Summer has come to Hanoi again, the season of red phoenix trees against the warm yellow sunlight, of the chirping of cicadas and the abundant flowing energy that makes people crave trips and fun with family and friends. Summer can be so brilliant and noisy, but it can also flow peacefully in beautiful, quiet and cool little places. I found such a summer at Mezzico cafe - a resting place in a humble old villa located on the ancient Ham Long street.
A space full of "love"
Located in the central area of the capital, but unlike the crowded shops with wide facades and long lines of people coming and going, Mezzico chose to hide on the second floor of an old villa that if not paying close attention, people would easily miss. Going straight into house number 25, passing through a very "Hanoi" crowded salad shop and then climbing the old stairs stained with time, we encounter an airy and peaceful space, both exuding the breath of an ancient capital and carrying within it a bit of modernity and closeness.
Those who come to Mezzico for the first time will surely be amazed by the artistic atmosphere emanating from every corner. The most special highlight lies in the walls hung with paintings by artist Cong Quoc Ha - one of the famous names in lacquer paintings in Vietnamese painting. Next to that, a piano is neatly placed in the main room, a small corner of the wall is filled with antiques collected, a balcony full of sunlight and dotted with green trees, all creating a strange charm that attracts anyone who accidentally passes by.
Not crowded and noisy, Mezzico is an ideal stop if you are looking for a peaceful place to relax, chat or work. With a space filled with love and the gentleness and kindness of the owner and staff here, perhaps everyone will feel comfortable to leisurely indulge in thoughts.
Cafe of cultures
Perhaps, if you have not known Mezzico before, you will be surprised to hear that this small cafe originally started in a very different direction. With her love for Mexican culture, Ms. Phuong - the owner of Mezzico wanted to create a space that recreated the vibrant colors and free, open spirit of this North American country. The muse of the cafe at that time was the painter Frida Kahlo - a woman with a strong personality and works with bold feminist themes that were ahead of their time. From there, what Mezzico initially aimed for was a place to inspire young people to live true to themselves. Therefore, the cafe space is filled with bright, outstanding colors and a bit of rebellion.
Bringing artist Cong Quoc Ha's artworks into this somewhat modern cafe, according to Ms. Phuong, can be summed up in one word: "fate".
"At first, I was a bit hesitant about this combination because the Mexican and Hanoi styles are very different, one is a flowing source of energy with bright colors, the other is more profound and gentle. However, after a few discussions with the artist, I began to see common points. The use of basic but not boring color tones, the open and modern mindset of the artist, and at the same time my love for the ancient cultural features of Hanoi, all fit together perfectly to lead to this change" - Ms. Phuong shared.
Without any rush, she devoted herself to gradually changing each space, gently bringing the breath of Vietnam into Mezzico without losing the inherent uniqueness of the shop. Each painting was carefully selected, every layout, position, and light were meticulously calculated to convey the most complete spirit it aimed for. This seemingly awkward combination eventually breathed into the small shop a very unique soul that cannot be found anywhere else.
Mezzico's multiculturalism is also reflected in the owner's very special collection of decorative antiques. From carpets, lamps, candlesticks, dishes... all are collected by her from many places, including Bat Trang, Lao Cai to China, India. It doesn't matter which region they come from, as long as they fit the space and convey the right emotional direction that the shop is aiming for, they are all perfect pieces that create this art cafe. Thanks to that, when coming here, people can not only immerse themselves in emotional paintings but also freely explore a unique treasure trove of antiques.
A familiar place in the old villa
The attraction of Mezzico also comes from the story of the old villa number 25 on Ham Long street. According to Ms. Phuong, this house used to be the French Ambassador's house, then was renovated to become a residence for Hanoi people. This is also where painter Cong Quoc Ha used to live before moving to Sweden. With his longing for his homeland, he was deeply moved by the desire to preserve and recreate the old space of a time long gone into the past. The paintings of all sizes, large and small, screen-sized, or many display and decorative objects were all sent back by the artist from a distant country.
Not stopping at the details inside the restaurant, around the villa, we also encounter very familiar scenes of Hanoi's old quarter. Right in front of the house gate is a sidewalk salad shop with a very unique crowded and chaotic atmosphere that is hard to find in any city. On the contrary, the space of Mezzico on the second floor is a completely different world with the image of the peaceful, gentle and elegant old Hanoi. Both of these opposite sides exist and blend together to create a miniature version of the capital's culture.
Perhaps because of the closeness and familiarity of the shop, the customers who come here are also very comfortable. Mezzico has many regular customers, they come to relax, contemplate the paintings, stand at the counter to chat, then remember each other's faces, become close friends as if they have known each other for a long time. Ms. Phuong shared that this is also the main customer group that the shop wants to target. Gradually, this place becomes a peaceful, friendly and warm shelter instead of simply a cafe doing business with sellers and buyers.
Besides the very Hanoian pieces, the restaurant's menu is somewhat "foreign". In addition to familiar drinks such as coffee and tea, the restaurant also serves cocktails, tequila and Mexican food such as Tacos and Tortilla. More special, the dishes and drinks served here are all researched and tested many times by the owner herself from the cleanest and freshest ingredients. Jams are made from fresh seasonal fruits instead of buying industrially canned jams, Mexican dishes are adapted to suit Vietnamese tastes... That meticulousness and care is also what makes Mezzico stand out on the map of thousands of restaurants in the capital. Thanks to that, the cultural soul here does not stop at a beautiful space but also resonates from many profound layers.
Mezzico tea & coffee
- Address: 2nd Floor, Ancient Villa 25 Ham Long, Hanoi
- Fanpage:Mezzico tea & coffee
About artist Cong Quoc Ha
Artist Cong Quoc Ha was born in 1955 in Hanoi, and is best known for his lacquer paintings. The themes in his paintings are both traditional and modern, mainly revolving around images of Hanoi streets, the beauty of women, flowers... He has many works displayed in exhibitions around the world. Currently, the artist lives and works in Sweden, and continues to be passionate about creating art and organizing painting exhibitions there.
