For my debut post I chose a wonderful local restaurant here in Olney, MD. Taste Mezze is a fairly new restaurant in Olney. They have been open for a year and a half. During that year and a half they have given Olney and outlying areas a place to come enjoy great food, local musicians, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Taste is located at 3418 Olney Laytonsville Road Olney, Md 20832. It is a Meditteranean Tapas restaurant and lounge. Its menu features food just like mama used to make. All based on family recipes of owner Louis Yiallouros. They are open for public or private events and offer off site catering options. Visit their website for details: Taste
Upon hearing I had chosen his restaurant for my first entry Louis kindly set up a meeting with his chef for me! This just tells you how much they care about customers!
The chef at Taste is Lenard Robinson who has 19 years experience. He took a few minutes out of his busy day to answer some questions I had:
~How has cooking changed with all the new allergies?
Chef Lenard said he had noticed a change in cooking but that he has always used local organic sustainable ingredients whenever it is possible. He said it has always been important to know where his ingredients come from and what they may or may not contain. Taste uses top of the line fresh ingredients. 90% of their ingredients are local and 60% is organic sustainable ingredients.
~How do you keep gluten free meals from potential cross contamination?
Most of the menu, which follows a Mediterranean diet, is gluten free in and of itself. The way things are prepared differ and so the possibility of cross contamination is extremely slim. But of course they also follow strict health codes.
~Are the recipes originally gluten free or are they altered to be that way?
The Mediterranean diet is naturally low in wheat/ gluten products. As was mentioned earlier.
~Are there any food allergies you cannot accommodate in your kitchen?
He could think of none he couldn't work with. And he also said he was very open to working with any customer with allergies or special dietary requirements.(Note: I find his attitude towards allergies open and refreshing he is willing to change his methods to insure a safe eating environment)
~Are there any menu items that are not gluten free that can be made gluten free upon request?
1. Saganaki- He said he could take this normally breaded and flambéed item and skip the breading and grill it.
2. Stuffed Eggplant- He can remove the bread crumbs from the recipe.
3. Kalamari- He can either sautee the kalamari sans breading or use a rice flour batter.
4. Lamb Slider- Again he can use the rice flour.
5. Goat Cheese Fritter Salad- Also can use the rice flour.
~Is there any advice you would give to customers when ordering items from the menu?
If you have an allergy ask your server what you cannot have from the menu. Because at Taste the gluten free selection is so large it would take less time to tell you the few dishes you cannot have.
While waiting to speak with Chef Lenard, the manager Jeff informed me that their lunch menus now feature Gluten Free and vegetarian indicators/labels! As a gluten free patron it will make decision making easier.
Taste offers a lot of events both private and public. And for your holiday needs they offer to make it easy. On site/off site catering is available and you get to sit down with the chef and create a delicious fresh holiday menu! It's definitely worth looking into for all your corporate and familial events! There is also Ladies Night Out where you get to come and enjoy fun food and great drinks. And if some flirting gets done in between all the better right? Visit Taste on its website, or call 301-774-2500 and make a reservation or inquiry about special events!
Now onto my food review!! The menu Items I enjoyed and my personal reviews follow:
Mama's Lamb Meatballs:
These are exactly like mama would make. If my mom was Mediterranean and allowed near a stove. The great thing about these meatballs is that there are NO FILLERS! No breadcrumbs or any other of that excess junk! Just deliciously seasoned lamb! Seasoned with tomato and feta the meatballs are a wonderful addition to your meal. Juicy and generous portion. You cannot go wrong. After 6 months without a meatball I almost cried.
Filet Mignon Skewers:
Who doesn't love the flavorful combination of prime steak meat, romesco, and rosemary? Add the stick and I'm in heaven! This dish was a favorite of mine even before I had to go gluten free. The rosemary is a nice undertone. And as usual you can just taste the freshness. Cooked to your specifications this dish is always a winner in my opinion.
Chicken Souvlaki:
Again, meat on a stick always is a favorite of mine. Now I'm not normally a big fan of chicken its too dry for me. But not at Taste! Its moist and flavored with evoo, lemon and fresh herbs. The tzatziki dipping sauce that comes with it is AMAZING. And again the freshness is evident. Its another example of what good fresh ingredients, a chef who loves his food, and an owner with high standards can produce.
Garlic Shrimp:
The shrimp is flavored with lemon, butter, and garlic. I am a fan of anything with butter and garlic. The garlic is not overpowering and lends to the flavor of the shrimp rather than masking it. The lemon adds a nice hint of zesty citrus. And as we all know butter is always perfect for any dish! The overall flavor is fresh exciting and light.
Greek Lemon Potatoes:
This is off the sides menu. Again the lemon adds a nice zesty hint and I believe I tasted rosemary as well. Perfectly cooked with a light golden brown outer layer and a soft steamy layer inside. It was a perfect compliment to everything else I was eating.
Wild Mushroom Risotto:
Another selection from the sides menu. And as any gluten free person knows rice becomes something of a staple in the diet. It can get boring. Luckily there is this option from Taste to keep it interesting. Its creamy and cheesy and unlike some risottos it isn't a paste. It also doesn't sit heavily in your stomach. I was hesitant when trying this dish as I am not a big mushroom fan but i guess when Chef Lenard does it I just cannot resist
Taste gets a wild enthusiastic two thumbs up from me. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. The dining area is beautiful and cozy. And the food is a shining pillar of quality and deliciousness.
I would like to thank Louis Yiallouros, Chef Lenard Robinson, and Jeff Goldstein for allowing me to speak to all of you and for providing a wonderful place that takes the stress out of eating healthy! Thanks you guys!
Again visit Taste on their website, in person, call them to start enjoying all of the wonderful things they offer!!
