Text by: Gabrielle R. Borromeo, Contributor
Photos from Marina
Published in the Daily Tribune (Life Style section) on Tuesday, 27 June 2017.
Living in the confines of a busy metro can make one long for nature and all that comes with it - the windy breeze, the green wonders, the salty ocean and, of course, the fresh produce and mouthwatering seafood. And although "absence makes the heart grow fonder" (Eleanor Roosevelt), nothing comes close to having what the heart wants. With Marina in town, the gut-wrenching wait for fresh seafood feasts come to an end.
Marina is an IloIlo based restaurant that offers a menu of seafood delights including baked oysters, blue marlin steak, and chilled shrimp.
Marina's oysters are flown in everyday from Iloilo for the restaurant, assuring customers of consistent quality. There will be no reason to fear, especially when it comes to oysters, where many are wary. The best part is that the oysters can be prepared the way one wishes, whether raw on a bed of ice or grilled with cheese or garlic butter. This is perfect for oyster lovers who enjoy the shellfish as a meal or as an accompaniment to beer.
Marina’s Blue Marlin is also a mouthwatering delight, flaky and moist. Ilonggos sure have a way of cooking that makes for a satiating meal.
They also have a classic chicken inasal that may easily become anyone's favorite. It is marinated without soy sauce, but is chock full of macerated garlic, hints of chopped ginger, the faint sweetness from brown sugar, sour with counterpoint of sinamak (native coconut vinegar) and kalamansi with earthy lemongrass), salt and coarsely ground pepper, all combined for a true inasal. On the grill it is basted with butter and achuete oil for that tasty hue of yellow that distinguishes it from other grilled chicken.
All these are prepared with provincial flair that can be enjoyed in a spacious garden or in air-conditioned comfort located at their Mother Ignacia branch, Quezon City. This branch has a huge tree that creates a provincial feel. Not only this, every night except for Sunday, there is a live band to entertain customers. It also has the space compared to other branches for big celebrations, all available for reservations.
Marina was born on October 1987, when Ross Gorriceta, inspired by his wife Marina Luz, decided to put up a native seafood restaurant on the breezy banks of the Iloilo River serving succulent seafood.
Of course, he named the Ilonggo restaurant after his loving wife, Marina. Along with his wife. They wanted to share their love and passion for fresh seafood and Ilonggo cuisine with their fellow Ilonggos and visitors to Iloilo City.
It was only in May 2002 that Marina finally arrived in Metro Manila, when their son Ross Paul Gorriceta brought it to the big city in honor of his parents. He set out to open the world of wonder, a "portal" to Iloilo for Metro Manilans to experience fresh seafood served in the Ilonggo way.
Definitely when it comes to the best of Iloilo hospitality and Filipino specialties, Marina not only makes the cut but tops it, maintaining the authentic native Filipino taste in its offerings. This is the true Filipino pride!
Marina branches can be found at Roxas Boulevard, SM Mall of Asia, Market! Market!, Metrowalk, Sky Garden SM North EDSA, Mother Ignacia, Paseo de Magallanes, Forum Robinsons and Robinsons Manila.
For more information, 'Like' Marina-IloIlo, Oysters and Seafood on Facebook.
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