Mediterraneo

Italian food and pasta are not on the top of my favorite foods list, but somehow, I was craving pasta like crazy recently. I had to satisfy my craving with a trip to Mediterraneo. It was my first time there, but I had heard rave reviews from a couple people. I also Yelped it, and there were clearly some popular menu items. Some Yelpers also warned about slow service, so I was prepared to wait even though my stomach was rumbling.

I had a long Halloween party night on Saturday, so I was ready to relax on Monday. Decided to have a nice dinner at Mediterraneo and head home. Make it a short night!

Prepared to wait for a table, we walked right in and noticed only a couple tables were taken. We were seated immediately! We ordered their popular Porcini Crostini appetizer, and I ordered their other very highly recommended dish, the Lobster Ravioli. My foodie friend, Jeremy, ordered their Mushroom Ravioli. Mushroom overload, I'd say!!!

Some things you need to know:
1. Parking- there is a small lot in the back, but find street parking.
2. They only take reservations for 6 or more people.
3. $15 corkage fee
4. Entrees are around $15-20

Verdict? It was decent. I think I've been trying to find some restaurant in Hawaii to match Sedona's Cucina Rustica by Dahl and Deluca's amazing pasta dishes. Nothing comes close! I did enjoy Jeremy's Mushroom Ravioli more than my ravioli, though. The Lobster Ravioli was tasty and chunky with lots of sweet Lobster and topped with rich, creamy sauce. It was quite heavy though. Should I even go far enough to say my ravioli was "drowned" in the sauce? In the pic below, you can barely even see the ravioli! They did give quite a few ravioli pieces though. I left satisfied and full. On the other hand, Jeremy's Mushroom Ravioli was much lighter and I liked the meaty tomato sauce much more. The ravioli didn't taste too overly-proportioned with mushrooms, like the Porcini Crostini did. All in all, decent food, but not worth the price, I'd say. On the upside, we didn't have to wait long for our food! It was very timely.

WAY too much Olive Oil. I couldn't even get to the Balsamic Vinaigrette!!! Basically, just had bread and oil...

Porcini Crostini

Lobster Ravioli

Mushroom Ravioli