Wild Fig- Healthy and Exotic

Since opening its first store in Glen Cove, Wild Fig Mediterranean Grill has wisely set about creating a brand for itself. All three locations, (the latest opened last year in Syosset) have bright yellow walls and tables, framed in wood and accented in blue hues that carry the theme back to the menu itself. The space on Franklin Avenue just off Stewart Avenue has a franchise-in-waiting feel about it.

The marketability of "Mediterranean" cuisine is unquestioned. Healthy diets revolve around crowd-pleasing salads, bean and vegetable-based spreads, un-sauced grilled fish and fresh baked flatbreads. Reasonable prices don't hurt either. Vegetarians have much to enjoy and meat eaters are well taken care of.  Think of Med cuisine as Greek with a twist. Wild Fig is actually Turkish but that label does nothing for business.

A great way for a table full to sample some of the exotic appetizers is the Mezze Platter ($11.99). Pick four salad/spread selections and dip the warm flatbread. I enjoyed eggplant salad, excellent Tarama caviar, white bean salad and spicy tomato spread served with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.

Another reason why I'd return to Wild Fig are the brick oven-baked pides. Think of it as Turkish pizza with imported Kashar cheese taking the place of mozzarella and toppings that include, spinach, eggplant, lamb, shrimp, sausage or gyro and chicken gyro. I began devouring a Gyro Pide ($9.49) cut into quarters, with knife and fork but finally picked it up with both hands. Another pizza-like traditional Turkish dish is the thin crust meat pie, Lahmajun ($9.99). Open faced and cheese-less, it's made here with minced beef or chicken baked on top of a thin crispy crust. I liked the peppery beef version a lot. At lunch it comes with a salad or soup. I had a nice bowl of red lentil. I couldn't help but think that both of these easy to like pies would be a winner, sold by the slice at the back window. Mediterranean Salad ($3.99/$7.49) is a Greek minus the feta. Spinach and Feta Flounder ($12.99) was very satisfying, simple and flavorful, and a great bargain. Moussaka ($12.99) too is a hearty choice, both with and without ground beef.

Had to go for the dessert, Wild Figs ($4.99) stuffed with crushed walnuts and drizzled with sweet baklava-style syrup, a great way to consume fruit. I aimed for the most unusual drink on the menu: Pomegranate Juice ($3.49). Bracing and very tart, I had to call for a water chaser, despite all those healthy anti-oxidants coursing through my system.