I don’t frequent Greenhills, San Juan area so every visit should make a sizable impression. Last Sunday, I sat down with savvy foodies to try out the best-selling dishes of Feta Mediterranean restaurant along Annapolis Street.
Specializing mostly in Turkish cuisine, this dining spot is alluring. Every dish served is 100% authentic as prepared by its Turkish chef, and you can’t go wrong with any of its creative, beautifully rendered food paired with original Turkish drinks. Feta Mediterranean is a cavernous setting with colorful and modern furnishings completing a wonderful experience particularly for large groups.
Review of Feta Mediterranean Restaurant (Greenhills, San Juan City)
Ambiance: ★★★★☆
Feta Mediterranean Restaurant in Greenhills (at the back of Promenade) is the kind of place where you won’t get intimidated since there’s plenty of room to move around in. Soft seating, coffee tables, community seating, and family-style dining setup are all available, attracting a wider customer base. I like that the dining area is spacious and the fixtures’ arrangements look good when standing at eye level. This totally made me feel less cramped or trapped.
The overall interior design has splashes of candy colors coming into play which carry a casual vibe and give it more pop. The bright lighting and Turkish background music as well played a part in making up its playful and upbeat atmosphere.
Service: ★★★★★
The staff were eloquent in providing details about each dish on the menu. They were very friendly, welcoming, and accommodating. All our requests were dealt with immediately and with a smile. This epitomized great customer service that you will come back again and again for.
Food: ★★★★★
Feta Medi knows its market well, and they’re always doing something to cater to the ‘hood. On the menu, the best-selling items and favorites are marked, so first-time customers won’t be bewildered in choosing which to go for.
To start the meal, we had the Mezze Platter (PhP 500)—a sampler of five mezzes. It’s made up of gharnoush (mashed eggplant dry yogurt), tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber, and dry mint), ezme (tomatoes, onions, peppers, herbs, olive oil), eggplant salad (grilled eggplant, chopped vegetables, drizzled with olive oil), and hummous (mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, served with pita bread). Slathered on the warm puff bread (ancient pulled hollow bread) or added to, well, everything else we ordered, this appetizer was a real winner. It’s a visual stunner and every mezze was unique and interesting.
Feta Media also nailed on its Mediterranean Pizza (PhP 150), which was made out of a healthy thin dough topped with minced meat, served with side salad and sliced lemon. The crust was resoundingly crispy and the spices had their way of tantalizing my taste buds, just as I liked.
Onto the main courses, we tried the Pesto Linguine (PhP 259). Topped with feta cheese, this pesto pasta looked familiar but it swapped the usual pine nuts with walnuts. Nonetheless, it passed the taste test with flying colors as pesto beautifully clung to the pasta. The linguine was cooked perfectly with a good ratio of sauce to noodles.
Drinking the Yogurt Shake Ayran (PhP 129) after a mouthful of the “green pasta” added a lovely tang. This Turkish yogurt beverage with salt is an all-star drink in Turkey and is also very popular in Middle Eastern countries. I was so pleased that I did not have to go outside the country to have a sip. 🙂 It’s thicker compared to the fairly runny consistency of regular yogurts, dense, creamy and packed with protein.
Next, Grilled Moroccan Lamb Chops (PhP 590) were served with mashed potatoes and this meaty plate was an unexpected delight for me. One taste and it’s kapow! Seasoning was rich and deep. I love the hot sauce and mayo garlic as complementary dips. Mix them together and don’t be afraid of heat! 🙂
Filled with tasty layers of baked eggplant, Vegetarian Moussaka (PhP 280) topped with mozzarella cheese and tomato slices was a leisurely bite. It had a great aroma and subtle sweetness. Plain bread fresh from the oven accompanied the dish and made it taste more inviting.
There’s nothing wrong to have the Turkish Breakfast (PhP 300, for 2) while eating lunch or even dinner. Consisting of a plate of tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and feta, this classic Turkish favorite came with plain bread and menemen with ekmek.
I highly recommend this dish when you’re hungry but crave for something light. Softly cooked with tomatoes, green chili, and fresh eggs, Menemen (Turkish Scrambled Eggs) turned out to be seriously tasty. The good news is that you can order it alone at PhP 150. Awesome stuff.
Mixed Souvlaki Platter (PhP 1350, for 4) can be described as the stark opposite of the breakfast platter. Great savory depth and heavy meat flavor did not hold back an attack. Loaded with adana (ground lamb kebabs), chicken wings, souvlaki chicken, Mediterranean pizza, and shawarma, the bold flavors worked out well. Salt and proper mixing ensured that the meat came out juicy with a pleasantly springy texture. For sure, it’s a must-try dish for certified meat lovers who have a big appetite.
Feta Medi’s Beyti (bay-tee) (PhP 350) was another crowd-pleaser. Never mind the unfamiliar name and just dig in. Made with grilled ground chicken wrapped in lavash and topped with iskender sauce Haydari sauce, this chicken dish won’t make you swoon the same way as in the Mixed Souvlaki Platter but can make you feel like receiving a big warm hug from within. Yes, it’s delicious especially with iskender (Turkish yogurt dip).
Concentrated, silky, and intense all at once, Turkish Coffee (PhP 125) contained in a cute little cup was exceptionally dark and bitter. There’s a choice to add in sugar. We tasted it both with and without, and I ended up favoring the true and original taste of the coffee without the infused sweet.
When in Feta Medi, it’s also a good idea to settle in with some Turkish desserts. My top pick had to be the Profiteroles (PhP 180)—choux pastry balls filled with cream and topped with chocolate syrup. This puff pastry is all you need to enjoy your sugar rush. Its addictive contrast of cream and chocolate will keep you going back for bite after bite. 🙂
The Kanafeh/Künefe (Sweet Cheese Pastry) (PhP 380, for 4) was also not a letdown. Neutral, non-salty, stringy and crispy golden brown cheese in between layers of light flaky pastry…WOW! It’s one that continued to haunt my dreams—both sleeping and waking—long after I got back home. 😀
Price for Value: ★★★★☆
I’m sure this won’t be the last time that I would be taking delight in Turkish food because Feta Mediterranean made such a good impression of it. My mind was pretty blown by the tastes of food here, and I didn’t expect that. Prices in this restaurant are fair and reasonable, considering the portion and quality of ingredients. PhP 500/person must be more than enough to make one really full and satisfied.
Thanks, Aldous, for the invite!
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