Mez

I have to go for the obvious pun. The atmosphere at Mez is “mez-merizing.” Though I’ve graced the upscale nightclub with my presence a few times (which sometimes features a saxophone player and a flexible body contortionist after-hours) I’d never dined there. Last week, my friend and I decided to check out the Charlotte Film Festival’s Short Documentaries block at the Epicentre movie theatre. (The Film Festival ends this week, so be sure to check out a movie! Click here for the schedule.) This might seem a bit complicated, so let me clarify – the Epicentre movie theatre is inside Mez. Yes, a movie theatre in a restaurant. How random, right? It’s actually brilliant, and the long list of wine offerings and small plates seemed like a perfect post-movie treat.

The short docs were very entertaining and educational, though I wish we had taken advantage of the food sitch: people were bringing champagne flutes and plates of food into the screening! After the movie, we walked down the hall to the restaurant, where we sat among photos of Marilyn, Marlon and Elvis <3 and floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains (and maybe even a Charlotte Panther…?)

After perusing the large cocktail menu, I decided on the Flora - a mixture of champagne, elderflower cordial and blackberry puree. Quite refreshing. Fresh focaccia bread was served with a delicious olive tapenade. A nice salty contrast to the sweetness of the beverage. (**I VOW to get in the habit of taking more photos. Apologies.) 

The Roasted Mushroom Flatbread is big enough to share, and then some. This delicious thin crust pizza features peppery arugula, gooey cheese and my fave, truffle oil. Anything with truffle oil is MONEY. (Literally. Maybe one day I’ll experiment with truffle oil at home, when I have an extra $50 to spend on the real stuff.) Though tempting, we decided against Illegal Bread, as we were already consuming enough bread and cheese, but I will be back to try it. It sounds too good to be…legal.

For a little protein, we chose the Grilled Chicken Skewers. The presentation and chicken itself were underwhelming, but the dipping sauces made this dish. Ponzu Sauce was reminiscent of soy sauce but sweeter and thicker, while Spicy Chilli Sauce brought a nice heat. The description of the chicken was “coriander and cumin-rubbed,” but I didn’t pick up those flavors. Three skewers though, were plenty to share.

Put on your artsy hat, go support the Charlotte Film Festival and dine at Mez on your way out. And if you’re into saxophones and gymnasts, go back on a Saturday night.

Mez