subject: Understanding The Allure Of Melbournes Latest Craze: Middle Eastern Dining [print this page] Sick of going to the same old restaurants in Melbourne? Then youre not alone. One of the latest trends to hit the streets of Victoria is to experience the exciting world of Middle Eastern dining. With the massive variety of other ethnic food venues available, e.g. Chinese, Italian, Japanese, etc, one must wonder just what makes dining at Middle Eastern restaurants so alluring. Find out below.
The Meze
Meze is the name given to the style of cuisine that the typical Middle Eastern meal starts off with. It consists of sharing around a variety of little dishes (like a chickpea dip, a plate of pita, a bowl of olives, etc) and sampling a bit of everything. In the Middle East this type of meal can qualify as a breakfast, lunch or dinner, however in Australia it is typically only served in restaurants around lunch or dinnertime. Australian diners love the Meze for its diverse approach to eating and the intimate, connected quality it can bring to any dining experience.
The Music
Music can significantly alter the ambience of any dining venue - think how jazz makes for an intimate meal, rock makes for an exhilarating meal, and classical music makes for a more formal atmosphere. Music from the Middle East certainly changes the feel of restaurants, giving them an exotic ambience that you just cant find anywhere else. You can expect to hear the sounds of traditional Eastern instruments like the Oud, Ney, Bandir and more. In fact, some venues such as the popular Arabesque restaurant even play live music, providing even more allure for music-loving Melbourne diners.
The Whimsical Decor
The first thing youll notice when you walk into Middle Eastern restaurants is the beautiful and exotic colours, decorations and artworks. You can expect to see lots of deep and passionate reds, golds and purples, as well as tile mosaics, cushions, carpets and lanterns. This form of restaurant set-up can be quite transfixing to a first-time onlooker, as it is just so different and out there when compared to the average Western eating area.
Evidently, Middle Eastern dining does have a lot to offer the average Australian diner looking to experience the culture of the East at its finest. So next time youre looking for eateries in Melbourne, consider sampling the cuisine and culture of the Middle East for yourself, and find out firsthand just what makes it so magical.
