When Joe and Margaret Andraos opened The Mediterranean (150 W. Gay Street) 14 years ago, the end of Gay Street resembled a ghost town more than the hustling and bustling space it is today.
Opening their own restaurant was a bit of a struggle at first; for three years they were constantly working, saving money and slowly transforming a dreary storefront into the stunning restaurant it is today. Over the years they have gained quite a following and after one look at the dining room and bite of their delicious dishes, you will see why.
A wave a warmth washes over you as you enter their beautifully decorated two story restaurant that feels more like a home of an old friend. Sea foam, orange and maroon walls filled with an eclectic mix of paintings (including a few of Margaret’s originals and pictures of Joe’s hometown in Lebanon), bright gold and maroon curtains hang over the windows and a beautiful wooden staircase that leads up to the second floor dining area all have the accents of home.
Like the lives of the Andraos, The Mediterranean’s menu is a marriage of Lebanese and Italian cultures. You will be in utter amazement as soon as you see their delicious creations like falafel encrusted chicken with rice pilaf and vegetables, kabob platters, Kibbi platter (lamb with layers of cracked wheat, caramelized onions, pine nuts), linguini marinara or their fish of the day (past special include beet roasted and citrus ivory salmon).
Their menu is inspired by what’s in season (look for a lot of kale, beets, swiss chard and sweet peas over the next few weeks) and they use organic and local as often as they can. Each week they receive a crop of fresh vegetables and fruit from Joe’s Amish acquaintance Abram from the West Chester Growers Market and many of the meals are created by what is available at the market.
Minimal cans are be found in their kitchen as they make everything from their pasta to stocks from scratch. Their balanced entrees come in healthy portions, leaving you with enough room for a slice of the famous Margaret’s Deep Dish Apple Pie or Baklava.
The menu of creative dishes is based off lessons learned in their parents and grandparents’ kitchens. “I feed my family here too. If you are a customer, I won’t feed it to you if I can’t eat it myself,” said co-owner and chef, Joe Andraos. “We create something out of nothing. If you go back to the old days, that’s how people survived. They went out to the garden, see what they had, and make the best out of it. We follow almost the same methods.” His wife is by his side in the kitchen and running the business and is a master baker. Four of their six children can be found working at the host stand or serving guests.
Whether it is their employees who have stayed with them for years, new and old customers, or even the mayor who can often been seen dining there (it is one of her favorite spots), the Andraos treat everyone like family with a warm welcome.
Diners will often enter the open kitchen just to compliment the cooking and when Joe likes to come out to meet his dining guests when he has a free moment. This charming BYOB offers a relaxed and romantic ambiance and allows customers to linger over their delicious meals for as long as they need to.
Need something to wow over your guests at your next celebration? The Med offers on-site and off-site catering, including an array of delicious baked goods. They will even put together a three- or four-course dinner of your choosing.
Regular customers John and Anna have been going to The Mediterranean for five years now, as often as once or twice a week, and Anna even held her 70th birthday celebration there. John’s recommendations include the Caesar salad, kippi platter, any of the fish dishes and the apple pie (the best he has ever had) and Anna loves their hummus and tabouli and has never been disappointed in The Med’s food.
“Joe and Margaret get the freshest foods (and sometimes it is organic) and not many other places do that. There is always something new. It is the best food in town, we are lucky to have the Mediterranean here,” said Anna.
So next time you are looking to meal that is healthy, delicious and warm ambiance to share with your loved ones (there even have outdoor seating for those beautiful summer nights), look no further than the cozy eatery at the end of Gay Street, The Mediterranean.
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