Mexico Food & Liquor Restaurant, Surry Hills – Closed
EDIT: CLOSED OH HAIIIII! 14 days to Christmas you guys!!! Not that I’m counting… but gosh I absolutely cannot wait for the holidays! So anywhos last week Mexico Food & Liquor Restaurant (17 Randle St, Surry Hills) finally opened up in the space previously occupied by District Dining. And yes I know everyone says don’t judge a restaurant that’s just opened blah blah woof woof but when you work less than 50m away I couldn’t resist checking it out for lunch with Ramen Raff and again over the weekend with the boy. And yes I drank that whole carafe of frozen strawberry margarita ($25) by myself cos hey tis the season to be merry 😛
We start with Tostaditas of Crab ($8) presented on the ubiquitous chopping board. The gloriously golden tortilla triangles hold shreds of crab meat and combined with the dollop of creamy apple and green onion mojo makes this snack ridiculously moreish.
Mexico’s Fried Chicken ($12) comes with the tagline “Not to be missed!” so of course it had to be ordered. Visions of a pile of chicken drumsticks or wings covered in a crispy batter had filled our minds but unfortunately a basket of boneless chicken arrives instead, with a breadcrumb-ish exterior and covered in a layer of cumin. It was still tasty though and the 2 chilli warning surprisingly didn’t send me screaming from the room.
Chipotle Lime Ceviche ($14) is an instant hit with Noods who loves all things kingfish. The flavours are fresh, the jumble of capsicum, tomato and garlic chips vies for attention but are ultimately sorted through to get to the kingfish.
I don’t think I could ever be sick of tacos. Tacos make me happy! The Pibil Rubbed Pork Soft Shell Taco ($6) is so packed full of juicy pork, black beans and red cabbage that it requires two hands to pick it up without dropping any of the precious.
The Coffee and Ancho Braised Beef Rib ($16) catches my eye on the specials blackboard and it is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. As soon as the board lands in front of us I just knew it would be the rib of my dreams! The sweet, caramelised edges of tender meat with ribbons of creamy fat was just so satisfying and probably health-sucking but oh man this is one rib you definitely do not want to share! This rib is the reason I returned 2 days later! I hope it remains on the menu for like, FOREVER.
Finger licking deliciousness right Raff?
I would’ve like more cheese in the Roast Eggplant Quesadilla ($12) but it’s stuffed with just the right amount of eggplant and walnut nubbins and a quick schmear of cumin sour cream makes everything right with the world.
There’s only two choices for dessert and being too full for the Chilli Chocolate and Cinnamon Cake ($8), I opt for the Mexican Shortbread Biscuits with Mandarin Curd ($8). The shortbread alone isn’t special but the mandarin curd? WOAH. Creamy and with a citrus zing it is the perfect match with the buttery shortbread.
While I will mourn the loss of the crispy pigs ears from District Dining I know I’ll be returning to Mexico for that beef rib. BEEF RIB I WILL COME BACK FOR YOU.