Melabes

"We enjoy some exposed brick as much as the next person. But sometimes, that whole marble open kitchen, swish leather seating, big airy windows thing can equate to some very small, very disappointing dishes. Luckily, the food at Melabes is neither of those. In fact, this is the kind of place where you need to take a solid ten minute hand wash break between courses, to pry the aioli from your fingernails. Their huge mediterranean menu has everything from salads, to a schnitzel pita that is a true feat of engineering. But the small plates. Oh, the small plates. The hummus with pita ‘small plate’ (lies), is basically a creamy chickpea pond. With every new dish, another gravy boat of greek yoghurt or aioli will appear with it. This is the perfect spot to share a beer with friends at the bar, watch the chefs have a laugh whilst marinating a chicken thigh, and get very, very messy." - Heidi Lauth Beasley