“Nourishment is the nutrients in the food, the taste, the aroma, the ambiance of the room, the conversation at the table…and the joy of the entire experience.”—Marc David
My wife Cecile gets the credit for finding and recommending that we, and our good friends, Susan and Nelson Bye try Meso which turned out to be a gastronomic gem that offers a deliciously curated selection of modern Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant which bills itself as “where the flavor, spirit and style meet," is located at Santana Row in the center of urban life reminiscent of a bustling, posh European community.
Nelson brought and shared a superb bottle of hand-pressed wine with us that is made from the finest Napa Valley grapes at Charter Oak Winery in St. Helena, California. We shared a number of appetizers including a trio of dips that included hummus, smoked eggplant, red bet labneh with house made pita bread and chips and added crispy mushrooms. We also shared Charred Snow Peas with Muhammad consisting of roasted peppers, walnuts, and pomegranate molasses; Roasted Carrot and cucumber with avocado, dill, feta, sesame and lemon; and Spiced Lamb Flatbread with yogurt, sumac onion, spicy zhoug, oven roasted tomato and sprouts. We also shared our entrees that included Beef and Lamb Moussaka and Kufta Meatballs of lamb and beef, with baby spinach, pomegranate, pine nuts, and tahini. According to Nelson none of the dishes disappointed, and I have to agree, though the spiced lamb appetizer was a little too spicy for the ladies. The service was first class, and the setting which included an indoor fountain that changed colors was aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
We decided to have dessert at Smitten, also in Santana row where each couple shared a Banana Ice Cream with chocolate sauce and fresh whipped cream in a freshly made waffle cup. We enjoyed the people watching along the way, and colorful structures and activities along the way.
