Flavors of Palawan: Authentic Italian Cuisine at San Vicente's Marina Terrace Restaurant

When you bring together a couple of Italians and some of Palawan's freshest produce and seafood together, you just know good things are bound to happen...

The very first authentic Italian restaurant in San Vicente, Palawan, Marina Terrace Restaurant brings rustic Italian cuisine to the island with its wide array of comforting dishes from the old world. Palawan's San Vicente, the island's last frontier, offers a world natural wonders and flavors (for more on Palawan's San Vicente, see my earlier post, Flavors of Palawan: Discover The Last Frontier at San Vicente's Club Agutaya). And you can count Marina Terrace Restaurant as one of San Vicente's emerging dining destinations, read on for more or visit their website at http://palawanexplore.com/our-services/marina-terrace-restaurant/.

A taste of Italy in Palawan? Absolutely. Giacomo, Eric (L) and Chef Nico (R) serve up classic cuisine including pasta and seafood with that Italian flair at Marina Terrace Restaurant. It's a flavorful addition to the local culinary scene in San Vicente, and just one of many reasons to head northwest of the island.

For friends Giacomo, Eric, and Chef Nico, it's about authenticity. Drawing inspiration from the dishes they grew up with, Marina Terrace Restaurant's cuisine is both real and honest. But it's not a real Italian experience without a pre-dinner tipple, and Marina Terrace Restaurant's refreshing Watermelon Martini hits the spot for that tropical island vibe.

After a few sips of the soothing Watermelon Martini, Giacomo then served the signature antipasto, Impepata di Cozze in Umido or fresh mussels steamed in white wine and garlic along with fresh and dried tomatoes. The briny sweetness of the plump mussels drape the palate with its richness, perfectly finished by the broth.

A deceptively simple dish, the steamed mussels are masterfully executed by Chef Nico. With their very own brick ovens, Marina Terrace Restaurant offers some of the very best fresh-baked bread on the island. It's also perfect for soaking up the richness of the broth of the steamed mussels. 

There's just a whole lot of good vibes with these guys at Marina Terrace Restaurant. Giacomo and Chef Nico, true blue Venetians, engage in lively banter inside the open kitchen as the next course was served...

The comforting Melanzane alla Parmigiana with eggplants sliced, fried and layered with fresh homemade passata, mozzarella, Gouda and Parmesan, is as good as it sounds. The intricately layered dish delivers a vibrant burst of flavors from the fresh and tart tomatoes and the rich blend of cheeses. Topped with a lightly crisp outer crust with deep and intense flavors, the sharp notes of the tomatoes and cheeses are tempered by the subtle sweetness of the eggplants.

The Gnocchi al Granchio, Marina Terrace Restaurant's handmade gnocchi with crab ragu, combines the briny sweetness of fresh succulent crabs with the soft and chewy texture of the homemade dough and potato dumplings for another hearty dish. The notes are subtle and delicate yet full of flavor.

The Salti in boca alla Romana, meatballs with fresh tomato passata and cheese served with baked potatoes and peppers, is another tasty recreation of a classic Italian favorite. The savory richness of the meatballs are kicked up the tartness of the tomatoes, pairing well with the crisp baked potatoes. Contrasting textures and flavors come together in a flavorful blend with this dish. 

Our tasting menu is capped with an indulgent Affogato with velvety smooth ice cream topped with espresso and Baileys. The bold and robust notes of the espresso cuts the decadent richness of the ice cream for balanced flavors, the perfect sweet ending to a sumptuous Italian feast. Hearty Italian cuisine in a tropical island setting is just one of San Vicente's many surprises, and you can expect to hear more good things from Marina Terrace Restaurant soon...

Marina Terrace is located at Poblacion, San Vicente, Palawan or call 0967-206-2327 for inquiries. You can also check out their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/MarinaTerraceRestaurantPalawan/  and their website at  http://palawanexplore.com/our-services/marina-terrace-restaurant/ for more information.

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