PICTURED: Spicy shrimp pasta, a specialty of Meridians Cafe in Ventura. Picture by N. Lackey Shaffer
by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer
nshaffer@timespublications.com
Meridians Cafe
2417 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
805-676-1756
www.meridianscafe.com
$5-17
The Mediterranean food plan has lengthy been upheld as a regular for wholesome consuming. Garlic and olive oil, leafy greens and greens, fruits, nuts, seafood . . . all of those are good-for-you elements that the normal cuisines of Greece, Italy and different nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea have excelled in utilizing to craft scrumptious meals. Sure, these nations are additionally identified for wealthy meat dishes (like roasted lamb and meatballs), however the emphasis on recent, unrefined meals is what has docs the world over recommending this as one dietary plan for higher well being.
Meridians Cafe in Ventura just isn’t the one restaurant on the town serving Mediterranean delicacies, and the menu isn’t with out some indulgences. However the Italian restaurant that has been within the Marina Village Buying Heart for almost twenty years has a lot to suggest it, each by way of taste and wholesome elements.
I like baked pastas and cream sauces, nevertheless it was straightforward to pick intentionally wholesome entrees (for supply, no much less) at Meridians. Eggplant, mushroom, peppers, tomatoes and recent basil are effectively represented on the menu. Lighter pastas embrace penne Perugia (with roasted eggplant and recent tomatoes), rigatoni (with rooster, broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes) and shrimp pesto. Sandwiches embrace grilled greens and recent tuna salad. There’s even a veggieball — a meatless model of the traditional meatball — that may be loved with spaghetti or on a French roll.
I toured the Meridians menu with an eye fixed for lightness, choosing an appetizer (bruschetta pomodoro), a salad (Brazilian), a pasta (spicy shrimp), a sandwich (grilled vegetable panini) and a pizza (Margharita). All have been effectively ready and attractive in their very own approach.
Bruschetta pomodoro is so simple as it will get — freshly grilled bread topped with chopped tomatoes, a little bit garlic and olive oil, possibly some herbs. Meridians delivered precisely that, to my delight. When the elements are good, there’s no motive to get fancy. I do know this dish might be higher in the summertime (when tomatoes are in season) and on this occasion the bread was a little bit burnt, however I can’t say I didn’t get pleasure from this humble, splendidly recent appetizer.
The Meridians Brazilian salad included a big pile of combined child greens topped with avocado, hearts of palm, grated carrot and some tomato wedges. Creamy avocado and luscious hearts of palm actually made the salad; it was a pleasure to have these extra indulgent elements (plus a tangy whipped balsamic dressing) play towards the crisper greens. Subsequent time, I’d add goat cheese or maybe grilled rooster, to show it into extra of a meal — though even with out additional protein, there was a lot to share.
Which brings us to the yummy panini, completely laden with thinly sliced and fantastically grilled eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms and zucchini. This mountain of veggies was generously topped with an herby pesto sauce. Perhaps a little bit oily…however a superb pesto sandwich ought to be (and olive oil is sweet for you). I beloved the focaccia bread, even when it was a bit over-grilled.
The Margharita pizza was a beautiful model of a real traditional. Skinny crust that was crispy on the sting however a bit softer within the center, with a scrumptious tomato-based pizza sauce (I’d kill for that recipe) and topped with a little bit mozzarella, sliced roma tomatoes and slivered basil. Once more, when the elements are good, the dish ought to comply with go well with — and I discovered no fault with this pizza.
Ditto with the spicy shrimp pasta. Probably the most heavenly, spicy tomato marinara was tossed with completely cooked angel hair noodles and topped with plump, candy shrimp. We beloved every thing about our meal, however this was the runaway favourite.
There’s a lot extra to a nutritious diet than uncooked broccoli, tofu and brown rice. Meridians has the knack of turning greens, herbs and a few olive oil into a complete array of scrumptious meals which are nutritious and satisfying. Go to Meridians to your Mediterranean repair . . . and also you’ll discover it straightforward to accommodate your palate, abdomen and coronary heart well being unexpectedly.