Chef View By Dana Johnson
Modesto View July 2012 Mediterranean Market and Grill
Mediterranean Market and Grill has Ebelskivers!!! Do you want a splendid reason to say “Good Morning Modesto?” How about starting your morning off relaxing, sipping on a hot cup of coffee or a rich espresso, with a slight breeze drifting through a charming patio setting? I have found just such a place, The Mediterranean Market and Grill, fine Italian dining on McHenry is open 7 days a week for breakfast. When it comes to breakfast I could eat it 3 times a day! Considering the vast choices represented on their menu I could dine there 3times a day, for over a week and never eat the same thing twice!
What in the world is an Ebelskiver you ask, a rich Danish pancake ball made from a thick sour cream batter severed with a strawberry freezer jam, scrumptious! So there I was enjoying a Mimosa made with fresh squeezed orange juice, when I couldhear my fellow patrons chattering about the best Huevos Rancheros ever and the Market Scramble with Italian sausage, onions, and spinach to die for. When suddenly coming right towards me was waitress Dayna with a decadent crepe on a plate for the table behind me! Next time that crepe is mine!
Whatever you may be in the mood for at lunch time I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. The clam chowder is one to brag about, while the salads look so fresh, so, lol, I’ll likely order the Pollo Modesto (so hard to decide!) as it has many of my faves; fettuccini with chicken breast, proscuitto, provolone cheese, and a creamy alfredo sauce.
On July 9th The Mediterranean Market and Grill is pleased to announce they will be open 6 nights a week, M-Sat. for dinner. Another fantastic announcement is they are now serving Broasted Chicken, a revolutionary method of pressure frying chicken using condiments! A must try! Also on the dinner menu for Friday and Saturday nights you can treat yourself to some oysters or perhaps the grill’s signature prime rib. If you are a seafood lover, you are in luck they serve calamari,shrimp, clams, mussels, salmon, and tilapia! For me, hands down, I’ll devour a rack of lamb and follow it with crème brulee and a Cheshire Cat grin!
Carmen Sabatino, a long time Modesto restaurateur, former Modesto mayor and schoolteacher has been at this location for 8 years. He proudly spoke of the 19 people employed in this fine establishment, including 5 baristas! Carmen shared a story with me about the restaurant’s elegant, yet comfy chairs. They are from Modesto’s original Sundial Restaurant over 50 years ago. He is delighted when his customers say how familiar those chairs look and he gets to tell the fun history. There is a bit of Sundial history with every breakfast at the Mediterranean Market and the regulars are there for a taste.
Signature Modesto View question: Beatles or Stones? Carmen simply responded Beatles, I gave him the “really?” look, and he politely said he liked them from seeing them on The Ed Sullivan Show, so I let him off the hook with that.
By Dana Johnson FB: Dana’s Family Kitchen Also seen monthly FOX40 News cooking segments
421 McHenry Ave, Modesto C a 95354 209-576-7116
Hours of Operation: 6am to 2pm Daily Friday and Saturday Night 5:30pm to 9pm Starting July 9, 2012 Grand Opening 6 nights per week! M-Sat.
Yelp:medmargrill.com www.medmargrill.com food@medmargrill.com www.facebook.com/medmargrill
MEDITERRANEAN MARKET AND GRILL HOLLANDAISE
Threefresh Egg Yolks 1Ž4 Tsp Fresh Lemon Juice or to taste Salt & Pepper to taste 3 Tbsp Hot Water
Place mix in metal bowl and whisk over open flame until it separates from the bowl and becomes fluffy.
