Marine Room — Restaurant in Providenciales

My decision to write this review was not taken lightly but came after thoughtful deliberation. What ultimately tipped the scale was the pattern of conduct I read about in multiple other reviews (on here and OpenTable) regarding how this owner behaves and treats his customers and the striking similarity to what we experienced. We are traveling to Turks with a large group for my mother in law’s 60th birthday. We wanted to have a special dinner the night of her birthday, February 14, but understood accommodating such a large group would be difficult. Therefore, we made the decision to split up into groups of 8 and make reservations at separate times at Marine Room on OpenTable, which we did. Those reservations were confirmed 5 months ago on September 3, 2023. There was no restriction on the reservation when we made it or indication by the owner that they could not accommodate these separate, individual reservations made properly through OpenTable. It was not until my wife called the restaurant approximately two weeks ago to inquire about child seating options that the concerning behavior from this owner started. I happened to be in the same room when she was on the phone with the owner and could overhear the entire conversation in which she explained the circumstances and was completely up front about our reservations and the special occasion. Once disclosed, the owner began to lecture her about large groups and how they are disruptive, often complain, write bad reviews, do not show up and interfere with the dining experience of others. The scolding tone the owner took throughout the conversation became so uncomfortable that I almost took the phone. However, my wife remained respectful and solution oriented the whole time offering to cancel the reservations if he was not comfortable, providing a deposit to ensure our attendance or agreeing to whatever else he felt was necessary. Ultimately, he agreed to allow the 3 properly made reservations to remain if she signed a group dining contract and gave a credit card for a deposit, which she happily agreed to and provided the next day. Yesterday, February 1, 13 days before the reservation for her mother’s 60th birthday, an email was sent by the manager, not the owner who had handled all of the communication up to that point, stating that they would be cancelling the reservations because it was Valentine’s Day and the group was too large and they simply could not accommodate the group. Mind you, if 3 groups of separate people had made these reservations, they apparently could have accommodated them but because we were a related group of reservations they simply could not make it work. Likewise, if my wife had never called to inquire about child seating options, the reservations would apparently not have been an issue either. It is truly concerning that someone who espouses his pride on customer service in response to other bad reviews would unilaterally cancel 3 reservations that were properly made and accepted 13 days before the reservation. This also happening after a contract was signed and credit card provided and he confirmed they would make it work. Yet, ironically, the owner was worried about our cancellation of the reservations. I would normally chalk this up to a one off experience and not take the time to inform others about the treatment by this owner. However, after seeing the pattern of concerning conduct by this owner in other reviews, I can only imagine the number of other customers who have experienced this behavior and who have not written reviews. Given the owner’s response to other reviews, I look forward to him blaming us, reiterating how they value customer service and not accepting any responsibility. There is clearly pathology that needs to be addressed by a professional and I hope that before others decide to patronize this restaurant or any of the owner’s other establishments, they consider whether you want to encourage and support this type...

Our recent visit to this newly-opened restaurant in Turks and Caicos was an unforgettable culinary journey. Right from the moment we entered, we were treated to a symphony of tasteful ambiance, stellar service, and most importantly, extraordinary cuisine.

The owner and manager, Ryan, was the perfect host, offering us an insightful tour of the menu with a charismatic flair that only added to the allure of the evening. Chevell, our server, further enhanced our experience with his knowledgeable recommendations, reflecting the restaurant's genuine commitment to customer satisfaction.

The specialty cocktails, 'The Bight Buzz' and 'Negroni', set the tone for what was to come. Expertly mixed, they had just the right balance of flavors, delivering a smooth, satisfying start to our meal.

Our appetizer, the heirloom tomato carpaccio, was fresh, flavorful, and exquisitely presented. As for the main course, the sea bass with risotto and squid ink tagliolini with mixed seafood were culinary masterpieces. Their intricate balance of flavors left us thoroughly impressed and satiated.

Our gastronomic journey culminated in a sweet crescendo with their delightful gelato, followed by a surprise offering of house-made limoncello. Crafted by their skilled mixologist, Cole, this delightful concoction, accompanied by Navolo's friendly and charming presentation, served as the perfect end to our meal.

The restaurant's ambiance deserves a special mention. Nestled on the terrace with the view of the ocean, we found ourselves in an intimately lit haven, surrounded by tasteful decor. The music was subtle, creating a relaxed and cozy atmosphere that made our dining experience all the more enjoyable.

This restaurant is truly a gastronomical gem, offering not just a meal, but an unforgettable experience. It's a testament to the passion and expertise of its staff and a proud representation of the culinary prowess Turks and Caicos has to offer. We look forward to our return visit, and if you're ever in the area, we cannot recommend it enough.

Update June 2024:

A year after my glowing review of Marine Room, a return visit has unfortunately led me to reassess my previous endorsement. While the ambiance continues to impress with its beautiful seaside views and the service remains commendable, especially our server Rose who was exceptionally attentive, the main aspect of our dining experience— the food —did not live up to last year’s high standards.

During our latest visit, TAGLIOLINI AI FRUTTI DI MARE, previously a highlight, fell short of expectations. The dish was noticeably less generous in its seafood portions, which previously boasted a richer variety, including delicacies such as lobster tail and caviar, and was dominated instead by an excessive quantity of pasta. Additionally, the choice of a Pomodoro sauce did not complement the seafood, detracting from the overall flavor and presentation.

This shift in quality and menu offerings suggests a departure from the initial culinary excellence we experienced when the restaurant had just opened and was striving to establish a high standard. Many established dining venues manage to maintain consistency year after year, but it seems that Marine Room may be struggling to sustain the initial quality that set it apart.

While the setting and staff continue to provide a pleasant environment, the decline in our food quality was significant enough to affect my recommendation, though I remain hopeful that the restaurant can revisit and revive the high standards it...

We made a reservation at the Marine Room on a Saturday night to celebrate my husband's birthday. We both absolutely loved our first experience! We're regular restaurant goers and good cooks and we would definitely recommend trying this restaurant.

First, the decor and atmosphere were wonderful. The dimmed lighting and the choice of music and volume were perfect.

Then, we noticed that the service was excellent from all staff members we encountered. Everyone was polite and had a beautiful smile!

The food was delicious and we were very happy with the portions we received. We started with complementary focaccia bread made in house, served with organic olive oil and snapper rillette. I could've eaten only that for my entire meal. It was so flavorful! We took two appetizers: frito misto on tzatziki and tuna crudo. We highly recommend both!

My husband had the lobster and freshly made orecchiette dish. The lobster was cooked to perfection, the pasta was delicious and the sauce was incredibly tasty. I had the grouper and lentil dish. The flavors blended well together. However, I would have liked to have the grouper with a softer side dish than lentils. I found the textures of components of the dish to be too similar. Also, although the fried green onions atop the dish were tasty, they were cut in long pieces and more difficult to put in your mouth and chew. It would be great if they were just chopped in much smaller pieces.

For dessert, we received a complimentary piece of chocolate cake with a candle and a team singing happy birthday! My husband loved the surprise and the singing was so good! There's hidden talent within the staff! The cake was decadent and rich, we loved it! We also ordered the cassava cake. It tasted good, but the cake was a bit dry. It was served with a small ball of coconut sorbet and nuts. Perhaps adding more sorbet and some sort of coulis would be nice.

This is our favorite restaurant in Provo so far. We've tried quite a few and none are close to the experience we were offered at the Marine Room. We can't wait to go back! And we will since we fly to TCI a few times a year to stay at our home...