5 PLACES FOR
Mediterranean Delights!
March 30, 2007
ctnow.com
A handful of local restaurants serving up tastes of the Mediterranean.
Mediza
35B Lasalle Rd., West Hartford
860-233-3370, www.medizarestaurant.com
Mediza Sampler, $10
Gorgonzola chicken flatbread, $11
They say your culinary tastes get more sophisticated as you get older, and now that I'm looking at my late twenties, I've found this to be true. Since graduating from college, I've traveled the world--or at least my tastebuds have. And I can now officially say that I've eaten my first falafel.
Mediza's sampler is perfect to try a little of this and a little of that. It's a platter of tahini, hummus, baba ghanouj and crispy falafel patties, served up with warm, pillowy pita bread. Any cuisine that highlights carbohydrates and dips is all right in my book.
I started off by making a mini-sandwich of falafel and the three spreads on a pita, but that didn't give me a chance to immediately savor each flavor on its own. The falafel was satisfyingly crunchy, though, and the three sauces lent a great creamy texture to my little creation. I then went back and tried each spread individually with the warm pita. The baba ghanouj tasted earthy and smoky, and the hummus was smooth with just the right amount of garlic. The tahini had a yogurt-like consistency and somewhat of a bland taste on its own, though it was appetizing as a falafel topping. The pita bread, when fresh and hot, was fantastic, but grew semi-stale as the meal went on. Since there was plenty of dip left over, I was disappointed by this.
Mediza also offers a variety of flatbreads at lunchtime, perfect for gourmet pizza enthusiasts or those who aren't quite ready for a full Mediterranean experience. I tried the chicken gorgonzola version, which was a pleasing mixture of sweet caramelized onions, pungent cheese, walnuts and grilled poultry. With a lack of sauce, the flatbread was a little dry, but I compensated by adding some of the appetizer spreads to it. The baba ghanouj enhanced the flavors particularly well.
Mediza is a cozy spot, decorated in warm, welcoming hues. It fits right in with its fellow chic West Hartford Center counterparts, offering everything from classic Middle Eastern plates to sea bass in pomegranate reduction sauce. If you're looking to sample Mediterranean favorites in a classy yet relaxed setting, Mediza is a worthwhile destination.
- LEEANNE GRIFFIN
Tosca
68 Bridge St, Suffield
860-668-0273, www.toscact.com
Roasted Vegetable & Feta Pasta, $20
When I think of Mediterranean food, my mind conjures images of creamy goat cheeses, earthy vegetables and delicate pastas. So when the opportunity unveiled itself to dine at Tosca in Suffield, my fondness for feta cheese won out. I love feta. It's rich, salty flavor enhances so many of my favorite dishes, from pizza to pasta. And Tosca's roasted vegetable and feta pasta did not disappoint.
Presented in a little mound, the dish provided a stunning combination of artichoke hearts, asparagus, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms and feta, served over linguini with mint. The first few bites sent what I can only call 'chills of delight' down my spine. The sweet tanginess of the vegetables mixed nicely with the distinct creamy texture and salty taste of the feta. There was plenty to savor in each bite.
Tosca bills itself as "fine" Mediterranean dining, so expect to pay around $20 for a dinner entree. Warm colors, white tablecloths, intimate seating and a hushed atmosphere make the restaurant a good place for catching up with an old friend, or perhaps, to woo someone special. The indoor dining room is kind of small with low ceilings, yet cozy . A compact bar area is tucked into one corner. The restaurant also features a large outdoor patio (not yet open for the season.)
Aside from dripping some of the juice from the pasta onto my white top, I'd have to say my meal at Tosca was a perfectly lovely mid-March Mediterranean escape.
-- MARY KATE THOMAS
Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant
85 Howe St., New Haven
203- 562-8444
Falafel, $2.95
Entering Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant, a small place to grab some Middle Eastern & Mediterranean cuisine, I noticed a wall of honor filled with plaques and signs raving about the restaurant. It was my first visit to Mamoun's and hoped the signs were true. I am usually a cheeseburger kind of girl. My belly grumbled and when the waitress asked if I had decided, and I thought "what the heck"and ordered both the falafel and the hummus pita.
Mamoun's is a tiny restaurant. Dim, multi-colored lanterns provide light over the tightly organized seating area. The front window is so covered with plants, it resembles a mini jungle with vines twisting up to the ceiling. The walls are decorated with rugs representing the homeland. Middle Eastern music hums in the background beneath the noise of customers.
