Mexico - CLOSED

Overview

Who remembers Mexican flavoured Aztec corn chips from the tuck shop at primary school? Amazing. Those little crunches of deliciousness introduced at such a young age are almost certainly the single handed reason for my life long love of Mexican food. So, it's with little surprise that when Mexico opened its doors down on Britomart Place last week it became a top priority of mine to go and try it out.

The description of the new joint being "drenched in bright light, bold imagery with a fast paced and energetic atmosphere" is spot on. Having taken up residence in the old Carnival 42, there's little evidence of the previous circus fun fair. Instead, the walls are covered by an amazing array of Mexican skull art, photography and and eclectically kitch posters. Even the toilets are cool. There's a good selection of tables for both couples as well as larger groups and the dim lighting with dripping candles help this place ooze a festive atmosphere.

The menu, crafted by District Dining's Mimi Gilmour and Warren Turnbull, is almost evenly split between a selection of drinks and food. A healthy balance, if you ask me. Meals range in price from $6 to $14, so it's a real play on cheap and cheerful without feeling like you're actually being an el cheapo. If you're after a light meal perhaps before heading out, I'd suggest going with one of the soft shell tacos. They're only $6 and super tasty. It's pretty rare to be able to sit down in a restaurant in the middle of Auckland city, order a margarita and a light meal, and still get change from a 20. However, if you're a little hungrier, for a whole $2 more (woah), you can land yourself a sizable chicken Quesadilla and a generous jar of guacamole.

Despite having been open only a little over 24 hours when I stopped by, the place was near full and the vibe was loud, fun and lively. Mexico provides a great downtown spot if you're planning a night out or just feel like something a bit tiddly off their extensive cocktail list.

I've got a sneaky suspicion that this new amigo's popularity is going to sky rocket before it's even turned one week old.