The Mediterranean magic

The newest hatchling on St Mark’s Road, which is already bursting at the seams with innumerable eateries, is ‘Cafe Mezzuna’.

It keeps to itself in the basement but doesn’t fail to attract its share of eyeballs.
It quickly whips up a range of French, Spanish, Italian and Mediterranean tastes and textures, although there is a tinge of spices native to India.

Nibbles like ‘Hot pan grilled mushrooms with chilli, garlic, lemon and croute’, ‘Spinach and cheese sambousek’ and ‘Potato and leek croquette with cheddar cheese’ are some of the vegetarian specials, while the ‘Grilled cajun rubbed river cobber’ and ‘Harissa grilled chicken skewers’ are good non-vegetarian options.

When mixed with sides like creamy garlic dip, smoked paprika aioli, hummus and the traditional BBQ sauce, they add that extra tingle. But the ‘Heirloom tomato, olive and feta cheese bruschetta’ is a complete let down and doesn’t do justice to the dish.

It has an unusual salad, the ‘Chilled watermelon with feta and maple and galangal dressing’, which is a must-try. The feta cheese blends with the juicy watermelon to give it a warm tang.

It swirls in the back of the mouth before disappearing, leaving only a gentle
flavour. They have others like the ‘Caramelised goat cheese with tomatoes, toasted almonds and orange-mustard vinaigrette’. The thin crust pizzas are a tad too thin (more like crunchy ‘papads’) but the toppings are well-thought of. Wild mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, wilted spinach, smoked chicken, balsamic glazed onions and spiced Moroccan lamb are the various toppings.

Mini-burgers, wraps, pastas, risottos and lasagnes are the other mains. Try anything with baked vegetables, saucy toppings and zesty add ons. The chicken might be a little dry but it’s worth a try.

The mocktails, cocktails, smoothies and slushies are something to brag about, with innovative ingredients adding a punch.

So are the desserts, with the ‘Vanilla bean pannacotta and seasonal fruits’.There are two sections to the cafe — while the outside seating has unbearably loud music, the inside is decorated with a bit of pretension.

And the music plays only electronic chart toppers, ruining the essence of the otherwise lovely cafe.