Level 1, 11 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Early bird catches the tequila
It's taken me just over a year to finally dine at Mamasita. Last year in May while visiting Melbourne I was greeted by a queue running the length of the stairs at 7.30 pm which would have been at least an hour wait or more. Armed with good advice this time around I arrive around 5.20 pm to find most of the tables still available before the rush — by 6.10 pm the restaurant was full and the queue had began. To start I tried the Milagro Silver tequila with spiced tomato juice chaser ($14). I was advised to sip between the two for maximum enjoyment which worked well. I tried a bit of the Mamasita Margarita ($17) which was one of the more enjoyable margaritas I've had since I'm not a big fan of the salted rim and it obviously used quality tequila. The Street Style chargrilled corn ($4.90 each) was decent in size and quite flavoursome although I kind of wished they were cut smaller so it would be easier to share as a tapas. I really enjoyed the lightness and flavour of the Tostadita Crab meat, avocado, cucumber, tamarind mayo & habanero ($16 4 pieces). The Ceviche de Yucatan ($18 large) of Market fish (kingfish), green tomato, chilli, mint, lime & coconut milk had good flavour although more corn chips were certainly needed to help finish it off and maybe a flatter dish would have helped with serving.
For something a little more substantial three types of tacos were tried which went well with the side of salsa verde supplied. I tried to cut them up to share but soon learnt it would have been a lot easier to just eat them as a whole as intended. I think the Grilled fish taco ($6) might have been my preferred one over the pleasant Marinated prawns taco ($7) and Braised ox tongue & cheek taco ($6) which was laced with some wicked ghost chilli mayo. A refreshing Sangria ($8) helped cleanse the palate before dessert. The Flourless chocolate cake, tequila white chocolate sauce & PX jelly ($11) was certainly a rich and smooth treat but I really enjoyed the Grilled pineapple, lemon chilli sorbet, orange piquin tequilia syrup & coconut ($10). The caramelised pineapple worked well with the sorbet making it a favourite of mine. Our bar service lady China was friendly and down-to-earth helping to make it a fun and relaxed night. Kitchen turnaround time seemed efficient and the restaurant ambience was buzzing, although bordering on very loud at times but I guess a few tequilas would have helped drown out the noise I'm sure.
SNAPSHOT REVIEW:
PROS: Interesting menu, Tasty dishes, Buzzing and cosy atmosphere, Nice decor, Extensive range of tequila, Service was friendly and down-to-earth (China)
CONS: Can't book except for groups of 8-10 people, Highly popular so you need to arrive early or expect to wait a long time, Prone to getting very noisy
MUST TRY: Tostaditas de Cangrejo, Pina a la parilla, Getting there before 5.30 pm to beat the dining rush
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Milagro Silver tequila with spiced tomato juice chaser ($14) |
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Margarita ($17) |
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Elotes callejores: Street Style chargrilled corn, queso, chipotle mayo and lime ($4.90 each) |
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Tostaditas de Cangrejo: Crab meat, avocado, cucumber, tamarind mayo & habanero ($16, 4 pieces)
SIMON FAVOURITE :-) |
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Tostaditas de Carnitas: Slow briased pork shoulder, encurtidos, pickled jalapeno & chicharron ($14, 4 pieces) |
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Ceviche de Yucatan: Market fish (kingfish), green tomato, chilli, mint, lime & coconut milk ($18 large)
WORTH TRYING :-) |
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Tacos de Camarones: Marinated prawns ($7), de Pescado: Grilled fish ($6), de Lengua y Cachete: Braised ox tongue & cheek ($6) |
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Salsa verde for tacos |
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Tacos de Lengua y Cachete: Braised ox tongue & cheek, pickled veg & ghost chilli mayo ($6) |
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Tacos de Camarones: Marinated prawns, red chilli & chipotle almond salsa ($7) |
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Tacos de Pescado: Grilled fish, lime, achiote paste, red onion salsa & chipotle mayo ($6) |
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Sangria ($8) |
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Pastel de chocolate: Flourless chocolate cake, tequila white chocolate sauce & PX jelly ($11) |
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Pina a la parilla: Grilled pineapple, lemon chilli sorbet, orange piquin tequilia syrup & coconut ($10)
SIMON FAVOURITE :-) |
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Menu |
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Menu |
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Tequila menu |
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Tequila menu |
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Seating still available at 5.30 pm |
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Bar shelves full of different tequila |
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By 6.10 pm all tables were full and the line up was starting to form at the top of the stairs |
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The 6.10 pm line up starting to happen |
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Chef (Scott) signs my menu — thanks! |
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Bill $154.70 for three |
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For those who like a hot |
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Scary welcome in the toilet |
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A bit a toilet graphics |
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It's a good sign when there's no line up on the stairs |
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The lineup last year when I arrived at 7.30 pm, 5 May 2011 — the wait would have been over an hour, possibly two. |
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2 comments:
Love your posts, great pics, great format and consistent layout makes it easy to get a good feel of the place.
hi thang, that's always my hope to give readers a good impression of what to expect. thanks for the positive feedback :-)
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