Bircher Muesli

Bald Eagle can be unpredictable in many ways.  He used to be a lot more unpredictable in the days when he was wooing me, but I suppose despite the years that have since passed, he is still able to surprise me occasionally with an unanticipated move.  There is, however, one area in his life where I don’t need a crystal ball.  When we’re out for breakfast at any western restaurant on a Sunday after church, he immediately zeros in on the Big Breakfast (sausage, bacon, toast, eggs, etc).  I suppose it makes sense for a hearty eater like him to order the largest item on the menu, what more when he eats just oats and muesli on regular days.

Blueberry Pancakes

We received an invitation from the owners of Mezze (via Frat Mustard) to sample the Sunday Champagne Brunch (where champagnes are served at a 20% discount), and I thought it would be a good idea to see if Bald Eagle would deviate from his usual order.  Plus point about Mezze – location, which on a Sunday afternoon makes parking remarkably effortless.  Negative point about Mezze – also location, which on any night makes parking disturbingly dreadful.  The food is Mediterranean, which leaves me completely confounded, as it could represent cuisine from at least 20 different nations.  The credo at Mezze is this: “…food tastes best when shared with friends and family…a meeting place where worries are checked at the door…”  Lovely.

Cinnamon French Toast

And the food?  It started off exceedingly promising, with Cinnamon French Toast (RM12.50) with butter and maple pecan syrup followed by Bircher Muesli, a delicious creamy porridge with nuts and fruits, served cold.  The texture is achieved by soaking oats overnight in apple juice and then adding the other ingredients together with cream and yoghurt to achieve the right consistency.  We washed all this down with Bellini, a cocktail made with sparkling wine and homemade peach puree.  Absolutely indulgent.

Eggs Benedict

I liked the Eggs Benedict (RM15.50) too.  The muffin was lightly toasted and topped with crispy bacon, poached egg and hollandaise sauce.  At Mezze, one can choose from a range of toppings – bacon/ham, smoked salmon, asparagus or mushrooms, all at different prices.  Interesting trivia – I read in Saveur magazine several months back that eggs benedict may have been first created at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in the 1800s where a guest requested for this dish which wasn’t listed on the menu.  The name came about much later, of course.  Don’t take my word for it, though.  I read things like this in the toilet, and sometimes, my concentration wavers.

Spanish Tortilla

Lamb Pilaf

The Spanish Tortilla (RM11) is an omelette with sauteed potatoes and onions, and in Mezze, one can have a choice of either chorizo or feta in the tortilla.  The Lamb Pilaf Pie (RM23), on the other hand, is an unlikely concoction which hardly qualifies as Mediterranean but was apparently retained on the menu due to its popularity.  The idea of combining a pie with rice may work for some, but it didn’t strike me as a harmonious marriage.  Not one of my favourites.  I have no complaints about the preparation, though.  The basmati rice was cooked well with distinct and firm grains, and the spices lent a beautiful aromatic flavour to the rice.

Mezze Breakfast

Bald Eagle’s usual (boring) order was, much to his excitement, available in Mezze too.  Known as the Mezze Breakfast (RM26, or RM28 with coffee), the dish consists of home baked beans (as opposed to beans from a can), mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, pork bangers and eggs done in any style.  We had scrambled eggs, which unfortunately wasn’t runny enough.  It’s funny how something as simple as scrambled eggs, when properly done, lift my spirits, but bad scrambled eggs turn me into a grump.

Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding

The Blueberry Pancakes, despite the spectacular vision, were slightly leathery to me, while the Roast beef with Yorkshire Pudding was dry.

Bottom right, next to pretty girl: Chef Richard Brewer

Desserts fared a little better than the final three dishes.  The Chocolate Brownie (RM19.50), made with Valrhona chocolate, topped with chocolate sauce and Haagen Dazs ice cream was sweet and delicious, while the Sticky Date Pudding was in a league of its own, made with muscovado sugar and mollases which lent it a slight salty taste.

Mezze
No. 132, Jalan Kasah
Medan Damansara
50490 KL

Tel: 03-2095 0122

Opening hours: Tue – Sat: 12noon to 3pm, 5pm – 11pm; Sun: 10am – 3.30pm (closed Mondays)

Thanks to Perin and Shantini Petrus for kindly hosting the lunch.

UPDATE (thanks babe_kl!):

“Effective Monday the 18th of January, Mezze will be open from Monday to Saturday from 5pm to 1am. We close on Sundays. The decision to stop lunch and our Sunday brunch is only temporary.”

A lesson to be learnt, I suppose, that restaurants and food blogging are dynamic and fluid. Note to self: Don’t wait a whole month after eating to blog about a place. 🙂

Bellini