Mazzat means “many appetizers” in Arabic, and tasty bites to be shared with a group are the focus of the menu as this Columbia Waterfront District cafe.
“The food’s not just Middle Eastern here,” said Gamal “Jimmy” Bakhoum (pictured), owner of the four-month-old restaurant. “What we serve is really Mediterranean.”
Bakhoum, who owns two other restaurants in Manhattan’s East Village, offers an array of small plates and larger shareable dishes at his 65-seat eatery.
“It’s very beautiful here. Very rustic, antique style with a brick wall and the others painted ochre and soft green. The bar is beautiful too,” he said with no small amount of pride. “It’s 23 feet long, all mahogany wood.” (The restaurant has a full liquor license.)
Bakhoum offers the usual array of spreads like hummus and baba ghanouj, as well as falafel and fava beans, stuffed zucchini and two customer favorites: garlic shrimp and dates wrapped with bacon. Entree-sized dishes, like the “Alexandria style” grilled whole fish (usually bronzini), come with a side of rice mixed with egg noodles.
The restaurant has no outdoor seating, a fact that doesn’t trouble Bakhoum, citing the joint’s 18-foot doors. When they’re open and the sun shines in, “it’s just like being outdoors,” he said.
Mazzat (208 Columbia St. between Sackett and Union streets in the Columbia Waterfront District) accepts American Express, MasterCard and Visa. Entrees: $l2–$16. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily. Brunch is available on weekends from noon – 5 pm. Subway: F, G to Carroll Street. For information, call (718) 852-1652.
