TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Marco is no longer at Isola

I've known this for a while and since Marco sent out a Text to all his contacts I'm at liberty to post this.
"Dear friend, you are receiving this message because in one way or another you know me or we have been in touch in the past, I'm Marco Ferrante and I have been the general manager and operator of ISOLA authentic italian restaurant and Pizzeria in Pelican key by Hollywood Casino, since the beginning of 2017 up to October 2022.
*This message is to inform you that I'm no longer managing that establishment and consequently not related to ISOLA restaurant or HOLLYWOOD CASINO any longer and in any form,* this is because, I'm pursuing a new adventure entering a brand new chapter of my life.
Life is good and full of blessings.
Do not hesitate to be in touch if you might have any questions!
Thanks for your time and my apologies if this message has bothered you.
Marco Ferrante"

I wish him well. It was one of my favorite places the last few years, I loved their pizza. He really built Isola up, it was basically nothing for several years before he took over. He has been a positive influence everywhere I have known him from. I wonder how Isola will fare now? Thanks for the information.

The owners plan on turning it into a disco and changing the food venue. Longtime cook is gone too along with some of the waitstaff we all have known.

Isola was about the only stable thing to happen in that location for a LONG time.

A disco?? I'm assuming with loud music? Timeshare owners at SBR should love that.

Well that's a bummer. I was so looking forward to satisfying my craving for their Hollywood pizza next month. I'll still go and see if it's available.

It may not taste the same, even if they have it, since the chef is gone..

Disappointing news for sure...

Interesting. We were there in September and everything seemed off.

We didn't go there often, but it was a good choice for a pizza when we didn't feel like getting in the car and driving somewhere.

Yup...perfect walk to place when at SBR

It will be so disappointing if it goes downhill. We have loved their pizza and have normally eaten a couple of great dinners there. Marco is such a wonderful, charming person. If ansd when anyone finds out what his new chapter is going to be, please post! We'll follow him!! Disco??? Horrible idea.

Oh, no. That was one of our favorite restaurants. Somehow we missed it last visit and had been looking forward to it coming up in February. Please let us know what the owners end up doing with it. Disco's aren't our thing.

Scuba, for those of us who don't know Marco, what is or was his position at Isola?

He pretty much ran the place (general manager?) and would help out in the kitchen when needed. He was with La Gondola until Davide sold it, went to IZI then and then the venture at Isola. Scuba knows him better than I do but that is the history I know.

Thanks, JD. Since he's not the chef, perhaps the food will still be good.

No idea. I know he has a history of being a chef. If they go the disco route (as mentioned), I would foresee major changes.

Getting close for you guys.

You pretty much summed it up.

Marco still influenced what went on in the kitchen so it's not a sure thing food will remain the same quality.

Which would be why I said "perhaps".