Eat & Drink
Originally published on Thursday, 11th November 2010
Wahaca
Our favourite Mexican opens the fourth member of its family in Soho.
80 Wardour Street, W1F 0TF - 020 7734 0195
www.wahaca.co.uk
Location
At the bottom end of Wardour Street in the old Slug & Lettuce space, smack bang in the middle of medialand.
Vibe
Following the same irreverent path as its predecessors, the atmosphere is buzzy, busy and bright – service is swift, food comes as and when from the open kitchen, and with a no reservations policy people are constantly popping in and out with the tables packed from the get-go.
Flavours
The menu at Wahaca is based on the ‘Mexican market’ concept – fresh, honest food made with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients served to share. The guacamole and salsa dips to start are tangy and super clean on the tongue, whilst tasting-sized dishes range from the spicy kick in the steak taco (balance with a cooling hibiscus agua fresca) and the velvety, tomato-based marinade of the chipotle chicken quesadilla, to the smoked mackerel tostada and big fat barrel, cheesy burritos. Leave room for the melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon-sprinkled churros, and definitely try with the caramel, rather than chocolate sauce. Or do both.
Décor
Bright, airy and fun, we loved the Chiquita banana chandelier, neon pink park-bench seating and the bright Remi Rough designed wall graffiti. Head downstairs past the colourful beaded curtains to the tequila bar, where hanging cocoon chairs swivel by foosball tables and bold red tables and bar stools make the perfect hangout to swing back the stellar Bloody Marias (a Bloody Mary made with tequila).
Upshot
We feel like Soho needed a fun, sparky place to hit at lunchtime, and this may just be the perfect solution. Sure the no bookings policy might leave you stranded on occasion, but with this kind of spread we wouldn’t mind waiting one bit – and there’s always the lure of the tequila bar. It makes you happy, don’t you know.
