If you’ve ever noticed the restaurant below the center escalators in South Coast Plaza’s Crystal Court home store wing, you may have spotted a few changes taking place. Nello Cucina shuttered earlier this year, making room for a Middle Eastern, full-service concept. From the owners of Boubouffe in Belmont Shore, Mezzet Mediterranean Cuisine will open their doors and patio for lunch and dinner service in a few months.
Specializing in small plates, their future exhibition-style kitchen will put out kebabs, salads and other tasty morsels to pair with a full bar of liquid refreshment. Reports of Moroccan tagines and couscous dishes normally found at their Long Beach spot will be a welcome sight in this part of the plaza. Chef de cuisine is listed as Antonio Mattina, with Colin Colville as consulting chef.
When retail therapy has got you hangry this summer, cool your heels in Mezzet’s dining room over a glass of white. And if you spot a familiar face, that may be co-owner Joseph Dib. He moonlights as management at the perpetually busy Antonello Espresso Cafe across the way.
