Inspired Mediterranean Flavors: A Taste of the Mediterranean at Discovery Primea's Restaurant Tapenade

New signature dishes and an enhanced Salad Room, Restaurant Tapenade at Discovery Primea promises a sumptuous dining experience with a vibrant Mediterranean vibe...

Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco presents an exciting repertoire of new signature dishes at Discovery Primea's all-day dining outlet, Restaurant Tapenade including an impressive array of healthy flavorful selections at the Salad Room. Tasty starters, paella creations, savory mains and desserts, Restaurant Tapenade lays out the full range of Mediterranean flavors. Now that's more than enough reasons to revisit Restaurant Tapenade...

Inspired by the traditional Provencal condiment of pureed olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil, Restaurant Tapenade recreates the sunny and bold flavors of the famed region with rustic dishes from the quaint fishing villages of the southern French coast, the Italian countryside, the Greek isles, Turkey and Morocco.  

Since I started my food blog some years back, Discovery Primea and Restaurant Tapenade have been part of my blog's journey from the start. And it continues to add even more memorable moments in my blog's continuing story. I was fortunate to document the property's growth and the constantly evolving menu at Restaurant Tapenade through the years since it opened while staying true to its Mediterranean concept (for more on Restaurant Tapenade at Discovery Primea, see my earlier posts, Discover Mediterranean Flavors at Discovery Primea's Tapenade on my very first visit back in 2015, Mama Mia! Mom's Day Lunch at Tapenade from four years ago, Mediterranean Flavors: A Late Sunday Lunch at Tapenade on some of my favorite dishes, Serious Beef. At Restaurant Tapenade on the massive Bistecca alla Fiorentina and other savory specialties, Rediscovering the Weekend Vibe at Discovery Primea on a memorable staycation with a sumptuous lunch at Restaurant Tapenade, Savor the Flavors of the Mediterranean Summer with Tapenade's All-New Menu from last year, and Mas Paella! Celebrate World Paella Day at Discovery Primea's Restaurant Tapenade from 2018).

As another year comes to a close, Restaurant Tapenade unveils yet another lavish ensemble of Mediterranean inspired dishes...  

The diverse cuisine of the Mediterranean offers a variety of vibrant flavors providing infinite and creative dishes that's both traditional and contemporary. It's this colorful palette of flavors that gives Restaurant Tapenade a rich and varied culinary tapestry of comforting offerings. In one corner, a chef prepares slices of Prosciutto...

...for our first course in the exclusive preview of Restaurant Tapenade's new signature dishes, meet the Prosciutto & Company (P 760) with slices of sweet cantaloupe melon, fresh mango and asparagus prepared by your tableside. A proper dining experience at Restaurant Tapenade always begins with tasty appetizers or mezze in small portions for that Mediterranean vibe and best shared among friends.

The rich, bold notes of the prosciutto are perfectly tempered by the sweetness of the melon, subtle tartness of the mango and the fresh, clean flavors of asparagus for a perfectly balanced starter. Sweet, savory and salty hints come together in a seamless blend, and that's just for starters...

The Mozzarella & Friends (P 760) combines the creamy and silky smooth flavor and texture of fresh mozzarella with an assortment of dips including Basil Pesto, Black Olive Tapenade, Romesco Dip and Fruit Mostarda for another excellent antipasti option at Restaurant Tapenade. The bright notes of the tasty dips bring the flavors of the Mediterranean straight to your palate, rounded out by the milky smoothness of the fresh mozzarella.  

The use of the finest and freshest ingredients deliver clean and rich flavors, and the various appetizers at Restaurant Tapenade are no exception. And there's more...

The Patatas Crunchy with Mojo Dip (P 220), delicately smashed and deep-fried marble potatoes seasoned with lemon salt offers both contrasting flavors and textures completed by the creamy Mojo Dip. It's a deceptively simple dish, but the flavors just pops in your mouth draping it with a creamy richness. And like they say, once you start, you just can't stop.

The Shrimps En Gabardina (P 540) is a Spanish-style tempura served with Guindilla Aioli Dip with plump and succulent shrimps covered in a thick batter matched with a light crispness. Each bite is announced by a fresh snap of the shrimps, releasing a briny sweetness made even richer with the Guindilla Aioli Dip. Culinary historians trace the origins of the now popular Japanese tempura back in the 16th century when Portuguese missionaries and traders posted in Japan prepared the traditional battered seafood dish deep-fried in lard during lent. It caught on with the Japanese, and the rest as they say, is history. Restaurant Tapenade brings the original dish back, with its noticeably thicker batter deep-fried to golden-brown and crisp perfection.

The flavors are deeper and more robust than the lighter Japanese tempura, with each bite delivering an unctuous richness from the batter and the fresh briny notes of the shrimps perfectly finished by the thick Guindilla Aioli Dip. A side of garden-fresh greens cleanses the palate, and you're ready for another piece...  

