My sister and her husband love this restaurant, so when I was home last weekend, we made 6:30pm reservations on Saturday for 5 people. When we arrived, the restaurant was about half full and our table was ready for us. It was significantly warm inside, so I was happy I wore a sleeveless shirt (my mom, in a sweater, was not as happy). Side note: It is a BYOB. My family always raves about the kebobs here- my mom loves the lamb and my sister loves the mahi mahi. But apparently they're all good. But because I was trying not to eat meat or dairy, I had a bit of a limited menu, especially since I had no idea what a lot of the food was (Spanakopita? Kashk-O-Bademjan?... really?). I ended up ordering the combination of 3 appetizers of your choice. I ordered Dolmeh (hated), Tahdeg, and some sort of vegetable thing (I forget- I think it was spinach). The Tahdeg was amazing and definitely a standout. The spinach appetizer was also really good, and my dad kept reaching over to eat more of it. Definitely get the Tahdeg if you come here! Everybody seemed to love their kebobs and rice as well. One weird thing occurred when we ordered hummus. They brought out two big bowls of hummus and one basket of pita bread. We went through the pita quickly, and asked for more. They said okay, but it never materialized. About 20 minutes later, we asked someone else for more pita again. They said okay... and also disappeared. None of them apologized or ever brought us the pita. Eventually we gave up and got the hummus wrapped to go (and no, no extra pita was put in the to go bag either!). We all decided that they were having a pita shortage and wanted to keep it on the DL. The restaurant got packed later on in the night, and people were standing and (loudly) waiting for tables. We had a table near the door, and they were crowding us pretty badly- one of them even knocked silverware off of our table onto the floor, stared at it, shrugged and walked away. It would have been nice if a host had come over and asked them to stand farther away from the tables near the door, or outside. Overall, this place has great kebobs and some standout dishes. It's also ridiculously cheap (my mom thought they gave us the wrong bill because the total was so low). Go on an off night to avoid the semi-obnoxious waiting crowd!
(3)
Nina B.
After being stuck in traffic for an hour and a half, my husband and I sought sustenance in ol' Bryn Mawr. We were hungry, but wanted something light, so when we saw Mediterranean Grill, we figured it would do the trick. We split the Mediterranean Sampler, which has all of our favorite things: hummus, grape leaves, roasted red peppers, yogurt, feta and eggplant (no tabbouleh though: boo). Unfortunately, the only standouts on the platter were the feta and peppers. The hummus and yogurt portions were tiny, the eggplant was too slimy and bland, and the grape leaves were warm (it could be personal preference and not error in preparation, but I think they're better cold). We also split the spanakopita, which was pretty good-- well seasoned, and the pita was only okay. After being served, no one checked on us, which surprised me because they weren't busy at all. I wondered if they were upset we weren't spending more, though I would counter that the sampler was not worth its $17 price tag. Our experience left something to be desired, and we certainly weren't going to order more from Mediterranean.
(2)
Rudy M.
Decent place, but very mediocre food. Mediterranean seems to mean anything with feta cheese / kebab / safran ice-cream. Meat was not fresh.
(2)
Steve S.
We went back here last week with a friend and again had a wonderful meal. We ordered a lot of different items and they were all exceptional!! They're doing everything right at this place! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Lauren H.
Philadelphia is renowned for its BYOB scene, but sometimes I wish I didn't have to take the R5 to experience it. Enter Mediterranean Grill. Mediterranean Grill is cute, small BYOB right on Lancaster in the heart of Bryn Mawr. There's no real waiting area, but I managed to walk in with a friend on a Friday night at 6 PM and was seated no problem. The food is simple, reasonably priced and well-prepared. I had the beef and chicken kabobs served on a bed of saffron rice, which was delicious. It's convenient to the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, as well as the string of bars on Lancaster for after-dinner libations.
(4)
Gordon F.
Good reasonably priced meals
(3)
Jean B.
One of our favorite restaurants on the main line. Well, we love mediterranean fare, and we love byobs, and this is both, and they do it well. We've been here about five times, for both dinner and lunch, and it's always been good. I'm partial to the roasted eggplant dip (with pita bread), the kebobs, the ottimo salad, the aash soup, and my husband usually can never resist the lamb abriz. Service has always been attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere is warm and comfortable and in between upscale and casual.
(4)
Lauren R.
Hummus and falafel and dolmas oh yum. I love coming to the Mediterranean Grill for lunch. It's a quiet little place and the people are friendly. Lunch menu prices are always a plus. I cannot decide whether I like the falafel sandwiches or all the many veg appetizers best. I often go to a restaurant I like and fall into a pattern of ordering the same thing each time but not here. There is just too much to try.
(4)
MM B.
was looking forward to our second visit, but our server seemed "absent" and the food was mediocre and uninspired. Three entrees looked appetizing and had decent flavor, but the Ghormeh Sabzi (which we had ordered on our first visit) was awful - tasteless and thrown on the plate apparently without thought, with dry lamb which was dry and not fresh. Perhaps it was an off night.
(2)
Laura W.
The food here is delicious and has a lot of style! I was so happy when it first opened - a good lunch place was much needed in downtown Bryn Mawr. This is the first place I ever tried pita bread with hummus, which was excellent and only $2 or $3. (Come at lunch time because the prices are much better). Our waitress was very nice, and the beef gyro was sooo juicy and grilled to perfection. After coming here I have been a mediterranean food lover - what more can you ask for!
(4)
Elena G.
Great food! Great service!
(5)
Joe R.
Had the Chicken salad and Ottimo salad combo. Both were very delicious.. I plan on going back and trying more of the menu.
(4)
Shannon R.
Two words: TAHDEG. FESENJAN. "Is she speaking in tongues?" you awkwardly whisper to yourself. While that would be awesome, no, I am simply naming one of my favorite foods ever. Tahdeg is the tough, hard rice at the bottom of the pot, all congealed and crunchy. While my description makes it sound like barf, it's the farthest thing from it. The fesenjan is a sweet, pomegranate sauce/stew of sorts that turns the hard rice into a delicious feast. Other stars? The persian ice cream (rose and saffron!), and the persian brewed tea. Everyone loves the saffron rice that comes with almost every meal, but I usually just stick to the tahdeg.
(4)
Will D.
Mediterranean Grill serves a mix of Mediterranean (mostly Greek, I'd say) and Persian food. We enjoyed all of the items we ordered (try the tahdeg), though the spanakopita wasn't the best I've ever had. Service was pretty good, and food arrived fairly quickly. The dining room is above average- certainly nice enough for a romantic dinner. There is outdoor seating, but it is extremely limited and is right on Lancaster avenue. I found the prices for side dishes and soups reasonable, but a bit high for the main dishes. One drawback to eating anywhere in Bryn Mawr is that parking can be devilish.
(4)
J K.
Mediterrean Grill was not what we expected. but in a good way! Thinking it would be mostly Greek it turns out to be more Middle Eastern cuisine (Persian/Iranian). After my husband recovered from the fact that he was expecting Greek food, we readjusted and ordered some of the Persian specialties: Lamb "abriz" which was a very tender stew of lamb with caramelized onions, and chicken "Ghormeh Sabzi" in a green sauce of parsely and cilantro flavored with lime and spices. The dishes were both delicious and flavorful, but without being overpoweringly spicy. With the stews we were each served a large dish of basmati rice. The meal also came with grilled pita and we ordered one of the house dips with it. This place is also BYOB. We washed our food down with some cold beer from home.The price was right at about $25 pp. Just a block down from the Bryn Mawr film institute. Reservations are accepted and the place did fill up after we arrived so I'd suggest making one. Will return to this place to try more of menu items!
(4)
Claire S.
