Simon Food Favourites: Kings Cross

Showing posts with label Kings Cross. Show all posts

31 August 2011

Barrio Chino Launch: Mexican Taqueria & Tequileria, Kings Cross (30 Aug 2011)

28-30 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross NSW 2011
http://www.barriochino.com.au

Tequila, tostadas & tacos

Thanks to part-owner Peter Lew for inviting me along to the launch of the new Taqueria & Tequileria, Barrio Chino. It didn’t take long to realise the Mexican served here was a huge step above your average Westernised cheese and sour cream smothered renditions of the past I've had. Actually I can’t even remember seeing any cheese. My first flavoursome bite of the Camarones taco ($6 each) with grilled market prawns, kiwi fruit salsa and chilli jam transcended by taste buds to a new experience — Mexican that will want me coming back for more, and more. But at $6 a pop I better watch my wallet too although I've been told they are a bit larger on the normal menu. The signature Tuna Tostada ($14 for 4 pieces) of tuna sashimi, avocado and chipotle mayo on a corn chip lived up to its hype. I could have easily finished off a whole tray although at $3.50 each it's the same price as freshly shucked oysters in a restaurant. I never would have thought raw fish on a corn chip would work but it does. It also became one of my favourites of the night. Apparently the tortilla and yellow corn chip bases are available from the Mexican products supplier Fireworks Food.

All the tostadas and tacos I tried were worth trying but some I preferred more than others including the Roast Corn Tostada ($12 for 4 pieces) of sweet corn, avocado and chipotle mayo and Chicken Borracho taco ($6 each) which had a good balance of chipotle-beer braised chicken, cream, avocado contrasted with refreshing iceberg. The Spicy Albondigas ($15 for 3 pieces) of pork and beef meatballs with roasted tomato-chipotle sauce had a nice flavoured heat to it like most of the dishes tried. Although I’m not sure if $5 a meatball will be value-for-money for many people — ouch! But again they're supposed to be larger on the normal menu than what was served as a cocktail style for the launch.

When it comes to tequila I don’t seem to be a huge fan — perhaps too many awful memories in the past of bad quality tequila 1, tequila 2, tequila 3, floor. Their house margarita Tommy's Margarita ($15) is humorously described as ‘No Shitty tequila. No sour mix. Just hand squeezed lime & organic agave netar. You're welcome!’ It packs a punch and I’m sure lovers of the margarita will probably enjoy. The Stealth Margarita ($16) is equally lethal with the added kick of jalapeno and chilli salt — can it get any more Mexican, I think not. The food has certainly left me wanting to return to try more. I’ve been recommended to try the ribs and ceviche which are now on my wishlist when I get a chance. This place has certainly opened my eyes to the taste sensations of delicious Mexican cuisine I've only heard about but have never had the opportunity to try until now.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Very tasty tostadas and tacos, Fresh and quality ingredients, Flavoursome dishes to enjoy with a drink that's not too heavy, Mexican that isn't covered with cheese and sour cream

CONS: I'm suspecting the cost of filling up your stomach could get expensive if you're a big eater, Bite sized servings

MUST TRY: Tuna Tostada, Camarones taco — For next time the ceviche and ribs have been recommended to me by the entrance hostesses

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Roast Corn Tostada - Corn chip, sweet corn, avocado and chipotle mayo ($12 for 4) pieces

Pulled Pork Tostada - Corn chip, pulled pork, burnt orange and jicama ($12 for 4 pieces)

Tuna Tostada - Corn chip, tuna sashimi, avocado and chipotle mayo ($14 for 4 pieces)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-) — One of their signature dishes

Camarones taco - Grilled market prawns, kiwi fruit salsa and chilli jam ($6 each)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Beef Barbacoa taco - Brisket, red chill sauce, lime cured red onion and oregano ($6 each)

Calabaza taco - Roasted pumpkin, capsicum, cactus and toasted pepitas ($5 each)

Carnitas taco - Traditional crispy braised pork, onion and cilantro ($6 each)

Chicken Borracho taco - Chipotle-beer braised chicken, cream, avocado and iceberg ($6 each)

Spicy Tuna taco - Seared yellow fin tuna, jalapeno-garlic sauce and pineapple-jicama salsa ($6 each)

