Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Mundo in the Summer

Mentioning Mundo's Summer Menu last week, Meg and I went over there to try it first-hand. We loved what we had and are excited for a summer of delicious Mundo nights.

Below you'll find a sampling of some of the dishes we tried. If you'd like to view our entire 9 course tasting menu, click here. Enjoy!

Hungarian Cherry Soup: This was our first dish of the night and it was even better than the first time I had it. There were plenty of sour cherries in it and the chilled taste was fabulously refreshing, especially on a hot day. The last time I had it, its coloring was a little light (and not the most appetizing-looking) but this time it was perfect and very cherry-like. Meg seemed impressed and we both guzzled our soups down with gusto.

Red Sonjas: Mundo's signature dish couldn't be ignored and while Meg was looking forward to it, I was feeling lukewarm about it, based on my previous experience. But what arrived on our plates was so much more than my first mediocre tasting. These red lentil patties were absolutely delectable--soft and flavored perfectly with parsley, scallions and a hint of garlic. The best part was wrapping them in the fresh lettuce leaves like bundles of precious cargo. I could've eaten at least three--and they were filling too.

Ottoman Dumplings: I was excited to have these for a second time and once again, they proved why this dish stays on Mundo's menu the entire year. The dumpling dough is exquisite and you can tell that it's handmade. As you're eating each once, you can imagine one of the Mundo chefs individually pinching the dough together to make a rustic triangle. The dumplings are stuffed with ground beef and topped with a fragrant garlic-yogurt sauce. It's fun to incorporate the sauce in all the dumplings and enjoy them in their full, creamy glory. This dish is more than a stand-out, it's a show-stopper.

Warm Semolina Helva: We couldn't believe that we had room for dessert. Well, we didn't but we ate it anyway because it was outstanding. The semolina exterior was warm and cinnamony while the interior was filled luxuriously with vanilla ice cream. A spoonful of this hot and cold combination put a satisfied smile on our faces. The crunchy pistachios were a great topping that enhanced the flavor of both the semolina and the rich ice cream. Meg and I were happy to split this, as I think it's a bit indulgent for one person.

The staff here is lovely and they pour their hearts and souls into the food. Once you start chatting with them, you won't want to stop. John, the Executive Chef is especially nice and a very genuine guy who loves what he does.

Mundo - 31-18 Broadway #E, Astoria, NY 11106
718.777.2829
N/W Train to Broadway

1 comment:

AT said...

Aww, I miss those red sonjas! Yummy yum. Love the sangria there too.