Restaurant Review 08 | Mida
A Second Installation
by Traci Crugnale on April 3rd, 2025
This time on Restaurant Reviews, we’re taking a fresh approach. Instead of exploring a new spot, we’re revisiting a familiar one—but with a different perspective and new dishes on our table. Join us as we return to Mida for a second round, seeing if our experience evolves or surprises us in unexpected ways!
Ambiance
Stepping into Mida this time felt like entering an entirely different restaurant. The last time we visited, it was early February—back when the sun disappeared by 4:30 PM, leaving the city wrapped in darkness long before our reservation. That night, Mida was bathed in moody, intimate lighting. The glow from the fixtures highlighted the warmth of the wooden bar, the cool contrast of metal detailing throughout, and the crisp leather chairs, creating a refined yet welcoming atmosphere.
But this time? The sun still hung in the sky when we arrived for our 6 PM reservation, casting natural light through the large windows that wrap around the restaurant. The space, usually cozy and atmospheric in the evenings, now had the airy feel of a bustling bistro. The transition from day to night hadn’t quite settled in yet, making for a completely different experience.
We were a group of six this time, seated at a high-top table on the north side of the dining area, where similar elevated tables filled the space. Though compact, it didn’t feel cramped—thanks to those expansive windows that offered a perfect view of the city outside. Cars zipped past, pedestrians strolled along the sidewalks, and the hum of post-work energy made its way into the restaurant. It was the ideal setting for what we had planned: the official launch of our new tradition—our foodie club.
Rather than spending yet another evening posted up at a bar, mindlessly snacking on chips and dip, my friends and I decided to shake things up. Once a month, we’d pick a new restaurant to explore—trading noisy crowds for good food and an intimate, relaxed atmosphere where we could actually hear each other and hang out. It was something we’d all been looking forward to, and tonight, we were finally making it happen.
Apps
When it came to appetizers, our table was stacked. My friend Pablo took charge of ordering, and if there’s one thing to know about Pablo, it’s that he doesn’t mess around when it comes to food. He’s all about indulgence—fully immersing himself in the experience—so naturally, he kicked things off with a little bit of everything.
Before we knew it, our table was covered with Crispy Polenta, Arancini, Glazed Duck Wings, Focaccia, Charred Cauliflower, and a warm bowl of bread. It was an appetizer feast, and as we eyed the spread in front of us, we couldn’t help but wonder if we’d even have room for our entrées.
The Crispy Polenta held up to its reputation from our last visit—though Pablo had a different stance: polenta just isn’t exciting enough for him. No hard feelings there, though—he had plenty of other favorites to focus on. The general consensus? The arancini were solid. Creamy on the inside, crispy on the outside—exactly what you’d expect. “It’s hard to mess up an arancini,” someone said, and the table nodded in agreement. The charred cauliflower? Decent, but nothing groundbreaking.
But the Glazed Duck Wings? Those were the clear winner. The meat slid right off the bone, packed with flavor despite being a refreshingly simple, no-frills dish. Sometimes, the best bites don’t need to be dressed up—they just need to be done right.
Entrees
For our main courses, we had a solid lineup of dishes at the table. I went with something completely new to me—the Icelandic Cod Piccata—while Pablo opted for the Mushroom Pappardelle, Tom chose the Roasted Chicken, Shelley went for the Cacio e Pepe Gnocchi, and both Sydney and Andrea landed on the Pacchieri Bolognese.
I have to say, I loved my dish and was so glad I took a chance on something unfamiliar. I’d never thought of baking fish in the style of chicken piccata, but the combination of lemon and capers on the cod was spot-on. It came with a side of farro and asparagus—both solid pairings. The asparagus was cooked well, though the farro leaned a little dry. Still, overall, the flavors and textures worked beautifully together, and I’d absolutely order it again.
Of course, in true foodie fashion, I made sure to get the full rundown from everyone else. For the sake of the newsletter—and because dissecting a meal is half the fun—I asked for their real thoughts.
Shelley found her gnocchi a little too peppery. Tom’s chicken, while flavorful, was slightly overcooked, and the risotto that came with it was very salty. The portion size was massive, which left him feeling heavy by the end—though we weren’t sure if that was the entrée itself or just the fact that we’d gone hard on appetizers. Either way, the table agreed: it was a lot of food.