I have high expectations for mediterranean food. This place exceeded them. I ordered the lamb kabob with tabouli, which the very gracious server offered I could replace the saffron rice. Tabouli had lots of parsley and tomato, just how i like it. Best lamb I've EVER had at a restaurant! Meat was perfectly cooked and very tender, and 4 times the size of what I'd get at my "favorite" mediterranean place in Oregon. Of course it cost 3x as much, but that's OK bc I split the entree with my daughter. Grilled veggies rounded out the plate. It was so good I sneaked drinking the meat juices that had pooled on the plate while the server was in the kitchen. The pita was too crispy for my taste, but freshly grilled. Would've been nice to have something to dip it in but I didn't order anything extra. Of course, "Mediterranean" is a broad term (this place says it's Persian), so I also found some new items to try. Ottimo salad of black eyed peas, dill, tomatoes, shredded carrots and shredded cabbage, and walnuts was excellent! Savory, hearty, a nice melange of textures and flavors. Look for the orange awning in Bryn Mawr. Lunch from 11:30. Service was outstanding, but I was the only guest. If it were a bit less expensive I'd give it 5 stars, but my plate was $20! Too much for lunch! I suggest serving half portions at lunch for $10!
(4)
Aude R.
We did not know the price of the specials. Ordered a seafood special with saffron. The waiter recommended a yogurt dip which we ordered. The dip was OK but not impressive. the entrees lacked saffron flavor although we were definitely charged for it. The fish flavor was not the best but the shrimp and the scallop had fresh flavors. We came in at 9 on a Friday night. The staff seemed to be more interested in making us leave than giving us the time and space to have a nice dinner. We were interrupted 5 times in the last 10 minutes to be asked if we were okay; that was before 10:00PM There was nothing to listen to but one record of old French music for the entire dinner. This place needs a manager.
(2)
Nora C.
I have eaten at the Mediterranean Grill probably eight times or so, and always enjoy it - including tonight's visit. Yes there are many unfamiliar items on the menu but the servers are always happy to explain your options. As others have mentioned, the tah deg is really yummy and I LOVE the dolmeh. I usually get a kabob - chicken or koobideh - and my husband gets steak or salmon. The rice is really delicious, as are the grilled veggies that come along with the kabobs. The food is very light, yet filling - we always leave full without feeling gross :) Definitely recommend!
(4)
neeters m.
Nice ambiance, great service, delicious food. Many yummy and healthy options, especially for vegetarians. Not hard to get a table, either. Staff is good with kids a fussy old folks alike.
(5)
Howard R.
Fantastic Middle Eastern/Persian food. The food is solid across the menu. BYOB as well. Get the Soltani I, you will not regret it. One skewer of perfectly seasoned filet, one spiced ground beef skewer, all over a huge plate of saffron rice with a grilled tomato. It's all you need. My girlfriend often get's the stuffed eggplant entree with the special herb rice. She says it's great. The tahdeg appetizer is extremely good as well. It's the half burnt crust bottom of the rice pot that comes with one of three sauces (I would recommend the pomegranate). Crunchy, buttery, sweet. All in all, fantastic service, grade-A food, and a comfortable environment- easily one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)
Doug C.
Disclaimer: I used to work here. That being said I think it's a fantastic, authentic, and delicious BYOB. Ground beef or chicken shish kabobs not exactly making your mouth water? Well koobideh, the Persian kebab made from the ingredients I mentioned, is incredible. The seasoning, as with almost all Middle Eastern fare, is what makes it. Turmeric and egg are the "secrets." Another poorly kept secret is the amazing basmati rice and black tea with cardamom. The decoration is sparse and the interior cramped, but imho that only adds to the experience. Simple Americans rub elbows with Persians of various acculturation who share friendly glances with Israelis and Arabs alike. Get the-- Tadegh (fesenjune), labneh, koobideh mix, aash soup, barg, and mast-o-kheyar. Avoid the-- doogh (salty yogurt drink). Oh god avoid the doogh.
(5)
Shawn S.
I debated on 4 or 5 stars... I decided on 5. I've been here twice, each time food was excellent. I had the Steak and Ground Beef Kabob. Ashe/Soup was good, very hard to find at restaurants. Rice was cooked well (I have found that Persian Rice is tricky and not a given at restaurants). I don't know if the bread is fresh, but it's great!, not just pita, but warm lavoush! Tadick was good, both times they gave me big pieces.
(5)
Gigi L.
People who didn't like their food, did not order the right things. So let me save you some frustration. For appetizers, go with either the Ottimo salad or the Greek salad. Entree - Mediterranean combo is amazing, and it's big enough to share w/ a friend (if you also get an appetizer), or take leftovers home. At the end, you simply must try the Persian tea. We have been coming here for years and tried lots of things on their menu. You can't go wrong with this lineup, I promise!
(5)
mike p.
I was in Bryn Mawr for business on Wednesday and checked yelp to find a place where we could have lunch. Mediterranean Grill ahd some very positive recent reviews. Trusting these reviewers we decided to give it a shot. Big mistake. This place is a disaster that should be featured on Kitchen Nightmares. Service. There was only one waitress for the entire restaurant. There were maybe 5 or 6 tables of customers but she was overwhelmed. We had to flag her down for everything from menus to the check. She also brought me the wrong food, but after waiting so long I wasn't going to send it back. Food. To be blunt - terrible. I have eaten at many Greek and Turkish restaurants and this food is completely sub-par. For those that honestly gave it 4 or 5 stars I strongly suggest eating somewhere that truly has good Mediterranean food b/c clearly Bryn Mawr lacks a decent place. You have no idea what you are missing. Pita - burnt in an attempt to grill. Crispier than a potato chip. Rice - it tasted old. very old. Chicken kabob - dreadful. No flavor on the meat, cooked in old oil. it was just ground up flavorless fried meat. Terrible. Yoghourt source - the rice and chicken were so dry that I asked for sauce (you usually get this anyway). They came back with a yoghourt so thick I could flip the plate upside down and it didn't fall! It was like spackle. For this we had to pay $40 with tax and tip. Are you kidding me? I was REALLY disappointed. Never again. Stay away!
(1)
Alex A.
These guys (yes, all men who run the business) went out of their way to squeeze a few bucks out of me. Catered an event and they said if I paid cash, they'd give me a discount. Didn't happen. Food was good, but way overpriced. Work on your marketing guys, and try to think long term to develop customer loyalty . . .
(3)
Benjamin Y.
A standout among restaurants in the Main Line. I've ordered takeout and sat in the restaurant many times. The kebobs are very good, as is the Greek Salad.
(5)
Brasewel N.
I love their minced beef dish with rice and a side of cauliflowers. It's usually good for two meals. The guy at the counter is very friendly and is willing to put extra meat if you ask him :)
(5)
Kelly S.
The last time I ate here was about....nine months ago. But, I still remember the first bite I took which is really saying something. I ordered a plate of a chicken/saffron rice dish and it was about twenty dollars. Okay..so, I don't remember the name of what I had but it was gooood.. That bite was like the flavor epiphany of the life of my taste buds, I swear on all my toes and a pinkie, that it was that good! And every bite after that was just as amazing as the first one. The chicken was soft and cooked just right and the rice had so much flavor and spice and goodness that I could have just eaten it by itself. Only four stars because for some reason, I haven't gone back and because I had a taste of my friend's beef/rice thing and I had a tough time chewing through the meat. PS it's BYOB!
(4)
Shideh B.
Good and very authentic Iranian food--been there close to 70 times! Fresh and good quality meats, chicken and fish. Sometimes inconsistent.
(4)
lee c.
This place was simple in decor, but deep into the Persian Mediterranean food experience. I had a great mango strawberry soup for my appetizer that was more like a desert but pretty much blew my mind. For the main courses the food was a basic meat, prepared in wonder spices and sauces that was server on a bed of rice or that we put onto a bed of rice. It was wonderful. We went expecting the typical Italian/Greek Mediterranean style and were pleasantly surprised by the lack thereof. They had some ravioli and pasta items, but mostly the tastes ranged from Morocco to Turkey, largely skipping by Greece and Italy. This is one I definitely recommend if you're in the area. Also, this is the first place I've found on Yelp and gone to based on the reviews! GOOOOO YELP!
(4)
Kate S.
We were not pleased with this place. Food was blah - even the hummus tasted off. Service was also poor.
(1)
Chuck H.
