A week ago I was coming back from a business trip in Barangay Indahag, coming down the road at Upper Macasandig when we decided to drop by the newly opened Mediterranean Gourmet Foods.
It’s easy to find, at the ground floor of the EJM Building in Maandig Avenue just next door to the now shuttered Kambingan sa Buena Oro eatery.
The bistro occupies the two units of the ground floor, the left is for its kitchen and the right for the dine-in area.
Mediterranean Gourmet Foods started as a Mediterranean Vegetarian Dips Producer selling to supermarkets. That being a small market niche, it expanded its product lines and instead chose to focus on Take-Out orders through Grab and private buyers in deference to current health protocols.
Since there was extra space available, the owners decided to add a small dine-In area and are adding al fresco outdoor seating within a week or so.
In expanding their product offerings, they added food items familiar to foodies which are competitive in the local market, while increasing the variety of their Mediterranean (mostly vegetarian) and other vegetarian dishes.
When we dropped by, we asked what in their menu could be served quickest and were served their excellent Hummus (chickpeas, tahini – ground sesame paste, herbs and spices) and Baba ganouj (eggplant, tahini, herbs and spices) which we quickly polished off with freshly made pita bread.
These are typical Mediterranean dishes familiar to many of our OFWs who have worked in the Middle East.
All dishes are freshly made in the kitchen from mostly organic and vegetarian ingredients.
I also enjoyed a refreshing glass of cold tea freshly brewed from decaffeinated unsweetened Black Tea (i.e. sans sugar or any artificial sweetener), while my companion enjoyed his can of cold San Mig Light. While they also serve wine, beer and soft drinks, the latter two are only available in cans.
For our take-out orders, our host recommended their Shakshuka with a side of Jasmine Rice and Falafel in Pita.
Personally, I found their Shakshuka with Jasmine Rice really savory. Shakshuka is a Mediterranean dish of eggs baked in sautéed tomatoes, onions, olive oil, peppers, garlic, herbs and spices – popular throughout the Mediterranean. Falafel is a Middle Eastern dish made of chickpeas, garlic, onion herbs and spices, formed into balls and deep-fried, usually eaten with or in pita bread.
While maintaining its flagship Mediterranean vibe, the bistro now also offer Mexican dishes like vegetarian burrito, chicken burrito, Cheese quesadilla, Chicken quesadilla and other gourmet dishes such as Tuna Tartare Salad, and Beef Nachos.
Check out their menu board where daily specials are featured just the way they do in typical European bistros.
During our brief stay, we noted they were also offering Baklava, Greek Salad, Mediterranean Kebab, Pastrami Sandwich, Turkey Ham Sandwich and Falafel with French Fries.
For further inquiries, you may contact them through their mobile number 0956 091 2533 or email address mgf.cdo@gmail.com.
-30-