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Greek Octopus from Meze

Octopus from Meze on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Octopus from Meze on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

I my opinion Shrewsbury Street is to Worcester as Federal Hill is to Providence. It’s fun, cheery, and lined with great restaurants. So many great restaurants, if fact, that it takes some time to try them all. So when Mezé Greek Tapas Bar & Grille became the restaurant of choice for our Worcester Foodies group I welcomed the opportunity to finally experience what they had to offer.

I started with the Marinated Anchovies. They came served on a small white plate, marinated in balsamic vinegar and olive oil, with toast. They were very tender and tasty with just the right amount of tanginess to prepare the palate for the next course … Octopus. I had to try the octopus … and it was a very interesting experience indeed. It was grilled … moist in the middle with a nice brown crispiness on the outside. It came on a bed of raw onion — Bermuda I think — with a slices of lemon and cucumber. Although very tasty it was not as tender as it appeared. It was not tough by any means but it wasn’t tender either — maybe that is just how octopus is — it was my first time so I can’t say, but I would definitely have it again.

I think what I enjoyed most about the meal was the fact that everyone just naturally started passing plates around. Because of that I got to try several other items, of which I especially liked the beets. If you go and like beets definitely order some! Overall, I give this restaurant high marks in all areas: tasty and fun menu items, excellent service, a bright clean atmosphere and you can’t beat the location — right on Shrewsbury Street. Got to love that!

Due to the tapas style eating, photos may not match the foodies review or description.

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Spanako-tiropita from Meze on Shrewsbury Street

Spanako tiropita from Meze on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Spanako tiropita from Meze on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

I have arguably never been more excited to enter a restaurant as a Worcester Foodie than I was walking into Meze.  Greek food? Ouzo? Spanakopita? And even better still, small plates allowing for all the variety of bites I want?!  I was so excited I started the meal with Ouzo. Surrounded with all items blue and white, and a mural photo of Santorini to my left, I quickly found some personal favorites on the menu.  Being Greek allowed me to help some of my neighbors with the menu, but soon I fell silent. I have also never been as disappointed as a Worcester Foodie as I was at Meze.  I cannot blame my high hopes and excitement, my food left me confused, hungry, and with a bad taste in my mouth that needed to be washed away with more Ouzo. I ordered their Spanako-tiropita which is spinach mixed with feta and folded into phyllo dough. The dish came with a side of Greek yogurt for dipping. Strangely, some triangles were stuffed with only spinach and others were stuffed with just feta!  I took a few apart in surprise. Eat one should be a mix!  The second dish I ordered was grilled calamari. This was a whole squid with olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon, and Romano cheese. None of those flavors came through. All I tasted was char from the grill. The squid was terribly burnt where it had touched the grill and the every bite was overpowered with burnt flavor. I tried quite a few bites-following each one with either a spinach or feta stuffed phyllo triangle but gave up soon.  Most other foodies seemed to be more pleased with their dishes than me, so I would give them another shot if someone invited me there, but I don’t think I’d return on my own.

Due to the tapas style eating, photos may not match the foodies review or description.