Mediterranean Tastes in Metro Manila

In the tradition of that special Sunday in May we, myself and number one son, treated the best beloved to dinner at a restaurant of her choice.

Her choice was Café Mediterranean at the Power Plant Mall and a bloody good choice it was too. From the moment we walked in and were assailed with the exotic aromas from the kitchen to leaving with our doggie bag it was a lovely repast.

As the name suggests they specialize in Greek and Italian cuisine. For starters we shared an assorted platter of tit bits, humus, falafel, Greek meat balls and kalamata olives steeped in olive oil with warm pita bread on the side.

For mains, I had penne pasta with a ham, sun dried tomato and cream sauce served with a balance that ensured the sauce didn’t over power the taste of the pasta, although the garlic bread accompaniment could have had a closer involvement with the clove. The best beloved had mousaka which came with buttered rice. It was her first taste of this Greek dish and although she couldn’t finish it at the time what was left did make for a lovely lunch the next day, so I have been told. The gusto with which number one son attacked and demolished his spicy chicken and butter rice ensured a good nights sleep for the chef.

This was all washed down with a Spanish red of mixed parentage and although not remarkable was a pleasant drop. Being served in water glasses did remind me of the Greek restaurants I frequented in the southern Greek city of Melbourne. And being served at room temperature earned them several brownie points.

The all up cost was a very modest 1500 pesos (about $AU40.00). Will we eat there again? The next time we feel the need for a break from Filipino fare it will be high on our list of priorities, there are a couple of dishes on their menu, I for one, would like to try.