Simple yet alluring. BYOB, Reasonably priced menu, better than average service. I've been a Kebab lover ever since living in Glendale, CA and when I moved to the Philly area, I could not find a decent place to satisfy my Kebab urge until I went to the Mediterranean Grill. Since initially trying the Koobideh, I've been frequenting the place at least once a month. Be sure to get in early for weekend dinner as the place generally gets full and people tend to stay longer in the simple and casual atmosphere. If ever you go to Glendale, CA though, try out Raffi's Grill.
(4)
Sarah C.
Mediterranean Grill is a great little food spot on Lancaster in Bryn Mawr. The decor and seating are simple and easy. Nothing flashy to distract you from what is simply well prepared, great tasting, authentic Mediterranean fare. I had the Ghormeh Sabzi, which is lamb with dried Persian lime, cilantro parsley, leeks, and exotic spices. The lamb was beautifully cooked. Everything else that was included with that meal looked like baby food surrounding the lamb (a little disconcerting at first, but have a bite of that, the lamb, and the saffron rice and you're hooked). Beyond that, their Baklava was wonderful, I left most of it on my plate because I was so full, but I should have brought it home with me!!!! This place is a little pricey, there portions are reasonable and healthy, and the service was great. A nice little place to go with friends.
(4)
Natalie M.
I'm caving. I had half of a four star review written, and then I stopped coming up with excuses, deleted it, and started over. I guess I'll outline my complaints first, so that I can get them out of the way. First off, this restaurant is a little pricey for the atmosphere (nothing too special). Of course, it's one of the few good Persian places around, so who can really complain about price? That leads me to my other, even more pitiful, complaint. Stop calling yourself the Mediterranean Grill. Just commit; you are Persian through and through. Get rid of the silly Italian fillers on your menu and just be who you are. See, I told you the complaints were lame... On to the good things! The Persian Grill (renamed, clearly, by me), has amazing food and is family owned and operated. It comes very highly recommended!
(5)
Steve L.
We all were really disappointed with the meal. There were some redeeming things about it, but not enough to ever go back. We ordered a few apps - we got hummus, spanikopita and tahdeg, all were fine but uninspired. The tahdeg was the only one that was even interesting. Then we each got different things for dinner - lamb, chicken, shrimp, and filet were ordered. All had good flavors, but the beef and lamb were dry and overcooked. They never asked how we like our meat done and it came out medium well, when we prefer medium rare. They served the same rice with all our meals, and it isn't very good. It would be fine if I were over a friend's house, but in a restaurant I expect a little more than the side rice you could get at a Gyro stand. Lastly, the most annoying problem of the night was our service. One person at our table had an allergy to tomatoes. We asked that none of the apps have tomatoes on them and her entree should also not have tomatoes. Of course, the first hummus came out - chopped tomatoes all over it... then the spanikopita with tomato on the side... then her main entree with grilled tomatoes mixed in with her veggies. This really upset us. Our waitress didn't even seem to care that she and the kitchen continued to get it wrong. To sum up - even without the lousy service, this was a mediocre meal at best.
(2)
R L.
delicious. I've been with friends quite a few times. favorites: -eggplant dip -all the yogurt dips -Tahdeg--chewy/crunchy rice "from the bottom of the pot"--seems to have a sort of crust as well? choose the sauce with pomegranate paste! -aash soup -chicken dishes -doogh (salty yogurt drink) -SAFFRON ROSE WATER VANILLA ICE CREAM OH MY GOD--last time we went we were full but ordered one scoop for 3 people, then ended up ordering another. we probably could have just each gotten one. I ordered the ghormeh sabzi because the description was so enticing but I wasn't a huge fan of the actual product. basically meat in a sauce with a lot of parsley and with kidney beans. taste was just okay.
(5)
Ingrid F.
We visited here 4 years ago while in town and raved about the kabobs (particularly the soltani) and went back last night for dinner and it was just as delicious as we remembered!! Also try the kashk o bademjan - similar to baba ganoush but with an almost buttery texture due to the roasted eggplants. Great service, also.
(5)
J. S.
Overwhelmingly good things to say about Mediterranean Grill: The food is (usually) excellent. They serve some unusual things on the menu, including many Iranian and Persian dishes. Most everything I've tried has been wonderful, but particularly the pomegranate & meat dish (I forget what it's called). I've also been for lunch once or twice, and on one occasion I had absolutely the best falafel sandwich I have ever had. And the hummus was superior as well. Some negative: The service can be slow or indifferent. Bringing kids here can make them impatient. Also on occasion have received some overcooked or badly timed food. I am guessing they have some inconsistent standards of employing wait staff and chefs. The positives vastly outweigh the negatives. I will continue to patronize this place.
(4)
Jackie D.
First off, I am the person that is about to upload a picture of the filet minon shish kabob. Second, I have been eating mediterranean food for a loooooong time, and so my review is kinda a big deal. I had tabbouleh, a mix of appetizers (spinach pie, hummus, and falafel), all DELISH. So, what's my point? This place was really f'in good. I can't wait to go here again. The service was good, the restaurant was pretty and clean, and the meal was fresh and flavorful! Yay!!!
(5)
Katera M.
Every time I pass this place I think about my dining experience 8 months ago. It was essentially Persian food adapted for Main Line tastes...a disappointment if you've been exposed to authentic Mediterranean cuisine.
(1)
Pat R.
Needed a restaurant before my movie at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, and this fit the bill. Great variety, very good food, accommodating service, terrific coffee and desserts, took major credit cards. Not cheap, but worth the price when you consider the attributes I noted above. I will definitely return.
(4)
Francis U.
Without hesitation, I would put the Mediterranean Grill in the 'Ouch' category. Let's discuss everything, starting with the food. The question, 'How hard is it to cook a kebab?' was answered. Apparently, it's very difficult. My party sampled the tuna (labeled seafood special), beef, and chicken variations on a theme. The kitchen was able to manage one point of consistency; all the meat was Dreadfully overcooked (the tuna especially, was sadistically broiled into submission). The Hummus tasted like wallpaper paste, with absolutely no spice. I was also not able to stomach more than a few mouthfuls of rice. I couldn't tell if it was rendered in fat, oil, or butter, but the result would have been the same...greasy rice. Who serves greasy rice? Moving on to the lovely decor. We are on the main line, yes? 'Hello, McFly...anybody home?' When I think 'Main Line' or Mediterranean fare, I think luxury and decadence. This restaurant, however, reminded me more of an unloved child who was forced to wear old faded clothes to school. The rugs were worn through like the poor child's corduroys. The chairs were too small for a grown man, like the child's extra medium shirt. The 'Art' on the wall was chosen by an Iranian Stevie Wonder. How was the service. Let me say this. There are a few phrases I don't want to hear when I'm dining out. Among them, "Ahmadinejad is really misunderstood" certainly makes the top ten. I thought it to be fairly inappropriate subject matter for the staff to be openly discussing in the front of the house. It also seemed as if many of the staff members had a rather tenuous grasp on the English language. Let's recap. Food: F Decor F Service D - Lest I be misunderstood like the Grill's dear friend, Mahmoud, let me be perfectly plain. I will never visit this cultural black hole again, and I would encourage any God fearing man to take the same caution.
(1)
Negin N.
Excellent ! food was freshly made we ordered Kuku as an appetizer we loved it , Ottimo salad was very refreshing and healthy as an entree we had chicken kebab which was very tender and juicy also we had salmon kebab too perfectly cooked we also had an order of Barg and Kobideh kebab very tasty and juicy .... we truly enjoyed every single dish that we ordered as a dessert we had Persian Ice cream and OMG it was fabulous very light texture it was made with saferan and rose water . our sever was very nice and accommodating . the ambiance was warm and inviting. overall we had a great experience. Highly recommended .we will visit again
(5)
Charles R.
Went for lunch and don't think I would try dinner. The Greek salad wasn't real fresh and the dressing lacked taste. The grape leaves were the best item. The chicken wrap was ok, but nothing you can't get in a dozen places along MainLine.
(3)
Tovia W.
This place is good, and the meat is very high quality. It is just a tiny bit greasy, and the prices are pretty high, but it is worth it because their kabobs are delicious. Just bring a lot of money with you when you come here.
