Cafe Pacifico

Café Pacifico is one of my favourite places for dinner, lunch and even just cocktails and nibbles. Although it’s possibly not the place to come if you want a quiet dinner, I guarantee that the fantastic, everlasting Cinco de Maya party atmosphere is well worth the decibels.

The restaurant is still in its original premises, where, more than 25 years ago, it was founded by Californian Tomas Estes, who, apart from running other establishments in a burgeoning global empire, also now holds the super-cool job title of Ambassador of Tequila to the European Union. Very well-established, having been tempting A-list celebrities (Madonna, Cruise et al) and all kinds of visitors to Covent Garden with its regional Mexican delights for more than two decades, Café Pacifico has a deliberately scruffy authenticity and individuality, no doubt characteristics that have naturally developed over time.

Finding authentic Mexican food in London (or, in fact, anywhere outside Mexico) is no mean feat. Under chef supremo Fernando Roldan, Café Pacifico offers, of course, the crowd-pleasing Tex-Mex fajitas, burritos and enchiladas, but these have fresh tastes and some original versions are available, such as the chimichanga del mar, a scrumptious Mexican seafood delight. The more experimental Modern Mexican Specialities menu (my personal favourite) is definitely worth investigating if you want to try something a little different. I had lemon fajitas with cherry tomatoes and coriander, a spot-on sweet and sour contrast.

The puddings are excellent. I’d recommend the signature frozen Pacifico mud pie, especially if, like me, you’re a chocoholic, or the dessert my partner opted for: the sopapilla (deep-fried tortilla wedges drizzled with honey, cinnamon and vanilla ice cream).

Don’t miss the exotic and varied cocktail list, although this is unlikely given the fabulous margaritas, mojitos and caipirinhas, or the wide range of Mexican beers. Café Pacifico is extremely proud of its tequilas and its staff are very knowledgeable on the subject. There are more than 50 on offer, which is unsurprising given Estes’s job as tequila ambassador.

I genuinely love this restaurant and have lots of happy memories of it, as, I’m sure, do many other people. It’s a place that will not only obligingly fill up rumbling tummies – and in the most delicious way possible – but it also has a serious element of style, character and fun.

SELECTED SIGNATURE PAIRINGS

Quesadillas filled with smoked chicken, cheese and roasted red peppers, served with avocado salsa; paired with Gallo, Coastal Vineyards Pinot Gris

Street tacos topped with ribeye steak, sweet soy duck, braised lamb, spiced pork and shrimp chilli, served with charros beans and sweet tomato salsa; paired with Copperidge Zinfandel

Seafood fajitas with seared pineapple tequila salsa, fresh tuna, sea bass, squid, king prawns, clams and mussels in a spicy green and red sauce; paired with Copperidge Chardonnay

To find out more about Gallo Family Vineyards wine visit www.gallofamily.co.uk.

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