On Krk, the northern cap of the Adriatic riviera of islands, considered by many yachtsmen as one of the prettiest in the world, along a bay offering natural protection from all winds, lies Marina Punat.
Many sailors begin their journey in the Adriatic right here, from the safety of the Marina. Its advantageous location enables many mariners to arrive quickly and ready to enjoy, not necessarily only in the short summer months.
Built in 1964, developed on a rich shipbuilding tradition, today Marina Punat is one of the prettiest, largest and modern marinas on the Adriatic.
More about it you can find on the website fo the Marina, www.marina-punat.hr/marina.
Ideal spot for frequent visits
The reason for visiting the Marina was their desire to present it as an ideal place for frequent visits – interesting to domestic and foreign guests who are not mariners. Hence they organized a presentation of the new menu of Marina restaurant.
The restaurant is in the very heart of the marina. It is a pleasant spot for a fast lunch before sailing and ideal for evening gatherings among the lights of berthed boats and yachts.
Krk island is known as Golden Island and from here it’s apparent why – golden olive oil, golden wine drops of the indigenous Žlahtina sort, golden rays of sun bathing the island…
How to describe the food we tasted, followed by wines of Krk winemakers?
Fruits of the Mediterranean, gifts of nature, sea and fragrant Krk pastures, have been combined here into challenging gastronomy delicacies. At the crossroads between light Mediterranean cuisine, simple island specialties and influences of international recipes, each year, season to season, the specialties of the nautical cuisine of Marina Punat are born.
The summer menu is filled with delicacies such as fish pate, carpaccio, fish and seafood, prosciutto and different cow, goat and sheep cheese. Many of these cheeses can’t be found elsewhere on the island, as their production and great demand keep them from leaving the island of origin.
Make sure you try the šurlice, indigenous pasta easily recognized as it’s shaped by wrapping the dough around a floured stick. The Marina states that all pasta – šurlice, pljukanci, gnocchi, tagliatelle, noodles and others – are made by hand, giving it a great advantage and quality.
From the main courses we were delighted by chicken and vegetable skewers, marinated ribs with bbq sauce, anglerfish in chive… it was impossible to taste it all in one sitting… Give it a try and let us know your impressions.
And yes, don’t skip the dessert. Choose between several kinds of ice cream, try the chocolate lava or “Marina” cheesecake, but surely, definitely try the presnac, a traditional cake made of sheep cheese and dough.
Regardless which of these, or other specialties you choose, I recommend you order with your meal a glass of the indigenous Žlahtina. From an appetizing champagne do sweeter wines with desserts – this sort has proven its great potential. You prefer red wines? Some winemakers produce a great Sansigot, in red and rose variants, a sort from Susak island, saved from oblivion by Ivica Dobrinčić. There will, of course, be other wines, such as Chardonnay, Muscat and wines of other known sorts, but the local sorts are worth the tasting. The presentation saw wines from Krk wineries Šipun, Nada and Ivan Katunar house of wines.
A rich offer for any guest
Besides the presented Marina restaurant, two other restaurants are available in the Marina Punat area. There is the buffet&pizzeria 9 BOFORA – a true place for the first morning coffee with hot croissants. You’ll be smitten by the smell of small warm breakfast meals and excellent pizzas and pastas for lunch. Offered are also natural fruit juices, smoothies and a large salad choice.
It’s worth mentioning Kanajt restaurant, known for excellent meals prepared under a baking lid, fish and meat platters with warm homemade bread. Young Krk lamb and homemade pasta are only a part of the symphony of taste and smell. A rich wine chart and original aperitifs with a hint of Mediterranean plants are an excellent ending to an evening with friends.
Kanajt restaurant is part of the four-star hotel bearing the same name, surrounded by olive groves with a unique view of the marina and gardens. A destination created for nature lovers, recreationists and all in search of an active holiday. The hotel is open year-round. Archeological findings of a medieval chapel of St. Peter bear witness of the rich historical heritage continued in antique findings and early Christian monuments…
Marina Punat was awarded five golden anchors and thus became part of a family of marinas from around the world. On the Croatian Adriatic only two marinas have this award, while only fifteen in the entire Mediterranean. Just like in commercials, when the speaker voices “And that’s not all!”, we were shown additional offers – barbecue spots, two specialized nautical shops for parts and equipment, supermarkets, free or affordable nautical services, safety system, bicycle rent, air pump station in the marina, Marina Mini-Club – fun for kids, new walking paths and a dog path…
A marina that was always known as a place for meeting, having a good time and finding new friends, as well as relaxing, has truly shown it is following a vision: to be one step ahead through superior service, quality and innovation!
