FRAT MUSTARDGrowing Malaysia’s Food & Beverage Industry

I like to drink… no wait, that’s putting it too mildly… I love drinking… hmmm, still too mild… if it were widely endorsed, booze would be my religion! Yes… that’s more like it. What is there not to like? Based on my track record, I never whine when there is wine, I am always spiritual among the spirits and the whole world looks better with beer goggles on… but HEY… boozing is not for everyone… and I respect that. I think anyone who doesn’t enjoy “drinking” and is able to endure peer pressure by opting for a latte or juice among a pack of drunks is so cool. You so gangsta! Respect… respect!

While I’ve been known to drink almost anywhere (and anytime), I prefer drinking outings which are at venues that are predictable, laidback and aren’t pretentious. Two venues which come to mind are Ronnie Q (Bangsar) and Bernard’s (Centrepoint Bandar Utama). I find that I am more relaxed at a watering hole when it isn’t too flashy or too uppity. Which brings me to Mezze. Mezze is a new bar and restaurant that located along Jalan Kasah, Medan Damansara (same row as La Risata). Last week, Perin Petrus, the Operations Director had invited a few of us (Fay, Lisa, Aly, babe_kl, lotsofcravings, bangsarbabe and yours truly) to check out the outlet.

Catching up over some drinks

I don’t know what it is… the “Feng Shui”, the lighting or even the attractive host… but there are some places you go to… and you instantly know with your gut that you are gonna enjoy yourself. Mezze is one of those places. As I stepped into Mezze… I instantly felt very at home. Mezze is not flamboyant or pretentious… in fact I’d say the interior design is clean and simple. I can’t pinpoint it but there is something familiar about the Mezze feel which I really like. Hmmm… I just read that out loud and Lisa said to me, “Familiar with the booze lah!” I must admit, she has got a point.

Mezze’s menu is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine but they have managed to cleverly tie it in with food that we are familiar with in Asia. Here are two examples of what we had for starters.

Pancetta wrapped prawn in tempura batter with wasabi aioli

Spring roll of pulled confit duck, shredded chicken, feta and mushroom with a green chilli jam

I think you guys have a better idea of what I mean right? It is Mediterranean, yet familiar. The prices at Mezze are very fair. You can pick up the Mezze Salad for RM9.50 and main courses like their Lamb Pilaf Pie is only RM23.00. We tried almost everything on the menu that night and I must say that is very good food for the price you pay. They keep things relatively relaxed at Mezze (it is a bar after all) so you are quite likely to have a chat with their head chef, Richard Brewer… a really fun chap, very chatty too… so much so that he had to be chased into the kitchen to cook our meal!

“I tell ya… and the guy ate a fish this big…”

Here’s what the bloggers said about Mezze (click on their handles for full review):

babe_kl – “Sincerely speaking, this is a great place to share and graze food and of course drinking as well.”

lotsofcravings – “ Truly enjoyed the concept and the food.”

aly – “… it was an overall fantastic meal. I will go back, and I will bring friends.”

bangsarbabe - “Mezze, the newest addition to the restaurants along Jalan Kasah has a lot going for it — a simple but sufficient menu, efficient service, decent prices, friendly atmosphere, and, most important, good food.”

Highlight 1 – Chargrilled coriander mint and honey soaked cutlets – RM28.00

Highlight 2 – Marinated spring chicken butterflied grilled on bare flame, Provencal potatoes and a burnt aubergine salsa – RM28.00

Highlight 3 – Tasmanian grass fed Black Angus ribeye chargrilled to your liking, sauteed potatoes, asparagus and sweet shallot and your choice of a sherry beef reduction or flavoured butter – RM65.00

Desserts for the evening – Mango Tart, Pana Cotta, Brownie, Affodato and something off the menu… Sticky Toffee Date Pudding. Thumbs up on all desserts!

Mezze is quite high up there as one of my favourite places now. I enjoy drink at places like Mezze, where you check your worries at the door. The fact that the food is great there too… is such a bonus. I highly recommend it and don’t you guys worry… I’m working on getting them to participate as a bookable restaurant at theQguides.com . I’ll let you guys know when they sign on. Until then…

Mezze
No 132, Jalan Kasah, Medan Damansara
50490 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-2095 0122