Meli Melo Restaurant

You are immediately transposed to a place in Paris. The dark wood, dim lights, and fresh flowers on white-clothed tables giving that sense of timelessness filled with warmth and coziness. While the wall-sized hand painted mural along one of the walls is a mixed-up map showing the Eiffel Tower in Brazil and the Statue of Liberty in China. The map is a reflection of life in a playful manner, “You will never know where life will take you.” Across is the bar convenient for anyone to hang out either by oneself or with friends, because Owner and Executive Chef Bernard Ros, with his professional staff, will make you feel as you would at home, but in a different environment in either a casual or formal mood.

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.”

We were surprised with few unique Croquettes and Amuse Bouches—the Gorgonzola with Dried Tomato Reduction very artistically displayed on a platter followed by one of each the veal and the salmon croquette served warm. For appetizers, my friend and I had the Crab Cake with Remoulade Sauce ($11.50) and an order of Caesar Salad ($7.50). Atlantic Salmon Steak Coated With Lemon Rind Over Mung Beans and Bell Pepper Vinaigrette ($24) and, of course the Fishermen’s Stew with Shrimp, Cod and Seafood in Bouillabaisse Broth with Garlic Saffron Aioli and Fresh Basil ($23). For those who love duck, this is the place to go to—Duck prepared with flavors of the East, Mango and Ginger ($26).

Make sure you leave space for desert. There is a large selection of homemade deserts. This will be a pleasant way to end the evening. I went for the Apple Tarte while my friend went for the Cheese and Fruit Platter. The Apple Tarte, served warm and smothered with peach sauce topped with vanilla ice cream.

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.