We visited Mezza train which is located below a residential complex, close to domestic airport and mascot station. If you drive, make you go early as it can be difficult to get a parking spot, though the owner informed us of a parking station across the road at a $10 flat rate.
It is a great meet up spot for a quick bite to eat if seated at the train, or a dinner with friends near the airport. It is basically the concept of a sushi train, but serving Lebanese cuisine. There are plenty of options on the train, but you can also order hot foods from the grill. You can also have made to order.
All seatings come with a basket of pita bread and crispy fried pita bread to be used with the dips. We tried all the dips on offer; including hummus 'lord of the chickpeas' (chickpea with tahini and garlic), baba ghannouj (smoked eggplant with tahini, garlic, and lemon), and labne (strained yoghurt with olive oil). They were all a nice consistency and very tasty.
From the cold mezza plates, we tried the 'shanklish' which was a salad; seasoned and served with diced tomato as described by them 'the goods' and it certainly was. We also had the 'arnabeet' - fried cauliflower, always delicious, as was the Haloumi. You can't go wrong with fried anything. These were also a Vegan and Gluten free option.
From the warm mezza plate options we tried the sambousek and kibbeh - minced beef in pastry shells with onion and lightly fried. My husband tasted the warn enab; similar to dolmades: vine leaves wrapped around rice, tomato, parsley. As great combination to try with the dips.
There are numerous vegetarian and vegan options to try including the falafel (my personal favourite) as well as gluten free selections.
From the grill, the Lebanese barbeque, this was cooked hot to serve. It included shwarma chicken served with garlic sauce which was a favourite of my husband. There was also shwarma lamb. The maanet were mini beef sausages, also very tasty. The Kafta was very nice - lamb mince with parsley, onion and garlic. There were more options; which made good accompiaments for the meat including the fattoush which is a tomato salad, tabouli and the kabees pickled vegetables.
There are so many choices but we couldn't try them all - so full but my husband did make room for some sweets. He tried the baklava which was very tasty but his favourite was the knafeh - a semolina mixture with melted cheese, crushed pistachio drizzled with orange blossom syrup. A different version to the bearded brothers, but just as tasty. Because the dishes are small plates, it gives you the opportunity to try many things which is great. Will have to definitely come again sometime.
There are a wide range of alcoholic choices; wine, beers and cocktails as well as soft drinks and juices.
The owner and staff there were very informative and hospitable. He tells us that the food is just as good as his mothers, as many of his guests would agree. Just don't tell their mums ;)
A great experience to dine here and we'll definitely be back for a revisit. read more