(3)
Fran W.
Food is delish, plentiful and just a bit different from the other Mediterranean in the area. BYOB makes is reasonable and I've never had to wait for a table. Give it a try, especially if you're headed to the Bryn Mawr Theater up the street.
(4)
Sean U.
Today, 3 friends and I went for lunch here. The hummus and pita that we started with was very tasty. Unfortunately, this was the highlight of the meal. Two of us ordered the falafel, which was really the worst falafel I've ever eaten. It was burnt and hard to eat. Another person got the eggplant, which was also burnt. The last person liked their meal -- they got some sort of chicken dish -- but I thought the price for that meal in particular ($20) was pretty unreasonable. I wouldn't go back to this restaurant.
(2)
Kat B.
We ended up here after unsuccessfully trying to find Gullifty's Restaurant for an hour. The Grill was not crowded when we went and honestly, the food was good. One of our party had salmon with tahini and mixed greens. I tasted the tahini and it was very very delish! Excellent in fact! Just the right amount of spice/bite/kick to it. And healthy. Fresh veggies..... I went with a Italian tuna wrap which I got with greens, diced tomatoes and diced red onions. Italian tuna does not have mayo, making it a more healthy choice for dinner. I had a Pellingrino (lemon) for my beverage. I enjoyed it as this drink is not easily come by in most places. I would call this place a healthy, not fast food, but a healthy choice for eating if you are in a hurry and don't want full waiter service. There is a private lot (shared with some other stores) for convenient parking.
(5)
Jeff L.
Went here for a take-out lunch. Had the lamb shish kabob. For $20 I thought way overpriced and lacked something. Quantity of rice was overwhelming (perfectly cooked), meh grilled veggies (tomato and squash) but delicious lamb (6 oz?). Could have used tzatziki for a flavor kick. In addition had the eggplant dip with pita. Kinda thicker than baba and it was cold not room temp but what was overwhelming was the terrible pita. It tasted like matza bread so dry and flavorless. I wanted to eat more eggplant but could not consume the pita, so I had nothing to eat it with. I was going to give 3 stars but as I read my own review I realize I would not go back. I'll try Zoe's 2 blocks away.
(2)
Tala T.
I should have known not to go when it was classified as 'greek' food as opposed to what it really is 'Iranian' food. Why not be proud of serving Iranian food? Not sure... anyhow, we decided to go anyway because it is one of the few places in the greater Philadelphia area serving Iranian food. Having just returned from New York where I spent the past few months I had high hopes. There are several Iranian restaurants in NYC that serve great iranian food at reasonable prices (my favorite being Ravagh). We went in at 8 prior to them closing to 9pm. Does this mean we should be served food that is clearly not fresh? we ordered 2 appetizers: tahdig with gheimeh on top and kashk bademjan. I specifically asked our waitress if they were fresh or microwaved. She assured me it was fresh. Clearly that was far from the truth. Our tahdig arrived- STALE and chewy as opposed to crispy and fresh. I refused to take a second bite. it was clearly not even close to being fresh- i am just hoping it was from the same day. Then the kashk bademjan was served cold. I usually have had it hot. Wasn't sure if it had not been reheated properly or they just serve theirs cold. We shared a platter with two kabobs and rice. The red meat was not very good- chewy and smelly. None of this would have mattered if the prices were reasonable but for what they served they were charging a lot of money so you do expect to be paying for at least quality if nothing else. A disappointing experience. I was hoping to find a nice iranian place to dine in the city. No wonder it was empty. Guess we will drive back to New York whenever craving persian kabobs.
(1)
Shayla K.
If you like Persian you might want to try the kashkebodamjan, ghormeh sabzi the kebob was a little dry and the dugh was old. Top that off with some Persian saffron ice cream or paludeh. It's been very good in the past, but not as good the past couple of times.
(3)
John H.
Service: Poor. I worked for the State Department and used my language skills and pointed out a translation error on the menu. The waiter was a late 20s dirty blonde who proceeded to [demeaningly] sarcastically tell me to think about it again and 'you're wrong in a few' words in front of all my classmates. I told her to go ask the restaurant owner--she never did. Price: $$$$ Two of the most important factors for a ME restaurant that helps you base its value: lean meat and fresh green salads(including appetizers also known as MEZZA). Most ME put a lot of labor into making meat (ie marinated, spiced, cooked carefully).This restaurant gives you a kubideh, a jujeh beaf slice with a pitiful half tomato and a little squash (unlike the tomato was only boiled, not grilled) for @$22! $4 extra for a pitiful amount of hummus, at most three tablespoons, for four dollars. No side of salad with that, just a lot of white basmati rice (like loading up on pasta at Italian restaurants). Food: The food itself was pretty bland for Persian food. Most of the flavor was straight salt and the fat from the beef itself. No condiments were provided and the ones you'd find at ME restaurants (ie Sumac) was not available upon request In essence your meat and lean green to dollar and service + ratio is low with this one. A lot of upper class Main Line people eat here thinking it's a 'Greek' restaurant but it's not. People want authentic cuisines and if you can't acknowledge your own culture, ie Iranian, that's a fundamental flaw. -A finance student in the area. This is below par value. I'm pretty forgiving and would try a restaurant three times before a review but two very intentional sub par trips made me really think they won't change
(1)
Adam F.
Excellent Persian BYOB in downtown Bryn Mawr. Lots of classic dishes, but try their specials: Persian meatballs, lamb stews, etc. Inside has a nice decor and the staff is fairly attentive. Great place to go with friends and a couple bottles of wine.
(4)
Phil F.
Seriously, what are people thinking when they give this dump 3.5 stars? Went in for lunch, ordered spanikopeta appetizer, felafel wrap and grilled eggplant wrap. Simple, right? The app was definitely pre-frozen and microwaved (giveaway: it was wrapped in a soggy puff pastry). Then there was a long delay, which the waitress attributed to the eggplant had become frozen and they had to go next door to the pizzeria they owned to get more. When it finally came out it was a soggy, disgusting mess. My wife's felafel was also inedible...crumbly, tasteless, gross. When I asked for the check from the waitress, with two fully uneaten wraps (minus one bite each) sitting on the table, I would have expected some comment, like "was something wrong with your lunch?" But...nothing, she averted her eyes like she didn't want to know. So we paid and left, vowing to let fellow Yelpers know: disregard the stars, this was the Worst. Place. Ever.
(1)
Majid E.
If you want the best Persian food around, this is the place. If you are looking for a gourmet food with the high quality ingredients, this is the place. The price is reasonable for the quality of food. I am very sensetive about the taste of low quality meat. My wife and I are regular customers and never had a bad experience in this restaurant.
(5)
Dori M.
$9.00 for the worst felafel sandwich I've ever had! Even the pita was bad: tough and tasteless. The felafel itself was crunchy like sand and relatively unseasoned and dry. It fell out of the pita because it was crumbly and did not hold together. Maybe they forgot to cook it? or overcooked it? There were a couple of wilted strands of green (could that have been lettuce?), tiny bits of tomato, and a small plastic container of tahini (which did taste like tahini). Nothing else to reflect the prices on the menu. What a ripoff.
(1)
Prasanna R.
Nice ambiance with wonderful Mediterranean food. It is near to the Bryn Mawr film institute. Me and my friend weren't hungry, when we went there. So, we ordered for an appetizer sampler and baklawa sampler. The appetizer sampler was pretty good. It came with hummus, yogurt, falafel, stuffed grape leaves and falafel. That was a decent deal. I loved the grilled eggplant on the platter. Baklawa sampler was also not bad. Overall, a good experience. The service could be better. Will visit again.
(4)
Fereshteh A.
A little too oily, but really aromatic and delicious food. Quality of the meat is spectacular! pricing is a bit high, but since there aren't any other good persian restaurants that's understandable.
(4)
Sani B.
What a horrifying establishment. We ordered the barg and the jujeh kabaab - the barg was incredibly dry and the jujeh was raw (yes, raw) on the inside. We also ordered the kuku, which was so salty it was inedible. Service was rude and inefficient. Also, truly over-priced.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.
Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.
For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.
Madeleine T.
Amazing food here! period!
(4)Lisa S.
My sister and her husband love this restaurant, so when I was home last weekend, we made 6:30pm reservations on Saturday for 5 people. When we arrived, the restaurant was about half full and our table was ready for us. It was significantly warm inside, so I was happy I wore a sleeveless shirt (my mom, in a sweater, was not as happy). Side note: It is a BYOB. My family always raves about the kebobs here- my mom loves the lamb and my sister loves the mahi mahi. But apparently they're all good. But because I was trying not to eat meat or dairy, I had a bit of a limited menu, especially since I had no idea what a lot of the food was (Spanakopita? Kashk-O-Bademjan?... really?). I ended up ordering the combination of 3 appetizers of your choice. I ordered Dolmeh (hated), Tahdeg, and some sort of vegetable thing (I forget- I think it was spinach). The Tahdeg was amazing and definitely a standout. The spinach appetizer was also really good, and my dad kept reaching over to eat more of it. Definitely get the Tahdeg if you come here! Everybody seemed to love their kebobs and rice as well. One weird thing occurred when we ordered hummus. They brought out two big bowls of hummus and one basket of pita bread. We went through the pita quickly, and asked for more. They said okay, but it never materialized. About 20 minutes later, we asked someone else for more pita again. They said okay... and also disappeared. None of them apologized or ever brought us the pita. Eventually we gave up and got the hummus wrapped to go (and no, no extra pita was put in the to go bag either!). We all decided that they were having a pita shortage and wanted to keep it on the DL. The restaurant got packed later on in the night, and people were standing and (loudly) waiting for tables. We had a table near the door, and they were crowding us pretty badly- one of them even knocked silverware off of our table onto the floor, stared at it, shrugged and walked away. It would have been nice if a host had come over and asked them to stand farther away from the tables near the door, or outside. Overall, this place has great kebobs and some standout dishes. It's also ridiculously cheap (my mom thought they gave us the wrong bill because the total was so low). Go on an off night to avoid the semi-obnoxious waiting crowd!
(3)Nina B.
After being stuck in traffic for an hour and a half, my husband and I sought sustenance in ol' Bryn Mawr. We were hungry, but wanted something light, so when we saw Mediterranean Grill, we figured it would do the trick. We split the Mediterranean Sampler, which has all of our favorite things: hummus, grape leaves, roasted red peppers, yogurt, feta and eggplant (no tabbouleh though: boo). Unfortunately, the only standouts on the platter were the feta and peppers. The hummus and yogurt portions were tiny, the eggplant was too slimy and bland, and the grape leaves were warm (it could be personal preference and not error in preparation, but I think they're better cold). We also split the spanakopita, which was pretty good-- well seasoned, and the pita was only okay. After being served, no one checked on us, which surprised me because they weren't busy at all. I wondered if they were upset we weren't spending more, though I would counter that the sampler was not worth its $17 price tag. Our experience left something to be desired, and we certainly weren't going to order more from Mediterranean.
(2)Rudy M.
Decent place, but very mediocre food. Mediterranean seems to mean anything with feta cheese / kebab / safran ice-cream. Meat was not fresh.
(2)Steve S.
We went back here last week with a friend and again had a wonderful meal. We ordered a lot of different items and they were all exceptional!! They're doing everything right at this place! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Lauren H.
Philadelphia is renowned for its BYOB scene, but sometimes I wish I didn't have to take the R5 to experience it. Enter Mediterranean Grill. Mediterranean Grill is cute, small BYOB right on Lancaster in the heart of Bryn Mawr. There's no real waiting area, but I managed to walk in with a friend on a Friday night at 6 PM and was seated no problem. The food is simple, reasonably priced and well-prepared. I had the beef and chicken kabobs served on a bed of saffron rice, which was delicious. It's convenient to the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, as well as the string of bars on Lancaster for after-dinner libations.
(4)Gordon F.
Good reasonably priced meals
(3)Jean B.
One of our favorite restaurants on the main line. Well, we love mediterranean fare, and we love byobs, and this is both, and they do it well. We've been here about five times, for both dinner and lunch, and it's always been good. I'm partial to the roasted eggplant dip (with pita bread), the kebobs, the ottimo salad, the aash soup, and my husband usually can never resist the lamb abriz. Service has always been attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere is warm and comfortable and in between upscale and casual.
(4)Lauren R.
Hummus and falafel and dolmas oh yum. I love coming to the Mediterranean Grill for lunch. It's a quiet little place and the people are friendly. Lunch menu prices are always a plus. I cannot decide whether I like the falafel sandwiches or all the many veg appetizers best. I often go to a restaurant I like and fall into a pattern of ordering the same thing each time but not here. There is just too much to try.
(4)MM B.
was looking forward to our second visit, but our server seemed "absent" and the food was mediocre and uninspired. Three entrees looked appetizing and had decent flavor, but the Ghormeh Sabzi (which we had ordered on our first visit) was awful - tasteless and thrown on the plate apparently without thought, with dry lamb which was dry and not fresh. Perhaps it was an off night.
(2)Laura W.
The food here is delicious and has a lot of style! I was so happy when it first opened - a good lunch place was much needed in downtown Bryn Mawr. This is the first place I ever tried pita bread with hummus, which was excellent and only $2 or $3. (Come at lunch time because the prices are much better). Our waitress was very nice, and the beef gyro was sooo juicy and grilled to perfection. After coming here I have been a mediterranean food lover - what more can you ask for!
(4)Elena G.
Great food! Great service!
(5)Joe R.
Had the Chicken salad and Ottimo salad combo. Both were very delicious.. I plan on going back and trying more of the menu.
(4)Shannon R.
Two words: TAHDEG. FESENJAN. "Is she speaking in tongues?" you awkwardly whisper to yourself. While that would be awesome, no, I am simply naming one of my favorite foods ever. Tahdeg is the tough, hard rice at the bottom of the pot, all congealed and crunchy. While my description makes it sound like barf, it's the farthest thing from it. The fesenjan is a sweet, pomegranate sauce/stew of sorts that turns the hard rice into a delicious feast. Other stars? The persian ice cream (rose and saffron!), and the persian brewed tea. Everyone loves the saffron rice that comes with almost every meal, but I usually just stick to the tahdeg.
(4)Will D.
Mediterranean Grill serves a mix of Mediterranean (mostly Greek, I'd say) and Persian food. We enjoyed all of the items we ordered (try the tahdeg), though the spanakopita wasn't the best I've ever had. Service was pretty good, and food arrived fairly quickly. The dining room is above average- certainly nice enough for a romantic dinner. There is outdoor seating, but it is extremely limited and is right on Lancaster avenue. I found the prices for side dishes and soups reasonable, but a bit high for the main dishes. One drawback to eating anywhere in Bryn Mawr is that parking can be devilish.
(4)J K.
Mediterrean Grill was not what we expected. but in a good way! Thinking it would be mostly Greek it turns out to be more Middle Eastern cuisine (Persian/Iranian). After my husband recovered from the fact that he was expecting Greek food, we readjusted and ordered some of the Persian specialties: Lamb "abriz" which was a very tender stew of lamb with caramelized onions, and chicken "Ghormeh Sabzi" in a green sauce of parsely and cilantro flavored with lime and spices. The dishes were both delicious and flavorful, but without being overpoweringly spicy. With the stews we were each served a large dish of basmati rice. The meal also came with grilled pita and we ordered one of the house dips with it. This place is also BYOB. We washed our food down with some cold beer from home.The price was right at about $25 pp. Just a block down from the Bryn Mawr film institute. Reservations are accepted and the place did fill up after we arrived so I'd suggest making one. Will return to this place to try more of menu items!
(4)Claire S.
