Just about a year ago, Lower East Side welcomed Café Medi, a contemporary Mediterranean restaurant, influenced by the coastal cuisines of Italy, France and Spain. The restaurant is located at the Hotel on Rivington. Everything has been thoroughly designed and organized, from the interiors, to the food and cocktail menu and the good service.
The famous chef Vincent Chirico, who has been serving New Yorkers, for years now, with delicious dishes at Vai, is responsible for the food menu. As for the design, I would say Cafe Medi would probably be on the top list of the most instagrammable restaurants in NY. The main dining room is high floor-to-ceiling, all covered in colorful tile mural, revealing the Mediterranean vibe. As for the rest of the restaurant, art paintings, mirrors and decorative objects, come together and create a very entertaining setting.
The restaurant is open throughout the day, though my favorite menus are the brunch and dinner one.
Brunch: Ask for a table at the main dining room as the light from the glass ceiling creates a great atmosphere during the daylight. When it comes to filling our stomachs….if you’re a pancakes person do not pass on their fluffy Fresh Strawberry Buttermilk Pancakes. On the savory side of the menu, if you’re looking for an egg dish, Mediterranean Avocado Toast is a go! as well as the Croque Signore. For those who just can’t get enough the Café Medi Beef Burger should be your next choice!
Dinner: This restaurant is a very cute place for a date, especially on the small dining room on its front side, but also a good choice for a dinner with friends on a Saturday night.
Even though the menu fluctuates depending on the seasonality, there are some dishes that are definitely worth mentioning. When you look at the appetizers you need to make sure you include the Yellowfin Tuna Tartare and the Burrata on your order. On the other hand, if we talk about the menu’s “healthy” approach, the Kale & Arugula salad won’t disappoint you. As for the main courses, their signature Café Medi Beef Burger is always a satisfying choice, while the Burrata Agnolotti and the Penne with eggplant, pesto and zucchini, should fulfill your Italian pasta craving.
