Walking into Mediterranean restaurant is not too different from walking into Dametra Café, its sister restaurant, three doors down. Both are cozy, welcoming and deploy a calming yellow paint job. The furniture is the same. The food is virtually the same. In fact, the main reason the former opened six months ago is because the latter was running out of room.
Comforting and friendly yet classy, the ambiance is flexible enough for a family dinner or a first date. Or a lunch date, which was my plan on a recent Sunday.
While Dametra had a half-hour wait, Mediterranean sat us pronto. I assumed people didn’t know about it, but it wasn’t long before it was full and a line formed.
Minutes passed before anyone took a drink order. My patience was rewarded with a huge pour – at least 8 ounces – of lively Sauvignon Blanc ($13) from Simi (Sonoma) and a basket of toasty bread. The wine list is long, but local choices are scarce. No Greek wines by the glass.
The wider menu includes pizza, pasta and sandwiches (like Dametra, it jumps around). We went Greek. We tabbed the mezze combination platter ($14.95), with hummus, tzatziki, smoked eggplant dip, stuffed grape leaves, spanakopita and pita. Disappointed that labneh wasn’t sampled, I asked the server if I could try it, which he graciously added at no cost.
I usually don’t like grape leaves, but here I was pleasantly surprised. Being warm made them more palatable, while a light tomato sauce added flavor to the rice inside the soft wrapping. The spanakopita, which I usually like, was also on point: Soft, flaky crust gave way to a fragrant bite of spinach, onion and feta.
The labneh gave me pause. The texture was right – thick – but instead of having a sour bite of Greek yogurt, it tasted more like cream cheese. No tang.
The hummus let me down too – if I focused really hard I could taste a faraway sesame seed, but the rest was empty coolness. It needed some lemon juice.
The eggplant was smoky indeed, but it was so smoky when the manager checked in I had to ask how they made it. He told me the eggplant was grilled over fire, and some people just don’t like the flavor.
Moving on, the tzatziki had the opposite problem of the labneh: The cucumber dip was carefully spiced and tasted great, but the texture was so liquidy it swam around the plate.
From there, I went for the most unique-sounding greens, the fire roasted vegetable salad ($14.95) with grilled zucchini, eggplant and peppers over a bed of spinach, dressed in pomegranate balsamic vinaigrette with feta and almonds. I threw on a falafel extra ($4.95) for good measure. Falafel has been a staple in my life, so I’m a harsh judge when it comes to these herby little chickpea patties. The Mediterranean breezed by my lofty standards. They were seasoned so that no one spice overwhelmed another, yet remained bright and airy in their grainy mouthfuls.
I reached across the table to try the chicken kebab ($22.95), Greek salad and rice pilaf. The chicken was grilled with a luscious yet tangy zing, but at that cost I’d expect more tenderness. The rice helped remedy it, cooked to a delicate firmness bursting with saffron and turmeric.
We returned for dinner. With another huge pour – this time of hearty Malbec ($12) from Trapiche of Mendoza, Argentina – I wanted rich. I wanted luxurious. And Mediterranean had my favorite indulgence: lamb shank ($24.95).
This time our server was there whenever we needed him, and delivered dinner quite promptly. Mediterranean’s shank, as if a metaphor for its overall menu, seemed to succeed and fail at the same time. It had the good. It had the bad. The crucial melting meaty softness was achieved with a six-hour braising, but the gravy tasted just like the lamb itself, and very mild lamb at that. I couldn’t pinpoint one spice in the sauce, and discovered that was because there weren’t any: It was braised, spiceless, in its own juices then baked. I love the taste of lamb alone, but it can be complemented so beautifully by any exotic variation.
The moussaka ($24.95) also beckoned. It was as comforting as any casserole should be. Nestled into a bowl of homemade tomato sauce, layers of creamy potatoes and cinnamony bechamel sauce found refuge between heaps of ground beef and eggplant, all brought to life by a dusting of bright shredded basil. Though it was satisfying enough and probably their best dish yet, it still didn’t quite match the price.
At both lunch and dinner we wrapped up the meal with small bites of baklava (included), from a bakery near San Jose, which were flaky, candied and nutty. A touch of just-out-the-oven would take it from average to amazing.
Others were celebrating life’s sweetness all around us. On both visits there was at least one birthday celebration, and a dressed-up couple near us at dinner asked the server to photograph them. So far, The Mediterranean seems as celebratory as its prototype.
For no apparent reason, however, all of the dishes we tried were a few bucks more expensive than next door.
The atmosphere and service made the experience worth it, but not the food. I wanted to love it – I love Mediterranean food. But I left feeling overcharged.
MEDITERRANEAN Ocean Avenue between Lincoln and Monte Verde, Carmel. 11am-10pm daily. 624-5659.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the following corrections. The baklava is custom-baked at a bakery near San Jose, not Santa Cruz; and the lamb shank is braised then baked, not just braised.
(10) comments
I agreed with this piece. I was deployed several times around the Middle East for three years. The prices are definitely inflated to presumably maintain the superb location. Honestly, I've had better food at a street vendor in Dubai. Sorry. Glad they got such a loyal following. You can't please everyone. I gave the place a shot twice and the service was so slow during non peak hours. The bread was great one day and inedbile on another visit. For a $70 check I expected more. Above standard prices for slightly par food. I'll leave it to the tourists and loyal fans, more for them.
It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps the same is true with food. And of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, with Faisal and Bashar's restaurants being the first venue in Carmel (and on the peninsula) to ever have people lining up to get a dinner table, that should give you reason to pause on your comments. I also believe they have raised the customer service bar so high, critiques such as yourself go in looking to find fault. So a natural delay between servers coming to the table is seen as neglect. Quite the contrary. Dining out is an experience that should be enjoyed, celebrated, and savored---which is what Mediterranian is all about.
