A Greek Christmas in KL at Mazi Greek Taverna
Words: Joanna Florento
Photos: Matt Wehner
Christmas came early for us in KL at Mazi Greek Taverna, with dishes from their Festive Specials menu and updated offerings from their original menu beckoning us to have an evening most merry and bright. We feasted on plates laden with festive Greek delicacies and kept our fires burning with good company and good wine. The garden served as an enchantingly lush backdrop to our conversation with owner Yin How Wong, who expertly guided us through his curated wine selection, skillfully paired with each dish.
Mazi Greek Taverna opened its doors back in August 2023, seeking to present authentic and fresh Greek cuisine alongside an extensive wine selection. Yin How fell in love with Greek food while studying law in Sydney and decided to bring an authentic Greek dining experience to KL. With an appreciation for wine handed down by his father, Yin How dedicated himself to importing different varieties and vintages and sharing his impressive knowledge of the craft. With woven ceiling lamps radiating soft yellow light and soft jazz playing in the background, we eased into our meal as smoothly as dusk, giving way to night.
Greek Christmas in KL – Mazi Festive Menu
We began our meal with the Dakos Salad (RM 27), a delightful combination of feta cheese, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, capers, shallots, shallot vinaigrette dressing, and pita bread crisps. While decked out in holiday colours, it also tasted very fresh, with the crunchy pita bread crisps perfectly complementing the soft cherry tomatoes. The capers were deliciously chewy and provided little bursts of saltiness throughout.
We then tried the Fish Croquettes (RM 36), with bite-sized spheres of minced seabass and perch presented atop thinly sliced strips of roasted red pepper. The whole concoction was drizzled with olive oil, fresh herbs, and balsamic vinegar. The croquettes were served warm and coated with breadcrumbs, and the added balsamic glaze ensured that you started this dish with some crunch but ended with a tangy bite.
After polishing off the croquettes, we turned to the Beef Rib Kokkinisto (RM 36), with tender slices of beef ribs marinated in homemade barbecue sauce topped with crispy chickpeas, arugula, and cubed beetroot. Hummus and lemon rice effortlessly balanced out the rich flavours of the beef, and the crispy chickpeas added texture to every spoonful.
We didn’t wait long before tucking into the Crispy Baby Prawns with Orzo Pasta (RM 34). Crustacean stock infused the orzo with intense flavours that were expertly balanced by adding fresh parmesan cheese. The baby prawns were crispy and easy to bite into, and fresh herbs provided a light touch of seasoning that did not overwhelm the orzo.
The Stuffed Lamb Saddle (RM 85) is Yin How’s favourite from the menu. It signifies going back to basics but adding small twists to elevate the taste. Two slices of lamb stuffed with chopped chestnuts, spinach and diced mushrooms were marinated in lamb jus and herb oil, presented simply but tastefully.
Completing our Greek Christmas in KL, the traditional homemade Greek desserts included Mosaiko, a chocolate log with a mosaic of chocolate and nuts glazed with sugar, and delightfully flaky Trigona Panoramatos filled with custard cream. The mosaiko had a deliciously crumbly cookie-like consistency, while the accompanying berry compote paired well with the filo cone, especially when swirled in with the custard.
Regular Menu: Updated Offerings
Having made our way through the Greek Christmas in KL menu, we cleared our plates to make room for some updated offerings from the regular menu. The Bertha-Baked Feta Cheese (RM 36) featured generous slices of feta cheese marinated in tomato coulis, olive oil and herbs, with grilled pita bread on the side. The feta cheese was lightly pan-fried and slightly firmer than expected, which was a pleasant surprise. The lightly grilled pita bread tasted a little smoky, which paired well with the soft caramelized tomato coulis.
The Smoked Gemista (RM 25) consisted of a capsicum pepper stuffed with carrots, tomatoes, onions, herbs, and rice. The capsicum itself tasted very fresh and added an element of juicy crunch, while the rice contained within it featured small chopped vegetables that paired nicely with the roasted peppers.
The Bertha Grilled Perch Fillet with Fish Croquette (RM 41) had a similar slight smokiness from being baked in the same Bertha oven, but the yoghurt espuma gave it a touch of lightness. Herb oil infused the dish with a pop of green, and the herbs lingered on the palate after every bite. The croquettes had just the right amount of spice and balanced out the smokiness of the fish with the slight creaminess of the beurre blanc marinade.
