Mezzanino - Waterloo

Went to Mezzanino for lunch to catch up with dear friends. The menu is sourced from the fresh food available from the produce market below and is outstanding. As a vegetarian there was a limited choice but this in no way detracted from the quality of the meals, up-beat, groovey atmosphere and great wine. Then, we went shopping downstairs at the Fourth Village produce market. Fantastic.

Mezzanino is part of a great Italian food concept. Sharing plates are brought round on a trolley and you select the ones you would like, right after your wine is delivered to the table. You can chat and catch up and then perhaps order mains. It is great to see the salmon gralax glistening fresh on the plate and the bowls of tomatoe salad with burrata and share immediately. We had mains too: spinach rigatoni and seafood rissotto, but there were so many choices. We will definitely be back. There is a parking station across the street. Danks Street is a great shopping district. The Fourth Village downstairs is a treasure trove of wonderful Italian ingredients, fresh food and several other purveyors including lovely flowers. For gift shopping, my favourite, Accoutrement, is just next door.We will definitely be back.

While we are not big pasta eaters, we were keen to try this stop on the mez of our local providore. The space is open and takes in the energy of the market downstairs. A feature of the menu is the roving antipasti cart, which is better in theory than delivery.The pasta was pretty amazing and plentiful, so make sure you bring an appetite!

Mezzanino occupies a large mezzanine area above the Dank Street Produce Markets.It is open for lunch and has an small but imaginative a la carte menu including pasta's with delicious sauces, a trolley with piattini (small tasting plates), beef, chicken, and fish mains, and tempting desserts. The main courses are nearly all under $30.00. We chose 2 of the small piattini, and 3 different pastas, which we shared. The flavours were rich, and the servings generous. This was more than enough food for 3 people. The setting is in a large, light and airy warehouse space. There are tables for 4, or others for large groups. The kitchen is open, and the staff friendly and informative.We enjoyed a long leisurely lunch, tasting a variety of delicious dishes.

We were on our way to Hillsong church in Waterloo Easter Weekend when we stumbled upon an amazing groceteria. Lots of wonderful Italian foods of every description. The ristorante upstairs was exquisite & brought back memories of Italia. They were near closing but the host graciously allowed us have a quick antipasto.Everything about the decor was carefully appointed with displays of jarred produce, eucalyptus bouquets (Australian twist) and a unique swan sculpture fashioned out of cutlery....Amazing decor, simple but elegantly tasteful. We chose a charcuterie platter with lovely olives, cheeses, prosciutto, breads, & fruit. We enjoyed our appetizer in a relaxed atmosphere. Upon our departure at closing, we stopped to have a pleasant chat with the host. What a memorable experience this was!