| Back Country Eater's Review MEDITERRANEO BISTRO BAR & GRILL— A DELIGHTFUL FIND IN ALPINE Perched on a hilltop at the end of an unassuming strip center overlooking rural Alpine is the Mediterraneo Bistro Bar & Grill. It’s not what you would expect in East County’s backcountry. Far removed from the big city, this eatery has the feel of a sophisticated, upscale European restaurant. Contemporary and modern décor, colorful artwork, cozy seating and a well-stocked bar add flair to this backwater watering hole, which also features cozy seating and large, heated outdoor dining area. Though I’m originally from the Midwest, my taste in food goes far beyond just beef and potatoes--and the Mediterraneo Bistro Bar & Grill satisfied my self-styled sophisticated palate. I started out this feast with the shrimp lobster bisque. Delicious. The salad featured succulent shrimp, avocado and mango. I also sampled one of the restaurant’s signature dishes—pesto lasagna. It was the best I have ever had--full of flavor with grilled eggplant, zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts. Fantastic! Dispelling the stereotype that East County only has redneck cowboy bars, there’s not a buffalo head in sight. The only “buffalo: in the place was the buffalo mozzarella on a brick oven pizza pie, which also included pesto and fresh asparagus. Other entrees also looked scrumptious. Although I was full, I found myself gazing longingly at treats on other tables: coconut calamari, steak and seafood entrées, Dungeness crab cocktail, great looking pasta and chicken. I liked it so much that I came back for lunch and sampled the Mediterranean Pannini sandwich. With grilled eggplant, roma tomatoes, French feta cheese and hummus, it literally melts in your mouth. I also tried the carrot-ginger soup, savory and smooth as silk. Having lived in California most of my life, I relish good wines—and this restaurant has an exceptional wine list. I chose the Leal Vineyard merlot from San Benito/Hollister; it was rich and satisfying. I can’t say enough good things about the Mediterraneo and its inventive and creative dishes, so I just had to meet the `cowboy’ who did the cooking at this upscale chuckwagon. Turns out the executive chef is Ryan Moore, who started his career at the Chesapeake Bay Grill in Encinitas 14 years ago, at age 22. He went on to Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, worked the China Grill, Rum Jungle, and Red Square, then opened a chic restaurant in San Francisco. It sounds like this youngster knows his way around an artichoke - and his experience shows in his culinary creations. “I’m pretty well rounded,” he noted. “I do Asian, sushi, Italian and California cuisine. My pet peeve is freshness. I order my fresh fish daily and get my vegetable from local growers whenever possible.” I had just one complaint – no breakfasts! Fortunately, the restaurant will be remedying that situation, serving up breakfasts starting soon. You can bet your Gucci boots the East County Eater will be back! The Mediterraneo Bistro Bar & Brill is located just off I-8 at 1347 Tavern Road in Alpine. (619)445-9902. |
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Contemporary art and décor give the
Mediteranneo the air of aEuropean bistro.
Mediteranneo the air of aEuropean bistro.
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