A wide selection of tacos and an extensive tequila menu. Sounds pretty tempting…
Rating:
Cuisine:
Mexican
In A Word:
Surprising
Appeals to:
The after-work crowd, locals mainly. There’s a group of friends, several couples on a date. Passers-by looking to stop over for a drink or two.
Introduction
If you want to try something new, then Broadway Market is the place to go. Every time you visit there seems to be another exciting venue open and enticing foodies and locals alike. One such place is the Tacos and Tequila. The name says it all, but is there enough to pull in the crowds?
Interior/Ambience
Of course, being situated in an indoor market, some things come as standard. The size of the restaurant/bar is obviously small, accommodating no more than 20 people at a time, but it is a cosy space. There are stools by the bar for those looking for a drink and a little space for the diners next to it. The decor is full of Mexican flare with sombrero hats scattered around and painted skulls on tables which hold drinking water.
There is definitely a fiesta vibe here thanks to the colourful furniture, bright lights and a continuous flow of Latino pop – beware, they do play Despacito…Once Jack and I have spotted several references to Mexican culture. We have a look at the menu.
The Menu
The food menu is straightforward enough, but neither of us were prepared for such a large drinks menu. It’s certainly the biggest tequila menu I’ve seen. Straight tequila, tequila cocktails, tequila infusions – the list goes on. In the end I settle for a Tequila Tea cocktail.
To Drink…
The Tequila Tea cocktail is as fresh and fruity as they claim. As far I can tell, there’s no actual tea used, but there’s an intriguing mix of flavours here. The Arrette Resposado Tequila is infused with hibiscus and mixed with a number of fruits including apple and guanabana juice. It’s very easy to drink so do eat something first!
Jack is more inclined to the neat stuff so has a Worm Salt Tequila. If you’re not sure about worm salt (or sal de gusano as it’s called in Mexico) then you should know it is actually crushed worms, rock salt and chillies…definitely not suitable for vegetarians! It’s a well known condiment in Mexican drinks. The presentation is certainly eye-catching thanks to its skull-shaped glass and dried worms. I can’t confirm if they’re real or not but they definitely provide a talking point…
Food…
Jack and I decide to start with Tortilla Chips with guacamole. After all, it wouldn’t be a Mexican experience without a bit of guacamole! It comes under ‘Snacks’ on the menu, but there’s enough to share between two people. The chips are a little too salty for my liking, but the guacamole makes up for it. It comes with a side of tomato and onion salad which adds a moreish, sweet and sharp element to the dish. It certainly made me eager for more.
On To The Tacos…
The service here is pretty quick and we are served our first two tacos dishes. The first dishes to arrive are the Horton Duck Egg and Ox Cheek tacos. Both dishes are surprisingly well presented. We thought they would already be folded, but they arrive open with the ingredients presented beautifully.
Taste wise, the Horton Duck Egg tacos is a revelation to me. This is an incredibly tasty dish, but what really makes it is the chorizo jam. It has the same satisfying effect on the palate as sweet chilli, there’s a gentle spice that cuts through the sweetness and immediately lifts the egg and guacamole. It’s a little messy to eat, so a knife and fork may be advised…
If you’re into red meat then the Ox Cheek tacos will impress. There’s lots of strong flavours here thanks to the combination of pickled onions and red peppers with the beef. It’s given a herby lift with the salsa verde and is definitely one of the more filling tacos on the menu.
Next, we’re served the fish dishes. Again, both are beautifully presented and oozing with flavour. The Charred Cod taco is gentler on the tastebuds thanks to the presence of avocado and just a hint of white cabbage, but the red onion adds a punch to it. The cod fillet is tenderly cooked is accompanied by a satisfying coriander sauce.
The Spicy Prawn tacos is another spectacular accomplishment. Perfectly cooked with a hint of chorizo and a surprising accompaniment – pineapple salsa. Jack and I have never come across this before but we agree it’s extremely flavoursome. The burst of sweet and sour immediately lifts this dish and gives it a tropical feel. Perfection.
Last but certainly not least is the Caramelised Mushroom tacos. This one is a little bit different to the others in that it arrives already wrapped with an extra tortilla underneath. It tastes as good as it looks. The combination of cheddar cheese, onion and mushroom is a winner and the flavour is heightened by habanero sour cream. I would’ve liked a little more cheese, but that’s probably because I’m a big cheese fan!
We Finish With…
Instead of having dessert, Jack and I end up sharing a bottle of chocolate stout – The Necromancer. Stout may not be the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of Mexico, but there you have it. I’m fond of this despite not being a big fan of beer or stout. Because of its chocolate taste, it does have a dessert-like element to it and is surprisingly easy to drink. Rather bewitching…
Conclusion
If you’re a fan of tacos as well as tequila, then you need to head down to Broadway Market. The food is bursting with exciting flavours, unique combinations and is exquisitely presented. The drinks too are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the tongue. The service is excellent and there’s a lively vibe about the place. You may not have enough room for all your dishes and drinks on the table, but it’s a great place.
Details
Unit M8, Broadway Market, 20 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RJ
Tel: 02087675839
www.tacosntequila.co.uk
Instagram: @tacostequilaldn