What… La Cantina
Where… Ciudad en Mexico
And… What an experience!
The concept of La cantina is to match your traditional Mexican food and drink, and
what a fantastic match they create. To accompany my local beer, I was first offered
some almonds. Ok. I hear you say! Nothing very exciting about some nuts! You
would be wrong, they had been tossed in a mix of spices, chilli and paprika. The
perfect accompaniment to my ice cold beer.
Next came a dish of macaroni cheese. Yes you read that correctly, and I can put
both hands on my heart and tell you that it was the best macaroni cheese I have ever
eaten. It had some serious heat, and yet it was cooling and sticky on the lips from the
cheese. It was perfect.
Having not eaten all day I was ready for my next dish, Pozole, a stunning broth which
is served with giant corn kernals, shredded chicken and extra sides of cabbage, lime,
coriander, radish, avocado and extra chilli for those who dare. Served alongside
were Tostados with an extremely hot habanero sauce which I topped with sour
cream.
This dish became close to my heart and displays a lot of what Mexican cuisine is all
about – great dishes simply full of flavour with every mouthful being the perfect
contrast of vibrant flavours.