Review - The Mews
With a convivial European feel, Myahgah Mews is a short pedestrian-only street with a number of cafes spilling out onto the pavement.
The Mews is one of these cafes, so named for the historic, low-set architecture that looks like it has been converted from stables.
It plays upon this theme with bottle green wooden wall detailing, exposed rafters and a lantern light. The small space is expanded through the clever use of mirrors, and lightened up with a silver, pressed tin ceiling sitting over one side.
However while the weather still allows for it, the place you want to be is sitting at their outside tables, watching the good burghers of Mosman walk on by.
Suitably ensconced, we’re tempted into smoothies by the café’s better-than-most smoothie selection. My dining companion’s Cool Bananas ($8) arrives dripping with honey, dusted in desiccated coconut and garnished with a lightly brûléed banana. It looks decadent and drinks well, with a good intensity of fresh, ripe banana. Before my eyes turn green with envy, my own smoothie Samba ($8) arrives, garnished with fresh lime, mint and coconut. While on the menu it sounds quite healthy, the blend of Brazilian cupuacu, caja fruit, acerola cherry, banana and coconut water, is equally easy to drink. The exotic fruits exist in harmony, with no one flavour dominating the gently fruity, sweet but tart drink.
Owner Daniel Kim and his team have gone above and beyond in creating a well-realised menu that is both interesting and exciting. Since their launch in May 2016 there have been regular menu updates, all designed to keep regular diners interested. The latest menu change has resulted in the Grilled Peche ($18). This mountainous salad is based around grilled yellow peaches. More than just a pile of wild baby rocket, woven in amongst the leaves you’ll find prosciutto, soft-boiled egg, and slices of soy linseed toast. It's made visually interesting by pistachio dukkah and an oozing chilli mango emulsion that’s more than just pretty - the chilli adds a nice spicy bite, and the mango heightens the salad’s summery fruit experience.
Karaage Chicken ($18) is a good blend of East-meets-West with moist, fried chicken breast pieces served with a cold mashed potato salad and a healthy shredded iceberg lettuce ‘slaw. This winner of a chicken dinner is tied together with a good savoury gravy, giving you a better version of everything you could get at KFC, just without the awful feeling that follows after actually eating there.
While it isn’t new to the menu, your go-to dish at The Mews is definitely the Braised Pork Shakshuka ($18). Loaded with pulled pork, this is definitely the best version of this North African-inspired poached egg in tomato dish I’ve tried. Set on the top from being under the grill, it’s moist without being sloppy underneath, with nicely runny egg yolks, perfectly cooked chick peas, red capsicum, tomato, feta cheese and a crunchy pistachio dukkah topping.
It’s served in a skillet with roti on the side, but I was happy eating this tasty concoction straight from my fork. I would return to The Mews just to consume this dish.
The Mews
Shop 4, 3-5 Myahgah Road, Mosman
Ph: (02) 9969 8973