New format makes Market Grille Cafe traditional restaurant experience

Started as a fast-casual eatery, both Las Vegas Valley locations of Market Grille Cafe are now full-service, sit-down restaurants.

A recent visit to the newer of the two in Centennial Hills at 7070 N. Durango Drive (the Summerlin-area location is at 7175 W. Lake Mead Blvd. near U.S. Highway 95), revealed a spacious dining area, complete with the option of eating outside at a large, shaded patio area (the Lake Mead location is inside dining only). Instead of ordering at the counter and having your food brought to your table, Market Grille now seats its guests, with a server coming to take your order in a traditional restaurant experience.

Having eaten at both locations many times when it was a fast-casual concept, I have to say the new arrangement makes for a more relaxed dining experience. Arriving for lunch on a recent Friday at the Durango location, I was greeted and seated almost immediately. Service was prompt and attentive, with the Greek salad that accompanied the chicken pomegranate gyro platter I ordered arriving shortly after my order was placed.

The vast menu features a little bit of everything from the Greek repertoire: Traditional appetizers, ranging from around $6 to $10, include saganaki (flaming cheese), served table side on a flaming skillet with warm pita bread; satziki, Greek yogurt blended with cucumber, garlic, dill and lemon and served with warm pita bread; tabouli, a mix of fresh chopped parsley, red onions, mint, green onions, cucumber, tomatoes and couscous, also served with warm pita bread; and dolmades, or stuffed grape leaves, which come in an order of six, filled with ground beef (vegetarian is available) with basmati rice, currants, pine nuts and herbs.

Entrees range from Greek-style pizzas and paninis to Greek comfort food such as spanakopita (spinach pie), pastitsio (macaroni pie with ground beef and tomato sauce) and mousaka (ground beef, eggplant and potato casserole with bechamel sauce), each served with basmati rice, or make it an entree and add a Greek salad, hummus and pita.

From the Mediterranean Wraps section, my favorite has always been the pomegranate chicken, available on a spinach salad. In the wrap, the grilled chicken breast coated in a lightly sweet pomegranate sauce is served atop pillowy pita bread with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions and feta with a choice of hummus or yogurt sauce (try the yogurt sauce). You can make it a platter by adding a small Greek salad, basmati rice and hummus and pita for a small upcharge.

Market Grille offers a lunch special from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $8.50, which includes a beverage, choice of gyro, wrap, pomegranate chicken or chicken and veggie skewer and a side: seasoned Greek fries, basmati rice, Greek or spinach salad, or any soup.

A children’s menu is available. Menu items can also be prepared vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free upon request.

Happy hour is offered from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, including $4 to $6 appetizer selections and $4 house wine and beers.

No visit to Market Grille Cafe is complete without Aphrodite’s Cheesecake, served on a baklava crust. For added bliss, try the pumpkin variety.

The Durango Drive location is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Call 702-396-0070.

The Lake Mead Boulevard location is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday. Call 702-564-7335.

Visit marketgrillecafe.com.