A small, fashionably minimalist interior with open kitchen and funky music ensure bags of soul at this off-the-radar cantine gastronomique, a showcase for the sensational home cooking of passionate chef-owner Maria. Inspired by her Russian-Maltese heritage, she cooks just one meat and one vegetarian dish daily using seasonal ingredients from local farmers and small producers, washed down with Italian wines.
End with one of Maria's extraordinary homemade cakes – a soft, rich Sicilian-inspired almond cookie or sweet whirl of a chocolate-and-pistachio pastry perhaps – and a serious craft coffee poured by Italian barista Bartolomeo. Reservations recommended, especially for weekend brunch.