Drunk Brunch: Mazah Mediterranean Eatery

With two dozen drunk brunch reviews under my belt (and a notch or two added to said belt as a result), it was a bit surprising to realize that all but one (Explorers Club) fell under the cuisine category of “upscale American.” I was thrilled to diversify when I learned that Mazah Mediterranean Eatery serves up their own drunk brunch on the weekends.

Mazah is a small but bright dining room with a prime view of Grandview Avenue. There were only two other occupied tables when we showed up on a Sunday at noon for brunch, so my husband and I sat right by the window to enjoy the sights outside.

Mazah’s brunch cocktail menu includes a bloody mary, a bloody carrot (with carrot juice, obviously), mimosas of the orange juice, guava, hibiscus and mango varieties and a couple choice cocktails. I ordered a gin fizz off their classic cocktail menu – gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and soda water, garnished with a lemon wedge. It was tasty, though I had ignorantly expected to be served a cocktail made with egg white (which Google now tells me is actually called a Ramos Gin Fizz.) My husband had a Turkish Cafe, with Ouzo, almond liqueur, Turkish coffee and whipped vodka, served in a martini glass. I’m not a big fan of the licorice taste of Ouzo, but he loved it.

For brunch I had the Shakshoukah, a dish of eggs, tomatoes, yellow onions and garlic served in a cast iron pan with a side of pita to soak up the sauce. The heat and flavor of the dish warmed my belly on a chilly day, and I continued to enjoy bites well past the point of “full.” As with Mazah’s other handful of brunch dishes, the Shakshoukah comes with choice of three sides. I had hummus, feta, and olives, and it was some of the best hummus I’ve ever had. My husband had a beef shawarma sandwich which was deliciously tender, and the homemade hot sauce served on the side was a spicy delight.

I didn’t dig through my receipts to verify, but at $30 I’m pretty certain this comes in as the cheapest drunk brunch to date (two entrees + two cocktails). Factor in the flavor-to-price value, and this is a spot you have to visit for your next brunch outing, especially if you’re craving something a little different.

Brunch at Mazah is served Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-3pm. Mazah is located at 1439 Grandview Ave.

Read about other drunk brunch spots in Columbus.