You’re familiar with all-you-can-eat sushi and bottomless hot-pot meals. Here’s a new concept: How about all-you-can-eat mezes and kebabs, with servers roaming the dining room like the gauchos at steakhouses?
“Grill. Feast. Repeat.” is the slogan that describes the action at restaurateur Koray Alinstoy and executive chef Omer Artun’s new place in downtown Palo Alto. Called Meze & Kebab, it’s located next to their upscale Meyhouse restaurant and jazz club, and this concept could expand to the East Bay after they open their highly anticipated San Ramon Meyhouse location.
We made a reservation to check it out. Here’s our First Look, with advice on how to navigate the experience.
THE VIBE AND DECOR: Appealing and classy, with a gorgeous tiled floor and artwork set against dark-red walls. There are plenty of tables for groups of all sizes, plus bar and counter seating.
THE FOOD EXPERIENCE: First words of advice: Pace yourself. Even if you could inhale that bowl of baba ghanoush, try not to. Lots of amazing dishes and bites will find their way to your table, and you want to try all of them. Or many of them.
A refreshing salad of greens and carrots, dressed in a simple vinaigrette, arrives first, along with a basket of freshly baked pide and lavash. Have a few forkfuls of salad, then keep the bowl on the table (if you can find room) for a between-bites palate cleanser.
Moments later, the mezes arrive: Beautifully made baba ghanoush, tzatziki, hummus, house-pickled vegetables (on this night, beets), dal makhani, spicy crushed tomato for the heat-seekers, seasoned french fries and more. We counted at least 10 on the table.
While you’re nibbling, servers will start making the rounds with kebab selections to add to your overflowing plate. More words of advice: Take only what you can eat; you can always ask for more.
This is a curated array of flavors representing both the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, with Lamb Sirloin Shish Kebab, Chicken Tikka Kebab marinated n Indian spices, Herb Garlic Shrimp, oregano-scented Aegean Chicken — and several others.
THE DRINKS: As promised, they’ve kept the bar prices lower than the going rate at most Bay Area restaurants. Specialty cocktails run from $12 to $14, red sangria is $11, beer on draft is $6 and the global wine list includes options at $9 and $12 per glass.
DON’T MISS … Juicy, skewered pieces of the lamb-and-beef Doner Kebab and the Hatay Chicken Doner marinated with onion, red pepper and seasonings. From the meze platter, we loved their textural take on an old favorite. The Hummus Masabacha tops housemade hummus with a slightly spicy. whole-chickpea “stew.” And their Bulgur Pilaf — with sauteed onions, green pepper, tomatoes, garlic, cumin and olive oil — turned what’s often a bland grain afterthought into a delicious, must-order side.
WHAT ABOUT DESSERT? Just after you’ve announced you’re never eating again, you’ll spot the Basque Cheesecake on the menu. Baked on-site, the crustless San Sebastian-style dessert is super-creamy. with just the right level of sweetness. Do what we did: Order takeout slices ($7) and enjoy the next day. Assuming you’re hungry again.
PRICING AND MORE: The classic AYCE dinner is priced at $60. Vegetarians pay $45 and it’s $25 for youths ages 5 to 12. Your allotted dining time is 90 minutes. To cover a tip for all those servers delivering dishes to your table and checking in on your refill needs, a flat 20% will be added to your bill.
WHAT’S NEW: The AYCE experience is a great deal, but if you’re looking for just a light bite, an a la carte menu is now available. Hot and cold mezes are $6.99 to $11.99 each, and the kebabs run from $16.99 for shrimp to $37.99 for lamb sirloin.
GETTING HERE: Parking can be challenging in this part of downtown. The closest city lots are a block away on Emerson Street across from the Aquarius Theater and on Ramona Street. Or consider taking Lyft or Uber.
DETAILS: Opens at 5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays, with service until 9:30 most nights, 10:30 Fridays-Saturdays. 632 Emerson St., Palo Alto. mezekebab.com
Leave a Reply