The wait is over for Malia fans

Ever since Second Wave reported in September that Jeff Samson was getting ready to open a new restaurant in downtown Battle Creek readers have been asking when they could start making their reservations.

And Samson says he was getting almost daily inquiries from individuals in the Battle Creek metropolitan area who were looking forward to sampling the Mediterranean-inspired cuisine that's the centerpiece of the menu.

Malia opened for business Dec. 17 without fanfare. The restaurant at 34 W. Michigan Ave. has seating for 75 and has been serving close to 350 people each day since opening.

There was no announcement simply because the owners could not be certain when the last "i" would be dotted and "t" crossed on all the paperwork needed to make the opening happen. As soon as everything was finalized Samson opened the doors and the restaurant has been doing a brisk lunch and dinner business since then.

So far the prime tenderloin steak priced at $30 has been the big seller with the dinner crowd. Specialty sandwiches such as pesto chicken, ahi tuna, and eggplant parmesan; salads; and pasta dishes are favored by diners at lunch.

The vast majority of ingredients in the food at Malia are grown and raised locally. When Samson has to go further afield for seafood such as Diver scallops or salmon, he finds the freshest possible. Breads are baked fresh daily and the menu includes desserts made especially for Malia. A prominently displayed menu board lists daily specials.

"It's Mediterranean fare -- fish, meats, a lot of pastas and grains," Samson says.

There are some notable Italian favorites such as spaghetti and meatballs honoring the Malia heritage. Samson made a name for himself locally when he opened a restaurant Marshall in 1993 also called Malia. That restaurant, which specialized in Italian cuisine using fresh, local ingredients closed in 2003 after a successful 10-year run.

"It's a new beginning with traditional values and personalized service," says Samson.


Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Jeff Samson, Malia