Positioned on the New Quay Promenade at Docklands, Mecca Bah, sister restaurant to Southbank's Mecca, has quickly become a firm favourite. Offering Moorish food in Arabic style surroundings with breathtaking harbour views, it's not a wonder that people flock to sample the Middle Eastern fare.
The menu here is perfect for sharing with simple options like Mecca Bah dips and breads and chickpea battered mussels with skordalia, to the more exotic kataifi pastry filled with Middle Eastern cheeses, or the harira soup of spicy lamb, chickpea and lentil. From the tangines menu sample the lamb meatball baked with egg and served with a spicy tomato sauce, or opt for one of the many Turkish pizza options including sardine, caramelised onion, roast tomato and olive, or pastirma, roast garlic, fennel and goats cheese. From the grill choose the flathead fillets wrapped in vine leaves and chargrilled with a parsley and artichoke salad or the spiced lamb kebabs with fragrant rice pilaf and yoghurt sauce. Finish with a selection of Middle Eastern ice-cream flavours, Turkish delight or pastry choices such as the walnut maamoul. The extensive wine list offers many Australian varieties as well as having a reserve list, with prices to suit every budget.
Veda Wickens, April 2006
