Greek Greatness
Mediterranean Grill
160-24 Willets Point Blvd., Whitestone
(718) 281-4210
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Hours: Tues. - Sun.: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Credit Cards: Yes, all major.
There is something about Mediterranean food that makes my stomach growl and my mouth water. Maybe it’s the combination of flavors from several different countries in the area. Maybe it’s the relaxing atmosphere that seems to come naturally. In any case, this style is one of my favorites. And Mediterranean Grill is one of the best in the game.
Going there with my best friend, we were overwhelmed by the amount of options listed on the menu. Instead of having to make a choice, we let the chef take us on a journey of the best that the restaurant had to offer.
We started off with an excellent dish of fried calamari. This wasn’t your usual appetizer, though. In a nice touch of fusion dining, the calamari was dipped in a spicy and zesty Asian sweet chili sauce.
From there, we were treated to Mediterranean Grill’s homemade pasta, served with roasted tomatoes and shrimp. Homemade pasta certainly ranks near the top of the excellent food chart and this was no exception. The pasta tasted incredibly fresh and was cooked perfectly. The flavoring of the shrimp and tomatoes added uniqueness to every bite.
After going through a salad with a secret homemade dressing, the main course arrived. We both had salmon with orange-miso sauce and black rice. The sauce enhanced the already delectable taste of the salmon, as each piece seemed to melt in my mouth. The black rice was delightful as well, making for a healthy side dish. The restaurant’s signature lemon potato ended dinner excellently.
After all of this great food, the two of us were stuffed. But once the dessert came out, we knew we had to try it. It’s not every day that you come along a dish like apple crisp with homemade cinnamon ice cream. While we may have felt very full once we were done, this meal was worth every bite.
-Joe Marvilli