Wahaca-ca-ca
By Patito, published on 13 October 2009
London has gone crazy for Mexican market eating. Opened in 2007, there are now two Wahacas and a third is on the way in chain-mad Canary Wharf. So, how do former Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers and business partner Mark Selby fare? Well it took three attempts (damn those no reservations policies) but one Wednesday night after work we finally got a table for two in the heart of the Covent Garden restaurant. Having won the first battle, we were ushered to the bar and encouraged to order a drink to pass the 35 minute wait for our table. If that doesn’t sound like a great start, the hibiscus margaritas (and classic margarita, and another hibiscus margarita) that were presented more than made up for it.
As the last drops of margarita were drained, the black device we had been handed started to vibrate. Yippee! Our table was (finally) ready. Walking through the restaurant, it has a cheery feel to it. The colours are bright and warm. The tables are filled with friends catching up, colleagues enjoying a quick meal, students chattering away.
Once seated, it was time for the tricky process of ordering. The menu is helpfully divided into small plates for sharing (tacos, tostadas and quesadillas) and larger platos fuertes (enchiladas, burritos and grilled dishes). We settled on the first option but what to choose – the “messy but delicious tacos”, “light and more-ish tostadas” or “velvety melting quesadilla”? In the end, we tried them all.
The dishes were a mixed bag. The bestseller, pork pibil (slow cooked pork in a Yucatecan marinade) and beef salpicón (shredded beef with spicy habanero and red onion salsa) were instant hits. The chorizo and potato quesadillas were less appetising, especially for my companion who only announced a dislike for re-fried beans once we were seated. That’s a tricky one in a Mexican restaurant. And yes, almost every dish is garnished with the little blighters. Oh dear. Two more margaritas, please!
It’s difficult to get away from the idea that this will be the Mexican answer to Wagamama or Carluccio’s. Before we know it, there will be a Wahaca on every street corner. But is that a bad thing? It’s a cheap night out, with a good cocktail and lively atmosphere. That’s ok, isn’t it?
Wahaca, 66 Chandos Place, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HG, Tel: +44 20 7240 1883, coventgarden@wahaca.co.uk
Wahaca-ca-ca
London has gone crazy for Mexican market eating. Opened in 2007, there are now two Wahacas and a third is on the way in chain-mad Canary Wharf. So, how do former Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers and business partner Mark Selby fare? Well it took three attempts (damn those no reservations policies) but one Wednesday night [...]
