Sunday, March 01, 2009

New Favorite Restaurant: Meditrina

Last night, Middlebrow and I went out for a delicious dinner at a new place: Meditrina. It's a small plates or tapas restaurant. No entrees! We decided this year we were going to try new places. I read about this place in our weekly city newspaper, and since you know we love tapas, we gave it a try.
It is on the West side, which we liked. It's not terribly out of the way, but it is a cute little place in what looks like a house, but isn't. Inside it has exposed brick and funky art. Our waitress was the co-owner! She was happy she didn't have to explain about the small plates. To start we ordered: flank steak with asparagus and red mashed potatoes with leeks. Yum! We also had the patatas bravas with spicy tomato aioli (I think we agreed that the spicy tomato aioli was the best thing ever!) and chorizo and pepper stuffed crimini mushrooms. Again, yum! Then we had the world's best salad: grilled granny smith apples served on a bed of arugula with crushed walnuts, gorgonzola and balsalmic reduction. I can't wait to make this on our grill! And a grilled artichoke served with the delicious aioli and butter. We also had lamb chops served with the mashed potatoes. (You know how I love mashed potatoes!)
For dessert, we shared bread pudding with strawberry sauce and vanilla cream and a glass of port. We were satisfied, but not over full.
Eating out (especially at places like this!) might not seem to fit in with our frugal lifestyle, but we've decided to not eat out at stupid places (like chain restaurants or lower quality places) in order to save up so that we can eat at a place like this once a month.
We do, however, sometimes order Thai take out (okay, we did that Friday) or eat at a local burger place (we did that Friday too) or MB likes to go get bagels (he did that Saturday). But somehow we feel justified in eating a really nice meal once in awhile. This place was not super expensive: all the small plates were between $5 and $10. Wine and beer was reasonable. Dessert was $6 (I think).
All in all, highly recommended. Easy to get to, easy to park, no waiting, nice decor, great service, great food. I can't wait to go here with Otterbutt this summer. We could sit on the front porch!

5 comments:

Clint Gardner said...

Looks like a particularly nice place, good Dr. Excellent locale, too. There is a bunch of stuff on South Main and South West Temple that deserves more attention.

Now as for frugality: bah, I say. Bah! If frugality means living well, then you've topped them both.

Nik said...

Yes. I'd rather fiddle and let the burning happen than be frugal. We can watch the fires from the porch of what looks to be the place I'll be spending a good portion of the summer.

ErinAlice said...

It sounds great!! I am all for eating at nice local places that have some sort of atmosphere. Good for you!! Eat away.

Lisa B. said...

This sounds swell.

Frugality in some things (chain restaurants) to allow occasional indulgences in wonderful things (this restaurant) is a great plan. Thanks for the excellent review!

Renaissance Girl said...

good info. thanks for the spur to dinner.