Yeongdeungpo brunch café 4-course meal with French toast: Mela

Today's outing was to a mall in Yeongdeungpo, and I found a relaxed, warm European-style brunch hotspot along the way.

The chef reportedly trained at ICIF, a renowned Italian culinary school, and the place is known for its Italian dishes and sweet desserts made with special recipes — visitors keep raving about it.

Here's my visit report on Mela Times Square, a popular café in Times Square where you can enjoy a mood-lifting meal alongside shopping and culture.

Where Mela Times Square is, and where to park

Mela Times Square sits on the first floor of the Times Square building, in the GATE 4 area, right across from H&M. It connects directly to the underground passage at Yeongdeungpo Station (Line 1), so it was very easy to find.

A bright mint green facade, a stylish awning, and lush plant decorations combine to give the exterior a fresh feel, as if a charming European sidewalk café had been transplanted here.

At the entrance, banners with mouth-watering photos of the signature menu items build anticipation before you even step in. Drivers can conveniently use the Times Square parking lot, so accessibility is excellent.

Mela's European plant-filled interior: which gatherings suit it?

Inside, high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows let in bright sunlight that fills the space. Red brick, a classic arched mirror, and trailing vines come together naturally for a warm, exotic atmosphere.

Elegant marble tables and comfortable rattan chairs are spaced generously apart, making the spot suitable not just for a cozy date but also for gatherings with friends or family, or even a bridal shower.

On an antique wooden cabinet to one side, there's a tidy self-serve bar with cool lemon water, cups, and napkins, which made the whole visit feel comfortable.

How is the burrata & arrabbiata pasta at Mela?

The first dish served at Mela Times Square was the burrata & arrabbiata pasta, topped generously with pristine white burrata cheese. We ordered a full spread — pasta, risotto, pizza, and a brunch dessert.

A rich tomato-sauce base loaded with spicy peperoncino and thick bacon gave it a savory, deep red look.

Twirling the linguine around my fork for a bite, the noodles were cooked to a perfect al dente, and the spicy, tangy sauce had soaked in deeply.

Adding a generous scoop of the soft, fresh burrata alongside the noodles brought a creamy milky note that gently wrapped around the spiciness — I kept going back for more without ever getting tired of it.

Scallop mushroom cream risotto, rich with truffle aroma

Next came the scallop mushroom cream risotto, and the plating alone was impressive. Large scallops, seared golden in butter, were neatly arranged on top, surrounded by crushed pistachios and truffle oil giving off a rich aroma.

Scooping up a generous spoonful of rice and mushrooms along with a piece of scallop, I found the scallop chewy on the outside and melting soft inside — its freshness, the popping texture of the rice grains, and the rich, mouth-filling cream sauce were pure artistry.

Loaded with a variety of mushrooms that added a nice chew, it was a signature dish of this Times Square café, with a great balance alongside the pasta.

Pumpkin gorgonzola pastry pizza at Mela Times Square

The pumpkin gorgonzola pastry pizza took center stage on the table with its striking look. Instead of ordinary flour dough, it uses a crisp pastry dough with visible thin, flaky layers, giving it an extra touch of refined texture.

On top, generous pieces of sweet pumpkin, nutty walnuts, and plenty of rich gorgonzola and mozzarella cheese were heaped without holding back.

Lifting a slice with the pizza server, the natural cheese stretched softly — a spectacular sight.

Taking a bite, the crumbly, nutty pastry, the sweetness of the soft pumpkin, and the salty tang of the cheese came together in a perfect sweet-and-savory harmony.

Dipping it into the accompanying special cinnamon honey powder sauce added a subtle hint of cinnamon, making even the last edge taste like eating a dessert pie.

Ending the meal with Victoria French toast

The brunch item that wrapped up the meal, and the visual highlight of the whole spread, was the Victoria French toast. Thick slices of bread, soaked in egg batter and cooked golden outside with a pudding-like moist center inside, arrived topped generously with soft mascarpone cream, tangy raspberry jam, and crushed pistachios.

On one side of the plate, caramelized banana torched crisp with sugar sat alongside preserved peaches and blueberries, so sweet-looking it was tempting on sight alone.

Cutting into the toast with a fork and knife and piling on the crisp banana, sweet fruit, and plenty of cream, each bite melted in the mouth with pure sweetness.

Being able to finish a full meal and dessert in one sitting doubled the satisfaction of this brunch course at a popular Times Square café.

Final verdict on Mela Times Square

Mela Times Square is a place where you can comfortably enjoy authentic Italian brunch in a stylish, bright European sidewalk café atmosphere.

From the spicy burrata pasta that showed off the chef's skill, to the truffle-scented scallop risotto, the crisp-layered pumpkin pastry pizza, and the visually stunning French toast, every dish was excellent quality.

With a spacious, comfortable interior, friendly service, and Times Square parking support, this is a café I'd recommend for a hearty meal before or after shopping, or for a cozy date.