Matamanoa Island Resort, Mamanuca Islands, Fiji

We stayed on this island resort, Matamanoa, so had to eat all our meals here, including lunch.

The restaurant is by the pool and has an open frontage and tables outside, overlooking the sea. It does not have a traditional look about it nor modern feel but does use timber fixtures and fittings. There was not a queue for us to be seated so we stayed inside for some coolness.

I wanted to try something local and went for an Ika Kokoda. This was described on the menu as marinated fish with vegetables. My wife went for their club sandwich.

Bread was given after we ordered and it shown below. It was a toasted white slice with garlic butter spread on top, which was a little soggy taste-wise.

Bread

My main dish was a lot better, though. It arrived in a bowl shaped from a half coconut, which made it look authentic. There were fish cubes marinated in lemon that was in coconut milk. The fish tasted great and the citrus flavour worked well with the sweet, cool milk. The fish sat on top of a nice salad of chopped onion, pepper and tomato. There was shredded carrot placed on top for a garnish as well.

Ika Kokoda

The club sandwich was really big triple decker creation. In between the toasted bread slices were bacon, chicken, egg, tomato and lettuce. I had a small piece of this generous dish as my wife could not finish it all.

Club Sandwich

Seeing as it is the only eating option of this hotel, the food is perfectly edible. Price-wise this was not extortionate either, given its remote location. Service was very friendly, if of Fijian efficiency, but we were in no rush as we were on our holidays.

Scores:
Food: 3/5

Presentation: 3/5

Service: 3/5

Setting: 3/5

Overall: 12/20

Total Bill: 39.30FJD, about £7 a head.

We ate: Ika Kokoda, Matamanoa Club Sandwich.

We drank: Water.

I wore: Calvin Klein swimming shorts.