A familiar friend awaits us in the heart of the Zadar peninsula. Always with a big smile, Robert Pinto gives a unique welcome to his restaurant, where we have already tasted excellent dishes inspired by Zadar's past, and especially the Italian heritage of this ancient city. Pinto has much to be proud of, as he and his business partner Neven Lemić won the award for the best restaurant in Zadar in 2023.
Trattoria Mediterraneo is truly a unique place in the old town of Zadar, and it surprised us with new features on the menu.
The Mediterranean as it once was... no, that's not the slogan of the Croatian Tourist Board, but instead of Trattoria Mediterraneo, because dishes are made here according to ancient recipes, with a touch of modernity and the exceptional skills of chef Pinto, who had his restaurant in Venice for a long time. We share many things with Venice, love, and hate, but above all, culinary ideas that connect the Mediterranean with Central Europe in the misty lagoons.
What unites us most is our Adriatic and all its marine treasures. This trattoria's menu used to include an appetizer for which we couldn't find a competitor in Dalmatia. It's marinated sardines served with homemade polenta. Salted fish is an enduring gastronomic heritage of the Adriatic, but skill in small things makes a huge difference in quality. The excellent combination of vinegar and white wine creates a harmony of flavours, where the freshness of the fish and the subtle acidity and saltiness are recognised. It's also lovely to see polenta in Dalmatia, which has disappeared from many menus. Roberto tells us that his grandmother Rosa is from the Potenza area, so she brought a strong habit of making polenta, which the Pinto household could not do without.
Some things pass, others come. As in life, so on the plate. Along with the "Zadar poker," a square that makes the senses go wild - how could it not, when it comes to Dalmatian prosciutto, Nin šokol, Pag cheese, and curd - a selection of local marinated and smoked fish and seafood found its place. And that's precisely why we sat down with Chef Pinto and tasted a phenomenal appetizer!
Smoked tuna chunks and smoked mussels are the new hit at Trattoria Mediterraneo. Mussels have been a valued part of the human diet for thousands of years, spanning continents and cultures. From ancient coastal communities to gourmet dishes in top restaurants, mussels are a delicious and sustainable source of nutrition. They are known for their versatility, delicate sweetness, and ability to elevate any dish - from classic European recipes to exotic Asian cuisine. And here, in the heart of Zadar, they have become smoked! It's no great discovery - mussels have been smoked in Scandinavia for centuries - but in a flood of mediocrity and unimaginative appetizers, Pinto has found his own way of preparing this seafood that stands out from the boring every day.
And you may not believe it, but smoked tuna can also be found on Croatian menus. Tuna is an extremely hearty fish that doesn't just have to be present in the eternal steaks and sushi but is hearty in various forms of preparation. Smoked tuna is a delicious dish enjoyed by many cultures around the world. Made by smoking fresh tuna, this delightful dish combines other ingredients to create a tasty and versatile culinary delight.
Smoking as a food preservation technique has been around for centuries. It has been used by many different cultures worldwide to preserve food from spoiling. Smoked tuna originated in the Mediterranean, where it was a popular dish among the ancient Greeks and Romans. Over the years, smoked tuna has spread throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. The popularity of smoked tuna can be attributed to its unique flavour and texture. It is also a healthy food, low in fat and calories, and packed with vitamins and minerals. Smoked tuna is easy to prepare and can be enjoyed as part of a main course or as a snack. This versatility has made it a favourite across many different cultures.
With a glass of Cvitko Teskera wine and such delicacies on your plate, a visit to Zadar is not only a gastronomic pleasure, but also an authentic tribute to its culinary past!
Trattoria Mediterraneo
Madijevaca 4, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
00385 23 254 440
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