MexiCali in Notting Hill

Apparently it is in an American's DNA that when abroad, we must constantly be on the search for the perfect authentic Mexican restaurant. This obssession has also rubbed off on my German counterpart, whose own obsession has only increased since returning from our trip to Chicago over Christmas. As soon as we hear of a restaurant boasting Mexican or TexMex anywhere in the Capital, we're there, taste-testing enchiladas, nachos and some of the more interesting but less authentic creations the owners have brought back with them or invented after their travels across the Atlantic. We've been to Wahaca near Trafalgar Square, Taqueria in Notting Hill, Cafe Pacifico near Covent Garden, (with shame I admit we've also been to) Chiquito in Leicester Square, Desperados in Upper Street in Islington, Oscars in Whiteley's Shopping Centre, and we've attempted a night at Crazy Homies in Westbourne Park Road, but it was an hour wait and we were too tired to and close to home to bother to wait. More recently, we surrendered to our Mexican cravings and headed to Mexicali, at Notting Hill Gate, a stone´s throw from the Coronet Cinema.

This was our second visit to Mexicali, as the first time (pre-Chicago trip) we were both pleasantly surprised with the place. The venue itself fits right into the trendy Notting Hill neighborhood, with open plan seating, a lofted second floor and a sunken ground floor in the back providing for a multi-level space with plenty of leather seating throughout. The staff are all native Spanish speakers, and the place can have quite a seductive feel as the lights dim and candles are lit once the sun goes down.

The menu, on the other hand, turned out to be not as seductive as we remembered from our first visit, when I was very happy to see Chile Rellenos on the menu – a rarity in London indeed (though not as rare as a tamale, but dont get me started there or my mouth will not stop watering). At second glance, the menu has very limited vegetarian options, is way overpriced for fairly unauthentic Mexican food, and the flexibility for veggie substituions was laughable on this occasion. Having already ordered the Chile rellenos and no desire for Veggie Fajitas, I opted to order the tacos, requested refried beans in place of the standard Chicken or beef option. The native Spanish-speaking waitress had a hard time trying to politely warn me that the bean option would be unsatisfactory, and I decided to go ahead and order the beans options anyway. What I received was three open-faced corn tortillas, cooked but cold, with a sprinkling of onions and tomatoes inside, and what can only be called bean soup on the side, which I was to pour on, erm, fill my tortillas with. The guacamole on the side only added insult to injury, as the tiny spoonful/taco ratio left the tacos empty still, in spite of the addition of another ingredient.

On the other hand, Dani was pleased with her oversized and well-stuffed veggie Tacquitos appetizer and Allison´s simple can´t-go-wrong beef burrito seemed to please as well. We managed to scarf down all of our food despite the unappetizing images of the Elephant Man and a travel show with the presenter bashing the heads of squid and octopus in in Spain on the very large flat screen on the wall right in front of us. Why a restaurant with such ambiance would want a flat screen like a Whetherspoons is beyond me. On the whole, I would say that even though it´s so near to our dear Coronet Cinema, I think we´d rather hit Tapas TexMex Bar or explore the Italian and pub pre-movie dinner options than eat again at Mexicali.