By Brett Callwood
A trip to Mediterra Bites in Lawndale, just outside the Gardena boundary, is like a mini vacation. Or, at least, an excursion. The interior offers a glimpse at what an actual, honest to goodness Mediterranean restaurant might be like. The sights, the smells, the general bonamie–a visit to this eatery is to enjoy a veritable trans-Atlantic wonderland.
Sort of. Because the venue is based within the confines of South Bay Eats, a guerilla kitchen that houses all manner of various culinary delights, there’s no dine-in option. Still, the imagination can be a powerful thing.
“While we may not have the ambiance of our dine-in experience, we ensure that the essence of the Mediterranean is delivered straight to your door with our delectable takeout options,” they say online. “From our signature hummus and falafel wraps to our mouthwatering shawarma platters and fresh Greek salads, each dish is carefully prepared to preserve its authentic taste and quality. Whether you’re craving a quick lunch on the go, catering or a hassle-free dinner at home, our takeout menu offers a variety of options to satisfy your Mediterranean cravings. Simply give us a call and we’ll have your meal ready for pickup in no time. Experience the flavors of the Mediterranean in the comfort of your own home with Mediterra Bites takeout!”
We tried the Fattoush Salad, a classic dish at this sort of establishment. Here, as expected, it was composed of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, radish and bell pepper topped with pita chips and tossed in vinaigrette dressing.
The salad is a symphony, each element playing a vital part in creating the crunchy, tasty music. The lettuce is, of course, the bass. It’s a cacophony of green, doing all of the heavy lifting so that the other ingredients have the opportunity to be playful around its vegetative heft.
The tomato is the cello–mischievous but still robust. Occasionally surprising. The cucumber is the flute, capable of both blending in but also popping up with an entertaining solo.
The radish is the violin, dancing around everything else like a melodic, tasty sprite. The bell pepper is a piccolo, pitching high with spicy gusto. The pita chips are the percussion, adding weight where you didn’t know you needed it. And the vinaigrette dressing is the conductor, making everything work together.
Who knew that a Fattoush Salad could be so musical.
Mediterra Bites is located at 16711 Hawthorne Blvd., Lawndale 90260. Contact 424-473-7310 or visit mediterrabites.com.
