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
BFF, firstly I would like to say that I’m very happy to have you back posting on a regular basis. Even though it’s twice a week, it’s still heart tingling to read your stories. The void you leave when you’re not blogging can’t be filled by anybody else. So keep it coming!
Now back to post, what a lovely brunch! Kelvin was just asking me for a place to go, perhaps I’d just bring him here. Can’t wait to try the divine looking Cinnamon French Toast. Say, doesn’t the pilaf look like lap mei farn? 😛
The eggs Benedict looks *gorgeous*
Of all the pics, the one of FBB is the cutest! Heh
apparently there are many kinds of “benedict” recipes, but the one that attracts me the most is the “goose benedict!!!” never had it before, but here’s the definition from wikipedia: “Goose Benedict consists of goose fat spread on an English muffin, with a fried goose foie gras stuffed with black truffle and black pudding, topped with a gull’s egg and Hollandaise sauce.” now tell me that doesn’t sound obscenely sinful!
Eh? Why got Donald Duck wan?
mmmmm…. All the food looks so good! 🙂
(Breakfast washed down with champagne – sounds like a great way to start the day….)
tat egg hollandaise does look miles better than the 1 my sister ordered at dome, for the same price!
How to create those bling bling light at the pix background? 😛
Munkeyboy: Your words are an encouragement to me. Thank you! I’d rather write for just one person who appreciates my writing than to a thousand who don’t. Pilaf looking like lap mei farn? CHIS!! No way can anything come close to my darling lap mei farn than lap mei farn itself. Yeah, I’m talking rubbish. Enjoy your makan at Mezze. The Sunday Brunch will be good for you coz you can choose whether or not you want champagne.
neko-hime: Yes, it’s lovely! 🙂
TNG: you mean FBB looks cuter than the eggs benedict?
Sean: OMG, that sounds so amazing! I reckon I could source most of the ingredients to make it at home, but I dunno where I’d get the gull’s egg, though. In fact, I never knew that gulls eggs were edible. Then again, I suppose all our feathered friends’ eggs should be okay for our consumption. If you ever find something as amazing as goose benedict here in KL, call me. 😉
J: Donald Duck – can’t you see the resemblance? Yes, nothing like champagne any time of the day. 😉
lotsofcravings: Not many can get it right. I liked the halal version in Delicious Dua Annexe too.
uLi: I framed the picture with the Christmas tree (with blue and green lights) in the background. No magic involved. 🙂
Meena, there’s a change in the opening hours as per the latest Mezze newsletter…
“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.”
babe_kl: Thanks for the update! I’ve amended the blog post accordingly.
are you sure i was there??? did you just pluck a random pic and put it up??? gosh, this was like last year right? and before christmas? and before our xmas party? so that makes it TWO new years ago. whats the opposite of current affairs? uncurrent? undercurrent?
BUT OKAY, still, gorgeous write up as usual. one can only aspire to such eloquence.
FBB: It was just one month ago lah. Chis.
OH GOD! just look at that eggs ben, and all the sausages. I’m SO HUNGRY NOW! sorry for the caps, but i’m really hungry after looking at all the photos. hahaha Sunday, champagne and brunch, they always go hand in hand together : ))
ladyironchef: Hehe…flattery will get you everywhere, dahlink!
damn! love it.. u nailed the eggs B shot huh;)
i wanna go mezze.. heck get me outa A.S. asap!!!
i left a similar comment on ahpa’s blog. iv resorted to guzzling beer in the hotel lobby.. chis.. 😛
I hope the Sunday closure is indeed “only temporary”!! Shame about the eggs – I almost invariably never get mine scrambled even though it’s my fav style of preparation, just to avoid having them screwing it (and my day) up!
you’re most welcome cos i cant wait to go for their brunch LOL
Hi!
Thank you for the gorgeous pictures! I am a big fan, all the way from Canada!
May I know if the pictures were taken on your Canon or Sony camera?
Thanks!
ciki: Thanks! Looks like u made it out of AS alive and in one piece!
minchow: I agree, I think the best scrambled eggs that I’ve eaten are the ones that I’ve cooked myself!
babe_kl: Me too!
Mei, my big fan from Canada: Hiya! Wow, Canada, eh? 😉 Welcome. 🙂 These pics are taken with my Canon 500D and an external bounce flash. The pics for the Vineria post were taken with the Sony T90. I guess it’s easy enough to tell the difference. 🙂
i coulda sworn i commented here. eggs benedict look good.
Hehe, the first few pics before we hit dessert was so saintfully healthy that I thought I was reading the wrong blog… But as usual, the desserts save the day.
We really can’t go wrong with anything chocolate rite? 😛
oh no! i’m like i so wanna go!!… until the end with the update. but i am one guilty of blogging wayyy after a review too 😛
hi. absolutely love the pixs. which camera did u use? cheers.
JI, thanks! it’s a Canon EOS 500D.
thx for the prompt reply. i nvr got around to check out yr blog… boy, am i missing a lot. found the nambawan (gave up on talking to the lady who can nvr give us a proper direction) and the pork burger was awesome!
fabulous, Jl! (errr.what lady?) I need to go to Nambawan again…been too long! 🙂