Sydney chimed in to say she noticed the saltiness in her dish too. Meanwhile, Pablo had some notes on his pappardelle. The mushrooms, he said, didn’t taste like mushrooms at all—more like the vinegary kind you’d find in a jar. Plus, the dish was overwhelmed with breadcrumbs, to the point where his first bite tasted more like the crispy topping than pasta. On the bright side, he did appreciate the freshness of the pasta itself, though he thought it could’ve been thinner and more refined. His final rating? A respectable but unenthusiastic 6/10.
All in all, it was a mixed bag—but that’s what makes these outings fun. Some hits, some misses, and plenty to talk about.
Desserts
By the time we wrapped up our main courses, the table was split right down the middle—half of us had polished off our plates, while the other half was too stuffed to take another bite. I was definitely in the latter group. Between the appetizers and the hearty farro, I had reached my limit.
When dessert time rolled around, we were all pretty full, but we’d been talking about getting the tiramisu on our way over to the restaurant, so we made a snap decision to go for it. To our surprise, the dessert arrived incredibly fast—literally within two minutes. The presentation was a nice touch, too. The server placed the tiramisu in front of us and then poured a small vessel of warm espresso around it, letting it soak into every bit.
Overall, the tiramisu got good reviews from the group, but Pablo did admit, he had some mixed feelings about it. It was good—but I felt like it didn’t quite have that perfect balance that tiramisu needs. The thing with tiramisu is that it really benefits from some time in the fridge to let all the layers soak up the espresso and meld together. So while the flavors were all there, it didn’t quite hit that sweet spot for him. Still, it was a nice end to the meal, and I could definitely see others enjoying it more than I did.
Drinks
This meal came with a fun mix of drink choices! Sydney and Andrea both went for the Dante Piccante, a cocktail featuring house-infused jalapeño tequila, pomegranate, and lime. Tom and Pablo kept it classic with beers, opting for a mix of Peronis and Allagashes.
At first, everything seemed to be going smoothly—drinks were rolling out, everyone was unwinding, relaxing, and catching up after a long workday. But then, I noticed Pablo calling our server over after he received his beer. Turns out, there were bugs floating in it. Yep, not exactly the most appetizing sight. The server apologized right away and swapped it out, which was great, but the issue didn’t end there.
At the end of the meal, we realized they’d still charged us for the buggy drink on the bill. That left a bit of a sour taste in the mouth, especially considering the lack of attention to detail in resolving the situation. It was a small thing, but in the end, it kind of stuck with us.
Overall Experience
3/5
After visiting Mida about five times over the past four years, I’ve come to realize that the restaurant struggles a bit with consistency. I’ve had some phenomenal experiences there—nights spent with friends, family gatherings (see Restaurant Review 01), and even romantic dinners with partners. It’s definitely a gem in the city, one that everyone should try at least once for the combination of great food, drinks, and atmosphere.
That said, one common thread I’ve noticed is the inconsistency in attention to detail. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to food, but what I’ve found is that people either really enjoy their meal and experience at Mida or think it’s good—nothing more, nothing less. This visit was definitely pleasant due to the great company, the laughs, and a good meal.
But, I’ve had my fair share of both types of experiences. In fact, there’s one visit that I don’t often talk about, but it’s a good example of what I mean. It was the time I brought my best friend, excited after my first visit to Mida and raving about the Mida Mondays deal. I told her it was a must, and immediately made reservations for us to go. Here’s the thing, Grace is a vegetarian, and has been for years. When booking the reservation and upon arriving at Mida, I specifically reminded the server and hostess multiple times that she’s a vegetarian and couldn’t eat meat. We double-checked that the dishes we’d ordered could be made without meat when ordering as well.
But midway through the meal, a staff member—not even our server—came over to tell us there’d been a mix-up. They’d given my friend a dish with meat in it—apparently, there was meat in the sauce. My friend immediately went into panic mode, and understandably so, as she hadn’t eaten meat in years. The worst part? She ended up getting sick for the next few days, and I don’t recall if there was even an apology. This completely soured her experience, and she’s refused to return since.
So, while I’ve had a mix of experiences at Mida, this really highlights the importance of consistency. In the world of food, attention to detail can make or break an experience.
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