Balzem: Amazing Mediterranean Tapas in Nolita

I recently went to Balzem (202 Mott St., New York, NY) in Nolita with a group of people and it was an amazing experience! The ambiance was very rustic with mood lighting, long wooden tables, and candles throughout. For a small place, they can really cater to large groups with their selection of long tables. Their large selection of mezzes/tapas on the menu made the meal great for sharing and also kept it interesting because each person could have a bite of each dish and experience the most variety of flavors, textures, and aromas. 

Everything we received was extremely fresh, flavorful, and made to order! I loved how Balzem really made it a point to have vegetables accompany most of their dishes, which made this meal a little more guilt-free :) 

Prosciutto Wraps - with burrata, roasted peppers

The Prosciutto Wraps were the first tapas to come out and they were a hit! They were extremely refreshing because they were served cold. Prosciutto was wrapped around burrata and placed on top of a roasted green pepper and then topped with roasted red peppers. There was a light balsamic glaze on this dish that added additional flavors to this already flavorful dish. The saltiness of the prosciutto went very well with the creaminess of the burrata and crunchiness of the red pepper.  This dish was spot on with flavor and texture.

Branzini Ceviche - with arugula, dill

The Branzini Ceviche was the tapas I was most looking forward to after seeing photos of it on Yelp. This dish was also extremely fresh and served cold. The Branzino was wrapped around arugula and dill and sprinkled with lemon juice. I loved how the dill flavor was very present and how the crunchiness of the arugula was in each bite of Branzino. Each piece was atop a bed of arugula and lemon juice which made for a nice salad :)

Artichoke Dip - with shrimp, spinach, gruyere 

The artichoke dip was truly the most unique that I have ever had. I loved how it was thinner than most artichoke dips, but not so thin that it was runny. It felt much lighter than dipping into the standard thick, heavy, cheesy artichoke dips. Also, the addition of shrimp to the dip was unlike any other artichoke dip I have ever had. The shrimp added so much flavor and texture to the dip and went very well with the artichokes. Somehow the shrimp made it seem lighter. The warmth of this dish was perfect for the rainy night that we were all experiencing, and made each bite that much more delicious!

Octopus - Spanish pulpo cooked in red wine sauce, pan seared and served on arugula salad

The seared octopus had perfectly charred edges which were nice and crispy, while the center of the meat was perfectly tender. The octopus was supposed to be cooked in a red wine sauce, which I didn't taste at all. I didn't mind that flavor of the sauce was missing, because I love the taste of octopus on its own, but it was a little disappointing since it was described as being part of the dish. I loved the abundance of lemon juice on the arugula that made this dish extremely fresh and light.

Crevette Grill - Shrimp with zucchini and spices

The Crevette Grill was grilled shrimp atop a slice of zucchini with a light aioli sauce. The shrimp were super crispy from the grill and marinated with tons of lemon juice and lightly spiced. Very enjoyable!

Zucchini Pancakes - dill, parsley, scallion, feta, egg, flour

The Zucchini Pancakes reminded me of Hanukah latkes, but much lighter and almost more enjoyable! They were much less fried than traditional latkes and were topped with a dill and cream sauce which moistened each bite. I loved these and made try making these at home instead of latkes!

Truffle Mac & Cheese 

The truffle mac and cheese was delicious! The noodles were al dente with the cheese sticking to each curly noodle. The breadcrumbs added an amazing crunchy top layer to the dish. The truffle flavor was present in every bite and very glutinous and delish!

Shepherd Salad

The Shepherd Salad was similar to an Israeli salad and was very fresh and tasty. It was made up of onions, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and olives. During dinner we enjoyed so much arugula with each tapas, that this salad did not need any.

Potato Truffle Gratin

The potato truffle gratin was very delicious and heavy! It was super rich and creamy and the perfect side to share, because I sure wouldn't have been able to eat too much of this dish. The potatoes were cooked perfectly in the gratin style with a lovely truffle flavor! Yum!

Grilled Rib-eye Brochette -  on skewers, with herb dip and yogurt sauce 

The Grilled Rib-eye Brochette was rib-eye pieces served on skewers. Generally I find that meat on skewers tends to be on the drier side, but these were full of flavor and moist! They were seasoned perfectly with many herbs and had so much spice! I loved how they were served with yogurt sauce, and also pitas so I could make a miniature sandwich with the rib-eye pieces.

Chocolate Mousse Cake

For dessert we shared three desserts. All were exceptional and rich! The chocolate mousse cake was extra creamy and chocolaty. It was heavier than the two other desserts, and more of a tasting type of dessert.

Tiramisu

The Tiramisu was everyone's favorite because it was extra light and airy with an extreme rum taste. It tasted very authentic and as if it had been soaked in rum. Amazing!

Chocolate Souffle 

The Chocolate soufflé was also a winning dessert because it was extra chocolatey with the melted center and brownie-like exterior. A chocolate lover's dream.
I enjoyed myself so much at this restaurant that I texted my friend that lives around the corner to tell him he must try it immediately! I definitely want to return, perhaps for the brunch next time!