Blending Food and Fashion
By Cynthia Quinones
In a creative "shop local" twist, Mezze co-owner, Nancy Thomas, and Mikki Brown, co-owner of neighboring clothing and accessories boutique, theBrowns, recently collaborated to
present a special evening in Williamstown. While Mezze diners feasted on a comfort foods menu created with seasonal ingredients from neighboring family farms, an informal fashion show unfolded in the aisles, unveiling an eclectic range of outfits all available for sale next door.
My husband, Mike, and I had no idea exactly what to expect from this "fashion and food" experience, but ultimately found it lovable. Every 15 minutes or so, a model or two would stroll through the dining room, stopping by different groups of tables to show off their outfits, which ranged from warm winter jackets to colorful cocktail dresses with dazzling necklaces and bracelets to match. The models were friendly, chatting with diners about the feel of the fabrics, offering up a sleeve to be touched, and answering questions about prices and brand labels.
I was delighted to see that the fashion show did not take over the dining experience, it enhanced it. It brought a playful feeling of camaraderie into the room, as we found ourselves interacting with neighboring tables—tables we might have otherwise ignored—in reaction to a particularly beautiful sweater or frock. 
We were seated in the smaller of the two dining rooms where soft lighting, the work of local artists on the walls, and a gently slanted ceiling all helped to create a feeling of cozy intimacy suitable for couples and large groups of friends alike. The dinner, beverage, and dessert menus we received throughout the evening were imprinted with simple words on each of their covers: Eat. Drink. Indulge. A quiet yet playful mix of background music set a fun mood just noticeable under the buzz of conversation.
Happily, we savored the food as much as the atmosphere. Mezze offers menu options for any appetite, smaller dishes ranging from house cured olives or a New England cheese plate to appetizers such as steamed PEI mussels in a chili lime broth with cilantro, garlic and shallots. For starters, I ordered an acorn squash soup topped with a dollop of sour cream and croutons. For my main dish, I enjoyed a succulent helping of the pan roasted salmon, and concluded with the fresh and crumbly pear crisp and a cup of French pressed coffee for dessert. Mike ordered the “Comfort Sunday” special, a first-rate three course meal for only $25 (or two courses for $20). This Sunday, the Comfort meal began with a roasted beet and Equinox Farm arugula salad, and was followed by perhaps the best chicken pot pie I've ever had—(of course we sampled each other's meals)—tender, pulled natural chicken baked into a house-made puff pastry, surrounded by a generous mix of carrots, rutabaga and potatoes. The third course topping of the experience was a delicate slice of opera house cake, a light and delicious pastry made with layers of almond cake, espresso butter cream, and chocolate...mmm!
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Mezze plans to continue offering Comfort Sundays throughout the coming months, and it sounds likely that they will continue to collaborate with The Brown's on some food and fashion special events in the future. By the way, sister restaurant Allium in Great Barrington presents a similar Comfort Sunday menu and will also be hosting trunk shows on Thursday evenings between 5 and 9 p.m. as the holiday season gets underway. The Sunday Comfort menu changes weekly, but you can receive regular updates by contacting Nancy at info@mezzeinc.com.
About Cynthia Quinones
Cynthia Saunders Quinones is a freelance writer and the Director of Education for the Barrington Stage Company. A North Adams native and current resident, she is excited to live within walking distance of her favorite restaurants, yoga studio, and movie theatre. She can be contacted at cynthia.saunders@gmail.com.