MEXICO

LOCATION
On the corner of Randal and Chalmers street, just a short stroll from Central Station.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
MEXICO is a fun-filled eatery and bar from the savvy Kiwi team behind District Dining. The fit-out is simply fantastic. It’s Mexican overload, but somehow it remains eclectic and bold without being kitsch. Waltz in through a graffiti emblazoned entrance, moodily lit by lights encased in glass jars, and step inside into a long room with a cherry-lit bar down one end. Red-spiced walls with splashes of olive and canary yellow are further enlivened with sombreros, snapshots of Mexican revelry and posters of Freda Kahlo.
The menu combinations are creative, with a list of daily changing specials. Sadly, the soft tacos need a good hit of lemon and salt (should be easy enough in a place like this?) and the fried chicken, which declares itself as ‘not to be missed!’ can drop the exclamation mark. Surprising highlights are the salads. Most notably, the blood orange, peanut, beetroot and feta salad is an esteemed combination and perfectly balanced. A snack of crispy potatoes tossed in celery lime salt with spicy tomatillo dressing are also delightful, generous for the price and wonderfully moorish. There are house wines on offer or BYO ($20 corkage applies), and a solid list of cerveza and top-shelf tequilas. However, you really can’t go past the margaritas, which come by the glass or carafe.

Sami Jo Adelman