DF Mexico, Thomasina Miers latest creation, has opened its doors on Tottenham Court road to bring a much needed injection of Mexican excitement and flavour to central London.
Mark Selby (founder of Wahaca) and Thomasina Miers (founder of Wahaca and winner of Masterchef 2005) have taken truly Mexico City style eating and fused it with American casualness and cool, to provide London with the perfect blend of easy, delicious and fresh Mexican food. Launched a year ago in The Old Truman Brewery, Shoreditch, this second opening is testament to the well-deserved success of DF Mexcio!
Walking through the doors of DF Mexico, you are instantly transported away from the hustle and bustle of Tottenham Court Road and into a melting pot of Mexican colours, aromas and sounds. The high ceilings and open brick walls are decorated with vibrant and eclectic art, and we are told the restaurant showcases over 45 original works from young contemporary artists which include gorgeous original paintings, Mexican masks and skulls, silkscreen prints, woodcuts, posters and more.
The restaurant itself is vast but cosy and features a number of “areas” to sit in, ranging from retro, group-sized, red leather banquets to intimate two person tables enriched with mood lighting and romance. The music can only be described as “Hispanic jazzed up” and is enough to inspire a night fuelled with margaritas and attempts of Jarabe Tapatío (the traditional Mexican hat dancing). DF Mexico would welcome this sort of traditional behaviour!
The restaurant works on an order at the counter service which lends itself to the fun and American fashion of the place, but replace images of sugary sodas and slathered, monetary jack, greasy fries and replace this with fresh, vibrant options and authentically spiced beverages. Bottomless Agua Frescas include Hibiscus, Chia and Lime and Horchata flavoured “juicy waters” and the roasted corn is the best kind of “while you wait” we’ve tasted in a long time!
Starting the night of like any good night should, an order of passion fruit margaritas with a side of traditional guacamole and chips goes down a treat. The margaritas are made with 100% agave Cuervo Tradicional tequila which is available in three different flavours; Classic, Passion fruit, and Raspberry and Hibiscus, and they are all worth a try. And if that isn’t enough to satisfy the taste buds whilst you choose your order, a side of their now infamous Carne Con Chile fries will keep you happy – a piled high mountain of fries, cheese, chilli, beef, sour cream and guacamole, this dish deserves its own Instagram!
The menu has a wonderful variety of Mexican dishes and also includes diner classics, revamped with a Mexican twang. Take the Pork Pibil Torta, a Mexican take on the traditional burger, served in a New York style brioche, covered in spicy and sweet Yucutan marinade, soft and creamy guacamole and packed full of refried beans. For something more inventive and hands-on, the DIY Mexican boards are in no other words – FUN! Served on a wooden board, your chosen filling of either Carne con Chile, Steak and cheesy peppers or roasted garlic mushrooms, comes with an assortment of rainforest coloured sides and pickles. Take a mini tortilla, wrap your filling and smother with crunchy magenta slaw, super spicy habanero sauce and top with a corn chip or two and you are ready to feast. This is naughty flavours, appealing textures and tantalising foods all served in the freshest and yummiest way possible.
Dessert comes in its true form – brownies and ice cream. There is no disguising the luscious gluttony here, but it’s well worth it, even if it means undoing the top button of those jeans. Dulce de leche ice cream with candied pecans comes served in the cutest of ice cream cups, and the brownie a warm, gooey haven of chocolate fudgyness. This is what dessert dreams are made of.
DF Mexico is the perfect crowd pleaser and we challenge you to find someone who will admit they don’t love it! Perfect for a dinner with the girls, a first date, or a place for the kids to enjoy, its appeal is in the food and the atmosphere, and they have hit the nail on the head with it all!
DF Mexico can be found at 29 Tottenham Court Rd, London. The restaurant has a no reservations policy and is open from 11.30 for lunch service until 11pm.
For more information please see their website www.dfmexico.co.uk or for some sneak pics of the food check out their Instagram and Facebook pages: