Mezzet Dar in Hampton Court
Just half an hour from Waterloo (or closer if you live in South West London / Kingston etc.) is a popular Lebanese fusion Tapas restaurant with attentive staff and delicious food. Attached to a larger neighbouring restaurant, this is the smaller cosy option.
The front door goes straight into make the shift lounge, with three tables positioned tightly against the walls and into the front window. This probably used to be the living room before this was a shop and then converted into this restaurant. Behind the copper gilded tiny bar is a passage that would originally have led down the side of the house to the back quarters but has been converted into a quaint length of cosy dining with three tables for two. Off this is another dinning area, ideal for private parties or two tables for four. The candelabras and felt curtains and stocked wine shelf all give an atmosphere of having a private exclusive dining experience in someone’s home.
The menu has an array of tempting tapas, along with platters of Spanish ham and cheeses. Both cold and hot tapas described the potential for some mouth-watering dishes. I chose the Aubergine purée as the cold starter and a feta with halloumi parcel as the hot dish. While waiting for these to arrive the compliments from the other guests who were paying their bill was only adding to the expectation of having something really quite devine. Meanwhile, I sip on the full bodied, balanced and complex (their description for a section of red wines) Lebanese Prieure Chateau Ksara Syrah / Mouverdre (most 175ml glasses priced around £5 and therefore the Carafe serving nearly 3 glasses for around £13 may be better value for money for two guests).
The cheese rakakat (cigar shaped filo parcels) arrive. The mint dip and fried chorizo slices completed the dish. The filo was crispy and the filling subtle. I was able to enjoy this on it’s own before the next tapas came out. Perhaps not intentionally delivered separately but it worked for me. I gather from the busy comings and goings from the kitchen that they were to full capacity. So I ponder on the possible dessert options.
The dessert menu was not available with the main menu so I was sneaking a peek as platters passed by. It seems the restaurant specializes in churros pastry.
I’m reassured by the waitresses that my food is on its way. This is a secret review – I had a cancellation tonight and came upon this place on my way home – so I am duly impressed by the attention, which can sometimes be suspiciously good when going to a pre-arranged review meal!
The Moutabal and Shanklish toasties arrives. It is even better than described. The dish is actually two tapas in one. On four toasted (possibly BBQ grilled) slices of baguette are two different toppings. One has caramelised onions with goats cheese while the other had an Aubergine purée with pickled beetroot and walnuts. The varied textures, flavours and density of ingredients all complementing each other. I struggle to decide which of the two combinations will be my last mouthful! The goats cheese has a curious herb spice (“za’atar”) that is the winning deciding factor.
I’m left to quietly digest my meal before being offered a dessert menu. Pastries are a feature, along with an intriguing Lebanese liquor shot. I go for the churros with chocolate mousse and a cappuccino. This comes out first and has quite a kick! More a double espresso topped with frothy milk than a cappuccino but it goes well with the menu and environment.
The churros come out as three large chain link shaped stacked next to a scoop of thick chocolate mousse. The chefs may have paid more attention to the shape rather than the frying because they are too thin to manage the oil, which comes through as quite greasy. That said, the mouse is decadent and perfectly balanced. A nice surprise is the popping candy used instead of icing sugar!
All together a really lovely experience. Recommended for couples, small groups and adult families (although there is a kids menu to boot!)
4.5 stars!
Website: http://www.mezzet.co.uk/index.php/mezzet-dar-tapas-inspired-spain-lebanon/
Review by: @retrotravelbug
23rd October 2014
