Trip Advisor on Mahzen XII Mdina Wines at reduced prices by Mahzen X11 on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 10:42pm
“Atmospheric simplicity and balance”
Trip advisor Mahzen XII
Dec 5, 2010
Simple food at it's best This is Lonely Planets's pick of the restaurants in Mdina. It's part of the West wall (to get to it take the first left from the Main Gate and follow the street along the South wall and
go North along the West wall - just off a well beaten path and a place people could get so much more from the insipid places a few steps away. The proprietor is a charming, warm, kind hearted and friendly man, who is an enviable form of humanity. His personality has formed an interesting and charismatic environment that supports it's offering of simple food and excellent wine (it is well worthwhile asking for his suggestions - also try the prickly pear liqueur). Too often it is easy to have one or more the basics (environment, food, drink and service) out of balance with each other. Too often people have come from a restaurant and think 'that was quite good' or 'great ..., but what about/if only they...', in my opinion this restaurant has that balance. at the moment). here are a number of highly rated restaurants, none will beat the Mahzen XII’s strengths. Sure you can go to restaurants which have a more formal sophistication and higher price tag, but for simple, traditional food in a cosy and relaxed setting I cannot imagine a better option. Open for lunch throughout the week, the shape and history of the room, with a number of books, nicknacks and excellent selection of reasonably price wines is a far cry from fine dining establishments. Personally fine dining for the times you need to impress, but for regular enjoyment it is places like this that gets my vote.