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El Meze

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El Meze at Romantic El Torreon Hacienda, El Prado, NMEl Meze is a culinary adventure in fine dining. Fred Muller, of 'Fred's Place" fame and his way-talented partner Annette Kratka operate the new restaurant El Meze (meaning the table in Arabic). El Meze is located in the fully restored Hacienda El Torreon from 1840 with its rustic charm is a fitting venue for modern interpretations of an 800 year old cuisine. El Meze explores two cultures in a culinary vision of exciting and exotic flavors from North Africa and Old Spain. El Meze is a dining experience based on historical and traditional elements but presented in a modern vision.

Look for such small plate treats as: Grilled prawns- lemon wedges, Moroccan spices. Herb fried calamari with arugula aioli. Jamon serrano- Spanish cured ham with fresh figs. Sopa verde- mussell in a rich herb broth. Foie gras with preserved lemon, pomegranate syrup and arugula. Hummus with grilled flat bread and lemons. Kefta- grilled spicy ground lamb kabobs. Buffalo short ribs adovada. Spanish goat chevre with fresh garlic, olive oil and lemon zest. Fried green olives-stuffed with Spanish blue cheese.

 

You'll love these Large Plate selections: Grilled double cut lamb chops- cracked black pepper, lavender with fried garlic chips. Duck confit served in a bowl of cooked greens with preserved lemon and a splash of hot pepper vinegar. Red Snapper- sweet potatos, fennel, Spanish chorizo and oranges in a rich broth. Grilled bone in ribeye steak with spicy moroccan butter. Grilled trout-preserved lemon chermoula.

 

Sides include: Sweet potato fries, with cumin ketchup and arugula aioli. Baked potato- lemon, fresh mint, minced onion, sea salt and olive oil. Tunisian crated carrot salad. Grilled flatbread. Harticort Verts-green beans, tomatoes, feta and toasted cumin

 

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1017 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, on the Mountain Side
575-751-3337

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Excellent and Romantic
written by J. R. Ransom, August 09, 2009
El Meze is a wonderful treat. It's one of my big favorites in Taos. Atmosphere at El Torreon Hacienda in the evening is so romantic. There's a wonderful courtyard with a little pond and great water-sounds. The food here is great. I have taken guests here several times and everyone has had a great evening. The service is really good, too. Fred serves one of the great steaks in Taos. The mussels are fantastic and highly recommended.
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written by JRRansom, July 20, 2010
I went to El Meze and relaxed on their patio with the million dollar view of Taos Mountain. Here are my notes that I sent in from my iPhone. Tuna carpaccio with fresh grated horseradish, capers, lemon, Spanish olive oil with a wonderful light flat bread is amazing. The potion is termed a 'small meal' and I couldn't finish it because I'd ordered the El Meze grilled bone-in ribeye steak 16oz dry aged with Moroccan butter and herb frites. For a red wine my waitress suggested a Malbec from Argentina named "Susana Balbo Sugnature 2006. - 100% Malbec and known as 'Evita of Wine'. Aged 13 months in oak with the red tuna. Then I tried "Rameriz de Piacina Reservera 2001 from Rioja, Spain - 100% Temperanillo, aged 15 months in oak - bold and powerful with abundant raspberry, cherry, vanilla, spice and earth characteristics. Both at $15 per glass. The steak was served with fritas which were tasty. The steak was very tasty too but a little tough - 25% of all beef meals can be a little tough so I don't have any blame. I rate the total El Meze experience as an 8.5, based on the lovely patio dining in the evening in the shadow of Taos Mountain, the restfulness of The Old El Torreon Hacienda, and the superb cooking of Fred Muller. El Meze servers have been here for several years and are very attentive.

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