I have high expectations for mediterranean food. This place exceeded them. I ordered the lamb kabob with tabouli, which the very gracious server offered I could replace the saffron rice. Tabouli had lots of parsley and tomato, just how i like it. Best lamb I've EVER had at a restaurant! Meat was perfectly cooked and very tender, and 4 times the size of what I'd get at my "favorite" mediterranean place in Oregon. Of course it cost 3x as much, but that's OK bc I split the entree with my daughter. Grilled veggies rounded out the plate. It was so good I sneaked drinking the meat juices that had pooled on the plate while the server was in the kitchen. The pita was too crispy for my taste, but freshly grilled. Would've been nice to have something to dip it in but I didn't order anything extra. Of course, "Mediterranean" is a broad term (this place says it's Persian), so I also found some new items to try. Ottimo salad of black eyed peas, dill, tomatoes, shredded carrots and shredded cabbage, and walnuts was excellent! Savory, hearty, a nice melange of textures and flavors. Look for the orange awning in Bryn Mawr. Lunch from 11:30. Service was outstanding, but I was the only guest. If it were a bit less expensive I'd give it 5 stars, but my plate was $20! Too much for lunch! I suggest serving half portions at lunch for $10!
(4)Aude R.
We did not know the price of the specials. Ordered a seafood special with saffron. The waiter recommended a yogurt dip which we ordered. The dip was OK but not impressive. the entrees lacked saffron flavor although we were definitely charged for it. The fish flavor was not the best but the shrimp and the scallop had fresh flavors. We came in at 9 on a Friday night. The staff seemed to be more interested in making us leave than giving us the time and space to have a nice dinner. We were interrupted 5 times in the last 10 minutes to be asked if we were okay; that was before 10:00PM There was nothing to listen to but one record of old French music for the entire dinner. This place needs a manager.
(2)Nora C.
I have eaten at the Mediterranean Grill probably eight times or so, and always enjoy it - including tonight's visit. Yes there are many unfamiliar items on the menu but the servers are always happy to explain your options. As others have mentioned, the tah deg is really yummy and I LOVE the dolmeh. I usually get a kabob - chicken or koobideh - and my husband gets steak or salmon. The rice is really delicious, as are the grilled veggies that come along with the kabobs. The food is very light, yet filling - we always leave full without feeling gross :) Definitely recommend!
(4)neeters m.
Nice ambiance, great service, delicious food. Many yummy and healthy options, especially for vegetarians. Not hard to get a table, either. Staff is good with kids a fussy old folks alike.
(5)Howard R.
Fantastic Middle Eastern/Persian food. The food is solid across the menu. BYOB as well. Get the Soltani I, you will not regret it. One skewer of perfectly seasoned filet, one spiced ground beef skewer, all over a huge plate of saffron rice with a grilled tomato. It's all you need. My girlfriend often get's the stuffed eggplant entree with the special herb rice. She says it's great. The tahdeg appetizer is extremely good as well. It's the half burnt crust bottom of the rice pot that comes with one of three sauces (I would recommend the pomegranate). Crunchy, buttery, sweet. All in all, fantastic service, grade-A food, and a comfortable environment- easily one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)Doug C.
Disclaimer: I used to work here. That being said I think it's a fantastic, authentic, and delicious BYOB. Ground beef or chicken shish kabobs not exactly making your mouth water? Well koobideh, the Persian kebab made from the ingredients I mentioned, is incredible. The seasoning, as with almost all Middle Eastern fare, is what makes it. Turmeric and egg are the "secrets." Another poorly kept secret is the amazing basmati rice and black tea with cardamom. The decoration is sparse and the interior cramped, but imho that only adds to the experience. Simple Americans rub elbows with Persians of various acculturation who share friendly glances with Israelis and Arabs alike. Get the-- Tadegh (fesenjune), labneh, koobideh mix, aash soup, barg, and mast-o-kheyar. Avoid the-- doogh (salty yogurt drink). Oh god avoid the doogh.
(5)Shawn S.
I debated on 4 or 5 stars... I decided on 5. I've been here twice, each time food was excellent. I had the Steak and Ground Beef Kabob. Ashe/Soup was good, very hard to find at restaurants. Rice was cooked well (I have found that Persian Rice is tricky and not a given at restaurants). I don't know if the bread is fresh, but it's great!, not just pita, but warm lavoush! Tadick was good, both times they gave me big pieces.
(5)Gigi L.
People who didn't like their food, did not order the right things. So let me save you some frustration. For appetizers, go with either the Ottimo salad or the Greek salad. Entree - Mediterranean combo is amazing, and it's big enough to share w/ a friend (if you also get an appetizer), or take leftovers home. At the end, you simply must try the Persian tea. We have been coming here for years and tried lots of things on their menu. You can't go wrong with this lineup, I promise!
(5)mike p.
I was in Bryn Mawr for business on Wednesday and checked yelp to find a place where we could have lunch. Mediterranean Grill ahd some very positive recent reviews. Trusting these reviewers we decided to give it a shot. Big mistake. This place is a disaster that should be featured on Kitchen Nightmares. Service. There was only one waitress for the entire restaurant. There were maybe 5 or 6 tables of customers but she was overwhelmed. We had to flag her down for everything from menus to the check. She also brought me the wrong food, but after waiting so long I wasn't going to send it back. Food. To be blunt - terrible. I have eaten at many Greek and Turkish restaurants and this food is completely sub-par. For those that honestly gave it 4 or 5 stars I strongly suggest eating somewhere that truly has good Mediterranean food b/c clearly Bryn Mawr lacks a decent place. You have no idea what you are missing. Pita - burnt in an attempt to grill. Crispier than a potato chip. Rice - it tasted old. very old. Chicken kabob - dreadful. No flavor on the meat, cooked in old oil. it was just ground up flavorless fried meat. Terrible. Yoghourt source - the rice and chicken were so dry that I asked for sauce (you usually get this anyway). They came back with a yoghourt so thick I could flip the plate upside down and it didn't fall! It was like spackle. For this we had to pay $40 with tax and tip. Are you kidding me? I was REALLY disappointed. Never again. Stay away!
(1)Alex A.
These guys (yes, all men who run the business) went out of their way to squeeze a few bucks out of me. Catered an event and they said if I paid cash, they'd give me a discount. Didn't happen. Food was good, but way overpriced. Work on your marketing guys, and try to think long term to develop customer loyalty . . .
(3)Benjamin Y.
A standout among restaurants in the Main Line. I've ordered takeout and sat in the restaurant many times. The kebobs are very good, as is the Greek Salad.
(5)Brasewel N.
I love their minced beef dish with rice and a side of cauliflowers. It's usually good for two meals. The guy at the counter is very friendly and is willing to put extra meat if you ask him :)
(5)Kelly S.
The last time I ate here was about....nine months ago. But, I still remember the first bite I took which is really saying something. I ordered a plate of a chicken/saffron rice dish and it was about twenty dollars. Okay..so, I don't remember the name of what I had but it was gooood.. That bite was like the flavor epiphany of the life of my taste buds, I swear on all my toes and a pinkie, that it was that good! And every bite after that was just as amazing as the first one. The chicken was soft and cooked just right and the rice had so much flavor and spice and goodness that I could have just eaten it by itself. Only four stars because for some reason, I haven't gone back and because I had a taste of my friend's beef/rice thing and I had a tough time chewing through the meat. PS it's BYOB!
(4)Shideh B.
Good and very authentic Iranian food--been there close to 70 times! Fresh and good quality meats, chicken and fish. Sometimes inconsistent.
(4)lee c.
This place was simple in decor, but deep into the Persian Mediterranean food experience. I had a great mango strawberry soup for my appetizer that was more like a desert but pretty much blew my mind. For the main courses the food was a basic meat, prepared in wonder spices and sauces that was server on a bed of rice or that we put onto a bed of rice. It was wonderful. We went expecting the typical Italian/Greek Mediterranean style and were pleasantly surprised by the lack thereof. They had some ravioli and pasta items, but mostly the tastes ranged from Morocco to Turkey, largely skipping by Greece and Italy. This is one I definitely recommend if you're in the area. Also, this is the first place I've found on Yelp and gone to based on the reviews! GOOOOO YELP!
(4)Kate S.
We were not pleased with this place. Food was blah - even the hummus tasted off. Service was also poor.
(1)Chuck H.
