Taste of the Mediterranean

278 Parker Ave., Clifton, NJ - (973) 253-0700

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Posted By Michael Stern on 3/12/2001 4:17:00 AM

If you like good garlicky salami, you will savor A Taste of the Mediterranean Sarajevo deli on the main street of Clifton’s Botany Village. It’ll be a bonus if you speak Serbo-Croatian, for then you will be able to communicate with the staff about the subtle differences among the assorted twine-wrapped sausages hanging over the counter, and they might be able to better explain to you the variations among the three salamis known as Teleca, Dimijena, or Pileca. All we were able to do was point at what was interesting to select it. Our bounty included not only salamis, but some spectacularly beautiful dried meats, plus a sack of Bosnian coffee and a curiosity we have yet to open – imported goulash in a can.

We were struck by the cleanness of this neighborhood store, in front of and behind the counter; we have never been in so spotless a market, anywhere. The variety of foodstuffs is broad, including beef and chicken just like a regular grocery, for this is apparently an all-purpose shopping destination for Adriatic folk with a hunger for old-country foods. A fascinating – to us incomprehensible – business card boasts of such specialties as “sudžuk, goveÐe, shuo meso, kobasice, viršle, bureks, and svježe meso.” We also noted a nice inventory of imported tea pots, cups, silverware, aprons, and other kitchen accoutrements.

Scorecard

Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip

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"These twine-wrapped salamis hang over the counter at Taste of the Mediterranean."
Michael Stern

"These dainty old-world teacups are displayed in the window and for sale inside."
Michael Stern

"Although we are fairly familiar with some Mediterranean cuisines, the foods we found in this place were new to us."
Michael Stern