TATEL Malta: Spanish in St Julian's
Spanish · St Julian's, Malta
Our Review of TATEL, St Julian's
Food at TATEL: 15/20
TATEL is a big deal in Madrid - hell it's partly owned by Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Nadal and Enrique Iglesias. So you would expect glamour, but I was uncertain whether to expect good food. But that is what we get here. The Tapas are inevitably the best dishes. The Burrata with candied pine nuts and an orange and lavender vinaigrette and the tuna tartare with egg yolk confit at €18 are both excellent. You can add just 5g of caviar for €30 – you get the picture. Crispy eggplant with a warm honey sabayon is also delicious at only €12, and the King Prawns swimming in garlic at €20 were wonderfully fresh. Less successful the piquillo peppers with roasted garlic at €15 – the garlic used here makes the taste almost rancid, and the peppers are way too thin. Whilst so far dressings and sauces are ideal for 'wet food' lovers, the main courses 'cross the aisle.' Black cod, at €26 is very tasty, but it really needs more miso glaze – the mirin is crucial to the umami taste. Likewise, the Iberico Pork Pluma, at some €38, needs something with it, even if just a jus, to avoid being dry.
Atmosphere at TATEL: 9/10
My heart sinks when I observe a DJ next to our table. At these prices few people in this place are under fifty, and most of those that are, are not picking up the bill. But to give the young gentleman from Bordeaux his due, his 'curated' music is perfectly pitched to his audience, and the noise level rises only gently as the evening goes on, and his audience are well oiled. But make no mistake if you don't like music then this is not a place for you after 10pm - unless you bring your ear muffs. And those ear muffs better be mink as there is a strong dress code here, although I did notice one or two elderly rockers in collarless T-shirts, and even one in a pair of shorts, supposedly strictly forbidden as we were told via email. The design is very good here, and it is a great pleasure to sit out on the terrace on warm and not oppressive nights. The crowd is dominated by Americans who are doing well on the NASDAQ, and, sad to say, a few tables celebrating birthdays. Singing waiters jars a bit at this level.
Service at TATEL: 9/10
Service is simply outstanding here. The waiters chat to customers, rather than each other, and it is never hard to catch their eye. This comes only from disciplined training, and perhaps the presence of watchful managers who patrol the place in black suits like Daleks on a mission. Their gaze is firm. The wine list is extensive, though 'the wine curse of St. George's Bay' struck us at the beginning. All the wines I chose were out of stock, perhaps because they were the least painful in this tortuously expensive list. The very nice sommelier assured me she had 355 out of 360 wines and I had just happened to be unlucky. I better become a water diviner. Maybe more reasonable pricing and better restocking would help. I mean the better Verdejo at €140 and a Greek Assytiko at €164...come on! But then Chavy-Chouet Puligny Montrachet at €330 makes them seem reasonable. I guess the Americans stick to cocktails. Address & Contact Triq Ix-Xatt ta' San Gorg, St. Julians, Malta, St Julian's Phone: 7979 3829 Website - https://tatelrestaurants.com/en/malta/
Cuisine
Spanish
Price Level
$$$$
Ratings
TATEL — Frequently Asked Questions
What type of food does TATEL serve?
TATEL is a Spanish restaurant in St Julian's, Malta.
How expensive is TATEL?
TATEL is rated $$$$ for price (on a scale of € to €€€€€).
Where is TATEL in Malta?
TATEL is located in St Julian's, Malta at Triq Ix-Xatt ta' San Gorg, St. Julians, Malta, St Julian's.
Is TATEL worth visiting?
TATEL scored 33/40 in our independent Malta Guide review, covering food quality (15/20), atmosphere (9/10) and service (9/10).
Can I book a table at TATEL online?
Yes, TATEL accepts online reservations via their official website.