LOCATIONCentrally located on Lygon Street with easy access by tram.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAThis family run restaurant is a great place to head if you are looking for a fun, lively dining experience. A large mural dominating one wall leaves no illusions as to the type of cuisine on offer here, and the large space hums with activity, whether it be the attentive waiters bringing your complimentary starters or explaining the wine list, large tables of people enjoying the banquets or the gyrations of the belly dancer who makes an appearance on weekends. The atmosphere is warm, vibrant and welcoming and the air is redolent of garlic and spices. Mezza Lebanese Grill offers traditional dishes from throughout Lebanon, starting with a good selection of entrees – try the chicken cigars or the house-made dips.
Mains feature familiar items such as lamb and chicken shawarmas, kaftas, shish tawook skewers and riz a djaj (steamed chicken on a rice pilaf with minced lamb, roasted pine nuts and almonds). Traditional specialties include mjadara, a mix of lentils and rice topped with caramelised onion, the mihshee malfouf (stuffed cabbage leaves) and fatteh (slow-cooked lamb served on a bed of toasted pita with a garlic-infused yoghurt sauce). The banquets are also great value – the popular and generous “cedar banquet” offers 10 entrees, several mains and dessert. The staff are clearly enthusiastic and a love of Lebanese food and pride in the culture springs forth with zest from this restaurant. The menu is peppered with information about lifestyle and customs, and the BYO policy allows for a dominance of Lebanese wines on the list. Let the knowledgeable staff guide you in your choice of these surprisingly good wines to accompany some excellent, traditional-style Lebanese food.
Angela Costanzo