Taste Mediterranean
Parkville Market
Hartford
July 16, 2024
Parkville Market has earned a reputation as a fun, relaxed spot in Hartford where hungry patrons can try food from all over the world. They can now add Mediterranean cuisine to the menu, with the opening of Taste Mediterranean.
I had the fortune of visiting the restaurant on the day of its grand opening. I spoke with Suhad Madaurat, one of the co-owners of the restaurant. She told me that her family owned a restaurant for 20 years back in her native Jordan. Her husband came to the United States two years ago, and she followed him last year.
Before I ordered, I stopped by The Pint, one of the bars located inside of Parkville. I had the frozen strawberry lemonade with extra vodka. It was the perfect drink for the sweltering day, as the frozen drink cooled me but didn’t overwhelm the distinct flavor of vodka with its lemony sweetness.
I’m not very familiar with Mediterranean food, but thankfully I bumped into Carlos Mouta, developer of Parkville Market, who was there for the grand opening. He shared a piece of his Italian Shawarma with me. It consisted of French bread, chicken shawarma, black olives, mushrooms, American cheese and mozzarella. It had a powerful taste, with the olives and mushroom combination providing a pungent punch of flavor that dominated the other flavors. I quickly devoured the piece he gave me, then decided to try the chicken shawarma platter, to experience the other flavors minus the olives and mushrooms.
After I ordered my food, I learned from Suhad that the most famous dish that they prepare is called mansaf, a combination of lamb and rice served with yogurt. Traditionally, the meal is eaten with hands only. I made a mental note to be sure to try that the next time I visit Parkville.
My shawarma arrived, with mixed vegetables, fries and coleslaw on the side. Despite gorging myself on the Italian version just a few minutes earlier, I tore into the chicken shawarma. It had a lighter taste, and the flavor of the seasoned chicken and fresh yogurt shined through without the Italian heaviness. The French fries were well seasoned. The mixed vegetables were a refreshing palette cleanser, especially on such a scorching day.
Before long I was full to the gills with food. I didn’t get to try the coleslaw, but I promised myself that I would do so next time when I came back for the mansaf.
Dessert was a piece of pistachio baklava, offered as free samples to celebrate the grand opening. It was made with phyllo dough, finely crushed pistachios, butter, and a simple syrup made of sugar, water, and lemon juice. The flaky crust was airy and light, adding a breaded taste to the distinct nuttiness of the pistachio. It was just sweet enough to qualify as dessert. That made it more enjoyable, as I could eat more than one without feeling like I was overdoing it.
I went to Parkville as a newbie when it came to Mediterranean food, and while I’m far from an expert, I want to learn and taste more of this great food. With the option just right down the street from me, you can bet I’ll be an expert sooner rather than later.
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Taste Mediterranean is open seven days a week.
Jamil returns to Cinestudio to experience heat of a different kind.
