Mela
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Overall Rating: Sick Meals (83 out of 100)
578 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02118
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Phone: 617-859-4805
Mela is a new, modern Indian restaurant located along Restaurant Row on Tremont Street in the South End. Mela has been open for a little over two weeks, residing in the spot formerly occupied by The Nightingale. If you like Indian food, then you will want to give Mela a try.
Our History at Mela
We enjoyed sick meals during our first visit on a Saturday night at 8:30pm.
Appetizers
Mela's appetizers include cold and hot selections, ranging from $4 for vegetable samosa to $13 for mustard lamb. Most of the appetizers are $4-$7.
We ordered the meat samosa and received two ample turnovers stuffed with minced lamb and spices and served with mint and tamarin sauces. This flavorful $5 appetizer was suitable for two.
Rating: 9.1
Main Dishes
Mela's dinner menu features modern Indian dishes, tandori, classic curries, and several "hot stone" selections. Most of the entree menu falls in the $14-$20 range. We ordered the lamb vindaloo and the hot stone marinated lamb chops. Both dishes sent our palates swimming.
The lamb vindaloo consists of lamb chunks marinated in vinegar and spices and combined with potatoes in a spicy tomato and onion sauce. Served with a large bowl of basmati rice, this dish is fantastic.
For the hot stone selections, you are served raw meat or fish that you cook on a hot stone at your table. You receive four lamb chops with the hot stone lamb chop dish. Other hot stone selections include shrimp and scallops.
We ordered garlic naan (unleavened bread baked in a tandoor) as a side, and we were not disappointed. Mela's eight bread selections range from $3 to $5.
Rating: 9.3
Drinks
Mela offers a full bar. A bottle of wine starts at $30. We enjoyed two fabulous glasses of Campa Viejo Crianza red wine for $8 per glass. Two vodka mixed drinks were made very well, but came in at a hefty $10 per glass.
Rating: 8.4
Service
The entire staff was friendly. However, our server seemed nervous. From time to time, he hovered around our table, trying to decide whether to swoop in to clear a plate or ask if we needed a new drink.
The hot stone dish was served with no explanation. Setting expectations regarding how long to cook the lamb would have been nice. We asked the server if he knew; he did not know, and he never returned with an answer.
Rating: 6
Ambiance
Mela used decided care in renovating and decorating this space. Inside each table, you see bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, lentils, and other edibles through a clear covering. Like The Nightingale, there are two rooms. The main dining room is open and inviting; most diners have a view of bustling Tremont Street. A smaller room includes a small bar and a few dining tables; this room tends to be crowded with restaurant personnel, and it feels "colder".
Sitting in the main dining room enhances the dining experience. When you make a reservation, ask to be seated in the main dining room.
Rating: 8.5
Et Cetera
Trivia: Mela is a Sanskrit word meaning "get together".
Takeout: Mela offers takeout for most of their dinner menu.
Parking: Valet parking is not yet available. There is street parking on Tremont Street, but it can be difficult to find on weekends.
Dress: You may dress casually at Mela.
Labels: Indian, Mela, Sick-Meals, South-End
