Opening the menu at Basil Mediterranean Bistro can be vastly overwhelming. If you don't have a background in Greek or Lebanese cuisine, it is tempting to stick to many of the menu's tried-and-true favorites -- Philly cheese steak sub, Caesar salad or pepperoni pizza, all of which are delicious. But trust me -- if you want the best Mediterranean cuisine experience Charlottesville can offer, you'll want to brave the foreign menu and try something new. Instead of the cheese steak and pepperoni pizza, try the Chicken Shawarma Laffa (a delectable pita wrap with grilled marinated chicken, vegetables and tzatziki sauce) or a slice of a Quattro Stagioni pizza (made from a classic Italian recipe of tomato sauce, artichokes, mushrooms, prosciutto and red roasted peppers).
Basil's diverse menu brings together food from Lebanon, Israel, Italy, Turkey, Greece and Morocco (and Philadelphia, apparently), but most people I know find favorite dishes and rarely venture out to explore the various cuisines. Eager to try something new, I started dinner by ordering the mezza-sized version of the Belly Dancer salad (all salads come in mezza and full), which the descriptive menu explained as "a seductive mix of greens, cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes, and Feta cheese topped with crispy balls of Falafel."
I then ordered a traditional gyro -- a pita containing beef and lamb, tomatoes, onion, feta cheese, lettuce and Basil's excellent tzatziki sauce (a cucumber and dill yogurt sauce that is an ideal accompaniment to much of the menu). I got french fries on the side, which a friend insists are the best in Charlottesville. Though I will always be a believer in the classic Burger King french fry, I must say, Basil's version is extremely good. Perfectly seasoned, the fries easily become the tastiest part of any meal.
Others at the table ordered the day's specials -- the eggplant and pesto panini and the Tunisia salad. Two of my friends reverted to their personal favorites -- Chicken La Rosa (sautéed chicken in a tomato vodka sauce served over a generous bed of linguini) and the Southwestern Fried Chicken Salad (not quite adventurous, but certainly delectable).
A favorite at the table was the Gnocchi di Patate. Gnocchi (which means "lumps" in Italian) is traditionally served before the main course, but at Basil, it is hard to finish the heaping pasta dish. Despite its heaviness, however, the consistency of the Italian dumplings is delightful when blended into the creamy tomato-based sauce. Vegetarians might want to try the Falafel Laffa -- delicious Fava bean veggie patties wrapped in a pita. In true Southern European style, Basil also offers an impressive after-dinner menu, including many Greek and Italian desserts. A coffee and a wonderful Sicilian cannoli serve as the perfect close to a satisfying meal.
Overall, the dining experience is delightful -- the blues and yellows of the restaurant bring to mind the soothing colors of the distant Mediterranean Sea and transport you from the Corner to Santorini for a pleasant hour and a half. The one major flaw I have found is that delivery can be disappointing. By the time your food arrives, an hour after you called, the steamy and delicious in-restaurant dishes are often cool and soggy. Nonetheless, Basil was a great Mediterranean dining experience, one whose strengths lies in the unfamiliar dishes and not our tried-and-true favorites. If you want to fully experience Basil, believe me -- you'll want to avoid more traditional choices. Obey the infinite wisdom of GoodFellas and take the cannoli. 3
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