Ros is considered to be among the most creative chefs in New York. Ros has trained many chefs from around the world when he consulted with restaurants in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Australia for almost 30 years. Fifteen years ago he decided to manage and run Meli Melo in lower part of Madison Avenue in New York City.
Meli Melo is Latin for a mixture of flavors and cuisines, which is reflected in the menu—an inspiration from the world cuisines bringing together an eclectic combination of flavors, spices, textures, and colors.
Ros likes to make people happy, and one can do so through good food. Ros trained at the family’s regional restaurant in Paris and came to New York on a mini vacation 40 years ago. He immediately fell in love with New York’s diversity and the eclectic vibe of its cuisine. He decided to stay to make New Yorkers happy with his unique and exquisite culinary creativity. Meli Melo has been frequented by its sincere clients two to three times a week for the last 15 years. This place is known to have gentrified the area. Ros told me that it took him three years to study the neighborhood, unlike most restaurateurs who go there with their formulas. “That is why they do not last,” he said. “In consideration of the market economy, the recession, and Main Street, we will take a new direction beginning January 1, 2009 to let our clients know that we are working for them. Meli Melo will become a friendly French bistro at a very reasonable price. We know that our clients would like to come see us as often as they did when times were good. The new menu will be 25 percent to 30 percent less expensive, keeping the main-seller items and, of course, the famous desert menu will remain. Although deserts are time-consuming, but the price is still low at $8.50, and so that will remain.”
All in all, it is not just the food. It is the place, the ambiance with soft music in the background allowing one to carry a quite conversation with discrete and efficient service.
The Verdict: The room puts you in a mellow mood with a feeling of a private dining room giving one that special dining experience.
Meli Melo is open for lunch 5 days a week. There is an express lunch menu for $25.
Open for dinner 7 days a week.
110 Madison Avenue in New York City
Please call (212) 686-5551 for reservations.