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Miami's Best Kept Secret
Mandolin Aegean Bistro Brings Authentic Mediterranean Food
Story by Diane Feen
Set in a delightful 1940’s house in Miami
on the NE 2nd corridor between the Miami Design District and Buena
Vista, this charming restaurant will transport you to the Island of
Greece.
In the back garden the white-washed building is brimming with
bougainvillea and vintage Taverna chairs with wooden tables under a
lantern-lit tree.
At Mandolin Aegean Bistro they stay true to the healthy recipes and
philosophy of the infamous Mediterranean Diet. Their dishes are simple,
rustic and authentic to the villages of Greece and Turkey. To do that,
they use seasonal ingredients, local food and fresh caught fish each
day. The menu has vegetarian options and the food is made with the
highest quality extra virgin Greek olive oil. They also use fresh herbs
and vegetables, farm raised meats and homemade breads, cheeses and
yogurt.
In addition to favorite Greek staples such as Horiatiki salad (tomato,
pepper, cucumber and feta cheese), Fried Calamari, Saganaki, Gyro
sandwich with tzatziki and Mousaka, are other regional specialties. They
include shrimp with tomatoes, dill and feta with a splash of ouzo,
Rustic braised pulled lamb and fresh Mussels with white wine, garlic,
lemon and oregano. |
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Photos courtesy of Mandolin Aegean
Bistro |
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For a great salad
try their Turkish spoon salad with finely chopped tomato, parsley, onion
and pomegranate molasses. One of the special treats about a restaurant
like Mandolin is their fresh grilled whole fish with olive oil, lemon
and oregano. Also not to be missed is Marinated grilled octopus, grilled
lamb chops, Mandolin sirloin or lamb burger or their homemade pide
(rustic village flat bread) baked fresh daily.
For starters check out the Greek Sampler – it is made of Tzatziki-smoked
eggplant purée-tarama or The Turkish sampler, which is hummus-tomato
walnut dip and a fava bean purée. They also have köpoglu, which is
grilled vegetables with potatoes, eggplant and zucchini topped with
Greek Yogurt. If you love peppers try their pepper melody with tomato,
garlic and yogurt. They also have grilled Sucuk, Turkish chorizo, olive
oil poached leeks with carrots, fresh mussels with white wine, garlic,
lemon and oregano. Other popular dishes are grilled beef and lamb
meatballs and Cheese Saganaki.
If you want pasta check out the Village Pasta, which is Greek noodles
with ground beef and béchamel sauce or the Chicken kebab with orzo pilaf
and Maroulosalata. They also have grilled Atlantic Salmon with a tomato
arugula salad.
There are specials of the day with dishes such as Dolma, which are hand
rolled grape leaves filled with beef and rice topped with Greek yogurt
or traditional homemade tomato soup. “We’re very much a humble
restaurant who welcomes everyone,” said William Curtis, from Mandolin
Aegean Bistro.
If you have a sweet tooth try their Baklava or Turkish cookies with dark
chocolate. Locals and tourists love to come to Mandolin Aegean Bistro
because of the fresh food, the homey vibe, the authentic interior and
the warmth that radiates from server and owners to the customers.
They are open Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 11pm for lunch and dinner.
There also have room for parties or special gatherings.
Mandolin Aegean Bistro, 4312 NE 2nd Ave., 305.576.6066,
www.mandolinmiami.com |
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