Still thinking about the Foie @ Mezze

Micah Wexler has a way with foie.  My last bite of foie before the ban began was the Foie Gras Terrine at Mezze, the Mediterranean restaurant on La Cienega where Chef Wexler .  Crushed pistachios, grapefruit wedges and flowers all provided for both a visual and flavorful oomph of harmony.  The texture was creamy and perfect.  Rich but not maddeningly so.  This is the first foie dish I will look forward to when foie becomes legal again.

Jewish Deli Night @ Mezze

Mezze, Micah Wexler's Mediterranean restaurant on La Cienega, recently launched a Sunday night only special menu of matzo ball soup and pastrami sandwich.  The regular menu is also available on Sunday evenings, but these two Jewish deli classics are hard to resist.  Fortunately for Dine LA fans, they are both on the Mezze Restaurant Week menu if you eat at Mezze on a Sunday.

The Matzo Ball soup ($10) was excellent.  The matzo ball was light and fluffy and the broth was intense and rich and sprinkled with chicken cracklings.  Large chunks of chicken meat, carrots, celery and onions all lurk beneath the surface of the broth.  This is not a dish you are going to want to share.

The Pastrami Sandwich ($15) was also quite good, although the bread was too soft for my taste.  The pastrami meat was well seasoned but mild if eaten alone.  It is the house-made mustard that truly gives the sandwich a kick.  The combination of the sliced pastrami, the mustard and the bread does form a wonderful sandwich.  If they had bread from Langer's, it would be a true home run.  The meat is thickly sliced and the portion is filling without being huge.  Good stuff.  Perhaps Chef Wexler should consider opening up a deli as a spinoff and give Canter's a run for its money in the neighborhood.  With Langer's not open for business in the evening, the matzoh ball soup and sandwich is the best Jewish deli for miles around, if only for one night a week.

Mezze: 401 N. La Cienega Blvd, Mid City. | 310.657.4103 | mezzela.com

Mezze's New Bar Menu

Chef Micah Wexler's Meditteranean restaurant Mezze opened to strong reviews this March in the former Sona location on La Cienega.  Mezze has a striking interior and opened up the space with a large open kitchen.  The glass provides an expensive view into the gleaming white kitchen where Wexler and his team prepare the small plates the restaurant is known for.

Earlier this month Mezze launched a new Bar Menu, providing the opportunity to try Wexler's cuisine in sharable small portions, suitiable for munching along with one of the signature cocktails.

A highlight of the cocktail list is the Baharat Milk ($10), below, is made with Barbancourt 8 Year, Remy VS, Baharat Milk and grated pistachios.  The frothy milk blends well with the rich Haitian rum and the Cognac and the grated pistachios add both an attractive dash of color as well as a sweet nutty finish.

The cocktail list, along with the beers and wines are half price during the twice nightly "happy hour" at the bar from 6 - 7:30 pm and again from 11 pm - 1 am.  The new bar menu is available all night, although not at half price.

The rest of the cocktails on the list are:

Grapefruit Sergio: St. Germain, Vodka, lemon juice, grapefruit juice ($10)
Sumac 75: Sparkling Wine, Cocchi Americano, Sumac Syrup ($11)
Angeleno: Gin, Aperol, orange juice, lemon juice, bitter lemon soda ($12)
George Dickel Pickle: Whiskey, mustard seed, lemon, celery, serrano pepper ($11)
Mongo: Don Julio Anejo Tequila, Peychaud and Angostura Bitters, Lemon Juice ($16)

The new bar menu includes:

Zatar Bread and Olive Oil ($4)
Warm Pita with Honey and Butter ($4)
Grandma’s Chopped Chicken Livers with Grape Mostarda and Mini-Challah ($10)
Eggplant Hushpuppies with Onion Fondue ($6)
Potato Knish with House Mustard ($7)
Merguez Sausage Flatbread with Tomato Jam and Aleppo Pepper ($14)
Egyptian Rebel Fries with Heirloom Beans, Brisket, and Syrian Cheese ($10)
Braised Moroccan Chicken Wings with Picholine Olives and Golden Raisins ($9)
Brisket Shawarma or Falafel Sandwich with Amba and House Pickles ($8)
The Kleinfeld Sandwich: Chicken Shawarma with Amba and House Pickles on a Sesame Baguette ($10)
 Brussels Sprouts with Soft Boiled Egg and Soujouk ($8)

Mezze: 401 N. La Cienega Blvd, Mid City.  Phone: 310.657.4103 | Website: mezzela.com

Tequila Against Cancer: This Sunday at the Next Door Lounge

Tequila maven Enrico Caruso was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer.  Caruso has helped spread the gospel of organic liquor and tequila in particular, first at 4 Copas and now at Infinium Spirits.  In recognition of all Caruso has done for the industry, bartender Christine England has organized a benefit event to raise money to help Enrico and his family during their time of need.  Caruso, who has advocated for green and organic production of liquor, is known as a health nut and as a non-smoker, his diagnosis was especially surprising and as the father of two young children, particularly devastating.  

The Tequila Against Cancer benefit will be held at Next Door Lounge this Sunday November 13th, from 1 - 5 pm.  Tickets are $40 in advance via the website, or can be purchased at the door.  Tickets get you a tasting of five different tequilas and some Mexican snacks and best of all knowing you are helping to support a member of the Los Angeles cocktail community.  

The tequilas included are the good stuff: Herradura, Fortaleza, Casa Noble, Milagro & Milagro Barrel Select, Alquima and Karma.  In addition to sipping them neat, Zahra Bates of Providence will be making cocktails.  Attendees will also have the chance to win the door prize, a trip to Mexico to tour a tequila distillery.  There will also be the opportunity to drink tequila cocktails made by some of LA's most talented bartenders including host Joe Brooke.  Whether you attend or not, you can also help by bidding in the online auction for all sorts of cool items including cocktail lessons from Joe Brooke, punch and bowling at the Spare Room, and a tequila tasting at Mas Malo in downtown.

Attend the event, make a donation or bid on an item.  You can learn more at the Tequila Against Cancer website: http://www.tequilaagainstcancer.myevent.com/

Tequila Against Cancer

Next Door Lounge

1154 N. Highland Avenue, Hollywood

Sunday November 13th: 1 - 5 pm