Sauntering through the streets of Mdina, amid the noble architecture, I finally meet Mr Arani Issa (u ibqa’ ħares jekk possibli!) himself – Joseph Chetcuti – and together we head off to Don Mesquita wine bar.
The minute we step inside I could almost hear my own blood pumping through my veins as the euphoric silence of the old city seems to reflect the atmosphere inside. It is dead calm, although almost every table is occupied in some way or other.
Sex and the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker would probably cry her eyes out if she came to Don Mesquita with the intention of making a grand entrance. The first impression one gets is that of a very small place which is cluttered with tables far too close to each other.
Some of the patrons look up briefly as we walk in, exchange curious glances, and happily ignore us, digging into their food as if they had just been released from Antonella’s Kilo show. At the rate they are eating I figure the food is good!
The Double Ds (Darren and Daniel) who run the wine bar, appear from behind a counter and one of them (my wild guess would be Darren!) comes forward with a very welcoming smile, asking us if we would prefer to be seated upstairs or downstairs.
We both decide to take the downstairs option, and follow Darren down a spiral staircase that leads to the lower level of the wine bar. It looks like it could have been a cellar – but later, Darren explains with the enthusiasm of Kevin Borg after winning the Swedish Pop Idol – it is the original level to the city.
This is a whole new world! The setting veers from the upper level. This is a cosy haven full of neatly positioned tables and dipped in soft golden lights, mellowed to perfection. D & D deserve a lighting award for their effort. Not many get the lighting right, but they certainly do! The lower level seems to be more spacious so Sarah Jessica Parker would have been a fool to judge a book by its cover!
We are ushered to a table for two positioned close to the staircase. It is surrounded by little candles flickering gently – with several dancing flames emitting a cosy glow.
“And here are the menus…” Darren announces. He places the menus in front of us and rushes off to tend to Ken and Barbie look-a-likes who are sitting across from us, sipping wine and looking starry eyed at each other. I guess it must be their first date! Ken is wearing Oh-My-God expensive cufflinks, so I figure Barbie will be getting an equally expensive wedding eventually.
Joseph is all perfumed up for the occasion. That… or he has smothered himself in some exotic scented soap which lingers pleasantly in the air. His hair has been carefully styled, and he is looking like he is about to walk on stage to receive a TV award.
He confidently reaches for the menu – which reveals the names of D & D – and flips through it with controlled ease.
“I’m not too fond of cheeses,” he says almost dejectedly. “How about you?”
I tell him that cheese is cholesterol friendly so I am happy to skip out on it. There are other tempting offerings that catch my eye, so I cross my fingers he will pick something that satisfies my rising hunger. (Joseph is very careful with his eating habits!).
He finally decides on the Don Mesquita platter – which I approve – and opens the wine menu for a quick look.
The wine selection is quite good, and Joseph immediately settles for a Maltese wine without any trace of hesitation.
“No foreign wines,” he states with a lively sense of patriotism. “I love all that is Maltese and I’m up for a Maltese wine!” Did I have a choice? … No! I half expected him to produce a Maltese flag and start waving it!
Sure enough – since he is their legal adviser – he chooses an Antonin Blanc 2006 from the Marsovin vineyards priced at €20.85. He graciously explains that it comes from the Ramla Valley in Gozo and that it’s a premium wine. Later I discover that the Antonin Blanc is full bodied and round with a fruity character, and I inwardly think it somehow matches my guest. A little bit like the dog looking like its owner! Hmmm… full bodied might match the subject, but please don’t tell Joseph he is round!
The D-Man appears out of nowhere, and takes our order with unrivalled zeal. He politely explains that the only platter they do not have today is the Don Mesquita platter, so we both agree to some dips! Inwardly, I’m cursing and hoping that would be enough.
Meanwhile, as I take in the décor I come across One TV’s Ray Azzopardi enjoying a glass of wine with a group of friends. Hey! Maybe this is the new celebrity hang out on Thursday evenings! Ken & Barbie are now enjoying a platter and I have to admit they make a delightful accessory to the ambience. It looks more and more like a first date, with Barbie being overly excited about Ken (and my guess – the Oh-My-God expensive cufflinks!).
The paintings at Don Mesquita seem to have been carefully chosen, and one in particular which decorates the north wall, screams out “Come and own me!” Joseph comments it is a beautiful piece, and I make the right noises in agreement. Ouch! Is that a cobweb I see on the edge of the canvas? Hmmm… Maybe it’s an Austin Camilleri pop art installation!
Food and wine are served a few minutes later. The platter looks simply mouth watering and I hope it tastes as good as it looks.
The opening of the wine ceremony is simply perfect, flawlessly performed with a tempo that any trained sommelier would approve! Darren does a great job.
We guzzle the first glass of wine and I take an educated guess that Joseph is now open for some Q & A so I ask Mr presenter/violinist/producer/entrepreneur whom he would never invite to a wine bar.
“George Pullicino! Because he would drink all the wine and devour the platter,” he quips, working the humus dip with a breadstick.
I allow him to savour the humus for a while longer and then challenge him with another light-hearted question. I would like to know with whom he would gladly swap his face if he had the opportunity to do it… And with whom he wouldn’t.
He straightens up, and ponders on my question. “I’ll swap my face with Morena’s, and will not swap it with Mark Caruana. Hair is very important to me!” he admits unabashed.
As the evening progresses I decide to visit the “Mens” for a little inspection. I’m always curious to check out what kind of imagination wine bars/restaurants put into their facilities. I can’t say the two D’s have transplanted the effort they have put into designing the lower level of the wine bar to the rest room. It’s a good size and extremely clean, but as exciting as an IKEA shelf.
Truth is, this is just a minor detail. Don Mesquita has a very warm and friendly atmosphere, and the double Ds are very nice people with Darren winning the Mr Charm contest for his exquisite manners. Their artichoke dip could easily win the Gloria Mizzi award – look out for it – and if you eat like a pig and ask for more galletti, they will bring them over at the speed of light. We paid €31.80 in total for wine and platter and left the place in high spirits. Outside, we run into Barbie clinging to Ken and his… expensive cufflinks!
Rating (1 - 7):
Wine *****
Ambience ****
Food *****
Service ******