Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Grotto Tavern

Rabat, Malta

(Pronounced Ir-rah-BAHT, MAHL-tuh)

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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We were a little confused, and dare I say it?

Disappointed.

We arrived in Malta after twice visiting Sicily with its oversized personality and bold food flavors.

Due to its strategic location, Sicily had been invaded over the centuries by various conquerors. Each of them left some of their identities and culture behind on the peoples - and it showed. 

Malta, also, has a strategic location in the Mediterranean Sea, and it, too, had been invaded by the same peoples.  

However...

From our point of view, not much of the rich or vivid was left behind - and it showed.

This story is a case in point.

People gathering for happy hour

Malta is known for being one of the sunniest countries in Europe.

That's why Europeans from rainy countries take the short-and-affordable flight to this island for some dry, sunny relief from their own dark and drizzly climate.

Here you see some tourists enjoying happy hour at this restaurant's outdoor seating. It was always busy.

We chose to sit at a neighboring restaurant named The Grotto Tavern, because there were chairs available, and they had a menu.

Menu of side cafe, Grotto Tavern

Notice that food items are all served in a box.

Ok, so it's casual, no problem. We can eat out of a box...

We ordered a Rollo Maltese. "Spicy Maltese Sausage ragu" sounded interesting.

Beer and cider menu

And we ordered a couple of Cisk Lagers too.

The beer menu looked reasonably priced and affordable.

A couple of Cisk Lagers

The catacombs of St. Paul are across the street, and the Cathedral of this apostle is to the left.

Beers were tasty and the sunset was captivating.

Entrees served in boxes

The box arrives!

The service at this point had been minimal, the least amount one could do and still keep a job.

Just sayin'.

The waitstaff spent more time on their cell phones than catering to customers.

It's a tourist location, and I imagine that the local workers get jaded from time to time.

Billy and I owned a restaurant in a tourist location near the beach in Santa Cruz, California. Competition was fierce and so one of the features we focused on was customer service.  

Visitors can choose to eat anywhere. They don't have to choose your establishment.

We made this very clear to our employees.

Rollo Maltese

Ta da!

The Rollo Maltese.

Inside the Rollo Maltese

Ok, so the Rollo was pretty good, even with the wilted greens on top.

So we decided to return for another happy hour meal, and lighten up about the mediocre service.

The bill for 2 of us

Our bill came to $24.20Euro, about $26USD.

We found out later on that this little cafe is associated with one of the best restaurants in Rabat, Malta - the real Grotto Tavern.

It's located a few doors down and inside a cave. We ate in a cave restaurant in Matera, Italy and it was remarkable. 

We saw the menu outside the Grotto Tavern and perused it closely. When a restaurant is rated this high and prices are listed accordingly, you really need to want to go, because you will be dropping some good money.

We asked the waiter at the door what meal he recommended, and he couldn't come up with a strong answer. It was like the disengagement from the customer was even more pronounced here at this location, than it was at the cafe/bar.

"Why would we want to come here? What is your best dish?" we asked.

There was no salesmanship, no enthusiasm, no conviction or eagerness...

There wasn't any joy at all... so we let that idea go completely, deciding not to eat at this establishment.

If the employees didn't care about the place, why should we?

Any of you entrepreneurs out there, take note!

Many times owners don't know this is happening in their business. It really has to do with training at the very beginning of their employment.

Parruccan Malta

Parruccan is a traditional Maltese confectionery located right across the street from the Grotto Tavern. It's family-run and this place specializes in traditional Maltese sweets and pastries.

You can buy nougat, nut brittle and fig rolls, among other things. I love figs and purchased some of these rolls here.

There's always a line in front of this store and - get this - reviewers praise the confectionery’s friendly owner.

It makes a difference! The customer gets the full package - good product AND good service!

Then word of mouth takes over, and people return again and again.

Billy and Akaisha at the Grotto Tavern Cafe/Bar

Here we are again at happy hour, thinking we'd give the place another try.

We don't want to be sticks-in-the-mud.

Fish and chips

This time we ordered fish and chips, a good stand by.

No vinegar, ketchup or mayonnaise was served and batter was thick and greasy.

Sorry, guys.

This just didn't make it for me.

A series of stores here in central Rabat

This is a look across the street from the Grotto Tavern Cafe.

One can purchase tickets to St. Paul’s Catacombs here at this business on the left.

These catacombs are a network of underground tunnels and chambers dating back to the 3rd century AD.

Initially they were used as Roman burial grounds but were later adapted by Christians for secret worship during periods of persecution.

In the complex there are about 20 of the 30 tombs open to the public.  

However, they are scrubbed out, with no collection of bones or special markings.

These are part of a large cemetery once located outside the ancient Roman city of Melite which is now Mdina and Rabat combined.

Would we recommend The Grotto Tavern Cafe?

Nope.

Don't bother.

There are far better places to eat  in the town's center with tastier choices and better service.

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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