Bar-hopping spree: Mazzo

"It’s a great place to bring a date," restaurateur-cum-television personality Ryan Agoncillo says of his new venture on Libis. Mazzo, featuring a fusion of Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine, would definitely impress that special someone.

Enter and you’re whisked away to some distant land. The décor of Mazzo alludes to an ancient eastern civilization, buried and long forgotten in the desert sand. Yet the high ceilings draped with tapestries are artifacts of the modern western world… neon, steel and smooth synthetic contours juxtaposed against stone. Two very different worlds intertwined into one, exotic realm.

Much like the décor, Mazzo’s menu is a concoction of diverse elements. The dishes are a gathering of flavors from the Mediterranean. But don’t cringe at the thought of foreign food, Mazzo fine-tunes its fare to suit the Filipino’s taste buds without compromising the authenticity of the dish. In this quest for authenticity, Mazzo gathers ingredients from abroad.

When at Mazzo, Ryan suggests you go for a five-course meal. Start off with the smoked salmon, Mazzo’s very own Caesar’s Salad, and the seafood chowder. This is enough to tease your tongue for the main course. Then give in to the savory Turkish grilled chicken. But make sure you make room for dessert. Your stomach will love the Alluring Helen, a special cheesecake with a slice of mango.

Cap it all off with a nice glass of wine, a chilled brew or some hard hitters. Whatever your choice, the place is just there to provide a good, chilled and relaxing time!