And so, I have heard (or read from somewhere) that the Mediterranean is still one of the healthiest, happiest, cleanest, and nicest places to live on Earth, thanks to thousands of years of culture and history being handed down from generation to generation as regards to diet and a balanced lifestyle, not to mention exceptional climate and natural beauty of this region.
The Mediterranean remains one of the most pristine though heavily-populated areas in the world. It’s one reason the region got so popular with tourists in the first place. Filling your lungs with clean salty air, enjoying the cool breezes and letting the sun shine on your face are some of life’s simplest pleasures. I’m, still hopeful that I get to visit one day.
One of the things that make the Mediterranean so great is the food. This region offers such a broad variety of fresh and healthy eats that are well loved and equally familiar to almost every palate. Think about wine, olive oil, seafood, cheese etc. This probably why the many people are now adopting the Mediterranean style of diet.
Mediterranean diet includes foods that ae commonly eaten in countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. These meals may provide several health benefits which includes losing or maintain weight, decreasing blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It may also help protect against certain health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Mediterranean lifestyle is all about enjoying life to the fullest - through fresh, healthy meals with family and friends, finding a balance between work, relaxation, and experiencing the pleasures of an active life. Sharing meals with friends and family, pausing to taste, smell and enjoy, rather than simply refuel, is one of the most valued foundations of traditional Mediterranean culture and is exemplified in every dish that Café Mediterranean has to offer, a restaurant that I’ve visited one too many times starting back in my college days and up to this day.
In 1994, two siblings, Gonzalo and Giovanna Mabanta, along with Gonzalo’s then sister-in-law Marla Moran, put their heart, their soul, and their passion for good food and cooking into a restaurant idea that, in those heady days of the 1990s, was still unknown in Manila: a kitchen dedicated to the distinctive cuisines of the sunny Mediterranean. Taking the name, The Cafe Mediterranean from a long defunct early 1960’s beatnik hangout in Berkeley California, they opened their doors to their first restaurant in Greenbelt Mall, within the Makati CBD. It was an instant hit amongst the corporate crowd with its emphasis on fresh, light, yet flavorful, slightly unusual menu offerings. The traditional cooking of the 14 or so countries located within the Mediterranean allowed the team tremendous flexibility in terms of developing an interesting menu, while at the same time keeping certain key ingredients – olive oil, garlic, and tomato – as unifying elements.
I got to visit one of their newest branches in BGC at One Bonifacio High Street with my foodie friends last week and I was able to savor the flavors of the Mediterranean once more.
Shish Taouk with Biryani - is a traditional Turkish shish kebab which can be found in Syrian and Lebanese cuisine. This was served with your choice of rice and veggies or regular pita breads. The meat was tender and spiced right.
Chicken Kebab Pizza - one of Café Med’s best-selling dish. It’s with grilled chicken, house made pickled chilies and topped with garlic yogurt sauce. I love how Smokey and tasty this pizza is. Also, the bread isn’t that thick and had the right density to it that we all enjoyed.
Chicken Kebab with Buttered Rice - fresh and tender chicken pieces spiced and grilled to perfection served with buttered rice, tabbouleh salad and grilled onions and tomatoes. These chicken skewers are moist, tender and flavorsome and perfect with the salty and creamy buttered rice. I hope this comes with couscous too.
Hummus with Mushroom & Caramelized Onions - the classic chickpea & sesame dip from the Middle East. This is considered a complete meal. Before getting to try hummus, I thought I wouldn’t like it, but after, it has become one of my favorite things to eat whenever I have the chance to go and grab it. I simply love the combo of hummus and mushrooms. Hummus in itself is already a tasty dish and adding smoky and earthy mushrooms rendered a truly flavorful experience. I just love it with freshly baked and warm pita.
Fudge Cake - rich, dense and decadent chocolate cake. This cake is coated with thick chocolate layer but on the spongier side rather than moist. Either way it’s a perfect ending to any great meal at Café Med.
Mango Lassi - a popular Indian drink! This is a delicious blend of mangoes and yogurt with a touch of cardamom. I love the combination of sweet mango with tangy yogurt. This is so refreshing and full of zest.
Totally enjoyed every dish as Mediterranean food is the top 2 (next to Japanese) among my favorite cuisines. Café Med still serves that good and homey flavors that represents the sea surrounded by southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. Although the benefits of the Mediterranean diet are greatest when eaten as a part of a total lifestyle, you don’t need to move to Greece or Italy to profit from it. You can adopt the diet and/or visit any nearest Café Mediterranean near you.
CAFE MEDITERRANEAN
Third Floor, One Bonifacio High Street,
28th Street Corner 5th Ave.,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Contact Nos: 02 7441831
+63 9178246294
The Mediterranean remains one of the most pristine though heavily-populated areas in the world. It’s one reason the region got so popular with tourists in the first place. Filling your lungs with clean salty air, enjoying the cool breezes and letting the sun shine on your face are some of life’s simplest pleasures. I’m, still hopeful that I get to visit one day.
One of the things that make the Mediterranean so great is the food. This region offers such a broad variety of fresh and healthy eats that are well loved and equally familiar to almost every palate. Think about wine, olive oil, seafood, cheese etc. This probably why the many people are now adopting the Mediterranean style of diet.
Mediterranean diet includes foods that ae commonly eaten in countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. These meals may provide several health benefits which includes losing or maintain weight, decreasing blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It may also help protect against certain health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Mediterranean lifestyle is all about enjoying life to the fullest - through fresh, healthy meals with family and friends, finding a balance between work, relaxation, and experiencing the pleasures of an active life. Sharing meals with friends and family, pausing to taste, smell and enjoy, rather than simply refuel, is one of the most valued foundations of traditional Mediterranean culture and is exemplified in every dish that Café Mediterranean has to offer, a restaurant that I’ve visited one too many times starting back in my college days and up to this day.
Shish Taouk with Biryani - is a traditional Turkish shish kebab which can be found in Syrian and Lebanese cuisine. This was served with your choice of rice and veggies or regular pita breads. The meat was tender and spiced right.
Chicken Kebab Pizza - one of Café Med’s best-selling dish. It’s with grilled chicken, house made pickled chilies and topped with garlic yogurt sauce. I love how Smokey and tasty this pizza is. Also, the bread isn’t that thick and had the right density to it that we all enjoyed.
Hummus with Mushroom & Caramelized Onions - the classic chickpea & sesame dip from the Middle East. This is considered a complete meal. Before getting to try hummus, I thought I wouldn’t like it, but after, it has become one of my favorite things to eat whenever I have the chance to go and grab it. I simply love the combo of hummus and mushrooms. Hummus in itself is already a tasty dish and adding smoky and earthy mushrooms rendered a truly flavorful experience. I just love it with freshly baked and warm pita.
Fudge Cake - rich, dense and decadent chocolate cake. This cake is coated with thick chocolate layer but on the spongier side rather than moist. Either way it’s a perfect ending to any great meal at Café Med.
Mango Lassi - a popular Indian drink! This is a delicious blend of mangoes and yogurt with a touch of cardamom. I love the combination of sweet mango with tangy yogurt. This is so refreshing and full of zest.
CAFE MEDITERRANEAN
28th Street Corner 5th Ave.,
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Contact Nos: 02 7441831
+63 9178246294
Facebook: facebook.com/TheCafeMediterranean
Instagram: instagram.com/thecafemed
For more information, complete menu and restaurant reviews, check out their Zomato profile:
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