Halal-elujah!

Last weekend in our quest for dinner, we stumbled upon a wonderful little restaurant in downtown San Carlos. I knew it was going to be a promising experience since
a) it was hard to find
b) we were received by the owner/chef/artist as if we were long lost friends
c) the décor was quaint enough to be cute but the haphazard enough to make me feel that the focus was on the food.

The owner welcomed us with a smile and a salaam. As we studied the chalkboard menu with its list of gyro wraps in pita or lavash, kebab wraps and salads it seemed like an ordinary Mediterranean menu. (But don’t let that fool you!) He assured us that the food was halal, even taking the trouble to walk out of the open kitchen and point out the Halal sign on top of the door.

Spotting our desi-ness and recognizing our dal-chawaal ways, the owner suggested we try his gyro plate of tender marinated lamb-beef gyro served on a bed of lentil-rice with his special sauce. Sufficiently enticed, TBH got that, while I ordered the chicken gyro.

Seating ourselves opposite the open kitchen, I glanced around. It was a slow night, with just us and another family of five halfway through their dinner. The place had an odd coziness. It felt like the owner was going for a quaint cute French-Mediterranean cafe with its brick wall, poster art and chalk board menu but suddenly turned cafeteria deli with its strange seating plan, stack of condiments and upturned tables placed at the back.

There is however a neat little window bar that looks out onto the street which is great. Not to get all apartment-therapy on you, but the six seater tables doesn’t work as well. It would be much better broken down into two seater tables with cushions along the wall seating. (You’re welcome!)

A server brought the pipping hot and fragrant food to our table. Both the meals came with a lightly dressed Greek salad with a twist – a tasty burst of colour and flavour from red bell peppers. One bite of the gyro plate and TBH was in heaven. Sneaking a quick bite while he had his eyes closed, I understood why. The meat was melt-in-th-mouth tender and special sauce with a hint of spice (harissa? biber salcasi? I couldn’t tell) and olives was refreshingly different.

Turning to my own plate with the chicken gyro, I was a little confused as to how to tackle it. It was warm, dripping in the same special sauce and as I took at fork (yes, sacrilege I know) to clear away the greens and get to the meat of the matter, I was rewarded with the juiciest chunks of chicken meat I have ever tasted in a gyro. The bread was warm and soft and tasted like it had been freshly baked.

Needless to say TBH and I had little conversation while we ate. The meal was so well balanced in all its flavours that we didn’t have to reach for any of the condiments even once. And this from me- someone who true to my desi roots likes to douse everything with a healthy showering of Tabasco sauce.

The food was unlike any Mediterranean cuisine we had sampled elsewhere prompting (or as TBH says badgering) me to ask the owner about his culinary influences. Morocco! That explains the fusion in Mediterranean Fusion. Which somewhat explains the peppers, but I still want to know the secret to the marinade and tender meats.

Sated, TBH decided to order a cappuccino and here we were in for a real treat. The owner presented the coffee himself with a lovely foam art design on top. This man is a true artist! He even showed us a number of his designs which had won him international prizes. While I barred TBH from trying to take a sip for at least ten minutes till I had the perfect shot, the coffee itself was dark and rich with no need to add even a grain of sugar.

To top it all, the owner so charming and courteous, he made us feel like we were his friends who dropped in for dinner and he was going to prepare this special meal just for us. And it truly was. Everything was prepared with loving care that showed not only great skill but a genuine warmth.

So my dear halalanistas, stop by to sample a true work of art.

Mediterranean Fusion, 1107 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos, CA 94070
(650) 508-1005. Credit cards accepted
Timings: 11am to 9 pm, open 7 days a week