MezzaLuna
You'll have noticed MezzaLuna on your travels.?
Halfway down City Road is a restaurant front that resembles a cross between a Lycian temple and your average Bedrock eatery.?
It is an impressive decor that continues inside: the floor, ceiling, walls, bar and toilets have all been painstakingly conceived and designed to encapsulate the authenticity of the Moroccan and Lebanese cultures its food represents.
"It took one man six months to complete from start to finish," says owner, chef and nice guy,?Noffel Kelly. "He was armed only with a hammer and chisel, but the result was worth it."?
Closer inspection shows that the attention to detail is indeed exemplary, with an elaborate selection of castles and historical scenes played out across every inch of wall. Combined with the open kitchen and its roaring kiln oven centrepiece, diners are enveloped in a swirl of blissful surroundings as they browse the menu.
We started with jawinih dajaj (£3.55) - marinated spicy chicken wings with coriander served with a garlic dip, and kafta balls (£3.95) - spicy lamb meat balls with coriander, onions and tomato sauce. The spice was right on both dishes, with the meat balls particularly succulent.
Onto mains, and my co-diner went for lamb meshwi (£10.95) - tender cubes of lamb chargrilled and served with salad, salsa and rice, while I steamed into the mixed grill (£12.95) - lamb meshwi, lamb kafta and shish taouk served with salad, salsa and rice.?
The power of the open-fire oven was evident across the meat; all was seared to perfection and found a great balance with the cooling salsa and generous serving of rice.
For dessert it was two spoons and the mixed sweet combo (£2.50 per person, minimum two people), which consists of?(deep breath):?baklawa -?layered filo pastry with a pistachio and walnut centre, ataif - mini pancakes filled with Ishta cream, and sugar-free mango ice-cream.
A?cacophony of textures and tastes, to be sure, and the perfect way to take foodies over the edge and into button-busting territory.?
Thank goodness, then, for the belly dancer who appears on a Friday and Saturday, giving us the chance to remain seated for some time longer while our meal descends to a moveable level.
Ticking not only all the boxes of taste, but also of sight and touch, MezzaLuna is a contender for good time central outside of the city centre. Like it's cousin just up the road, The Hawaiian, it has the good sense to discard?pretension in favour of ensuring the punters get value for money and a refreshing dining experience.? ?
MezzaLuna :: 159 City Road :: Cardiff :: 02920 472772 :: info@mezzalunacardiff.co.uk?? ? ?
2 Comments – Postiwch sylw
untamedclare
Rhoddwyd sylw 39 mis yn ôl - 15th February 2009 - 17:12pm
Ah there is so much to say about Mezza Luna, been going their frequently for two years now and is just so good. Tasty food, friendly staff and a really nice atmosphere. I've not seen another restaurant like it in Cardiff.
G.J*
Rhoddwyd sylw 39 mis yn ôl - 5th March 2009 - 18:42pm
My mum went there with her work mates, some of them even tried belly dancing! LOL!!!