With only a few days to go till it closes for the season on the 24th October, one must-try venue is La Mezcalería, the Mexiterannean fusion food restaurant and showcase venue for the delectable smokey Mexican spirit, Mezcal. It's the perfect place to go to for an end-of-season dinner for a magical evening out.
All the food is designed to match with the restaurants carefully chosen selection of the best Mezcals of Mexico. Right now, the restaurant is offering a 20% discount on bottles of its various premium artisinally-made Mezcals against a price list ranging from €50-100 – so this marks a great opportunity to take this fine spirit home or offer as gifts to friends and family.
This really is a very special and enchanting place and all of us that went, a group of six, were murmuring how good everything was. It's far away from any Mexican restaurant experience many people have had. Here you get some of the huge canon of traditionally prepared Mexican food as it is in done in Mexico yet firmly rooted in the Mediterranean. You are made to feel like you are at home by the lovely staff here, never rushed, always attended to in just the right way.
As well as boasting a vast range of Mezcals in shots to sip and savour, there is a great list of Mezcal-based cocktails to enjoy. Choose from some great long drinks flavoured with all manner of things from chilli, cucumber, beetroot and ginger. There are same great Margarita variants flavoured with grapefruit and even violet and if you there, it's great to start with a Michelada – beer, lime, chilli spritzed together and served over ice –it's one of the best we've tried outside of Mexico.
The food is a fusion of fine Mexican dishes blended beautifully with the more recognisable flavours of the Med. There's a sublime ceviche, made with the catch of the day; a succulent salmon sashimi, and the great trio of guacamoles spiked with things like broccoli and basil are worth trying out. The tacos are a taste sensation – choose from achiote pork fillet, cuttlefish and mushroom with truffle. All food on the menu is executed beautifully; this place is truly one you have to try out for the great quality of all it serves and its great ambience. It's a truly unique experience.
Javier, the owner has ensured that if you are new to Mezcal and its healthy high, then all the staff, Isabel, Guzman, Mariana, even Matias the chef will be able to guide you through in their super friendly manner
So, make sure you get in there before the season ends and don't forget to make the most of the end-of-season discount on the delicious array of Mezcals on sale.
WORDS | Julian Heathcote