On the busiest day of the Christmas lunching/dining year, I took myself up the road to Mediterranean Gate, on George IV Bridge. As proved to the case, I figured that its usual busy lunchtime trade would be reduced to trickle, with a flood of business likely to come their way once the full lunchtime bellies had been worked off with a busy afternoon of elbow bending.

Exterior

The place is focussed on takeaway business, across a range of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes. It has space for a few diners at shelf seating. At the splendid suggestion of the owner, I availed myself of this service, rather than delaying my shawarma gratification with the short walk back to the office.

It was indeed shawarma, of the chicken variety, that I ordered. The wrap was generously filled with hummus, baba ghanoush, salad, and chilli sauce, to accompany the juicy chunks of spiced chicken.

Cut in two and served simply on a plate, it looked remarkably good in its simplicity. I’m a messy eater at the best of the times, and today proved no exception as I attack the beastie with considerable relish.

Chicken shawarma

Each mouthful had a good blend of textures and flavour. The wrap was lightly toasted and crisp, the salad provided good crunch and freshness, while the goo elements provided mountains of flavour, with the firm flesh of the chicken rounding things off beautifully. It was one of the better wraps I’ve tasted, of late, so I was decidedly please with it.

At £5.50, it represented really decent value, as it kept hunger locked up for a good long while. I toddled down the road with a smile and a full belly, then spent a depressing busy afternoon on the office, with only key strokes to work off this delicious lunchtime treat.

So overall, I was very pleased with Mediterranean Gate. It lends itself well to filling grub on the go, and is a particular favourite when hunger strikes in between pubs, on an evening out. The food is really good and the welcome warm, with the owner really keen to impress and secure repeat custom. He has mine, guaranteed.

Scores

Blythe scores Mediterranean Gate
4/5 for food
3.5/5 for presentation
4/5 for service
3/5 for setting
giving an overall 14.5/20

Today’s quester was: Blythe

I ate: chicken shawarma

I drank: nowt

I wore: navy three piece suit

Total bill: £5.50