#InauguralReview @mediwinebar Since 2011 by #DorianGashi and #AndreaGiacomoni #MediterraneanCuisine #811NinthAvenue between West 53rd and 54th #HellsKitchen #Manhattan
Hangar Steak Kebab, Peachy's favorite right now at Medi
It has been absolutely ages since we have featured the dynamic duo of Dorian Gashi, originally of Albania, and Andrea Giacomoni, originally of Italy, but they are back like the caped crusader and Robin to save the day, in their case, of your appetite! They are the founders and owners of Medi Wine Bar that opened February 17, 2011 and is dedicated to showcasing the best of Mediterranean Cuisine in Hell's Kitchen.
This is our first visit.
Their coastally-focused menu seasonally changes 25 percent of it twice a year; there are 45 coveted indoor seats and an additional 35 outdoor. Medi specializes in their own creations that combine elements of specific countries of the Mediterranean into a single dish.
Here's what we think they do best!
There are three salads on the menu; we chose two.
Medi Salad is their signature of course with the name indication.
Poached Shrimp line up at your attention in a Fab Four formation, fork ready!
They were expertly prepared and among the best shrimps we've seen in recent salads; we're told seafood is delivered four times a week.
Boston Lettuce, avocado, shaved fennel and perfect pink grapefruit segments (no white strings, carefully attended to!) round out the party, and they listened and put the dressing on the side for Ms. Pretty Picky.
The best part of the Marulo Salad was without a doubt the dill.
Dill is a highly underutilized ingredient across the board at all restaurants and Medi is smart to pair it with Romaine and Scallions and for all other people, Black Olives. You know who does not eat them and they happily complied because hospitality is practiced here. The purity of the EVOO and Red Vinegar dressing came to the party on the side, as ordered.
All salads are normally served dressed; if you have other preferences like Peachy, state accordingly when ordering.
Hangar Steak Kebab says don't hate me because I'm beautiful: EAT ME.
Grilled Cubes of Beef, Eggplant Escalivada (Spanish Stew), Roasted Pepper and Crumbled Feta festively assemble with Harrisa Sauce (Morrocan) to fragrantly rise to the occasion of a lovely appetizer without overdoing it. Tender and exquisitely excellent, the Hangar Steak was Peachy's favorite this visit and five or six cubes await your acquaintance! We surmise this would be even better as an entree which it has been other times, but not the time we visited.
Many places have Broccoli Rabe, but Medi has it with Red Chilies making it much more enticing, fun and delicious! Sauteed in evoo with garlic, it was a nutritious celebration we'd like to see more of from restaurants. Vegetables matter! Eat real food!
Note pictures are always unedited: you excel like Dorian and Andrea or we do not publish.
Brussel Sprouts were further jazzed up with pistachios and garlic, also inventive without being ridiculously trendy like lesser places can be. Some places put ingredients together just for the shock value, but it's clear to us that Medi actually thinks about the culinary components in an intelligent manner before presenting the dishes to you.
From the sea incorporates three choices: the one we chose was the Crispy Skin Atlantic Salmon.
Pan-roasted and served over sauteed fennel with parsley, mint and dill, this poisson boasted flavor that is what we are looking for and is not run-of-the-mill at all; it weighs in at 8 ounces we are told.
Lemon EVOO dressing was on the side as we ordered it.
There is zero doubt in our mind that the best entree here is Medi's Truffle Cheese Burger.
You are completely missing out on life if you are not eating it.
You are completely missing out on life if you are not eating it.
It was perfectly medium rare as ordered, and eight ounces of Grass-fed Ground Angus Beef is to-die-for with Caramelized Red Onions, sliced Tomato, Baby Arugula, melted Gruyere cheese and sliced Black Summer Truffles on a Brioche Bread with Medi's Fries and Aioli. You definitely also will love the Aioli. Peachy absolutely cannot wait to eat it again.
Grilled Spanish Octopus with finely sliced celery is simply superlative and grilled without a flaw. One whole piece is a culinary triumph and Medi doesn't serve it cut up like lesser places might to hide any imperfections. It is perfect in the first place here.
Lemon olive oil chili flakes dressing is sensational and normally it is with Kalamata Olives, but not for Picky Peachy who is not a fan. This is a specialty from time to time and you are one lucky duck if you see it on the menu.
Medi understands in the world according to Peachy, for desserts there is chocolate and not chocolate.
The chocolate cake is perfection at the close of your Medi experience, and may we say the best adjective for this dessert is GONE. It did not live to see the daylight once in the vicinity of Peachy's fork and she delicately devoured the entire plate. Actions speak louder than words, readers.
It might have been better than even the steak or truffle cheeseburger.
Medi impressed us on our first visit and we look forward to seeing what they do next.
