Mariachi

There are probably quite a few Mexican places in the city that I haven’t tried, as I’m just not much of a particular fan of the cuisine, but I did find myself wandering down Victoria Street on a sunny evening with a strange hankering to give Mariachi a try.

It’s a place that I’ve heard very mixed reports about, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

It is decked out in traditional cantina style. It’s neat and tidy enough with a view into the kitchen from the table where I was seated.

The menu is small and focussed with many familiar items. I was interested to note mussels as an option, so ordered them to start, then followed with a beef chimichanga.

The friendly waiter soon delivered the mussels which looked large and plump. They proved to be very good indeed. They had a good chilli kick to them and the broth they were served in was very nicely seasoned. This was an accomplished starter.

The main course was a let-down by comparison. The beef was curiously bereft of flavour and the dish really didn’t offer much beyond hunger chasing sustenance. It was adequate but little beyond.

So overall, it was a mixed bag at Mariachi. Their mussels were very good but their chimichanga was quite poor. This kind of hit and miss standard is often what I find in Mexican places. Maybe I have unfailingly poor luck, but it’s just not a style of cooking that thrills me. Mussels aside, this evening did little to change that perception for me.

Scores
Blythe scores Mariachi
3/5 for food
3.5/5 for presentation
3.5/5 for service
3.5/5 for setting
giving an overall 13.5/20

I ate: mussels; beef chimichanga

I drank: Modelo; water

I wore: striped shirt

Total bill: £21.50