Faisal and Bashar, thank you for putting your heart and soul into your ALL your restaurants. The impact and love you have poured into our community is palpable. Thank you for making all of us feel like we're family, and feeding us like it, too. God bless.
Dear Taryn,
I must disagree with your thoughts. I have dined many times at both Dametra Cafe and Mediterrian and I must say that the prices seemed reasonable to me at both locations.
At both locations I was happily welcomed with a big smile from the host and well accommodated with no reservations, when I go by myself and with my family. In my experiences the prices are not over priced, and are very similar to each other.
Even when the restaurants are fully seated the servers are attentively at our service. The dishes I've had were delicious and rich with flavor, I have never been disappointed with my service or entrees. Every time I go in I order Mint Tea for dessert and of course the Backlava (on the house) which never disappoints. Of course the best part of the experience was the music and dancing at both locations. I will definitely keep on going and highly recommend it to my family and friends!
Sabrina S.
I too have eaten at Mediterranean and, like at their sister restaurants ranging from the Del Monte mall outlet to Santa Cruz Mozaic, have always been very satisfied with service, food quality, and price to value. At least at the Med, and at Portabella next door, you can usually get a seat, unlike Dametra which is very popular with visitors, which attests to the above quality statements. Any spot will always have a little off here or there (I could mention a complaint about Manresa if you want), but the vast majority of the circumstances that people go to a spot for are easily met here. You will enjoy!
I also have to disagree like many others that have commented on your column, I have visited Mediterranean on numerous accounts and the food and service to be above standards.The service from their staff has always been friendly and prompt, their food has always left me with the desire to return, much like Dametra Cafe, Mediterranean is like nowhere else keep up the fine work, I will be eating there soon maybe today...costumer for life Mr Hebron.
My family's experience with the Mediterranean Restaurant was absolutely wonderful! I would definitely recommend it and plan to return again. We also had the Spanakopita which was crispy, flavorful and awakened our taste buds. The yogurt sauce was a tasty compliment. Our kids enjoyed the hummus with pita and gobbled it up with yummy sounds kids make when they're eating something they love. The deep fried Monterey calamari was just what it said on the menu - lightly dusted and lemony-garlicky with the aioli sauce. The sand dabs were fresh and cooked to perfection. The rice pilaf is certainly a house specialty - more yummy sounds from the kids. We felt comfortable, welcomed and loved the atmosphere. We give it a definite 4 thumbs up from our family of 4!
Im a regular at Mediterranean and I have enjoyed every lunch and dinner I've spent there.
Highly recommend the Moussaka.
I dined at the Mediterranean last night with some friends visiting from Mexico City. Our experience was absolutely unforgettable on all counts. We had undivided attention from the first minute. My daughter’s friend asked for pasta with butter sauce (not on the menu)—the order was taken without hesitation. I had the succulent chicken kabob with aromatic long grain rice, which instantly brought me back to my native home in Armenia.
It wasn’t long before we were serenaded with a melancholic traditional melody from Oaxaca, Mexico accompanied by the hypnotizing sounds of oud. My friends could not believe that they had found a little piece of home in charming, quaint Carmel. Dining at the Mediterranean was an experience not to be forgotten.
I have dined in many restaurants in Carmel, I can assure Miss Yudaken that the prices are reasonable at Mediterranean and the portions are extremely generous.
Kristine G.
Dear Taryn,
I strongly disagree of your comments about the Mediterranean Restaurant. I am from Turkey, and I definitely know the Mediterranean food very well. I am local in the area and I have dined at the Mediterranean Restaurant many times. I have always been impressed by the Mediterranean from the moment I walked in. I love the rich décor and the family atmosphere. Not only is the food impeccable, but the staff is amazingly professional and hospitable. I have tried most of the foods on the menu and based on my experience, I would definitely say that the food is fantastic, flavorful, hearty and fresh. The pricing for lunch and the dinner is reasonable comparable for the location.
I would always recommend Lamb Shank! I cook them a lot at home and order in different Greek Restaurants and the Lamb Shank in the Mediterranean is cooked to perfection! Very tender and not at all dry. All the appetizers, including Hummus and Tzatziki are prepared in a way that are supposed to be. Luscious, fresh and flavorful!
Amazing food, amazing ambience and amazing service! The restaurant literally hits everything on the check-list of providing an absolute perfect dining experience. Absolutely, I will continue to dine there, and also I will continue to recommend it for anyone in the area.
Keep up the great work! Thank you for enlightening our life!
Ozden Matsu
I have to disagree with some of your comments, Taryn. I have dined at Mediterranean restaurant in Carmel several times since its opening and have left very satisfied every time. In my experience they deserve no criticism at all, only praises for providing excellent meals and making such enjoyable memories for their guests!
First of all, like its sister restaurant Dametra, everybody at Mediterranean is so friendly and nice, I feel right at home. The personal service and outstanding hospitality are rare to find and cannot be topped. Really warm, genuine people there.
Add to that the warm ambience and, of course, most importantly the outstanding food, and you have a very special restaurant worth visiting over and over again. It's one of my faves.
In my experience the hummus is rich and creamy, the chicken is tender and juicy, the lebneh and taziki sauces are rich and finely textured, yes the roasted vegetable salad is amazing, and the moussaka you mentioned is to die for, just to mention a few. And the prices? They are so reasonable, especially for Ocean Avenue! I've heard many landlords in Carmel are raising rents even higher, and labor costs are going up, yet Mediterranean's prices remain very reasonable.
I continue to recommend Mediterranean restaurant to friends and family, as well as many locals I know, and they all have wonderful experiences. Keep up the great work, Mediterranean!
Sarah E.
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