Note: I was invited as a guest of the establishment and received a complimentary meal. This was not in exchange for a positive review and opinions expressed are my own.
Why Come Here? Great selection of Mediterranean small plates & wines in a casual rustic setting
When it comes to the perfect neighborhood restaurant, Balzem has all the ingredients. A rustic space with a vibe that’s cool yet casual. Check. A great happy hour ($6 wines, $5 beers, $5 tapas, 5-7, 7 days a week). Check. Lots of delectable, light small plates to snack on. Check. If you live around Nolita, you should be hitting this up frequently for drinks, dates and dinner with friends.
Enter Balzem and you’re greeted with an airy space featuring a 12- foot beamed ceiling and exposed brick walls. Looking around you’ll notice an eclectic array of old wine racks, mirrors and chandeliers that serve as great conversation pieces. The reclaimed pine bar is a good spot for a drink with a nice selection of craft beers on tap and excellent selection of small-production Mediterranean wines.
The food is an updated take on both Turkish and Italian fare. Much of it is light and simply prepared which means you can eat a lot without feeling terrible about yourself. I could easily see coming in for some drinks at the bar and a few tapas like the spicy feta, zucchini pancakes and prosciutto wraps. But unlike many Mediterranean spots the large plate section is also strong with flatbreads, skewered meats, seafood and a dynamite tiramisu to top it all off. Below are some of my favorites from our meal:
Prosciutto Wraps 
Wrapping prosciutto around mozzarella is nothing new. But the creamy burrata and charred pepper elevate this one to must try status.
Octopus 
Octopus is one of the hardest dishes to get right. It goes from rubber to mush in a matter of seconds. Here it’s pan seared to perfection in a red wine sauce with arugula.
Crevette Grille Grilled shrimp that packs a ton of flavor thanks to a variety of Turkish spices.
Zucchini Pancakes 
Think more potato pancake than Bisquick on this one. The dill, feta and parsley give it a salty, tangy flavor that you’ll want to taste again soon.
Truffle Mac & Cheese This dish is always a winner for me, but Balzem’s version is particularly good. The cheese is baked firmly into the macaroni and just the right amount of truffle. It didn’t last long on our table.
Lamb Brochettes This another dish that may not sound exciting, but is just prepared too well to ignore. The lamb is tender and juicy with just a hint of gaminess. But it’s the herbed yogurt and chimichurri-like dipping sauces that ensure you’ll order it again.
Tiramisu Tiramisu is one of my all time favorite desserts so I’m very picky with how it’s done. What I love about this one is the strong, fresh espresso taste and the fact that the lady fingers have been soaked to the point you feel like you’re slicing through a mousse.
Balzem
202 Mott Street (Spring & Kenmare Sts.)
New York, NY
