Tag: WFXLV

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Stuffed Grape Leaves from Meze

Soutzoukakia Smirneika

 

Soutzoukakia SmirneikaOur recent Worcester Foodie adventures took us to Meze Greek Tapas Bar & Grille – a new addition to the bustling dining scene on Shrewsbury Street. This was my second visit there as I was able to check it out over the summer when it first opened – at that time we enjoyed the nice patio seating and summer cocktails.

My first time I shared various plates or Tapas with my friend which really gave me chance to try many different dishes. For this visit I decided to keep it simple and just get two small tapas dishes for myself.

When trying a new restaurant I always go for a “traditional” menu item which allows me to compare it to other restaurants that I might already enjoy. My mind immediately went to the Dolmathes – at Meze they were stuffed grape leaves with white rice with a slight lemony flavor to the leaves accompanied with a side of Greek yogurt for dipping. While the grape leaves were ok, I prefer when they have some meat in them and slightly more seasoning. A vegetarian might enjoy them more.

My other dish was something new for me – Soutzoukakia Smirneika – think mini meat loaves of ground beef and port that are lightly fried and topped with a homemade tomato sauce. It was a good combination of meat and sauce and would be something I would get again, though I was disappointed with the rice that came with it as it was kind of mushy.

Overall, while I know traditional Greek food is lighter on the seasoning, I still left feeling the grape leaves and other dishes I have had there in the past could pop more. I am one for lots of bold flavors and wish there were heavier in the hand on the seasoning.

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

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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.