THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Mecca

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Mecca Restaurant Review:

One of the city's few supper clubs maintains a vibrant, stylishly current feel after years of notoriety. The candlelit, industrial space is expansive and sexy, with a circular-shaped bar commanding the central area, comfortable leather booths lining the walls, and an open kitchen. Expert service adds to the warm, lively atmosphere. The bar fills up thanks to a bounty of well-executed specialty cocktails, numerous wines by the glass, and a bar menu that includes chilled oysters (a dollar each during the nightly happy hour). The menu plays with lots of flavors---sometimes too many---and expensive ingredients can jostle to take the limelight. Subtle, cured hamachi is outmatched by strong smoked-almond paste, while sunchoke soup, poured tableside over seared scallops, is no match for a hefty pile of crispy bacon. Braised beef short ribs are a favorite here, though they may be a tiny bit dry. Impressive desserts end the evening on a lovely note.