Lazy Sunday “Blunch” at Mediterraneo in Greenwich, CT

Bellinis and margaritas…ah, the perfect way to start a lazy Sunday ;)

For New Year’s Eve we were looking for a great place that was close to home and would be awesome. Years ago we had been to Terra, so we thought that Mediterraneo (in the same Z Hospitality Group) might be just as good. They had great reviews, so we made our reservations. While they didn’t have a special menu, they did have their regular menu of Mediterranean (and seafood focused) fare along with a few specials. We didn’t do a review because, well, it was New Years and even we could use a day off, but overall, we had a great meal so we definitely wanted to head back… for our OmNomivores of course!

We read in the Greenwich Time that they had Sunday brunch, but when we got there we were told that was a mistake and they’ve been trying to get them to change it for months. A little disappointed, we took a look at the menu and decided to make our own little “blunch” instead. Like what we did there? What better way to start blunch than with some light alcoholic beverages and coffee? Yes, uppers and downers joining as one. Gotta love blunch. Kristien had the Mediterraneo Bellini with flavorful peach purée and a splash of grenadine. The champagne was nice and dry, contrasting nicely with the sweetness of the peach. Dan had an amazing margarita (at noon? Sure!) made with passion fruit, Jose Cuervo Gold, and Grand Marnier. Each sip made us forget that it was 40 degrees outside. As for the coffee, it was strong, just how we like it.

grilled octopus salad with blood orange

Because it was blunch, we could order whatever the heck we wanted. Dan started with the grilled octopus and it seemed better than on New Year’s Eve. The octopus was cooked nicely, wasn’t tough, and had grill marks that added a smoky flavor. Executive Chef Albert DeAngelis and Chef du Cuisine Daniel Rivera contrasted that with bright, slightly sweet, and tart blood orange slices. Adding more contrast in taste and texture was thinly sliced fennel. Very well done.

Goat cheese tartlets

Kristien started with goat cheese tartlets…surprise! The breading around the goat cheese wasn’t too thick and was fried nice and lightly. Fennel also found its way onto this plate and also added a great flavor and texture. The beets added a nice sweetness when it was paired with the balsamic vinegar.

Grilled angus with thick cut steak fries

And then we had our main dishes…oh yes. Dan loves his steak, so he went with the grilled sliced Angus. Starting off, there was a log cabin built from thickly cut steak fries. They were crispy on the outside, but the thicker fries were unfortunately a bit too raw in the middle. They were still good, but could have been fried just a bit more. The steak, though…oh the steak. That steak was cooked perfectly to medium rare and cut like butter. The meat was full of earthy flavor, was juicy, and was complemented very well by the sauce and mushrooms. Would definitely order again.

A soft poached egg to die for…

Kristien’s main dish was the soft poached egg with wood roasted vegetables, prosciutto di Parma and crostino.  The poached egg was perfectly cooked, all oozy and gooey just the way she likes it!  The mushrooms brought an earthiness that played well with the bitterness of the well-seared Brussels sprouts.  And, of course, the prosciutto added that necessary saltiness. Everything was served atop a creamy and flavorful parsnip puree.

Final Thoughts

We were happy with the quality of the food overall.  They didn’t know who we were and that we had a food blog so we felt like it was a pretty authentic experience.  While at times it took a bit to get our waiter’s attention, he was helpful and accommodating.  So, if you’re looking for a nice Mediterranean spot that has some great seafood options, you don’t need to look anywhere else.  Plus, you really need to try their meatballs and chittara (like the strings of a guitar, see?). And you can’t get brunch there but you could make your own blunch if you’d like!

Mediterraneo

Noms: 3.75

Cost: $$$

Address: 366 Greenwich Ave.

Greenwich, CT 06830

Phone: (203) 629-4747