As Day of the Dead approaches (2nd November), Mexico is getting ready for it’s legendary festival. And, while we can’t visit Mexico, we can certainly get into the spirit of things at Cardiff’s Wahaca.
We’re big fans; of the festival and Wahaca Cardiff. To celebrate, the graveyard shift at Wahaca have created some new dishes and cocktails. We certainly wanted to try the Four Cheese & Jalapeno Empanadas and the Marmalade Mezcalita cocktail.
Apparently the Mezcalita was created by Marta at their Edinburgh restaurant. With Scotland’s penchant for all things alcohol recognised the world over, perhaps Marta’s cocktail will be too. It might even get downed in Mexico. It’s certainly a cheeky number – it was the first thing on our order. Would we have another. Oh yes! Although I imagine they sneak up on you so give your car keys to a friend and try to forget who – just for one night.
On to the the food and this is basically our rundown of a large sharing meal for two:
Four Cheese & Jalapeno Empanadas
£8.95
Crisp pastry parcels generously filled with a melted mix of cheeses and jalapeno, plus tomatillo salsa.
Now ordinarily, Jalapenos don’t agree with me – I’m a bit of a lightweight. But these! Oh my, they had just the right amount of heat without being overpowering. Thoroughly enjoyable. And with the ice-chilled cocktail, it just worked.
Free Range Pork Pibil
£6.95
Slow-cooked in citrus and spices, with pink pickled onions, in three soft corn tortillas.
One of Jack’s favourites – he always orders this along with the Beef Gringa.
Beef Gringa
£7.50
Slow-cooked British grass-fed beef with grilled cheese and salsa fresca, in two soft corn tortillas.
These are particularly scrummy. Very meaty. Just what you need on a nippy autumn afternoon in Cardiff.
Devon Crab Tostadas
£7.50
With chipotle mayo, salsa fresca, avocado and crispy onions.
One of my favourites. I love crab, and this is very, very crabby.
Sustainable Battered Fish
£7.75
MSC certified pollock with dressed slaw, chipotle mayo and pickled cucumber, in two soft flour tortillas.
If you like fish, this is for you, along with the Devon Crab Tostadas mentioned above.
Crispy Cauliflower Bites
£6.50
Crispy buttermilk-battered florets, with roast jalapeño allioli.
We ordered two bowls. Honestly, if there was one desert island dish in Wahaca, it would have to be this, and they’re veggie!
Ice Cream Sundae
£6.75
Chocolate, salted caramel and vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, brownie and honeycomb chunks.
This was simply divine. Not sure what divine is in Spanish but whatever it is, this was awesome. One is enough to share too.
Skeleton Crew…
Also we loved the skeletons littered around. Wahaca always goes to town for Day Of The Dead and this year is no exception. The decorations are a great way of theming the restaurant without it being contrived. And, while we were there, the kids were loving the selfies.
Incidentally, 20p from each of the autumn specials goes to charity.
Gracias!
Special thanks to Sian, our waitress. She was super smiley and very helpful (and patient while we deliberated).
Wahaca
Bridge Street
51-53 The Hayes
Cardiff CF10 1GA
029 2167 0414
cardiff@wahaca.co.uk
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Do you love Wahaca? What’s your favourite dish?
We’d love to know, drop us a line!
