FOOD : Review of Summer menu at Wahaca

With restaurants closed for normal service for the past few months, Thomasina Miers and the team at Wahaca have spent the latest lockdown crafting a super, seasonal summer menu -  perfectly timed for the much-anticipated return to dining out. Taking inspiration from the freshness and vibrancy of Mexican street food and with a menu that’s now over 50% veggie, there are brand new dishes as well as summery new takes on existing favourites. And everything’s made using high quality, sustainably-sourced ingredients including free-range British pork and chicken. The new menu is available now for dine in, Deliveroo and takeaway.

REVIEW OF THE NEW SUMMER MENU AT WAHACA

I went along to try it out and will be popping into Wahaca over the next two months to cover as much as possible on the menu but also to eat some favourites.

An overnight hit after making its debut as a Deliveroo special in January, the Grilled halloumi “Al Pastor” taco (£6.25) is now a permanent fixture. A new take on cult Mexican street food dish Tacos Al Pastor, but switching the traditional pork for tasty halloumi, the flavour-packed combination of salty cheese, fruity and tangy achiote and the sweetness of pineapple salsa is a firm hit with Wahaca’s staff and customers alike. This is the stuff that taco dreams are made of! So good we ordered this thrice.

Another new comer to the menu but retaining a classic flavour combo thats proved a hit with the tacos, is the Pork Pibil Quesadillas (£6.75) A soft flour tortilla, stuffed with cheese, pink pickled onions and pulled pork then toasted. A lovely warm mouth feel, leaving you wanting more.

No visit to Wahaca is complete without tucking into some steadfast menu staples like the always delicious Buttermilk Chicken tacos (£6.95).There is a reason they retain their presence on the menu. Large soft tender crispy fried chicken served with those wee strips of colourful happiness, the pink pickled onions; and squiggles of spiced mayo.

Wahaca have truly ramped up with vegetarian offerings and this cauliflower dish is now ALWAYS going to be included whenever I ordered anything from here. There is one word for it - DELICIOUS. Crispy Cauliflower Bites (£5.95) should just be added automatically to everyones order. They are so good! Buttermilk battered florets with a roasted jalapeno allioli.

New additions aren’t limited to the food menu. Dial up the heat with the Picante margarita (£7.75) - Wahaca’s classic margarita shaken up with red chillies for a distinctively spicy kick. Less fiery but equally delicious is Wahaca’s unmistakably Mexican take on the Old Fashioned (£8.95). It combines añejo (aged) tequila with bitters and orange and is garnished with a shard of chocolate for a smooth and sophisticated cocktail that’s perfect for raising a glass to a summer of dining out once again - these are both on the list for my next visit. The white cocktail pictured is the Wahaca Colada (£7.95) which was so refreshing that we had one each, the middle photo with the grapefruit slice is the Paloma Fresca (£7.50) with tequila and pink grapefruit and lastly the Passionfruit and Vanilla Mojito (£7.50) with rum.

You just have to end this Mexican feast with Churros and cups of rich dark chocolate and dulce de leche. Enough to share and plenty to carb those sweet cravings!

Unfortunately on this visit there were many items that weren’t available, most of the nibbles and the enchiladas; but the menu is large enough that you will always find another super tasty dish to satisfy those Mexican cravings.

Next month I am looking forward to trying more of their new Summer dishes such as the Hibiscus Glazed Aubergine Taco, the Devon Crab and Avocado Tostadas and the Grilled Chicken Rainbow Bowl.

Here’s to a Summer fuelled by Wahaca.

Wahaca Edinburgh, 16 St Andrews Square, EH2 2EU. www.wahaca.co.uk/edinburgh

My Spoon Award : Gold Spoon 9/10

I was invited by Wahaca to review their new Summer menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.