Bites Nearby: Lotus Farm to Table is Exceptionally Delicious

I am inundated with food media on a daily basis. I guess it's an occupational hazard but I will admit that I have been reading the New York Times food section for as long as I can remember and I am guilty of getting bogged down by the numerous foodie sites out there. The dozens of e-mails I receive from these sites aren't always welcome but I never unsubscribe for fear of missing out on something really good. As you peruse all the sites, magazines, newspapers, etc. you will realize that certain words show up all. the. time. "Farm to Table" is a phrase that is thrown around so much that I almost didn't want to go to in Media but I am so glad that I did. It was one of the more memorable meals I've had in a while.

I arrived on a very sunny but still remarkably cold afternoon, post-yoga (how I manage to not be 500 pounds with all the restaurants I review), starving. I sat down in one of the gorgeous but very heavy wooden chairs and was greeted by my lovely server. I looked over the extensive tea list and lunch menu and decided on the "charm" tea ($3), a lemony brew that would refresh me like a spring breeze and clear away fatty deposits (nice). Before the beautiful tea service arrived, I received a small bowl of olives which were delicious. The tea was very light and refreshing although I can't say that any fatty deposits were cleared away.

For my lunch I ordered a cup of the sweet potato soup with bacon and leeks ($5) and the fish tacos ($13). The soup came in the biggest "cup" I have ever seen and was rich and creamy despite a lack of dairy. It was hot and perfectly seasoned. There was no need to add any salt or pepper. The small amount of bacon and lightly cooked leeks was a great accompaniment to the soup, any more and it could have been overpowering.

The fish tacos took a while to arrive but they were well worth the wait. The bass (it's in season right now) was right on the money as was the fresh guacamole, paprika spiked dressing, pickled shallots and rocket (arugula). I slathered on some guacamole, sour cream, a few cilantro leaves and a squeeze of lime and I was in heaven. These are fantastic with all sorts of flavors melding together in perfect harmony. The duo of steamed flour tortillas for each taco reminded me of the fantastic fish tacos I used to enjoy all over San Francisco and Los Angeles. One bite of this taco and I was transported back to the West Coast. I scarfed down the two tacos like there was a fat bully about to steal my lunch running towards me.

The service is friendly, casual and quite accommodating. The decor is heavily Asian with dark wood furniture, sparse photographs of flora and a light green hue on the walls. The bathroom was immaculate and had the most beautiful sink I have ever seen (there is no photograph, I will never take a camera into the bathroom with me). It's a very serene place to escape the hustle and bustle of the main drag in downtown Media. I will definitely be back and you should go too.