Spicy Albondigas - Pork and beef meatballs, roasted tomato-chipotle sauce ($15 for 3 pieces)

Chefs daily postre - Horchata flan with rum syrup

Chefs in the kitchen

Drinks are up

Tommy's Margarita - Our house margarita. No Shitty tequila. No sour mix. Just hand squeezed lime & organic agave netar. You're welcome! ($15)

Stealth Margarita - Calle 23 blanco, St Germain, lime, agave, jalapeno and chilli salt ($16)

Segura Viudas Brut, Spain

WORTH TRYING :-)

Luchador Shiraz 2008 and Yada Yada Yada Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Santa Vittoria water

Margarita menu

Extensive tequila menu

Fully stocked bar of tequilas

Entrance hostesses with hats and boots to match

Nicole Galloway (part owner) in the middle flanked by models(?) that aren't fans of smiling perhaps

Scary face, pretty face — you choose

Sombreros and boots

Cocktail flairing and fire-breathing — call the fire brigade

Launch party in motion

Official photographer

Nice lighting features — it's the finer details that count

The calm before the party storm

Colourful Mexican skulls

Last minute final touches on the signage

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21 June 2011

The Departure Lounge: Mexico at Piano Room, Potts Point (9 June 2011)

1 Bayswater Road, Potts Point NSW 2011
http://www.pianoroom.com.au

Overseas without the jet lag

Thanks to Ms Darlinghurst from Eat Drink Play for inviting me along as a guest to the first week of The Departure Lounge ($15 pre-booked, $20 at the door). Mexico was in store for my group of four once we had our Boarding Passes — I like the attention to detail of the ticket design. Arriving early helps find a nice spot to set up possie. Two cocktails and a chef’s plate was included with the entry. The Hakka-san cocktail was apparently the Piano Room’s version of a margarita. Quite easy to drink and made from scratch so it’s not watered down, but still went quickly. Getting two cocktails is probably worth the $15 alone but you also get a small tasting plate. Other Mexican themed tasting plate dishes were available for $10 each prepared by Chef Sarah French. Each dish had its distinctive taste but some were a lot easier to eat and share than others. I preferred the Smoked chicken and caramelised onion quesadilla ($10) and the wonderfully crispy Bunuelos ($10). It’s probably preferable if the dishes can be eaten by hand rather than needing cutlery since most of the seating is quite laid back and lounge-like.

The Mexican band were a lively bunch that moved around the room although at first needed to compete with the Piano Room’s sound system playing different music which made it very noisy at times. The dancing lady fluttered her arms around like a butterfly in her colourful dress — although I could really work out if she had any other moves. The Departure Lounge hostesses were welcoming and attentive so you didn’t have to get out of your seat to get your cocktails at the bar. Probably a good thing since the bar staff weren’t particularly friendly as they concentrated on making the cocktails and didn’t seem very customer-focused. I reckon it’s best to remain seated and relax with your friends while the hostesses grab your orders. The Piano Room decor is quite lavish with nice mood lighting although I was half-expecting there to be some Mexican decorations around as well. Perhaps some large flags, blow-up cacti and sombreros would have helped create a more party-themed atmosphere, but then again the price of entry would probably be more too.

The Departure Lounge on Thursday
Week 1. Mexico 9th June 
Week 2. Japan 16th June 
Week 3. Greece 23rd June 
Week 4. Zimbabwe 30th June 
Week 5. Morocco 7th July 
Week 6. France 14th July 
Week 7. Old England 21st July 
Week 8. Spain 28th July 
Week 9. Vietnam 4th August 
Week 10. Brazil 11th August

Other visits to The Piano Room:
• 9 June 2011 - The Departure Lounge - Mexico

• 12 August 2010 - Cheese Plate, Chicken Satay, Arancini, Anitpasto

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Entry includes two cocktails which is pretty good value, Nice décor, Live entertainment, Friendly hostesses, Extra tasting plates to choose from

CONS: Bar staff weren’t particularly friendly, Thursday could be considered a school night, There didn’t seem to be a drinks menu and cocktail menu doesn’t display prices, Extra drinks could be expensive, Hard to know what the tasting dishes might look and taste like

MUST TRY: Visiting on one of the other themed night

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