Simple yet alluring. BYOB, Reasonably priced menu, better than average service. I've been a Kebab lover ever since living in Glendale, CA and when I moved to the Philly area, I could not find a decent place to satisfy my Kebab urge until I went to the Mediterranean Grill. Since initially trying the Koobideh, I've been frequenting the place at least once a month. Be sure to get in early for weekend dinner as the place generally gets full and people tend to stay longer in the simple and casual atmosphere. If ever you go to Glendale, CA though, try out Raffi's Grill.
(4)Sarah C.
Mediterranean Grill is a great little food spot on Lancaster in Bryn Mawr. The decor and seating are simple and easy. Nothing flashy to distract you from what is simply well prepared, great tasting, authentic Mediterranean fare. I had the Ghormeh Sabzi, which is lamb with dried Persian lime, cilantro parsley, leeks, and exotic spices. The lamb was beautifully cooked. Everything else that was included with that meal looked like baby food surrounding the lamb (a little disconcerting at first, but have a bite of that, the lamb, and the saffron rice and you're hooked). Beyond that, their Baklava was wonderful, I left most of it on my plate because I was so full, but I should have brought it home with me!!!! This place is a little pricey, there portions are reasonable and healthy, and the service was great. A nice little place to go with friends.
(4)Natalie M.
I'm caving. I had half of a four star review written, and then I stopped coming up with excuses, deleted it, and started over. I guess I'll outline my complaints first, so that I can get them out of the way. First off, this restaurant is a little pricey for the atmosphere (nothing too special). Of course, it's one of the few good Persian places around, so who can really complain about price? That leads me to my other, even more pitiful, complaint. Stop calling yourself the Mediterranean Grill. Just commit; you are Persian through and through. Get rid of the silly Italian fillers on your menu and just be who you are. See, I told you the complaints were lame... On to the good things! The Persian Grill (renamed, clearly, by me), has amazing food and is family owned and operated. It comes very highly recommended!
(5)Steve L.
We all were really disappointed with the meal. There were some redeeming things about it, but not enough to ever go back. We ordered a few apps - we got hummus, spanikopita and tahdeg, all were fine but uninspired. The tahdeg was the only one that was even interesting. Then we each got different things for dinner - lamb, chicken, shrimp, and filet were ordered. All had good flavors, but the beef and lamb were dry and overcooked. They never asked how we like our meat done and it came out medium well, when we prefer medium rare. They served the same rice with all our meals, and it isn't very good. It would be fine if I were over a friend's house, but in a restaurant I expect a little more than the side rice you could get at a Gyro stand. Lastly, the most annoying problem of the night was our service. One person at our table had an allergy to tomatoes. We asked that none of the apps have tomatoes on them and her entree should also not have tomatoes. Of course, the first hummus came out - chopped tomatoes all over it... then the spanikopita with tomato on the side... then her main entree with grilled tomatoes mixed in with her veggies. This really upset us. Our waitress didn't even seem to care that she and the kitchen continued to get it wrong. To sum up - even without the lousy service, this was a mediocre meal at best.
(2)R L.
delicious. I've been with friends quite a few times. favorites: -eggplant dip -all the yogurt dips -Tahdeg--chewy/crunchy rice "from the bottom of the pot"--seems to have a sort of crust as well? choose the sauce with pomegranate paste! -aash soup -chicken dishes -doogh (salty yogurt drink) -SAFFRON ROSE WATER VANILLA ICE CREAM OH MY GOD--last time we went we were full but ordered one scoop for 3 people, then ended up ordering another. we probably could have just each gotten one. I ordered the ghormeh sabzi because the description was so enticing but I wasn't a huge fan of the actual product. basically meat in a sauce with a lot of parsley and with kidney beans. taste was just okay.
(5)Ingrid F.
We visited here 4 years ago while in town and raved about the kabobs (particularly the soltani) and went back last night for dinner and it was just as delicious as we remembered!! Also try the kashk o bademjan - similar to baba ganoush but with an almost buttery texture due to the roasted eggplants. Great service, also.
(5)J. S.
Overwhelmingly good things to say about Mediterranean Grill: The food is (usually) excellent. They serve some unusual things on the menu, including many Iranian and Persian dishes. Most everything I've tried has been wonderful, but particularly the pomegranate & meat dish (I forget what it's called). I've also been for lunch once or twice, and on one occasion I had absolutely the best falafel sandwich I have ever had. And the hummus was superior as well. Some negative: The service can be slow or indifferent. Bringing kids here can make them impatient. Also on occasion have received some overcooked or badly timed food. I am guessing they have some inconsistent standards of employing wait staff and chefs. The positives vastly outweigh the negatives. I will continue to patronize this place.
(4)Jackie D.
First off, I am the person that is about to upload a picture of the filet minon shish kabob. Second, I have been eating mediterranean food for a loooooong time, and so my review is kinda a big deal. I had tabbouleh, a mix of appetizers (spinach pie, hummus, and falafel), all DELISH. So, what's my point? This place was really f'in good. I can't wait to go here again. The service was good, the restaurant was pretty and clean, and the meal was fresh and flavorful! Yay!!!
(5)Katera M.
Every time I pass this place I think about my dining experience 8 months ago. It was essentially Persian food adapted for Main Line tastes...a disappointment if you've been exposed to authentic Mediterranean cuisine.
(1)Pat R.
Needed a restaurant before my movie at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, and this fit the bill. Great variety, very good food, accommodating service, terrific coffee and desserts, took major credit cards. Not cheap, but worth the price when you consider the attributes I noted above. I will definitely return.
(4)Francis U.
Without hesitation, I would put the Mediterranean Grill in the 'Ouch' category. Let's discuss everything, starting with the food. The question, 'How hard is it to cook a kebab?' was answered. Apparently, it's very difficult. My party sampled the tuna (labeled seafood special), beef, and chicken variations on a theme. The kitchen was able to manage one point of consistency; all the meat was Dreadfully overcooked (the tuna especially, was sadistically broiled into submission). The Hummus tasted like wallpaper paste, with absolutely no spice. I was also not able to stomach more than a few mouthfuls of rice. I couldn't tell if it was rendered in fat, oil, or butter, but the result would have been the same...greasy rice. Who serves greasy rice? Moving on to the lovely decor. We are on the main line, yes? 'Hello, McFly...anybody home?' When I think 'Main Line' or Mediterranean fare, I think luxury and decadence. This restaurant, however, reminded me more of an unloved child who was forced to wear old faded clothes to school. The rugs were worn through like the poor child's corduroys. The chairs were too small for a grown man, like the child's extra medium shirt. The 'Art' on the wall was chosen by an Iranian Stevie Wonder. How was the service. Let me say this. There are a few phrases I don't want to hear when I'm dining out. Among them, "Ahmadinejad is really misunderstood" certainly makes the top ten. I thought it to be fairly inappropriate subject matter for the staff to be openly discussing in the front of the house. It also seemed as if many of the staff members had a rather tenuous grasp on the English language. Let's recap. Food: F Decor F Service D - Lest I be misunderstood like the Grill's dear friend, Mahmoud, let me be perfectly plain. I will never visit this cultural black hole again, and I would encourage any God fearing man to take the same caution.
(1)Negin N.
Excellent ! food was freshly made we ordered Kuku as an appetizer we loved it , Ottimo salad was very refreshing and healthy as an entree we had chicken kebab which was very tender and juicy also we had salmon kebab too perfectly cooked we also had an order of Barg and Kobideh kebab very tasty and juicy .... we truly enjoyed every single dish that we ordered as a dessert we had Persian Ice cream and OMG it was fabulous very light texture it was made with saferan and rose water . our sever was very nice and accommodating . the ambiance was warm and inviting. overall we had a great experience. Highly recommended .we will visit again
(5)Charles R.
Went for lunch and don't think I would try dinner. The Greek salad wasn't real fresh and the dressing lacked taste. The grape leaves were the best item. The chicken wrap was ok, but nothing you can't get in a dozen places along MainLine.
(3)Tovia W.
This place is good, and the meat is very high quality. It is just a tiny bit greasy, and the prices are pretty high, but it is worth it because their kabobs are delicious. Just bring a lot of money with you when you come here.