The top of my pita was dolloped with a huge scoop of hummus. Veggies poked out of it. I lifted the stuffed pita to my mouth and took a huge bite. The strong taste of the hummus gave the lettuce and tomatoes inside a tangy and delicious flavor.
I finished it. For only $2.95, that sure is a filling meal.
But I still had the falafel to eat. It sat in front of me in a little tray.
Should I force myself to eat it or should I be sensible and bring it home? It looked good and I never had a falafel before. My plate and hands were already saturated with the remnants of the hummus pita drippings from the sauce spilling everywhere. But, ignoring my full stomach, I again began to chow down.
The warm falafel came with a fried chick pea mixture of lettuce, tomatoes and a sesame sauce. The extra kick of flavor made it even more delicious than the hummus pita.
Feeling nauseously full (but in a good way) I rolled myself back to my car. For such a cheap price I was able to be stuffed with a healthy and guiltless meal. I am definitely going to pass on that cheeseburger the next chance I get and grab another falafel.
-- ERICA DASILVA
Mediterranea Restaurant and Cafe
140 Orange St., New Haven
(203) 624-0589
Falafel Pita, $3.50
I must have driven by Mediterranea hundreds of times, without ever noticing that it was there. The quaint Middle Eastern and Italian restaurant is easy to miss with all the hustle and bustle of the New Haven streets. However, Mediterranea should stand out from all the other restaurants on Orange Street This café allows you to either grab some grub, or relax while smoking an herbal mixture of fruit in its hookah bar.
Mediterranea lists an overwhelming number of menu options on a chalkboard. With everything from specialty pizzas, salads, pasta, hummus sandwiches and lentil soup, I found it difficult to choose some lunch. Wanting a tasty meatless dish, I opted for a falafel pita to fend off my afternoon hunger.
As I waited for my pita, I peeked into Mediterranea's small back room, open to those who want to smoke out of the hookah. Drapes hung from the ceiling, surrounding cloth-covered benches and ottomans. It may have been too early in the day for the room to be filled with people, but it definitely looked like a place that could cater to a crowd.
My pita was soon delivered on a basic paper plate as I sat at one of the few tables in the cafe's front room. The breaded bean falafel balls were mixed with lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber sauce, all wrapped up in pita bread. The pita had just enough falafel balls to be satisfying, and just enough cucumber sauce to add extra flavor, making it a healthy and appetizing lunch. Just a word of advice, if you are looking for more of a substantial meal, you may want to order soup or salad, too.
-- RENEE TRAYNOR
Tapas
1150 New Britain Ave. West Hartford
860-521-4609
Hummus Platter, $9.50
Mixed Greek Platter, $14.95
It's funny how my taste buds have evolved as I've aged. I remember having hummus placed in front of me when I was a child and thinking it was the nastiest thing ever -- more of a punishment than a pleasure. How times have changed. I love hummus. And Tapas in West Hartford serves one of the best hummus appetizer plates ever.
Beautifully presented, the hummus – a blend of ground chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic – is surrounded by capers, feta cheese, sun-dried and fresh tomatoes, pepperoncini, onion, Kalamata olives and pesto. This is all served with toasted pita wedges – perfect for making your own little slices of hummus heaven.
The tiny West Hartford restaurant creatively composes authentic Mediterranean dishes, with a heavy Greek influence. The Greek salads are awesome, topped with the restaurant's homemade dressing and loads of feta.
On previous visits, I followed my annihilation of the hummus platter with one of Tapas' enormous gyros – also very tasty.
This time, however, a special on "The Blackboard" caught my eye. The Mixed Greek Platter had a little bit of everything I was looking for – Greek oregano marinated chicken ka-bob on a bed of rice pilaf, Tzatziki (a yogurt, cucumber and garlic sauce), grilled gyro slices (one chicken, one lamb), spanakopita (filo pastry stuffed with spinach and feta) and pita points.
One of the best meals I've enjoyed in a long time. We were still talking about it hours later.
Note to Tapas Management: Make the Mixed Greek Platter a regular menu item.
-- CHRISTINE W. TAYLOR
Subscribe to the Hartford Courant today and receive up to 50% off!
|
|
E-mail story
