Review: Café Mediterraneo (TV Diner) - Elbowed along a row of shops and restaurants on a busy thoroughfare of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Café Mediterraneo gave an immediate Mediterranean feel with its stucco walls, subtle lighting - simple but attractive décor.
You could smell Italian as soon as you entered the door!
We started with a spinach salad. Generously topped with grilled chicken, the greens were warmed with goat cheese and pine nuts, tossed in an unusual vinaigrette.
The balsamic roasted red onion and Portobello were intensely tart - but a nice fresh salad.
The Pasta d Fagioli - featured kidney beans, in a full-toned tomato stock.
They may have gone a bit heavy with the rosemary but overall the big bowl of soup was very good.
Our first entrée of Lobster Fra Diavolo with Shrimp, was just the BEST with huge chunks of sautéed seafood under a spicy marinara-all on fettuccine. Incredible!
Brandy peppercorn sauce pooled around the Pork Osso Bucco.
The big piece of flavorful meat was complemented with a delicious polenta and perfectly cooked fresh vegetables.
A side of butternut ravioli was savory with sage!
The Chocolate Souffle was actually a nicely presented flourless cake, good enough to satisfy any chocolate craving.
The Tiramisu was top notch, generous in size and presented with eloquence.
Our waitress was amenable and efficient, but the host was not very friendly.
Prices were an exceptional value for quantity and quality with appetizers 5 to 12 dollars, entrees 15 to 22 dollars and desserts 7 dollars.
Café Med, a nickname levied by the locals, is a pleasant restaurant with a warm quiet atmosphere that serves good Italian food and wine at a great price point.
Café Mediterraneo earns a Gold Plate.
Located at 119 Congress Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, it can be reached at 603-427-5073.
603.427.5563
www.cafe-mediterraneo.com
Location:
Café Mediterraneo
119 Congress St
Portsmouth,
NHUnited States
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