A Taste of the Mediterranean Comes to Sanya
He has done it again. That irrepressible Sanya entrepreneur, Giuseppe Insana has hit on another winner, the Mediterranea Restaurant, Cafe and Lounge.
Insana is a young Italian Ph.D. who came to Hainan to teach Biology at the Danzhou University. Before long he had been romanced by Sanya and captured by its potential.

His first enterprise was a bar in Dadonghai, “The Hot Spot: The Italian Club,” equipped with hot music, an impressive list of cocktails and scantily clad petite bar dancers. He soon opened a Restaurant above the bar, “Roma Pizzeria." He has since split with his partner on that enterprise to pursue his desire to provide the best Mediterranean food and eating experience at a reasonable price in Sanya.

And he has done it. With the Mediterranea Restaurant, Cafe and Lounge with its wide range of specialty dishes from all over the Mediterranean he is well on his way establishing a new international standard of food and dining in Sanya.

Centrally located in downtown Sanya on He Xi Road, the Restaurant is spacious and beautifully decorated in a variety of Mediterranean styles. Its Greek, Italian, French, Spanish, Moroccan and Middle Eastern culinary specialties are equally at home in the elegant setting. Whether its a family gathering, company party or an intimate dinner for two, you will find the facilities most comfortable. Periodic live entertainment is also easily accommodated. And, not to forget, the shisha lounge is just perfect for relaxing and those romantic interludes.

While the decor brings a new standard of tasteful elegance to the Sanya scene, it is the food that is most worthy of raving about. Here too Giuseppe knows what he is doing.

A "Mediterranean diet" has long been understood to be particularly healthy with its high anti-oxidant content, low-fat cooking, extra virgin olive oil, fresh vegetables....etc. Add to this the health aspects of a good red wine from a respectable international wine list and you have the beginnings of a healthy, tasty cuisine. Here they are also going to considerable effort to locally acquire the best organic vegetables and hand prepare many of their ingredients. For example, carrying on an old family tradition of many generations, Giuseppe is producing his own sun-dried tomatoes. Marinated in olive oil and garlic, his tomatoes must be tasted to be believed. They are also making their own homemade pasta and basil pesto sauce.
The pizza is also very special. Using Italian yeast they have their own sourdough culture going so you get the freshest zestiest crust you can imagine. These are some of the special touches that make the food here so wonderful.

And wonderful it is. The 24-page menu (in Chinese, Russian and English) is a manifest for a culinary and cultural voyage rarely encountered in this day of fast food and chain restaurants. Beginning with a variety of hot and cold Tapas and appetizers from throughout the Mediterranean, to the soups from Morocco and Spain, fresh Arabic, Greek and Italian Salads, authentic Italian Pastas and Pizzas before embarking on the mouth-watering main courses and BBQ grilled specialties. And, of course, no culinary adventure of this would be complete without savoring one of the incredible desserts, a cup of Italian cappuccino or one of the after dinner drinks. If the extensive list of menu selections becomes a bit daunting, a series of set menus is available to help guide you through the journey.

My particular favorites are their signature "Scottadito" lamb chops, the succulent sauté butter flied tiger prawns and the beef mousaka, topped off with Baklava cake and a cup of their rich Illy coffee. Or you may want to try their homemade "limoncello", a liquor made from lemon skin.

The new Mediterranea, Cafe and Lounge offers an unforgettable, unique dining experience. You owe it to yourself to embark on a journey of its fresh, healthy, and innovative international cuisine.

And added bonus: Home delivery of their great pasta and pizza, as well as the fresh salads, is now available.    [31 Mar 2007 20:58:47]

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     ­David Sutton   

My Food Affair
I am officially having an affair. An affair with a restaurant.

Mediterranea is a place to fall in love with and to have a perfect date at. The tranquil atmosphere of a family-run tiny place combined with space and air of a restaurant, big enough to get lost in. Walls and windows become seamless behind weightless curtains, as it's eclectic decor remind both of colorful opium gardens and snow-white with heavenly blue Greek houses. Those attentive to details will be pleasantly surprised with solutions.

The service is excellent, as Giuseppe, the owner and general manager of Mediterranea, welcomes every customer himself and guides through the menu (available in English, Chinese and Russian) and wine and cocktail lists. The variety of cocktails is mind-blowing, I don't remember seeing such a wide range in clubs of Miami or Spanish Costa Brava.

Food is absolutely fresh and amazingly delicious. A handful serving of mouth-melting vegetarian mousaka, my personal favourite, left me doubting whether mousaka I had in Greece some years ago was authentic. Whether it's a refreshing Spanish gazpacho (number two in my rating), or golden ring of Italian pizza, or Sicilian coffee granita con panna (takes the third place in my Top-3) it leaves you satisfied and not oversaturated.

Indulge and fall in love!    [08 Apr 2007 05:57:30]

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Recommended Dishes: Vegetarian mousaka, Gazpacho, Coffee Granita, Chiken Breast Barbeque

     ­Valeria Boiko