Mamasita: Mexican Restaurant & Bar, CBD Melbourne (22 May 2012)

Level 1, 11 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

http://www.mamasita.com.au

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

—

Milagro Silver tequila with spiced tomato juice chaser ($14)

Margarita ($17) 

Elotes callejores: Street Style chargrilled corn, queso, chipotle mayo and lime ($4.90 each)

Tostaditas de Cangrejo: Crab meat, avocado, cucumber, tamarind mayo & habanero ($16, 4 pieces)
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Tostaditas de Carnitas: Slow briased pork shoulder, encurtidos, pickled jalapeno & chicharron ($14, 4 pieces)

Ceviche de Yucatan: Market fish (kingfish), green tomato, chilli, mint, lime & coconut milk ($18 large)
WORTH TRYING :-)

Tacos de Camarones: Marinated prawns ($7), de Pescado: Grilled fish ($6), de Lengua y Cachete: Braised ox tongue & cheek ($6) 

Salsa verde for tacos 

Tacos de Lengua y Cachete: Braised ox tongue & cheek, pickled veg & ghost chilli mayo ($6) 

Tacos de Camarones: Marinated prawns, red chilli & chipotle almond salsa ($7) 

Tacos de Pescado: Grilled fish, lime, achiote paste, red onion salsa & chipotle mayo ($6) 

Sangria ($8)

Pastel de chocolate: Flourless chocolate cake, tequila white chocolate sauce & PX jelly ($11)

Pina a la parilla: Grilled pineapple, lemon chilli sorbet, orange piquin tequilia syrup & coconut ($10)
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Menu

Menu

Tequila menu

Tequila menu

Seating still available at 5.30 pm

Bar shelves full of different tequila

By 6.10 pm all tables were full and the line up was starting to form at the top of the stairs

The 6.10 pm line up starting to happen

Chef (Scott) signs my menu — thanks!

Bill $154.70 for three

For those who like a hot

Scary welcome in the toilet

A bit a toilet graphics

It's a good sign when there's no line up on the stairs

The lineup last year when I arrived at 7.30 pm, 5 May 2011 — the wait would have been over an hour, possibly two.

View Larger Map