Tag: tomatoes

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Brunch: Salmon Salad from Via

Salmon Salad from Via on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Salmon Salad from Via on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

We switched up our usual Tuesday night for a Sunday morning brunch at Via Italian Table for this past Worcester Foodie event and let me tell you, it was a pleasant surprise. I was a little apprehensive when the next pick was Via, I had been there on several occasions and each time left feeling disappointed. I was excited to try them again.  The menu was an exciting blend of breakfast and lunch options with so many great looking options it was very hard to make a decision.

For an appetizer I selected  the Yogurt Parfait: homemade spumoni granola with pistachios, dried cherries, chocolate chips and vanilla Greek yogurt. I had never had granola with pistachios or dried cherries so I was excited to try it. It was delicious,  just  the right amounts of pistachios and chocolate chips and the dried cherries added the hint of sweetness, I will add this to my granola at home from now on.

For my entrée I ordered the Salmon Salad- grilled north Atlantic salmon with avocado, fresh corn, tomatoes, zucchini ribbons, mixed greens and homemade pesto. My Salmon Salad arrived in a large, deep dish.  It was so colorful, the avocado, corn, cherry tomatoes and zucchini ribbons blended perfectly, it was an innovative combination of vegetables which was complimented by the homemade pesto, which you could tell was homemade, not too garlicy, either. The vegetables were not overcooked and there was a green salad at the bottom of the vegetable, very light and refreshing. The salmon was large, which I asked to be Cajun seasoned, and they cooked it perfectly, it was light and flaky and obviously fresh. I made a note to myself this would be something I would come back for. I watched all the meals arrive and I must say I am excited to go back to try other dishes because they all looked delicious.  I paired my food with a Flight of Bubbles, a sampling of all Bellini and Mimosa options.  The display of the Flight of Bubbles was beautiful, and I will not be able to do it justice in my review, it arrived with four mini wine glasses hung on a metal flower shaped stand.  Each glass was better than the next, all refreshing and made perfectly. I am happy to say that I look forward to returning not only for the brunch but for dinner too!

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Channeling My Inner Greek

Spanaki from Meze Greek Tapas on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Spanaki from Meze Greek Tapas on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

I’m French (technically Northern French, I won’t say the “C” word—not that there is anything wrong with that) but after a recent trip to Greece I find a part of me wishing that I were Greek. Full disclosure: I also wish that I were Italian sometimes. So, you can imagine my excitement when I heard that a Greek tapas-style restaurant was opening in the heart of Shrewsbury Street. After a visit to Mezé on opening night, I was hooked. The atmosphere is designed to replicate the typical al fresco eateries you’d find in Greece and the menu is inspired by the Mediterranean style.

Octopus from Meze on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MAFrom the wine (some of the greatest Greek selections—although missing Robola of Kefalonia) and ouzo through the hot and cold dishes, the menu speaks to the nature of the Grecian diet. For this visit, I opted for the spanaki (spinach salad) which consisted of baby spinach, walnuts, sun dried tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, tossed with a balsamic vinegar dressing. The dish was surprisingly large for a spinach salad, but perfectly captured the essence of its flavors.

For my meal, I opted for the Octapodi (octopus). I am bad when it comes to tapas—I don’t like to share. And, when it comes down to the octopus, you can hold me to that. I commonly will stop at Mezé Greek Tapas Bar & Grille on my way home from meetings just to have a glass of wine and enjoy the octopus at the bar. It’s prepared on a bed of onions and grilled with simple balsamic vinegar and olive oil. To be honest, it’s my new go-to meal because the presentation, flavors and consistency. The light meat of octopus absorbs the Mediterranean flavors and satisfies all gustatory perceptions.

I look forward to any night that I know I can belly up to the bar and enjoy a glass of wine, octopus, and spinach salad. It brings out the Greek in me.