The Peninsula: An Italian Country House in Dbayeh

Rating: 75/100

Welcoming:6/10

Menu Choices: 8/10

Food Presentation: 7/10

Food Temperature: 8/10

Food Taste: 16/20

Service: 7/10

Ambiance/Music: 7/10

Architecture/Interior: 8/10

Air Quality: 8/10

Total: 75/100

More about: Peninsula, DbayehPeninsula Italian restaurant in Dbayeh is one of those places we tend to forget sometimes, only because several other Italian restaurants have in the area and maybe in more convenient places like malls or maybe closer to Beirut. The food is good and the location and whole set up is fresh, a perfect spot for a Sunday family reunion lunch.
I haven’t been there in a while, I was impressively surprised.Let’s not forget that Peninsula is one of, if not the first, to start the restaurant trend in Dbayeh area.

The Peninsula: An Italian Country House in Dbayeh

It all starts with the white piano before moving on to the inner area divided into two rooms, the outside closed heated terrace and the garden, where we were seated.We were surrounded by glass facades with a cover of bamboo shoots and compressed wood to neutralize the potential echoes. I liked this place, a lot. The relaxing sea view, the garden covered with green grass, a couple of trees next to the metallic high doors with outdoor furniture. The concrete floor adds a final touch making you feel in one of Italy’s greatest farms, far from the traffic, especially now during Christmas time.

The menu sections:

Insalata
Zuppe
Paste
Antipasti
Risotto
Pizze
Peninsula selection of fresh pasta
Second piatti/plats principaux
Dolce/Dessert

We Ordered:

Insalata Iceberg: Iceberg, Roquefort sauce, cherry tomato, walnuts
Insalata di Capra: Warm goat cheese, iceberg salad, dried tomatoes, black olives, cherry tomatoes, basil, walnuts, lemon sauce
Funghi e Parmigiano: Fresh mushrooms, Parmesan cream, Rosemary sauce
Tagliatelle della riviera: Tagliatelle, cream, smoked salmon, dill, vodka
Melanzane alla Sorentina: Fried eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese
Calamaretti Freschi con Salsa Limone: Fresh calamari served with lemon sauce and salad
Risotto alla Funghi Porcini: Rice, dried boletus, onions, parsley, Parmesan cheese
Pizze Prosciutto e Funghi: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, fresh mushroom, oregano
Lasagne al Salmone: Lasagna, cream sauce, smoked salmon, spinach, mozzarella
Pizza Corleone: Tomato sauce, dried tomatos, mozzarella, goat cheese, truffle oil, oregano

Lunch started when bread was served with a mix of diced tomatoes, basil, pepper, garlic and olive oil followed by the drinks, appetizers and main platters. I enjoyed their Melanzane, loved their generous and fresh salads and couldn’t stop eating slice after the other of their good Italian Pizza.On another hand the Risotto is a total failure: Over cooked and too watery! I couldn’t eat more than a couple of bites. It’s a dish to reconsider.The mouthwatering delicious desserts:

Crosta de Mela (Crust of apple, vanilla scoop, caramel sauce)
Miglia Foglia di Banana (Mille feuilles banane, creme patisserie, sauce caramel)
Trufa Cioccolato (Tartuffe chocolate, vanilla ice cream)
Tiramisu della Casa (Home made Tiramisu)

Desserts are even better than the main courses especially the Banana Mille Feuille: EXTRAVAGANT! Some minor changes:

I would really make the portions a bit smaller even though the restaurant prices are reasonable, but with smaller portions you can lower the price
The welcoming should be more pleasant. A smile is all what I am expecting

It was an enjoyable lunch and a nice experience that I will surely repeat soon. Leaving the restaurant at 4pm, the manager then called to inform us that there has been a slight mistake in the bill in our favor. I took the bill to keep track of the items ordered for my review. We all appreciated the high level of professionalism.