Mezza Grill Lebanese Cuisine

LOCATION
In Mona Vale in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Stylish – that’s the first impression of Mezza Grill Lebanese Cuisine. Unlike so many of its contemporaries, this Lebanese restaurant manages to balance the right amount of authenticity with a clean, modern style. The entrance is flanked by an alfresco courtyard of smart tables that sit on weaved rugs. One side of the restaurant is floor-to-ceiling glass giving these tables a good view of the inside. Indoors you’ll find a sophisticated restaurant decked out in soft earthy tones. Postcard-like images of Lebanon make up a back feature wall, while the rest of the space is painted in mocha tones. A touch of the authentic is added with light cream sashes which run across the ceiling to meet at the centre beneath colourful Lebanese lamps. Also adding elements of authenticity are beautifully decorated sheesha pipes (which can be enjoyed as part of your dining experience).

As the name suggests, the restaurant offers mezza-style dining. In Lebanese culture sharing food is an expression of love, so the food at Mezza Grill has been designed as plates to be shared with the entire table. The menu is exhaustive and goes beyond the kebabs, koftas, falafels and dips that are commonly associated with Lebanese cuisine. So you can try dishes like salata haloumi and rocket salad (a salad of fried haloumi and rocket), fatayer (pasties filled with spinach and onion) and mihshi malfouf (cabbage leaves filled with white rice, lamb, shallots and herbs) as well as mezza pizzas, a grill selection and mezza from the sea. If it’s too difficult to choose, there are some fabulous banquet options. And if you have any more love to share you should definitely grab a dessert. This can range from a slice of baklava or scoop of gelato to sha’abiyat or even a mezza dessert plate.

Agnes Gajewska, February 2010