Being a Mediterranean restaurant surrounded by all the Italian restaurants in the North End could…read moreeasily get lost in the shuffle, but Mood Restaurant & Cafe absolutely has its own identity. I think it's really cool to have that kind of variety in the neighborhood.
When you walk in, there's a nice mix of seating. There's seating by the windows, booth-style seating, and other tables throughout the restaurant. I really liked being able to sit where I could get some natural light. You can also somewhat see into the open kitchen, including where the coffee is being made, which gives the space a little extra energy.
One accessibility note: like many places in the North End, this restaurant isn't particularly accessible for people using wheelchairs or other adaptive devices. There are about three or four stairs to get inside, so that's something to be aware of before visiting.
Now, let's get to the FOOD because I was specifically craving chicken kebabs and Mood delivered! I ordered the chicken shish kebab, and both the flavor and the overall presentation were delicious. When the plate first came out, I was actually nervous because the portion looked a little small. But I was full at the end. So don't let the initial portion size fool you. At least with the chicken shish kebab, it was definitely more filling than it looked.
And then there was coffee. I'm not normally a coffee drinker, but sometimes the little things matter. I've been to several restaurants, especially French restaurants, where they don't have white sugar, and if I'm going to indulge in coffee, I need my white sugar! So when I found out Mood had white sugar, I was like, okay, we're in business. The coffee itself was fine, but honestly, having the option I wanted made the experience better.
I also really appreciated that they have a mocktail menu. I ordered one of their specialty mocktails, and it was good! Mine had a little spice to it, which gave it an interesting flavor and made it more than just a sweet drink.
Another little detail I enjoyed was seeing someone training another person while we were there. Just watching the interaction and seeing someone learn the ropes added another dimension to the experience. Sometimes those little behind-the-scenes moments make a restaurant feel more personable.
Overall, I really enjoyed Mood. Great food, a welcoming atmosphere, natural light, different seating options, mocktails, and a Mediterranean menu that gives you something different from the many Italian restaurants surrounding it.
I'd absolutely suggest giving Mood a try, and yes, I'll be returning myself!