A dash of Mediterranean at the Sands of Subic

Persian food to Filipinos is what Mexican food to Americans. It’s delectably exotic yet casually blends with our knack for full flavored, comfort food. But aside from the usual fares of shawarma and kebab, Persian food is part and parcel of the amalgamation of diverse cuisines in the Mediterranean region. And at the Sands Restaurant located at the Lighthouse Marina Resort in Subic, they offer a diverse menu of Turkish and Greek dishes to provide a unique and authentic take on Mediterranean cuisine.

Beef Shish Kebab (photo by PINGGOT ZULUETA)

For a modest hotel restaurant like Sands, an international menu is to be expected. What sets it apart from a long list of restaurants in Subic is their Mediterranean menu to which, they claim, the only one of its kind in Subic Bay.

“We have been known for our American dishes like Baby Back Ribs, Grilled Salmon, and Angus Steaks so the management decided to do something different by coming up with an extensive Mediterranean menu,” said executive chef Percival Alfaro.

For starters the creamy Greek triumvirate of Hummus, a creamy mousse of chickpeas, olive oil, and tahini (sesame seed paste); Tzatziki, a refreshing mixture of yogurt, garlic, olive oil, fresh dill and cucumber; and Liver Pate, goose liver puree and cream cheese topped with caviar – all served with pita bread or tositini will give the first zing in the Mediterranean course.

The main course, on the other hand, is mostly made of grilled dishes and kebabs like the Mediterranean Grilled Chicken, Beef, and Lamb (all served with pilaf rice, French fries, pita bread, salsa, and garlic yogurt sauce) and Chicken, Beef, and Lamb Shish Kebab. Each dish comes in big servings, so make sure you come with a hearty appetite and an empty stomach.

Taking sound advice from Turkish and Greek food consultants, Sands Restaurant has ingredients shipped from Turkey and Greece every quarter month to ensure the quality of their dishes. “We want to stay true to the recipes. If one of the ingredients is not available, we won’t serve the dish,” Chef Alfaro adds. Aside from the Mediterranean dishes, other Sands best sellers include Steamed Lapu-Lapu with Sze Chuan Sauce, Chicken Roulade, and their Classic Roast Duck. Sands Restaurant is located at the Lighthouse Marina Resort, Moonbay Marina Complex Waterfront Road, CBD Subic Bay Freeport Zone. By JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA -mb.com.ph