The Lamb Keftedes (RM 38) featured lamb meatballs sprinkled with pickled shallots and various herbs and spices served in spicy tomato sauce. The meatballs were tender and meaty, while the cilantro and tomato sauce competed to close each bite with either herbs or a spicy kick.
Desserts
We appeased our collective sweet tooth with the Greek Lemon Bar (RM 20). The Lemon Bar struck an excellent balance between tartness and sweetness, with one not overpowering the other. It was served with a scoop of berry ice cream (a festive touch – usually, it’s a scoop of vanilla) for extra creaminess to balance the citrus.
Drinks
Come to Mazi Greek Taverna for the food, stay long past your intended meal for the wine! Being direct importers of wine, the team here have a well-chosen list of exceptional labels at value-for-money prices. Not only do they have wines by the glass, but also by the carafe, quite a unique offering in Kuala Lumpur. We began our meal with the Jean Bouchard Chablis (RM 35 per glass, RM 110 per carafe). This had a very crisp and pristine taste, with fruit and light mineral notes. Quite frankly, it was sunshine in a glass.
We then transitioned to the Pieropan Soave Classico (RM 170 per bottle). Pieropan derives its flavour from the volcanic soil from which it’s grown, infusing it with an almost oyster-like taste that lingers on the palate. The end notes are reminiscent of citrus and white peach. This is an excellent value-for-money bottle of wine from one of Italy’s most renowned producers.
Matching the flow of the meal, we enjoyed a glass of the Yannick Amirault Bourgueil Cote 50 (RM 38 per glass, RM 115 per carafe). Yin How explained that this is 100% cabernet and sits evenly between cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir in terms of its weight. It is cultivated in cooler regions, which accounts for its fresher taste with notes of strawberries and currants. All wines at Mazi Greek Taverna are served slightly chilled.
We moved on to the Mastroberardino Redimore Irpinia Aglianico (RM 30 per glass, RM 90 per carafe), a medium-weight wine with a slightly more powerful but focused and elegant taste. Produced from Aglianico grapes, this wine had notes of black cherry, wild blackberry, violets, and spices.
Finally, we concluded with the Quinta do Vale Meao Meandro (RM 42 per glass, RM 120 per carafe). This wine had a more fruity finish, and Yin How explained that more tension in the wine means higher acidity. He also shared that this wine is harvested earlier and cultivated in large used barrels and oak vats, which accounts for its polished balance.
Greek Christmas in KL Review
Mazi Greek Taverna is a lovely place to connect with friends over delicious, authentic Greek food and fine wine. They uniquely offer high-quality wines both by the glass and by the carafe, something that is uncommon at other dining establishments. Each dish we tried was not only visually appealing but commanded a fine array of flavours and textures that brought together elements of traditional Greek cuisine with modern touches. Enjoying our meal with Yin How, who guided us through each dish and its meticulously selected wine pairing, was a special treat. All around us, we watched late afternoon give way into the evening, set against the beautifully maintained garden behind Mazi Greek Taverna’s extensive outdoor patio space. The interior also features light-coloured wood, cozy lighting, and glass walls so that guests dining indoors can enjoy the beautiful garden view.
Reasons to have a Greek Christmas in KL at Mazi: authentic and beautifully presented Greek dishes, a highly sophisticated wine selection available by the glass and carafe, masterful pairings of both of the aforementioned and a gorgeous outdoor patio with a lush, serene garden, perfect for memorable evenings with friends and family.
A Greek Christmas in KL at Mazi Greek Taverna
The Stories of Taman Tunku
Unit A1 Taman Tunku, Off Jln Langgak Tunku, Bukit Tunku
50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Link to Mazi Greek Taverna on Google Maps
@mazigreektaverna.my
+60 3 6211 1866
*Vegetarian options
**On-site parking available
Mazi Greek Taverna Opening Hours
Daily 11:30 am – 3 pm & 5:30 – 10 pm
Mazi’s Greek Christmas menu is available for December 2024
Stay updated with our latest gourmet and travel recommendations with The Yum List on Facebook here and The Yum List on Instagram here.