What a small gem in this part of the IE. It is so special and unique, whether you’re traveling East, or just in the neighborhood for a visit – you just must try Happy Mediums. Every menu item is so unique, colorful and different, it is healthy, using only the best ingredients. Truly each one is a work of art!
The interior is filled with sunshine, with an outdoor area, as well as indoor café style seating, it is all very cozy. But the star of this show is their food. When I was there late afternoon, on a Saturday, it was very crowed. There was a freak windstorm that rattled the people sitting outside, so they just packed up their food and continued eating inside. You have to understand the food is just so exceptional and lovely, you can see why all of these patrons are waiting in line to order. I met a group of girls that were on their way to Joshua Tree and stopped in by seeing a review on yelp about Happy Mediums. Most of them ordered the various toasts menu items, and loved every bite.
Salads and More:
Shredded Caesar Salad, with shredded cabbage and Brussels sprouts, shaved celery, parmesan, and focaccia breadcrumbs, with house-made vegetarian Caesar dressing. (Vegan modification available — this will remove parmesan and substitute lemon vinaigrette.) This is a wonderful, super healthy salad, talk about roughage, this one will give you all that you need. Did I mention the wonderful creamy texture and flavor.
Crispy Potato, with horseradish cream and chives. This is a potato pancake with super smooth dipping sour cream and chives, another delicious menu item.
Sandwiches:
Classic Hoagie, with Cheddar cheese, banana peppers, shredded lettuce, and herby aioli, on VBC sesame hoagie roll. With your choice of oven-roasted turkey, ham, or avocado. A huge sandwich, very mellow and mild, three people could share this one.
Tri Tip with Tri-Tip steak, with Romesco sauce (gluten free), garlic aioli, orange, and cilantro, on VBC ciabatta. There is something about the orange that really sets this sandwich apart, it’s a real winner.
Muffuletta with Mortadella, with capocollo, salami, house giardiniera, mustardy-mayo, and arugula, on house sesame focaccia bun. I have had many muffulettas, but the bread on this one, which they bake fresh, is other worldly, a must-have sandwich.
Roasted Cauliflower with whipped tahini, walnut-sultana relish, cotija, mint, and arugula, on house-made herby flatbread. This is a great way to get in your veggies while enjoying a delectable taste treat.
Toasts:
Smoked Fish Toast with smokey fish shmear, pickled lemon, capers, and chives on Village Bread classic sourdough. I grew up with shmears, but this one was super light and velvety, with the sliced lemons and capers, simple but incredible, and the bread!!!
Avocado Toast, with 8-minute egg, pepitas, spiced feta, orange aigre doux, and dill, on Village 5-seed toast. It seemed like while I was there everyone was getting this hearty menu item. I get it, you get your eggs and avocado with the other fixings all is one huge piece of thick toast.
Ricotta Toast, with whipped ricotta, heirloom tomato, castelvetrano olive-pepperoncini relish, and basil, on griddled VBC thick cut sourdough. Another superb choice of a wonderful toast dish.
Dessert:
French Toast Bread Pudding, with lemon curd and basil. All I can say is you have just got to try this!
Passion Fruit Pie, passion fruit tart with meringue and graham cracker crust. Tangy, but sweet, another wonderful way to end my very enchanting meal.
Bonnie Hernandez and Shea Montanez began Happy Mediums as a pop-up from their Echo Park home in 2021. They have since partnered with Sean Readman in opening their first brick and mortar restaurant— a sandwich shop and neighborhood eatery in Calimesa, CA.
Happy Mediums is committed to offering thoughtful, delicious food and the highest level of quality and care in everything they do. They are dedicated to cultivating a fulfilling environment for both their team and their customers.
Whether you’re taking in the sites in the area, or live nearby Happy Mediums is really a great treat amongst many other restaurants that do not offer the same creative fun food and environment. So, see for yourself and get into tasting something unique and so special. The name says it all!
Happy Mediums
1007 Calimesa Boulevard, Suite H,
Calimesa, CA 92320
(909) 570-9009
https://www.eathappymediums.com/
Tuesday – Sunday
Breakfast & Lunch
8am – 3pm
*Note Some Content Was Taken Off Of Their Website.
