Hammett's Gastro Bar has celebrated its official opening this week and is the latest addition to the Sliema sea front, a stone throw's away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre.

Run by 19 time-award winning restaurateur Chris Hammett of The Villa Brasserie in St. Julians, the new outlet's fare is ground-breaking both in its wildly innovative interpretation the notion of plates-to-share as well as in its strokes of genius in combining a variety of culinary influences, ingredients and imaginative cooking techniques from all corners of the world. The Hammett's Gastro Bar menu is seasonal, changing according to the availability of fresh local produce.

"The concept will appeal to people who want to celebrate complementing influences of cuisine in one sitting. We wanted to make it a one of kind social experience where patrons can expect to taste a variety of dishes to share"

The bar mirrors the food menu in its vast and international offering with an array of craft beers, a selection of over 110 wines, flagship spirits and an extensive gourmet cocktail list using fresh fruit, homemade syrups and infusions.

The venue design orchestrates an industrial chic twist of honest and refined aterials such as reclaimed vintage whiskey barrels transformed into unique hand-wash basins, concrete flooring and structural beams met by rich velvets, copper, marble and zebrano wood textures. Views of Marsamxett harbour and a private dining are also features in the establishment.

The Hammett's Gastro Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is the first venture between Chris Hammett and IBB Hotel Collection, a subsidiary of Malta based Von der Heyden Group, a Pan-European Real Estate investment company with its seal in Malta. IBB Hammetts will also operate the Event Space and Restaurant of the 1565 Cugó Gran Macina in Senglea, which will receive its first Hotel guests shortly. The Restaurant is slated to open in January next year.