Business Review: Mediterraneo Market and Cafe

The first time I saw Mediterraneo Market and Café, my friend was taking me by just to see the location, because they were closed already by the time I made it into town that night. The first thing I noticed was the beautiful and beautifully decorated patio, lush with green shrubbery and painted metal tables and chairs, covered with huge and colorful patio umbrellas. The patio is fully shaded during the day, and cool and breezy during the evening.

Mediterraneo Market and Cafe Staff:

The second time we arrived, the restaurant closed 10 minutes after we arrived. Instead of being turned away, the staff warmly welcomed us in and encouraged us to be seated. What a surprise to me, when I'm used to many places giving looks of disgust when you arrive close to closing time. We chose to return later when we could spend more time without feeling rushed, but I was very impressed with the friendly staff and owners for being so welcoming and inviting so close to the end of the day.

Finally, a week later, we came to eat a late lunch at Mediterraneo Market and Café, and we were greeted by a friendly hostess and walked inside to sit indoors (it was a particularly hot day).

Again, we were greeted warmly and quickly, were seated and offered menus and drinks almost immediately.

Mediterraneo Market and Cafe Atmosphere:

The tables and chairs at Mediterraneo are a hodgepodge of different wooden and metal varieties, some round and metal, some long and wooden, and just about any other shape and size. We chose comfortable metal chairs with soft cushions at an ordinary wooden table. On the table tops are maps showing various locations in the Mediterranean area. Each table has a different map and different information about that region of the Mediterranean.

On the walls are pictures and postcards and information about different Mediterranean countries. One wall of pride, though, which is a must-see wall, is the NASA wall. There you will find photographs, some autographed, of many different NASA astronauts from over the years. Of course, this makes sense since the Johnson Space Center branch of NASA is right across the street from the little café and market.

Mediterraneo Market and Cafe Market (The Store):

Beyond the seating area are small convenience store type shelves stocked full of authentic imported Mediterranean foods, from crackers to stuffed olives to pastry dough to relishes and condiments--you name it, and Mediterraneo Market and Café likely has it! Floor to ceiling shelves stocked full of it, in fact!

Mediterraneo Market and Cafe Food:

We placed our order, choosing from the Mediterranean samplers available on the menu, so we could try a wide variety of ethnic foods. We had lamb, Greek foods, an olive assortment (who knew there were so many different kinds of olives?), and so much more.

The best, though, was the authentic custard platter of crème brûlée. The top was properly scorched and underneath was the best custard pudding I've ever had on a crème brûlée. It was so good, we had to order a second one to share! Of course, the pistachio baklava wasn't half bad either!

When I asked the Mediterranean waitress if they served espresso, she looked and me funny and said, "Of course." After thinking on it, of course a Mediterranean restaurant would serve a real espresso! What an espresso it was too. So I washed down the sweet crème brûlée with the robust spot of espresso, in the cutest little espresso cups.

The meal was fantastic. The staff are warm and inviting. The prices are reasonable. If there is one downside to the Mediterraneo Market and Café it is that they tables and chairs are very close together, making it difficult to navigate the establishment for a healthy able-bodied person. I, however, was in a wheelchair, and it was nearly impossible to maneuver inside the store. While there is a ramp and seating on the patio would not be hard for handicapped accessibility, I should warn wheelchair-bound patrons caution if wanting to eat indoors.

Mediterraneo Market and Cafe Deli:

If you're not there to dine for lunch or dinner, you can always purchase fresh meats and an enormous assortment of cheeses from the deli counter at Mediterraneo, or purchase from the store shelves beyond the dining area. There are even ethnic candies from the Mediterranean area. If nothing else, it's well worth visiting just to browse around the crowded little market.

I highly recommend visiting Medterraneo Market and Café if you're ever in the Houston / Galveston area. Have a crème brûlée for me, please?