16th July 2010

New Mexican opens in Covent Garden

Already a popular concept across the pond, Cantina Laredo is a “new gourmet dining experience that promises to revolutionise the way British diners think about food from Mexico,” according to UK CEO Jackie Ginsberg.

Launched in June, Cantina Laredo is one of the first restaurants in St. Martin’s Courtyard, a new shopping and lifestyle destination in Covent Garden, London.

Jackie continues: “Cantina Laredo is a far cry for from the ‘Tex Mex’ image of Mexican restaurants. Honouring the Mexican tradition of investing time and passion into sourcing, preparing and cooking fresh, wholesome food, each of the restaurant’s 20 cooking sauces are made from scratch each day. This includes its spicy Mole sauce - a Mexican favourite personalised by the restaurant and made with sixteen different ingredients including dried chilli peppers, toasted nuts and 100% cocoa Mexican chocolate. Cantina Laredo’s Roasted Tomatillo and Roasted Tomato Salsa take up to 40 minutes to produce from scratch, and the ‘top shelf’ guacamole is freshly prepared for guests at the table using ripe avocado, freshly chopped coriander, chilli pepper, red onion, tomatoes and a secret combination of spices combined to create the perfect flavour.”

Menu delights include the palate-freshening ceviche (a traditional dish of tiger prawns, grey mullet and bay scallops, marinated in lime juice and served with a selection of vegetables and spices), and the hearty signature dish of Camaron Poblano Asada (a classic Mexican poblano pepper filled with a mixture of sautéed tiger prawns, mushrooms, onions and cheese and wrapped with a grilled skirt steak on a bed of chimichurri sauce). A good selection of desserts includes the mouthwateringly delicious apple pie served on a sizzling skillet with a brandy butter sauce and cinnamon ice cream. Apple pie it may be, but certainly not as you know it.

Complete with al fresco terrace this is a good place to sip a margarita and watch the world go by.

www.cantinalaredo.co.uk