By Carole and Ericah Leone
What's the next best thing when it comes to a
soccer tournament besides playing and bonding with teammates? Stopping to have
lunch on the way home on a cute little street with my mom! We picked a fun
looking restaurant called Mellow Mushroom. Mom wasn't sure at first if this was
an appropriate restaurant, considering the name and the fact that there were some bars and even a hookah lounge down the street, but after checking the place out
and noticing that there were kids' menus, we thought it would be fine. And it was
more than fine!
The decor was very unique-in a good way. The
main floor looked family friendly with booths and colorful walls. Upstairs had
an outdoor patio with lights hanging above that looked fun but too cold for us
on that day. We chose to dine upstairs where there were 5 screens with various
sporting events, appropriate for a Sunday, but we were easily able to talk and
the screens were not intrusive.
The crowd was very friendly, sitting at tables
and sitting at the bar as well. This did not remind me at all of a big-chain
sports restaurant because it still had very unique Pinterest-like decorations.
There were Kentucky bottles hanging with lights and a hip splatter painted
statue.
Since I had played 3 intense soccer games that
weekend, I was starving. Immediately when I saw bruschetta on the menu I had to
have it. Mom was excited! When they came out, I thought they were 5 wonderful
early Christmas gifts. Not only did they have fresh basil and tomatoes, but also
an amazing balsamic glaze that rolled down the golden baked pieces of bread.
Once you took a bite, the whole masterpiece came to together like a dance party
on your taste buds!
A short time later my Carnie Burger (as opposed
to the Herb Veggie Burger) arrived at our table along with my mom’s salad. With
the smell of caramelized onions along with roasted potatoes, I was hooked.
Although a touch messy, you wouldn't have been able to keep me away!
My mom’s Enchanted Spinach Salad was full of
fresh spinach, apples, caramelized pecans and sprinkled with feta cheese in a cool lopsided bowl.
Our
waiter was an added touch of entertainment, reminding me of Shaggy from
Scooby-Doo.
All in all, I am very pleased that we made this
stop. And, by the way, we got 2nd place in our
tournament!
