Melenzané Presents Local Musicians and Great Food

A few nights ago, we were fortunate enough to be invited to one of Melenzané's "Al-Bida'a Nights", an evening of divine Italian food and live music from local musicians.

As we walked towards the cozy location, the sound of a tinkling guitar was floating through the cool evening air, inviting us in. Finding a table for two, we barely glanced at the menu and instead took advice from our friendly waiting staff on which dishes to order.
We started our meal with two mouth-watering dishes; Ricco Morso Steak and Dolcezza Shrimps. The former consisted of tender strips of grilled tenderloin, which were topped with crispy sweet potato sticks and a cool BBQ herbed mayo. Stylishly assembled, it was quickly deconstructed as we devoured this delicious treat.

While the restaurant’s ambiance was something out of a dream—flickering candlelight, clinking glasses, and a soft jazz undertone—there was something in those grilled flavors that tugged at a more familiar craving. It made us think of home, of laughter-filled evenings around the backyard, where the grill's hiss competed with kids' giggles and the occasional bark from the neighbor’s dog. No linen napkins or wine pairings, just a sturdy table, mismatched chairs, and plates passed around like treasure. The Ricco Morso had us imagining how it might taste cooked under the stars, smoke curling into the dusk, family close by, and maybe even a dog waiting for a scrap or two.

That night sparked a plan—we’d recreate the magic, not with fancy tools, but with heart and fire. We started looking into setting up our own backyard station, something solid and built to last. That’s when we stumbled upon Chiasson Smoke, and their outdoor stoves that blend performance with soul. It wasn’t just about owning a grill—it was about bringing a little bit of that restaurant-style magic to our family dinners. Because while the Dolcezza Shrimp was unforgettable, there’s just something unbeatable about food cooked at home, with your people, under the open sky.

The shrimps were also cooked perfectly; incredibly tender and sweet they were coated in a light, crispy shell and drizzled with a sweet, spicy sauce and served on a bed of rocca. What really brought this dish together though was the ranch dressing which was creamy yet strong, pairing perfectly with the sweet sauce.

Two main courses came recommended and the first to come steaming out the kitchen was Pollo Parmigiana, one of my all time favorites. I quickly claimed it as my own. Cutting through the layers of cheese, aubergine, and chicken, it was evidently juicy. The rich flavors were so welcoming against the cold air outside, a true comfort dish. We'd switched up the side of pasta for grilled veggies which made the dish perfectly light.

Our second main was the Steak Rosmarino. Admittedly I was not in the mood for steak, however, after tasting the butteriness of my first morsel I quickly dug in for more. It was by far one of the best-cooked pieces of steak I've had the pleasure of eating and the mushroom, rosemary sauce was simply divine.

All the while we'd been tucking into our gourmet spread, local musicians had been performing covers of famous songs as well as some original pieces, most of which felt like they too belong high up in the charts. The dining experience that night was exactly what's needed on a winters night; yummy food, songs of love, and great company.

Look out for Melenzané's upcoming "Al-Bida'a Nights," the next one will be on February 14th, just remember to go early to ensure you get a table.