ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Restaurant Name: Mezcalita, Churchgate, Mumbai
Phone: +91 9930495555
Address: 82, Nagin Mahal, Veer Nariman Rd, Churchgate, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400020 India
Time: 06:30 PM – 01:30 AM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,500
Cuisines: Mexican, Bar Food
Facilities: Takeaway Available, Serves Alcohol, Indoor Seating, Smoking Area
Mezcalita, Churchgate, Mumbai: Profile
Hola, Mexican food buffs! Here’s good news for you. Your wait is over! Never mind if long ago the true blue El Mexicana (Trident) and Casa Mexicana ( President) closed down. Or somewhat more recently Sanchos did. South Mumbai had no dedicated Mexican restaurant. Three months ago enter Mezcalita! Its serendipity that I write this from sunny Valencia, where the World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards is being held and many a Mexican dish burritos, salsa, arroz are derived from traditional Spanish recipes. Before leaving for Spain, I dined at Mezcalita twice. My review follows.
Decor:
Superbly spirit lifting! Vibrant, lively and colorful. We love this Mexican Cantina and Tequila bar’s colorful murals and their mismatched furniture. From the leather-clad tribal chairs (harking back to ancient warriors?) to the light pink and green colored cane wicker chairs (lounging in the sun time?) to the plush velvet chairs. You just have to look at the photos I’ve shot to soak in Senkoe, the talented artist from Mexico’s unique style which blends mystical imagery, sacred geometry and nature that captures the soul of Mexico.
Food: Mezcalita, Churchgate, Mumbai
Quesadillas, Tacos to Panuchos, Alambres, Nachos, tacos you name it! Plenty for vegetarians and the health conscious too.
Consistently good: portobello avo burger with fleshy portobello and diced mushrooms soaked in flavours of truffle, placed between two whole slices of avocado in place of burger buns. The creamy, dreamy tres leches dessert is the other memorable dish. Avocado fans (count me in), delight! Fresh, chunky and rustic guacamole. Ask for the guac tres textures avocado hummus and guacamole foam.
Must try the tacos (hand rolled and pressed masa dough). Robust and flavour packed Lamb Birria Taco and Buff Taco are the best. Citrus cured salmon ceviche with Méxican leche de tigre is delicate and refreshing too. Superb selection at the bar, plenty of authentic and creative cocktails too.
My two meals:
On my first visit (bill paid ₹14,004) the talented and tattooed Mexican chef Pablo Benitez, along with restaurant founders Rizvan Amlani and Vicky Singh not only sat with me but also Madame try all the signature dishes. A few weeks later, I went back unannounced with Firoza Moos, patisserie and gourmet extraordinaire and gourmet Jeff Davis. Talented patisseurs Sherna and Rhea Bharucha were lunching at the neighboring table. They pointed out that a lot of the dishes were just about average. Our bill for four was ₹6856.
Minus Points:
The long winding menu confuses. Many of the authentic Mexican specialities (Jicama, Nopal) are lacklustre. The Black Rice Beetroot Bowl with edamame and red wine vinaigrerte looked better than it tasted. On our second unannounced visit we noted the inconsistency in food quality and service.
My Point: Mezcalita, Churchgate, Mumbai
Mezcalita brings the color, vibrance and spirit of Mexico (literally too). Much needed. Kudos brilliant trio Rizwan Amlani, Vicky Singh (who along with his team had set up Sanchos many years ago) and Chef Pablo Benitez. While the food and service was superb on my first visit, it slipped on both counts during my unannounced second check-out. However, Mezcalita is still is a noteworthy and laudable effort to bring Mexico to Mumbai. Bienvenido Mezcalita!
