By the ViewCrew
It’s the middle of winter, it’s a hazy sky and we can wish to be somewhere sunny and warm and fresh. Think blue water, and sunny skies. It’s a new year and as our theme is “Let’s Get to Work”, we thought some clean eats would be perfect, that are super delicious. You always read about these “blue zones” where people live to be over 100 and they appear to live to be over 100 and drink wine and eat mediterranean food. Can’t argue with that, so here are a couple of great ideas to get the year off to a clean and tasty start.
Our friend Brad Morad has Skewers downtown. This is one of our go-to places for a great healthy dinner when we have the family together with their family meal that is loaded with amazing basmati saffron rice and a selection of meats. But one of my favorites is the Salmon Skew. I’m pretty sure that this is one of the only marinated salmon dishes in town. Perfectly cooked with a lemon butter caper dill sauce and the right spices make this one of my favorite healthy flavors. One of the best sides around is the house pickled vegetables and of course their lavash and butter or hummus. They make a family sized dinner as well as their lula pops and so many more offerings. Full bar and you can order for pick up. They also do amazing catering and group events and the happy hour is always convenient and good.
Skewers Kebab House 821 L Street Modesto 209-525-3611
www.821LStreet.com
Do you ever have friends that can’t decide on a theme for dinner? We have a solution for you. David Alonzo and D’Forno Cocina Downtown offer a tasty Italian menu, but insiders know that they have a great Mediterranean menu. One of the ViewCrew’s go to is the gyro salad, or the chicken and gyro salad and the full-size entree gyros plate. You can even get a variety of gyros wraps and don’t forget the lemon chicken soup! Even though you are trying to eat clean, you should order the flaming cheese saganaki. Yes, there is a full bar and the chicken picatta and house bread are amazing. P.S. they also offer a Mexican menu, so no one has an excuse.
D’Forno Cocina, 918 13th St Modesto 209-859-9094
Don’t miss their sister restaurant, Papapolloni Mediteranean 2501 McHenry, Modesto. 209-544-1784
www.dfornococina.com
Papachino’s has perfected everything about Mediterranean cuisine over the past 27 years in Downtown. Decorated from floor to ceiling with fun murals and decor, the team is friendly, knowledgeable about all the dishes, and there’s a wide array (read Greco AND Roman) so you can get anything from a classic Gyros Combo Platter with chicken, lamb, served over buttery rice with Tzatziki or a dish like Moussaka to Italian classics like Chicken Piccata and Alfredo Pasta. The ViewCrew loves everything on the menu, but highly recommends some restaurant favorites like the Humus and Pita, White Bean and Lemon Chicken Soups, Chicken Brochette Plate, and the Bolognese. With a full glass of Louis Martini Cabernet, of course! Papachino’s also caters office, home, special events and delivers in the Downtown area! Oh and don’t sleep on the French fries as a perfect salty side.
See you there – opa!
Papachino’s Restaurant 1212 J Street Modesto 209-578-5225. www.mypapachinos.com<www.mypapachinos.com/> Mon-Sat 11am – 8 pm
There are other tasty Mediterranean restaurants like Papapavlos, Super Gyros, Me’Mo’s, Yimmie’s Kitchen, Kabul Express, and Romson’s Kebab in the GrubHub and Tandoori Flame for Indian inspired. Check them all out!
