The flavours of bustling souks are set to come alive at Mezze9 Studio, the newest venture of Speciality Group’s popular Kolkata chain Café Mezzuna. Curated by chef Sabyasachi Gorai aka Chef Saby, who is also a recipient of the coveted National Tourism award, the exotic spread at Mezze9 Studio promises to tickle the palates of Kolkata’s many food connoisseurs.
The launch of the new section at Cafe Mezzuna’s Forum Mall location, on June 17, recreated the atmosphere of a West Asian bazaar with the food displays and unmissable sounds. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly ground spices, marinated olives and freshly baked breads, and the numerous choices of dips were exceptional.
L-R: Mezze9 Studio at Cafe Mezzuna's Forum Mall location; Chef Saby poses in front of the spread at the launch
Creating a new niche
Café Mezzuna is part of Anjan Chatterjee’s Speciality Restaurants, which is currently one of India’s largest chain of fine dining restaurants with over 125 restaurants spread across the country and beyond. With brands such as Mainland China, Oh! Calcutta, Sigree, Global Grill, Gong, Hoppipola, BARishh, Flame and Grill, Episode One and Haka, among others, the chain has become synonymous with fine dining and exquisite choices.
A glimpse of the offerings at Mezze9 Studios
Speaking to My Kolkata, Chef Saby explained the story behind the name Mezze9 and compared it to the English word ‘mezzanine’ that is a loft-like space, much like the nook that has been created for the studio within Café Mezzuna. Mezze also refers to the cold starter and appetiser dishes usually served in Middle Eastern and West Asian cuisine. As the menu was being finalised, inspiration came from the setting and experience of a souk. “A trip to the bazaar anywhere in the world is all about buying a little of this and a little of that with flexibility of choice and portion being the key. That is what we wish to offer to the patrons of the cafe — come to the souk and shop your own ‘mezze’. At the studio, the elaborate platter, Mezze9, has been designed to serve nine dips that the patron may choose or we may do for them. The addition of the numerical ‘9’ is a quirky take on the menu on offer,” said the chef.
What’s on the menu
The choices of hummus on offer
Mezze9 Studio’s menu speaks of a variety of individual mezzes, which have Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours, with the crown being attributed to the Royal Mezze9 — a delectable assortment of hummus, labneh balls, smoked moutabal, peperonata, millet ezme, confit date chutney, marinated olives, pickled vegetables, tzatziki along with in-house flatbreads. While the selection is largely vegetarian, there are non-vegetarian options for dishes such as confit chicken or marinated shrimps. In the chef’s own words, “Mezze is essentially a cold starter course, it’s a chip and dip course, it’s a munching course, a conversation course. It’s something that in Bengali parlance can be equated to an adda course. So, a mezze is a course of cold food that can sit with you on the table for a long time and not compel to be consumed while still hot.”
The mezzes often feature an array of vegetarian delights
Speaking about the specially curated spread on offer, Chef Saby explained, “Mezze also has a selection of pickles, which includes olive pickles, vegetable pickles, chilli pickles and various others as well as the many dips, dressings and salads that are predominantly vegetarian in keeping with the flavour of the lands from which it originates. The inspiration for the items come from as many as 28 countries which include Greece, Türkiye, Lebanese, Morocco, parts of Iran, the Persian landscape, Africa and many others.”
The other interesting part of a mezze, the chef said, is that by nature these dishes are natural coolants, even the pickles, and featuring an array of yoghurt-based items. The dishes originated in areas that have warm temperatures, not much different from Kolkata’s hot climate. “Thus, the launch is happening at a time when Kolkata folks are looking for cooler options and the inclusion of cooling items such as Compressed Watermelon and Feta, which has mild, warm spices, feta mousse and mint are surely going to be attractive for all.”
L-R: Middle Eastern 'samosas' and Labneh balls
The new menu will also appeal to those looking for healthier options when eating out, as everything on offer is grilled, baked, or fresh and pickled. The emphasis is on the textures of the dish, the vegetables, and pulses. There is an added focus on millets as this is the year of millets, extensive use of ‘Sama Chawal’, as well as cereals, pulses and vegetables, all cooked or pickled in olive oil along with natural salts and whole spices.
Favourites and more
L-R: Matnakash and pickled vegetables
Pointing out his personal favourites, Chef Saby spoke of his fondness for fresh breads and dips and laid special emphasis on the Muhammara, made with seeds, nuts and ground pepper and the spicy sundried tomato pesto Turkish Millet Ezme. He also mentioned the traditionally Armenian bread Matnakash, which is also eaten in older Mediterranean regions like Syria and Israel. Interestingly, this bread tells the story of farming in its form. As the Earth is being ploughed one can see the furrow lines made by the plough and then the land is sown with seeds which too can be seen in it. Consumed in most older Mediterranean regions such as Syria and parts of Israel, this bread reminds one of the furrow lines of a freshly ploughed field with seeds strewn over it as they are on the field. It even has a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Identity tag. For sweet treats, the chef’s picks are Tulumba (also known as bamiyeh) and the eggless semolina cake Basbousa, which is also flavoured with our own gulkand.
Tulumba and other desserts
Sharing his views on the launch of Mezza9 Studio, general manager of Speciality Restaurants, Debashish Ghosh, said, “Café Mezzuna had Mediterranean items before and the response has always been good from our patrons. We have now decided to create a new avenue within the existing cafe and that’s where the association with Chef Saby and Chef Kingshuk Kundu — of course masterminded by our MD and founder Anjan Chatterjee — came about. The Mezza9 Studio will be open with this offer of fresh food and bakes along with salads, dips and such other. Since its inception Café Mezzuna has been very popular with Kolkata youngsters and ladies who have been among our happy patrons. Café Mezzuna through Mezza9 Studio will surely bring up new vistas for Kolkata food connoisseurs.”
Recreating the atmosphere of a souk for the launch with freshly ground spices, warm breads and food
All the Kolkata foodies who have been reading about and looking forward to relishing dishes like hummus, halloumi, muhammara, tzatziki, matnakash, and more now have a new address with Mezze9 Studio!
Mezze9 Studio
Address: Cafe Mezzuna, Forum Mall
Timings: Open every day 12-11pm
Pocket Pinch: The choice of hummus is Rs 165, while the Royal Mezze9 platter is Rs 895
