Tequila and tacos – two ingredients guaranteed to make for a good night, right? Well at Covent Garden’s Cantina Laredo, that’s exactly what’s on the menu. The restaurant is well located by the new shopping bit of Covent Garden (just round the corner from & Other Stories!) – so perfectly positioned for a post-spree feast.
Shopping makes us thirsty so we delved straight into the tequila-based cocktail menu. The Ice Ice Baby is a refreshing and simple frozen margarita (choose from mango, pomegranate, strawberry or raspberry). Others are downright ridiculous. Case in point, the ‘Pine for Patrón’ which is pineapple-infused Patrón Silver served in a cork stopped bottle in a wooden box which has been filled with ice for you to pour yourself into the ancho chile rubbed glass with a chunk of lime. It was so damn big it blocked out my date. As well as cocktails there’s also a selection of sipping tequilas for you to give a go. If you’re more used to downing a shot with a wince in the early hours of the morning, these will make enlighten you.
With all that tequila it’s wise to line your stomach. Guacamole is a big deal here with no less than eight varieties on offer. We’d recommend the version with Chicharrón (thin slivers of fried pork fat – more delicious then it sounds – think pork scratchings of a sort) which was super garlicky and a bloody generous portion. You’re not going to leave here hungry.
After that, go crazy! You’re encouraged to share, so pick and mix from the starters, tacos, skewers and larger dishes. The Rajas con Queso is so naughty we’re not entirely sure it’s legal – It’s just a pot of melted, oozy Mexican cheese, served with a touch of mild chilli and sweetcorn designed to be scooped up with warm corn tortillas. Cheese porn if ever we’ve seen it.
Our tacos were some of the most artfully presented we’ve ever had the pleasure of devouring – try the steak one which is cooked rare, and decorated with splodges of avocado emulsion – you’ll get three per portion.
Oh, and we’ve heard on the grapevine that every Friday from 12noon until 22.30 there’s FREE-FLOWING prosecco, margaritas or wine for 20 quid. If you can think of a better way to start the weekend then we wanna hear it. Probably best not to hit the shops afterwards though. This is the sort of place, catch-ups with the girls were made for.
THIS VENUE HAS NOW PERMANENTLY CLOSED.