...and another. Other tasty tapas and starters at Restaurant Tapenade include the Cebu Bay Scallops Al Ajillo & Toast, Stone-Baked Feta, Calamares a la Plancha, Gambas a la Brava, Tuscan Chicken Nuggets, Moroccan Gambas and Croquetas de Pollo y Truffa.

Restaurant Tapenade also offers a new pasta dish, the Rigatoni Al Sugo (P 540) with Italian guanciale, fennel sausage and smoked bacon draped in a thick tomato sauce. The bold and smoky flavors of the cured meats like the guanciale, fennel sausage and smoked bacon add a savory richness to the pasta dish, lingering long after the last bite. Hearty and satisfying, you just can't beat a comforting bowl of pasta any day. Other pasta dishes at Restaurant Tapenade include the Seafood Spaghetti alla Tornola, Spaghetti alle Vongole, Linguini al Pesto, Spicy Shrimp Rigatoni and Salmon Linguini.

Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco then served his new paella dishes, starting with the Roast Chicken & Chorizo Paella (P 890) with green beans and rosemary. The savory paella brings together the juicy yet delicate flavors of roast chicken with the robust flavors of chorizo adding depth to the dish.

Each grain of the soft and fluffy rice, down to the crisp soccarat at the bottom of the paellera, is infused with the savory hints of the roast chicken and chorizo for a burst of flavors with every spoonful. Perfect for sharing, Restaurant Tapenade's inventive paella dishes reflect Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco's creative culinary style. But it gets better...

The Wagyu Beef & Mushroom Paella (P 1,500) topped with Black Pepper Aioli is probably the most savory expression of the classic paella dish I've seen so far at Restaurant Tapenade. The slices of premium Wagyu beef perfectly grilled to medium rare with a juicy pink center takes paella to a whole new level of indulgence with its melt-in-your-mouth beefy richness that's perfectly enhanced by the sharpness of the creamy Black Pepper Aioli.

This one is a meal in itself, sharing is definitely just an option. This one's right up there on my list of new favorites at Restaurant Tapenade. Extra rice? No worries, Restaurant Tapenade has that covered. Other signature paella and risotto dishes at Restaurant Tapenade include the Seafood Paella, Grilled Artichoke Risotto and Mushroom Risotto.

The Red Snapper Fillet (P 790) with a mildly spiced tomato broth, roasted eggplant and pita bread is a light and healthy option yet big on flavor. The intense flavors of the spices and tart tomatoes complement the subtle notes of the fish without overwhelming it. The flavors and textures are completed with a generous topping of crisp, deep-fried shallots.

A squeeze of lemon brings out more of the delicate notes of the red snapper. Light yet satisfying, the seafood dish is yet another flavorful expression of the Mediterranean's culinary richness straight from the kitchens of Restaurant Tapenade. Other savory dishes at Restaurant Tapenade include the Fritto Misto, Pan-Seared Black Bass, Prawns "Saltimbocca", Mediterranean Beef Kebab, US Baby Back Ribs Diavola, US Lamb Chops Scottadita, Porcini Ribeye and the impressive Bistecca alla Fiorentina.

But save room for dessert. Restaurant Tapenade presents a decadent trio to cap your dining experience on a sweet note...

...with the Almond and Caramel Bar, an intricate dessert with Dacquoise, sesame nougat and amaretti crunch...

...the playfully inventive Strawberry Creme Brulee Cake topped with a crust of torched caramel with white chocolate custard, strawberry sphere and champagne crystals...

...and the Chocolate Tart with olivo fleur de sel for that subtle hint of sharpness, chocolate truffle and raspberry kisses, each one with its own distinctive and sinfully indulgent richness.

From freshly-baked pizzas to tasty tapas, savory dishes and salads, Restaurant Tapenade transports you to the Mediterranean with each plate. And with new dishes added to the menu, you can always experience a taste of the Mediterranean right here at Restaurant Tapenade. 

Another tasty feature at Restaurant Tapenade is the sumptuous Salad Room with its extensive array of garden-fresh greens for your own customized bowl, prepared salads, succulent chilled seafood, sandwiches, gourmet cheeses, premium imported produce and charcuterie (for more on the Salad Room at Restaurant Tapenade, see my post on my very first visit four years ago at Fresh: The Salad Room at Discovery Primea's Tapenade).

For only P 988++ per person, diners can indulge in the freshest seafood catch and farm-fresh harvest of the day at Restaurant Tapenade's Salad Room for both lunch and dinner. That day, the chilled seafood offerings included large shrimps and mussels with a variety of dips and sauces...

...along with imported cheeses, dried fruits and nuts...

...and premium cured meats and charcuterie. The best part? You can always come back for seconds. And thirds. Exciting new dishes and an enhanced Salad Room experience, Restaurant Tapenade at Discovery Primea ends another year on a high note. And you can expect even more flavorful Mediterranean-inspired surprises soon...at Restaurant Tapenade. 

Tapenade is located at the Ground Floor of Discovery Primea, 6749 Ayala Avenue, Makati City or call +632 7955 8888 or email primea.restaurants@discovery.com.ph for reservations and inquiries. 

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