(3)Fran W.
Food is delish, plentiful and just a bit different from the other Mediterranean in the area. BYOB makes is reasonable and I've never had to wait for a table. Give it a try, especially if you're headed to the Bryn Mawr Theater up the street.
(4)Sean U.
Today, 3 friends and I went for lunch here. The hummus and pita that we started with was very tasty. Unfortunately, this was the highlight of the meal. Two of us ordered the falafel, which was really the worst falafel I've ever eaten. It was burnt and hard to eat. Another person got the eggplant, which was also burnt. The last person liked their meal -- they got some sort of chicken dish -- but I thought the price for that meal in particular ($20) was pretty unreasonable. I wouldn't go back to this restaurant.
(2)Kat B.
We ended up here after unsuccessfully trying to find Gullifty's Restaurant for an hour. The Grill was not crowded when we went and honestly, the food was good. One of our party had salmon with tahini and mixed greens. I tasted the tahini and it was very very delish! Excellent in fact! Just the right amount of spice/bite/kick to it. And healthy. Fresh veggies..... I went with a Italian tuna wrap which I got with greens, diced tomatoes and diced red onions. Italian tuna does not have mayo, making it a more healthy choice for dinner. I had a Pellingrino (lemon) for my beverage. I enjoyed it as this drink is not easily come by in most places. I would call this place a healthy, not fast food, but a healthy choice for eating if you are in a hurry and don't want full waiter service. There is a private lot (shared with some other stores) for convenient parking.
(5)Jeff L.
Went here for a take-out lunch. Had the lamb shish kabob. For $20 I thought way overpriced and lacked something. Quantity of rice was overwhelming (perfectly cooked), meh grilled veggies (tomato and squash) but delicious lamb (6 oz?). Could have used tzatziki for a flavor kick. In addition had the eggplant dip with pita. Kinda thicker than baba and it was cold not room temp but what was overwhelming was the terrible pita. It tasted like matza bread so dry and flavorless. I wanted to eat more eggplant but could not consume the pita, so I had nothing to eat it with. I was going to give 3 stars but as I read my own review I realize I would not go back. I'll try Zoe's 2 blocks away.
(2)Tala T.
I should have known not to go when it was classified as 'greek' food as opposed to what it really is 'Iranian' food. Why not be proud of serving Iranian food? Not sure... anyhow, we decided to go anyway because it is one of the few places in the greater Philadelphia area serving Iranian food. Having just returned from New York where I spent the past few months I had high hopes. There are several Iranian restaurants in NYC that serve great iranian food at reasonable prices (my favorite being Ravagh). We went in at 8 prior to them closing to 9pm. Does this mean we should be served food that is clearly not fresh? we ordered 2 appetizers: tahdig with gheimeh on top and kashk bademjan. I specifically asked our waitress if they were fresh or microwaved. She assured me it was fresh. Clearly that was far from the truth. Our tahdig arrived- STALE and chewy as opposed to crispy and fresh. I refused to take a second bite. it was clearly not even close to being fresh- i am just hoping it was from the same day. Then the kashk bademjan was served cold. I usually have had it hot. Wasn't sure if it had not been reheated properly or they just serve theirs cold. We shared a platter with two kabobs and rice. The red meat was not very good- chewy and smelly. None of this would have mattered if the prices were reasonable but for what they served they were charging a lot of money so you do expect to be paying for at least quality if nothing else. A disappointing experience. I was hoping to find a nice iranian place to dine in the city. No wonder it was empty. Guess we will drive back to New York whenever craving persian kabobs.
(1)Shayla K.
If you like Persian you might want to try the kashkebodamjan, ghormeh sabzi the kebob was a little dry and the dugh was old. Top that off with some Persian saffron ice cream or paludeh. It's been very good in the past, but not as good the past couple of times.
(3)John H.
Service: Poor. I worked for the State Department and used my language skills and pointed out a translation error on the menu. The waiter was a late 20s dirty blonde who proceeded to [demeaningly] sarcastically tell me to think about it again and 'you're wrong in a few' words in front of all my classmates. I told her to go ask the restaurant owner--she never did. Price: $$$$ Two of the most important factors for a ME restaurant that helps you base its value: lean meat and fresh green salads(including appetizers also known as MEZZA). Most ME put a lot of labor into making meat (ie marinated, spiced, cooked carefully).This restaurant gives you a kubideh, a jujeh beaf slice with a pitiful half tomato and a little squash (unlike the tomato was only boiled, not grilled) for @$22! $4 extra for a pitiful amount of hummus, at most three tablespoons, for four dollars. No side of salad with that, just a lot of white basmati rice (like loading up on pasta at Italian restaurants). Food: The food itself was pretty bland for Persian food. Most of the flavor was straight salt and the fat from the beef itself. No condiments were provided and the ones you'd find at ME restaurants (ie Sumac) was not available upon request In essence your meat and lean green to dollar and service + ratio is low with this one. A lot of upper class Main Line people eat here thinking it's a 'Greek' restaurant but it's not. People want authentic cuisines and if you can't acknowledge your own culture, ie Iranian, that's a fundamental flaw. -A finance student in the area. This is below par value. I'm pretty forgiving and would try a restaurant three times before a review but two very intentional sub par trips made me really think they won't change
(1)Adam F.
Excellent Persian BYOB in downtown Bryn Mawr. Lots of classic dishes, but try their specials: Persian meatballs, lamb stews, etc. Inside has a nice decor and the staff is fairly attentive. Great place to go with friends and a couple bottles of wine.
(4)Phil F.
Seriously, what are people thinking when they give this dump 3.5 stars? Went in for lunch, ordered spanikopeta appetizer, felafel wrap and grilled eggplant wrap. Simple, right? The app was definitely pre-frozen and microwaved (giveaway: it was wrapped in a soggy puff pastry). Then there was a long delay, which the waitress attributed to the eggplant had become frozen and they had to go next door to the pizzeria they owned to get more. When it finally came out it was a soggy, disgusting mess. My wife's felafel was also inedible...crumbly, tasteless, gross. When I asked for the check from the waitress, with two fully uneaten wraps (minus one bite each) sitting on the table, I would have expected some comment, like "was something wrong with your lunch?" But...nothing, she averted her eyes like she didn't want to know. So we paid and left, vowing to let fellow Yelpers know: disregard the stars, this was the Worst. Place. Ever.
(1)Majid E.
If you want the best Persian food around, this is the place. If you are looking for a gourmet food with the high quality ingredients, this is the place. The price is reasonable for the quality of food. I am very sensetive about the taste of low quality meat. My wife and I are regular customers and never had a bad experience in this restaurant.
(5)Dori M.
$9.00 for the worst felafel sandwich I've ever had! Even the pita was bad: tough and tasteless. The felafel itself was crunchy like sand and relatively unseasoned and dry. It fell out of the pita because it was crumbly and did not hold together. Maybe they forgot to cook it? or overcooked it? There were a couple of wilted strands of green (could that have been lettuce?), tiny bits of tomato, and a small plastic container of tahini (which did taste like tahini). Nothing else to reflect the prices on the menu. What a ripoff.
(1)Prasanna R.
Nice ambiance with wonderful Mediterranean food. It is near to the Bryn Mawr film institute. Me and my friend weren't hungry, when we went there. So, we ordered for an appetizer sampler and baklawa sampler. The appetizer sampler was pretty good. It came with hummus, yogurt, falafel, stuffed grape leaves and falafel. That was a decent deal. I loved the grilled eggplant on the platter. Baklawa sampler was also not bad. Overall, a good experience. The service could be better. Will visit again.
(4)Fereshteh A.
A little too oily, but really aromatic and delicious food. Quality of the meat is spectacular! pricing is a bit high, but since there aren't any other good persian restaurants that's understandable.
(4)Sani B.
What a horrifying establishment. We ordered the barg and the jujeh kabaab - the barg was incredibly dry and the jujeh was raw (yes, raw) on the inside. We also ordered the kuku, which was so salty it was inedible. Service was rude and inefficient. Also, truly over-priced.
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