Mediterranean food is found within the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and vary from region to region. The countries of Morocco, Egypt, Italy, Spain, Syria and Greece all owe their prosperity to their seafarers who followed the trade routes to the Far East and beyond. Morocco is known for its use of dried fruits, while Egypt offers (fava bean porridge), eaten as a standard breakfast meal, made with fava beans stewed with ground coriander, cumin, garlic, lemon, and topped with hard-cooked egg, cilantro and olive oil. A favorite dish in Syria is cold yogurt soup. Greek cuisine boasts octopus salad as a specialty – just to name a few.
Here are some facts I have come across in my research:
Olive oil is a common staple. Olive trees are found throughout Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and other Mediterranean countries. Seafood is very prominent in many dishes and used throughout the all regions. Olive oil is believed to promote longevity. 21 countries border on the Mediterranean Sea. Eastern Mediterranean dishes typically consist of grilled meats, breads, hummus, and falafel (fried balls made with fava beans, chickpeas and spices).
The Mediterranean Diet is a heart-healthy eating plan combining elements many of Mediterranean-style cooking. Obviously, eating habits of the Mediterranean people have been influenced by a number of ancient world powers. From the Phoenicians to Alexander the Great, the Arabs to the Romans, the Turks to the Venetians – just about everyone has thrown something into the international melting pot that is Mediterranean cuisine.
Nowadays, Mediterranean cuisine encompasses three distinct areas - North Africa (Morocco), Eastern Mediterranean (Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Greece and Egypt) and Southern Europe (France, Spain and Italy). Now, do you see why many Mediterranean recipes contain such wonderful interaction of flavors?
Here at Café Noir, you will find an array of Mediterranean choices centering on Spanish, French and Moroccan, remember to pick your poison, whether it is the overflowing ceramic pitchers of Sangria, the Mojitos or the Caipirinhas be sure to try the seafood paella, Serrano ham and manchego, gambas al ajillo, the grilled calamari and the cous cous royale amongst other mouth-watering items on the menu.
When the warm weather hits, the bar area tend to overflow onto the street. They leave their front doors open and the crowds tend to gather and chat at the windows. There is always a neighborhood vibe about that, people mingling and interacting, flowing and all-encompassing and can become quite the Soho scene.
Most patrons tend to congregate and ham it up with the DJ, but for those who venture beyond the bar area will discover sexy, cozy and romantic alcoves with leopard-print banquettes, stucco arches, very dimly lit with tin lanterns. Although this has been an institution for many years, I will say this, it has been a “hit or miss” in terms of service – at times it is outstanding and at times not so great. If you can deal with that, then this institution is worth a visit ...
Café Noir
32 Grand Street
New York, NY 10013
212-431-7910
