Meze Greek Fusion

**What makes this different:** While Gaslamp's taco joints feed the late-night crowds with assembly-line efficiency, Meze slows things down with Greek small plates designed for lingering. This isn't grab-and-go fuel—it's the spot where you camp at a table, order a dozen mezze, and pretend you're on the Aegean coast instead of Sixth Avenue. The belly dancer appearances seal it: full sensory overload in a neighborhood built for exactly that.

The sriracha hummus shows up constantly in reviews—not traditional, sure, but locals seem fine with the fusion spin. Lamb chops run tender, the grilled chicken carries whatever rub they've perfected (people rave about it), and the baklava cheesecake does double duty as dessert and conversation piece. Order mezze-style: hummus, calamari if you trust it (reviews split), Greek salad if you need vegetables to justify the cheesecake.

Service runs engaged without the downtown hustle—servers actually walk you through the menu instead of rushing tickets. Gluten-free folks report smooth experiences, which matters in a district where most kitchens default to fried everything. The patio works for groups who want fresh air without leaving the Gaslamp grid.

Downsides: calamari quality seems inconsistent, and peak weekend nights lean loud. This is a nightclub-restaurant hybrid, so expect energy levels to match. If you want quiet Greek dining, wrong neighborhood entirely. But if you want mezze plates, solid cocktails, and the occasional belly dancing interlude fifteen minutes from the airport, Meze delivers exactly what it promises. Just order the baklava cheesecake—every review mentions it for a reason.