Gozo In The House spent a splendid afternoon at The View Bar & Kitchen, enjoying much more than the panoramic.
The View Bar & kitchen is located in the quaint sqaure in the village of zebbug. this gorgeous eatery invites customers to feel completely at home in the light, airy and spacious restaurant.
In 2018 Anthony Zammit teamed up with his Dad, Randu, and turned a joint dream of running a restaurant into reality, they both exude dedication which transpires into an honest, wholesome dining experience, where they breathe the importance of creating a happy working environment. Expect a warm welcome and impeccable service.
The restaurant has mastered a modern yet relaxed and inviting ambiance. Having booked ahead we secured an alfresco table, if you can’t book the terrace for your first visit, do not be deterred or disappointed as there are many seating options inside where you still enjoy the commanding view, plus there is so much more to this eatery than the backdrop.
Before we take a dive into the menu, let’s talk about THAT view! Overlooking the North of the island, you experience a close encounter with Gozo’s distinctive landscape where beautiful rolling hills meet the ocean. The View’s terrace emerges you in the depths of Gozo’s unique geography with a prime view of the iconic Giordan Lighthouse. It’s rather special. Sitting back and soaking up the atmosphere, we couldn’t help but look forward to returning throughout the year, where the seasons bring a luscious green coat and the valleys and fields are in bloom. Zebbug is also one of the most immersive and illuminating places to watch the sun go down on Gozo… watch this space for our next feature!
The MENU
Anthony explained how they value working with local farmers and fishermen to support sustainability and the local economy. They offer a core menu with daily specials and mark their anniversary each year with a menu refresh to reflect customer demand. The View has credibility, it’s as popular with locals as it is with tourists. Always a good sign to go where the locals eat! Their menu offers a crafted selection of Mediterranean delights and whether you are after something quick and light or a heartier affair, they have excellent choices for both and cater for children too.
To begin we enjoyed a delectable appetizer of fresh focaccia with a chickpea dip, this washed down with a sip of prosecco more than hit the spot!
Starters
Their starter menu features dishes such as Cucumber Filled with Crab Meat & Mustard, Baked Brie with Thyme, Pancetta and Orange Zest, and Stuffed Pumpkin Ravioli with Basil Pesto, Truffle Oil and Halloumi Cheese. We tried the fresh Tortellini Filled with Porcini Mushrooms, tossed in Butter, Rosemary and Garlic, and finished with shavings of Grana Padano. The dish arrived with a pretty presentation and a perfectly sized starter. The pasta was a glorious amber colour reflecting the high quality of ingredients and the fungi filling was perfectly balanced. Every bite was savoured.
Main course
The mains menu includes a selection of pizzas plus gluten-free bases, which are not always easy to find on Gozo. We didn’t sample it, but were curious by the House Speciality Pizza which comes topped with Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Caramelized Onions, Bacon, Honey, and Fennel Seeds. Definitely one for next time! Beyond pizza and fresh pasta, there’s a varied salad menu and enticing meat and fish options. The slow-cooked meats are popular, for example, Lamb Shanks, Veal Cheeks, and Local Rabbit. We opted for the Beef Tagliata, intrigued to see The View’s take on this Gozo staple and it did not disappoint. The cut of meat was excellent which is vital when the central flavour is coming from the meat, no need for sauces or complications, just good seasoning, and a simple salad accompaniment.
Dessert to die for
We handed our dessert choice over to staff and gosh this was a good decision, this plate was an absolute blinder! Non-sweet tooths aside, when presented with a delectable warm light pastry filled with dates and a subtle hint of cloves, orange peel, and aniseed – served with delicious Vanilla ice cream, there was no stopping us! Now you understand the title of this feature. We invite you to use your hands, get stuck in and tear away segments of date-filled pastry and scoop up the ice cream. Sublime.
One for the road… we rounded off our meal with colourful digestivos Limoncello and Bajtra Liqueur (made from Prickly Pears). When in Gozo!
Book your table at The View Bar & Kitchen, Pjazza L’ Assunta Zebbug, Gozo. Book online , Tel: +356 2155 6565 or Email: theviewzebbug@gmail.com
