Fine Dining Carribean/Dominican in Corona - Gabbana
Corona is by no means short on Dominicans let alone Dominican restaurants. With Gabbana, chef Ricardo Cardona and business partner Yamil Martinez throw a little "fine dining Latin American" into Corona with a fresh Dominican twist.
The space is very nicely done with a rustic island sleekness not found in the neighborhood. The service was attentive and helpful without being overbearing.
The food was excellently presented, and cooked.
Calamari: great sauces, tender squid, served on a bed of watercress. Breading slightly bland and light for my liking but I guess the sauces provided the flavor.
Bacalao Guisado: Amazing. Nice balance of salty and sweet as well as soft warm mushiness against the crunch of the fried yuca/cassava.
Paella: Another home run. Choc-full of perfectly cooked seafood goodness. Seafood-infused moist rice. Deliciously sweet and firm peas. Vinegar-soaked peppers and onions. Generous helping.
Cheesecake flan: This was like flan on steroids. Take a decent flan then add even more thickness and creaminess. The raw mango topping provided some bite against the consistently creaminess of the flan itself. Yum!
Gabbana is a lounge too so I look forward to going back for a drink or three. I'll definitely be back for the food. Not cheap but you get what you pay for right!
