The Netherlands, AmsterdamMarch 20, 2022, by Bart's Booklet

Israeli party@ restaurant Mesiba Amsterdam

Eat & Drink
The Netherlands, Amsterdam, March 20, 2022, by Bart's Booklet

Israeli party@ restaurant Mesiba Amsterdam

New, new, new! A Eastern Mediterranean in the Jordaan: hello restaurant Mesiba Amsterdam! This Israeli restaurant just opened and is a real party (it's not without reason that the translation of Mesiba in Hebrew is party, aha). At Lijnbaansgracht 161 in Amsterdam you can 'do' Tel Aviv in an evening - sort of speaking.

 

Also check out this list of new restaurants in Amsterdam: new in Amsterdam

 

Mesiba

Mesiba Amsterdam

Mesiba Amsterdam

Fancy some sparkling Mediterranean food in a place where they do things just a little bit differently? Look no further.
Mesiba (Hebrew for party) was of course already mentioned in the weekend tips, but here is a more detailed insight into what awaits you if you decide to party at Mesiba for an evening.

The food is perfect and we can do the same (understatement) saying of the look of the restaurant. A warm atmosphere, great print clashes, a pinch of romantic and a whole lotta 'eclectic' with cozy table lamps, murals and olive trees.

To start with, the location of Mesiba telling: on the Lijnbaansgracht around the corner from the Chin-Chin Club where the people behind it Mesiba have already thrown many parties and are now extending that line into the culinary world. Count on a warm welcome upon arrival, which will give you the feeling of coming to someone's home. This is also due to the stylish furnishings and chic living room ambiance that has been created. The bar is (unsurprisingly) the heart of the place and is an excellent place to start or end the evening with a cocktail. The cocktail menu is extensive and there is an eye for classics (Negroni or Espresso Martini) and new surprises.

 

Everything to share (only if you want..)

Everything to share (only if you want..)

We can be brief about the food: Very tasty, diverse and well thought out. Don't expect too typical dishes like hummus or schnitzelim (breaded chicken cutlets, just about the national dish from Israel), but creative (and fresh!) dishes from Elad Ohana. Everything to share, such as cod shawarma or a spicy Israel Beef Tartare. It's not easy to get really good fish in Amsterdam when you eat out, but... Mesiba it certainly can. Take the whole sea bass fillet skin-on with spicy Moroccan tomato sauce (looks distant romesco thinking) and you are sure that you will come back here. Elad's inspiration comes from his parents who ran a fish shop in Jerusalem and have Moroccan roots (just like Eyal, one of the driving forces behind the restaurant and super host).
Furthermore, you just have to taste as much as possible, especially because the menu is so versatile and everything is actually tasty. Fish/vegetarian/meat: everyone gets their money's worth and all types of cuisines are presented (Yemeni, Moroccan, Lebanese and so on). Don't forget the Arais to take: fried pita triangles filled with kebab with a sauce of tahini, zhug (compare it with a kind of spicy pesto, if we don't offend anyone) and amber (mango-like sauce from Iraqi/Indian origins that is extremely good friends with any type of meat and can be purchased at the better Israeli food stores). Did we mention that you should also have the Jerusalem Shishlik? Oh no, but do it anyway, because this skewer of marinated chicken thighs is delicious in its simplicity. We can continue with tips, but above all, go on a journey of discovery yourself. The proof of the pudding after all in the eating.
Photo credits: Joyce Ang & Kirsten van Santen

Mesiba has only been open for a few weeks, but is already running smoothly in terms of service and turnaround time for the dishes. That's definitely worth mentioning (and visiting)! Settle down at the bar, on one of the Chesterfield sofas or at a more intimate table. Order an angry cocktail and you will have a wonderful evening out (the music is also fun, by the way). Okay, so it can be done again. go go go to Mesiba due.

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