy and wet lunch, it can make for a very agreeable venue, with its more than decent and varied choice of food and of course its central location.