Giving Cotati just what it was missing, a restaurant that is sure to satisfy all of your Greek cuisine cravings. The recently opened Mezzeluna has quickly become a hotspot, popular for its authentic flavors, warm ambiance and unparalleled service.
Facing La Plaza Park, Mezzeluna immediately transports you to a dining experience as if you were in Greece. From the decor, to the lively music, to the traditional menu, it would be impossible to leave unsatisfied. Decked from top to bottom with hues of Grecian blue and white, and walls adorned with evil eyes for protection, it is clear that attention to detail was important when designing.
The menu boasts a wide variety of dishes that capture the essence of homemade Greek cooking. On their website, Mezzeluna.com, the restaurant requests that you make a reservation, so I reserved a table at 1 p.m. My roommate and I were seated and immediately approached by our server who proceeded to take our order. We decided to split an appetizer of feta and olives, and for my main, I ordered the lamb and beef gyro sandwich, which came with a side of fries. The meat was seasoned well, the tzatziki was phenomenal, and the fries were topped with oregano and feta cheese; a personal favorite. A unanimous rating of 10/10 was easily agreed upon.
I had the opportunity to meet with Baki Bekci, co-founder and chef at Mezzeluna. He and his business partner Ali Cetin, co-founder and restaurateur, decided to open this restaurant together, starting with their soft opening on Jan. 8. They plan to have a grand opening sometime in March, however, the official date is still undecided. “I want people’s feedback. We’re doing good, but I see where I can improve and make a few plates better, they will be perfect,” says Chef Baki. He mentions the lengths some customers are willing to travel to try his food, “They drive from Livermore, San Jose, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco.” After trying his cooking, it’s no wonder people would want to come from far away to have one of his meals.
Server and senior kinesiology major Riley Beyma has worked at Mezzeluna for a short amount of time, yet “I already feel like I’m close friends with all my coworkers, they are all so genuine and helpful. Not to mention the quality of the food, you can’t go wrong with whatever you order,” she says. Whether you are looking for a romantic date night or a space for a family celebration, this restaurant will satisfy your needs.
Other than Nick the Greek, which could be classified as fast food, Greek food is lacking here in Sonoma County. “I haven’t found a good Greek place in the area since I started at Sonoma, so I’m hoping this place is good,” says Kate Morgan, a junior business finance major. “I haven’t heard of it, but I will definitely be trying,” she adds.
