insideKENT Magazine Issue 60 - March 2017 | Page 56

FOOD + DRINK

A TASTE OF MEXIco

by Lisamarie Lamb
WALKING INTO NEW MAIDSTONE RESTAURANT MEXIco IS LIKE WALKING INTO YOUR OWN SURPRISE PARTY ; FROM THE OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANT APPEARS CALM AND QUIET , BUT AS SOON AS YOU STEP THROUGH THE DOOR THE FUN , BUZZING , FIESTA- LIKE ATMOSPHERE COMES AT YOU IN A WAVE OF SOUND AND MOVEMENT . AND IT IS ON THAT WAVE THAT YOU ARE CARRIED , BOPPING ALONG TO CATCHY MEXICAN POP MUSIC AND GENERALLY GETTING EXCITED ABOUT THE MEAL THAT IS TO COME .
Seated at our table a stone ’ s throw from the very well stocked bar with its impressive range of tequila ( you can order a tequila flight tasting experience where you get to try a variety of tequilas from different areas and different ages ), my partner and I opted for something a little softer . We went for the apple and mint agua fresca , an incredibly delicious – and refreshing – drink that is the perfect match for the Mexican flavours to come .
Speaking of Mexican flavours , the menu is jam-packed full of them . The food ranges from the mild to the hot , hot , hot , but no matter whether the heat is your friend or not , everything is freshly prepared using quality ingredients , and it shows . Just the look of the food , vibrant and colourful , is enough to tell you that this is good stuff .
For our starters we chose the spicy prawn Vallarta ( lightly battered prawns with avocado crema , lettuce , tomatoes , red onions and coriander ) and the fish Baja Mexico ( grilled fish with classic chipotle crema , lettuce , tomatoes , red onions , coriander and avocado ). Both dishes arrived looking very attractive on a plate designed to hold the tacos perfectly .
We were offered a wide range of hot sauces to add to our tacos , and between us we tried pretty much all of them . Beware – when the label says it ’ s the hottest sauce around , believe that bottle ! And yet , despite the heat , the flavour still came through which is a testament to the chef ’ s skills .
Next came the chicken enchiladas verde ( soft corn tortillas filled with pulled chicken tinga , baked in a tomatillo and coriander sauce , melted Monterey Jack cheese and crema ) and the chargrilled chicken ( double breasted chicken marinated in Mexican spices and citrus served over a tomatillo and coriander sauce , grilled courgettes , peppers and queso fresco cheese ). The dishes created at MEXIco seem so perfect for sharing that that ’ s exactly what we did , taking a little of each other ’ s food , commenting on it , trying something else mixed with another element . It ’ s a fun , interactive way to enjoy the food ( which was all mouth-wateringly delicious ), and it ’ s a great way to enjoy the company you ’ re with too .
Although I have to admit , I did not share my dessert . Would you share a churros ice cream sundae ? No . But then , my partner didn ’ t share his Mexican caramel brûlée even though I asked nicely , so I suppose in the end we were even .
The food , the atmosphere , and the friendliest waiting staff you ’ re likely to meet all go towards making MEXIco the place to go .
MEXIco Fremlin Walk 62 Earl Street Maidstone ME14 1PS 01622 620382 www . fremlinwalk . co . uk / dining / mexico
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