PICTURED: Spicy shrimp pasta, a specialty of Meridians Cafe in Ventura. Photograph 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 an ordinary for wholesome consuming. Garlic and olive oil, leafy greens and greens, fruits, nuts, seafood . . . all of those are good-for-you components that the standard 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 Middle for practically 20 years has loads to advocate it, each by way of taste and wholesome components.
I really like baked pastas and cream sauces, but it surely was simple to pick out intentionally wholesome entrees (for supply, no much less) at Meridians. Eggplant, mushroom, peppers, tomatoes and recent basil are properly represented on the menu. Lighter pastas embrace penne Perugia (with roasted eggplant and recent tomatoes), rigatoni (with hen, 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 basic meatball — that may be loved with spaghetti or on a French roll.
The freshest of veggies go into the Meridians Brazilian salad: recent greens, shredded carrots, hearts of palm, tomato and avocado. Photograph by N. Lackey Shaffer
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 had been properly ready and attractive in their very own manner.
Bruschetta pomodoro is so simple as it will get — freshly grilled bread topped with chopped tomatoes, slightly garlic and olive oil, perhaps some herbs. Meridians delivered precisely that, to my delight. When the components are good, there’s no purpose 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 slightly 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 components (plus a tangy whipped balsamic dressing) play in opposition to the crisper greens. Subsequent time, I’d add goat cheese or maybe grilled hen, to show it into extra of a meal — though even with out additional protein, there was loads to share.
Which brings us to the yummy panini, completely laden with thinly sliced and superbly grilled eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms and zucchini. This mountain of veggies was generously topped with an herby pesto sauce. Perhaps slightly oily…however an excellent pesto sandwich needs to be (and olive oil is nice for you). I liked the focaccia bread, even when it was a bit over-grilled.
The Margharita pizza was a stunning model of a real basic. Skinny crust that was crispy on the sting however a bit softer within the center, with a scrumptious tomato-based pizza sauce (I might kill for that recipe) and topped with slightly mozzarella, sliced roma tomatoes and slivered basil. Once more, when the components are good, the dish ought to comply with swimsuit — and I discovered no fault with this pizza.
Traditional Margharita pizza from Meridians. Photograph by N. Lackey Shaffer
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 liked every little 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 can be nutritious and satisfying. Go to Meridians on your Mediterranean repair . . . and also you’ll discover it simple to accommodate your palate, abdomen and coronary heart well being unexpectedly.
