Monday, August 5, 2013

A Taste of the Mediterranean

Hi everyone, pardon my long absence. I'm back at home now, enjoying a peaceful summer of heat, relaxation, fun, cooking, and blogging. How nice does that sound? I know, I know, you may be disappointed with me for only doing one post for my Charleston trip. But it's summer, folks! I've been lazy, I've been busy, and I've been cooking! But now that I'm back home and away from the tranquil beaches of SC, I must get my head back in the game. I've no time to be lazy. I must keep it real.

Okay, let's begin. A few days ago I went to my  friend's house to spend the night with her. I was dropped off in the very late morning, and I was informed that we were going out to lunch. I was enthusiastic. I hadn't been out to eat since I had gotten back from Charleston, and considering my friend's good taste in restaurants, I had every reason to be excited. My friend informed me that we were going to a Mediterranean restaurant, called Mona's. Well, I had never been to the place, but I love Mediterranean cuisine, so I was all for it. 

Mona's was a very pretty, sunny sort of place. There was the restaurant and a Mediterranean grocery side by side. My friend, her parents, and I all entered and were told to "sit wherever you like." We chose a nice cozy booth. The booths were separated from each other by a translucent curtain, and there was a picture above the table of Middle Eastern people harvesting olives the old fashioned way. It was a very nice place to eat. For beverages, all of us ordered Lebanese tea, which I already fell in love with previously during the Mother's Day lunch at Lebanon's Cafe. It was perfectly delightful, and so much better than regular iced tea.

For appetizers, my friend and I split a plate of hummus. It came on a small plate with some green hot peppers in the middle, and it was served with a basket of hot pita bread. It was one of the best hummuses I'd ever eaten. So smooth, so creamy, and it had such a delightful flavor of tahini! The peppers added a nice touch, and the pita was the perfect accompaniment. I got so entranced in the deliciousness of the dish that I lost track of how much I was eating, so when my entree came (I had really ordered two appetizers), I had to come back to reality. I had ordered vegetarian stuffed grape leaves (they provide you with a choice of meat or vegetable stuffing on the menu) and the spinach pie, which was a triangle of pastry wrapped around a delicious spinach filling. The pastry was the first I had ever eaten that wasn't flaky, super crispy phyllo. It was more like a really good, fluffy, savory pancake, which may sound weird but it was SO good! The grape leaves were unlike anything I had ever tasted. They were served hot, with a delicious yogurt sauce on the side. It might have been labneh, but it might also have been tzatziki. Whatever it was, it was delicious. Anyhow, back to the grape leaves. I had never eaten a hot grape leaf! I was a little surprised when I bit into one and instead of the cool burst of delectable vegetables and rice, an explosion of heat took place in my mouth. The filling was nearly like a risotto. It was creamy and very rich. Unlike anything I'd ever eaten. It was quite an interesting and wonderful meal. I had a sensational time.

After enjoying the Jordan almonds that came with the check (is that some sort of custom among Mediterranean restaurants? I get them every time I eat at one.), we four trooped out, and I spent an awesome day (and night) hanging out at my friend's house. 

The thing I want to emphasize most about Mona's is not only the delicious new ways I tried my old favorites, but the way your tummy felt after you had eaten. You know, some food you eat (like a soggy salad) does not actually make your tummy feel happy. But when you get some really good grub, that's made with care and love and with a confident hand, you're in for a treat, because food like that not only comforts your growling stomach but warms your soul and perks you up if you're feeling down. Just knowing how lucky I am to get to be sharing a good meal that's cooked with warmth (I don't mean the stove, I mean the heart) and endearment with a good friend, makes me feel good inside, even though it's been days since I was digesting that spinach pie and grape leaves. Count your blessings, y'all. Never forget how lucky you are. Cook with lots of butter. Live to eat!