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A Mediterranean Medley at Mezé

Roasted Red Pepper from Meze on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Roasted Red Pepper from Meze on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Located on Shrewsbury Street, Mezé Greek Tapas Bar & Grille is another great restaurant on this iconic street filled with restaurants. The energy in this place was upbeat and friendly. Many exciting conversations happening around you causing you to be caught up in the excitement of being out having amazing food with friends and family. This place is not quiet. If you are looking for a quiet meal this is not the place, but if you are looking to expand your taste buds and experience great Greek food in a highly energetic atmosphere this is the place for you.

The wait staff was prompt and very knowledgeable about the menu items. The idea behind this place is to order multiple dishes and share them among your table. Very typical Tapa’s style. My dinner companions and I ended up ordering quite a few dishes to share among us. Our server started out by delivering lightly toasted bread to our table served with a combination of olives. I dug into a “Village Salad” as it was called from the menu that consisted of cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, olives; feta cheese drizzled with a light dressing.

The other dishes we ordered came out randomly as they were prepared and ready. Sharing all the plates of food was encouraged as the bounty of wonderful dishes began to fill the table. I had amazing anchovies in an olive oil and tangy dressing. The flavors bursting from these tiny little fish were truly amazing. I also had a small sampling of “smelts” which I had thought were a New England classic. Maybe their origins came from the Greek. Either way I loved these small deep fried crispy fish. Many of these dishes came with dipping sauces with names too complicated write about. Another dish of marinated cold beets was served and needed no dipping sauce to enjoy their earthy flavor. Grilled marinated red peppers were another favorite of mine when it came to the non-carnivore offerings.

Lamb chops came grilled on a bed of white flavored rice. The lamb chops were cooked exactly as I had requested. Chicken Kabobs were another favorite of the table. Served on skewers over white flavored rice. Stuffed grape leaves melted in my mouth, these were truly the best I have ever had. There were so many dishes I can’t do justice describing them all, suffice it to say this is truly a Food Lovers experience. I will be heading back to Mezé to experience and try more of their offerings.

 

Due to the tapas style eating, photos may not match the foodies review or description.

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Chicken Piccata from Rosalina’s Kitchen

Chicken Piccata from Rosalina's Kitchen on Hamilton Street in Worcester, MA

Chicken Piccata from Rosalina's Kitchen on Hamilton Street in Worcester, MA

Simply put – Rosalina’s Kitchen is a neighborhood gem. You may miss it driving by as it blends right into the neighborhood but that is part of the charm. I always love frequenting small restaurants that have that local casual feel – like I am sitting in a friends house having dinner and that is exactly how I felt there. It was a Wednesday evening but the place was filled with large groups of friends and families enjoying their meals and a nice bottle of wine. Did I mention its BYOB?

I think everyone heard that they make their home made ravioli on Tuesday nights. While I didn’t try the ravioli this first visit they are must for my next visit. I could see the pillow like raviolis piled high on a friends plate filled with such unique items as lamb and grape leaves. While the home made ravioli is what first attracted me to Rosalina’s Kitchen I ordered a very traditional chicken piccata. Normally when I go to a new restaurant I try to order a favorite dish to help me compare to others I have had at other places.

At Rosalina’s Kitchen you could order the piccata with chicken, haddock or veal. My dish of chicken piccata came steaming hot with lightly browned pieces of moist chicken slices sautéed with lemon, butter, white wine, capers and their special touch – spinach. Bringing the whole dish together was the nice strong lemony flavor balanced with the slight crisp from the white wine. What I liked about this dish was while it was sautéed with butter, like a traditional piccata, I didn’t feel that the butter was the star of the dish which made it much more pleasurable. Overall a great meal and enough to take home for a great dinner the next night.

I am already planning my next trip there with a group of friends.  Try your best to make this your next dinner destination.