We've actually been here before - just one week before we started this review site. But that doesn't make this an automatic 42 (just because we return somewhere doesn't mean that the probability was 100%). However, when we choose to return somewhere, that's usually a good sign we like the place!
Mecca is not inexpensive. But it's worth treating yourself once in a while - the place is quality, in all aspects (except the restrooms - more on that later). The food is inspired by the Middle East, with delightful flavours just a little bit on the adventurous side (for most of us, anyway). The meals were prepared and presented extremely well - Dave ordered the Middle Eastern Veal Schnitzel with Mecca coleslaw & mashed potato ($27), and I had the Harissa Spiced Barramundi with roast red pepper, preserved lemon & okra salad and celeriac mash ($28.50). Dave's was excellent, and mine was more excellent (if I wanted to be all wordy, I'd say "sublime"). I couldn't tell if Dave was annoyed that I finally ordered a meal which turned out to be better than his. Along with my meal I had a glass of Voyager Estate Sauvignon/Semillon. I don't normally order white wines, and this one started out unexceptional (to me). Then the barramundi came and the wine suddenly tasted amazing. There's something to be said for food and wine matching, even if you do it by accident.
For dessert, Dave had the Apple Crumble with Pistachio ice cream (which he thought tasted a bit like almond icing). Good choice (at $12), but I got luckier again. The Chocolate Soufflé was so good that I have to use a pretentious word like "ethereal" to describe it. Really. Somehow they managed to cram tonnes of chocolate flavour into this thing, even though it was light as a feather and nearly danced around in your mouth as it melted. Normally I prefer my chocolate heavier, because airy things tend to taste too thin or too creamy. This dessert was worth the $14 price.
Service was without fault. No trouble at all with the auto-water-refill test. The decor is modern, clean, and not too trendy - lots of wood tones and white surfaces. It's a pity that the weather wasn't nice enough for us to eat outside, overlooking the Yarra River and Flinders St. Station.
The only things missing from this place are the restrooms. In a restaurant this upscale, it is quite surprising to find that you have to go out the door to use the Southgate public restrooms across the way (about five feet away, really). I suppose the designers didn't want to waste space on facilities when perfectly adequate ones are already available closer than next door. And they were fine; public, yes, but clean enough, if a little strangely laid out, almost like two different restrooms joined by the same entrance. And there was a little sign by the sink warning you to watch your wallet. I guess thieves know that rich tourists come to Southgate...?
Ah, well, when you're halfway through an ethereal chocolate soufflé, it's really hard to be bothered with such concerns.
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Dave's summary: "My meal was nice, but obviously not as nice as yours!"
Probability that we will return: 37 / 42
Note that the probability rating is affected by the fact that there are hundreds of places to eat around here.