‘We’re in a position to give our guests a more complete experience’ – BAHIA’s Colin Ciantar

Colin Ciantar, Owner of one Michelin-starred restaurant BAHIA, is celebrating the 100-day anniversary since his establishment’s moved to Corinthia Palace in Balzan.

Having started out inside a Lija townhouse, BAHIA is presently just one of five restaurants around the Maltese islands to boast a Michelin star.

The establishment had first received its star in 2021, with the Guide re-confirming said honour this year.

“Without the commitment and effort of such a great team of people, this project would have never seen the light of day,” Mr Ciantar said.

“We have worked relentlessly to create a space that is comfortable for our guests and extremely functional for our staff. Today we feel we are in a position to give our guests a more complete experience. This elates us since the latter has always been one of our core values,” he continued.

Housed within the first floor of the Villa – a listed building at Corinthia Palace – BAHIA’s interior mirrors the journey of an orange, with each space representing a different phase: starting from the Seed, to Growth, Blossom, and finally Harvest.

“This is a big change from our little courtyard in Lija, and the team is excited to have the opportunity to serve guests outdoors, since it is fully aware of the preference for dining al fresco during the summer season,” Mr Ciantar added.

“Our two orange trees, Chloe and Jade, are eager to find themselves on these terraces accompanying guests who will continue experiencing the opportunity to choose their food from the Past, Present, or the Future. Each of these menus is inspired by some of the foundations of Maltese culinary heritage, and our guests have received each of these menus really well,” he concluded.

Guests can also choose from a range of plant-based dishes thanks to BAHIA’S vegan a la carte and degustation menus.

Apart from a variety of indoor and outdoor seating options, BAHIA is home to a private dining room which can fit up to 12 guests – perfect for corporate diners looking for a quieter and more private setting.

Single diners can also choose to sit at the chef’s table to witness the action within the restaurant’s open kitchen and converse with other single diners.

“As we look ahead to the new chapter and 60th Anniversary of Corinthia Palace, having BAHIA as our Michelin-starred partner celebrates another important milestone for us,” the hotel’s General Manager, Alexandra Pisani, said.

“The imaginative Maltese dining menus and the redesign of the space into an upscale restaurant presents guests with a unique culinary experience. Corinthia Palace remains the quintessential address for travellers looking to experience the real Malta, in the heart of Malta,” she concluded.