Mecca Restaurant & Bar

Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Melbourne 2000

Contributors' Choice
Page 33

The lure of Mecca proved irresistible to many admirers of prophet Greg Malouf's disciple, Cath Claringbold, and the seats filled quickly at this previously long empty Southbank premises. Perhaps expectations were too high for some of the Middle Eastern pilgrims who complained about long waits and expressed loyalty to other establishments. That said, here are the words of a convert -

"I'm not so experienced at giving earnest report when it comes to a festive night out. But that is what is called for. Mecca is a seriously good restaurant. There were four of us, we ordered liberally and picked at each other's plates and everything came out top of our class. Couldn't fault it. Here is a restaurant where conceptually as it were, hardened self-discipline is yoked by silken cords to a respect for ebullience, in lighting, in menu presentation, in interior design, food art, performance, delivery. Not so easy to achieve. And though as a consequence of its configuration, the food might be capable of killing conversation, vying with the view, subduing the scene, it doesn't. Afterwards, strolling home across the bridge, we saw the city twice, not from an excess of pudding wine, but because the Yarra had become a black canvas filled with electric lights, clouds, stars. Further down the river a white moon asked a question of the burning Shell building moon. Shell moon did not reply. But we four knew we had been spoiled for any other place, for a while."

MR3,
Midlevel Southgate
Southbank
Melways reference 1D:T3
Phone: 9682 2999
Opening hours: 7 days Lunch: 12 noon-3pm, Dinner: 6pm-late
Licensed
Credit cards accepted
Seats Inside: 60, Outside: 50
Closed: New Year's Eve, & Christmas Day
Features: Restricted smoking, bar, private room seats 14
Favourites: Turkish lamb ravioli spiced with coriander, chilli and pinenuts, yoghurt and mint sauce $13, Mecca mezze $15, Quail saltimbocca, cheese fried semolina and harissa spinach $17

*An updated review of Mecca