Margaritas at Mestizo

I HAD not eaten such good Mexican food since I visited Acapulco and Mexico City. The restaurant looks large although it only seats 50 on the ground floor. Further sitting for 150 is available on the basement where parties can enjoy dancing till midnight on most nights of the week.
Some regulars obviously enjoy the spacious area and continue their meetings after lunch in what is a most congenial environment to do business in.
However, if you are in a hurry, you can phone your order which will be ready when you arrive.
The food is genuine. As one of the owners, Katya Torres, told me: “Our recipes are authentic – we do not serve Tex-Mex.”
The soup – Caldo Xochitl – arrived accompanied by chopped avocado, coriander, tomatoes and onions. Nothing like gazpacho, though. Hot broth served with chicken pieces and some rice. The large chipotle is dropped in the soup and you can mash it as much as you want to give the desired hot taste.
The two steamed corn husks Tamales (£4.40) were filled with ground corn, pieces of pork and served with a green sauce. Delicious.
Being on my own I could not try their speciality Molcajete prepared for two people or more. Pieces of beef and/or chicken are served in a stone bowl with cheese, chorizo, spring onions, coriander and avocado and there are four sauces to choose from. I tasted the ‘mole’ sauce made from an old recipe using more than 40 spices, chillies, almonds and chocolate. A unique taste which I loved.
For dessert I had the crispy dough fritter with sugar cane coullis (£3.20).
On arrival I ordered a Margarita on the rocks with salt and guacamole with tortilla chips and pico de gallo.
The Spanish speaking waitress brought me a good looking Margarita I had not seen before. Orangey in colour and rather thick. (£7.50 or £5.50 for a small 25ml). When I mentioned to the waiter that this was an ‘interesting’ looking Margarita but that I had expected it to look paler and with fresh lime he explained that their ‘Mother Margarita’ was served frozen and had some orange juice in it.
He suggested I ordered the Cadillac Margarita (from £8.75 depending on the choice of tequila).
What I had not realised was that they specialise in 75 tequilas. I decided not to try them all that day opting instead to suggest that perhaps they should have a ‘house’ Margarita at a cheaper price. Their house wines come from Chile and are sold at £12.50 for a l75 ml. bottle.
Seated in the corner at Table 6, I watched half of Camden Town pass by. This is a busy road where one can easily overlook this fine restaurant.
But don’t – next time make it your destination and you will enjoy delicious Mexican food.

Mestizo
103 Hampstead Road, NW1
020 7387 4064