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Wahaca - review by DanWilkinson

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: lively, cheap eat, good value, crowded, mexican, covent garden

Judging by some of the other reviews on this page, we were lucky we chanced upon Wahaca for lunch on a Sunday, as we were seated immediately and found the service acceptable, if not particularly notable. I'd heard about it a little while ago when it was all buzzy and constantly in the press, and as a result had avoided it like the plague until now. You see, queueing is really quite boring, and so whereas some people seem to flock to the sorts of places they'll be guaranteed a wait in line, personally it's not my thing. Diff'rent Strokes and all that.

We'd literally been on the way to La Perla for lunch and decided to give Wahaca a go seeing as we were more or less outside it at the time.

There was no part of this meal which didn't thrill. I don't care for authenticity at all (and having never been to Mexico, how would I know?); the only thing that I'm concerned about is whether the food on my plate is well-cooked, from quality ingredients, and whether it works on the palate, and Wahaca ticked all those boxes throughout.

Faced with a whole lot of choice, we went for the street food option, ordering two or three small plates each, and whilst I can't remember specifics, my overriding memory of the meal was vibrant, fresh, precise flavours, and in particular everyone being audibly impressed with every single dish.

That said, I don't think I'll be coming here for an evening meal. The bright decor and canteen-style seating doesn't really say 'dinner' to me, but for a long-ish lunch at around £13 a head (without drinks), it's a winner, and I will be back, oh yes.]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:52:56 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca257455102 lively cheap eat good value crowded mexican covent garden 51.510302 -0.124256 Wahaca - review by DanWilkinson http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by DanWilkinson

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: lively, cheap eat, good value, crowded, mexican, covent garden

Judging by some of the other reviews on this page, we were lucky we chanced upon Wahaca for lunch on a Sunday, as we were seated immediately and found the service acceptable, if not particularly notable. I'd heard about it a little while ago when it was all buzzy and constantly in the press, and as a result had avoided it like the plague until now. You see, queueing is really quite boring, and so whereas some people seem to flock to the sorts of places they'll be guaranteed a wait in line, personally it's not my thing. Diff'rent Strokes and all that.

We'd literally been on the way to La Perla for lunch and decided to give Wahaca a go seeing as we were more or less outside it at the time.

There was no part of this meal which didn't thrill. I don't care for authenticity at all (and having never been to Mexico, how would I know?); the only thing that I'm concerned about is whether the food on my plate is well-cooked, from quality ingredients, and whether it works on the palate, and Wahaca ticked all those boxes throughout.

Faced with a whole lot of choice, we went for the street food option, ordering two or three small plates each, and whilst I can't remember specifics, my overriding memory of the meal was vibrant, fresh, precise flavours, and in particular everyone being audibly impressed with every single dish.

That said, I don't think I'll be coming here for an evening meal. The bright decor and canteen-style seating doesn't really say 'dinner' to me, but for a long-ish lunch at around £13 a head (without drinks), it's a winner, and I will be back, oh yes.]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:52:56 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca329281679 lively cheap eat good value crowded mexican covent garden 51.510302 -0.124256 Wahaca - review by DanWilkinson http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by DanWilkinson

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: lively, cheap eat, good value, crowded, mexican, covent garden

Judging by some of the other reviews on this page, we were lucky we chanced upon Wahaca for lunch on a Sunday, as we were seated immediately and found the service acceptable, if not particularly notable. I'd heard about it a little while ago when it was all buzzy and constantly in the press, and as a result had avoided it like the plague until now. You see, queueing is really quite boring, and so whereas some people seem to flock to the sorts of places they'll be guaranteed a wait in line, personally it's not my thing. Diff'rent Strokes and all that.

We'd literally been on the way to La Perla for lunch and decided to give Wahaca a go seeing as we were more or less outside it at the time.

There was no part of this meal which didn't thrill. I don't care for authenticity at all (and having never been to Mexico, how would I know?); the only thing that I'm concerned about is whether the food on my plate is well-cooked, from quality ingredients, and whether it works on the palate, and Wahaca ticked all those boxes throughout.

Faced with a whole lot of choice, we went for the street food option, ordering two or three small plates each, and whilst I can't remember specifics, my overriding memory of the meal was vibrant, fresh, precise flavours, and in particular everyone being audibly impressed with every single dish.

That said, I don't think I'll be coming here for an evening meal. The bright decor and canteen-style seating doesn't really say 'dinner' to me, but for a long-ish lunch at around £13 a head (without drinks), it's a winner, and I will be back, oh yes.]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:52:56 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca1459103283 lively cheap eat good value crowded mexican covent garden 51.510302 -0.124256 Wahaca - review by DanWilkinson http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by DanWilkinson

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: lively, cheap eat, good value, crowded, mexican, covent garden

Judging by some of the other reviews on this page, we were lucky we chanced upon Wahaca for lunch on a Sunday, as we were seated immediately and found the service acceptable, if not particularly notable. I'd heard about it a little while ago when it was all buzzy and constantly in the press, and as a result had avoided it like the plague until now. You see, queueing is really quite boring, and so whereas some people seem to flock to the sorts of places they'll be guaranteed a wait in line, personally it's not my thing. Diff'rent Strokes and all that.

We'd literally been on the way to La Perla for lunch and decided to give Wahaca a go seeing as we were more or less outside it at the time.

There was no part of this meal which didn't thrill. I don't care for authenticity at all (and having never been to Mexico, how would I know?); the only thing that I'm concerned about is whether the food on my plate is well-cooked, from quality ingredients, and whether it works on the palate, and Wahaca ticked all those boxes throughout.

Faced with a whole lot of choice, we went for the street food option, ordering two or three small plates each, and whilst I can't remember specifics, my overriding memory of the meal was vibrant, fresh, precise flavours, and in particular everyone being audibly impressed with every single dish.

That said, I don't think I'll be coming here for an evening meal. The bright decor and canteen-style seating doesn't really say 'dinner' to me, but for a long-ish lunch at around £13 a head (without drinks), it's a winner, and I will be back, oh yes.]]> Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:52:56 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca1693641870 lively cheap eat good value crowded mexican covent garden 51.510302 -0.124256 Wahaca - review by gilka http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by gilka

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: good value

I totally agree with 'the Wagamama of Mexican food'
This definitely not street market food it is a westernized version (nothing wrong with that but the current branding is misleading) We had good experience with the staff although we had to wait 1 hour for a place (didn't mind- we just went to porterhouse to have a pint)
Nice if them to give you some chili seeds to plant at home!
The place is over designed in my opinion.
Worth a try - not more...]]> Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:59:45 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca53354256 good value 51.510302 -0.124256 Wahaca - review by gilka http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by gilka

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: good value

I totally agree with 'the Wagamama of Mexican food'
This definitely not street market food it is a westernized version (nothing wrong with that but the current branding is misleading) We had good experience with the staff although we had to wait 1 hour for a place (didn't mind- we just went to porterhouse to have a pint)
Nice if them to give you some chili seeds to plant at home!
The place is over designed in my opinion.
Worth a try - not more...]]> Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:59:45 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca1087652985 good value 51.510302 -0.124256 Wahaca - review by gilka http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by gilka

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: good value

I totally agree with 'the Wagamama of Mexican food'
This definitely not street market food it is a westernized version (nothing wrong with that but the current branding is misleading) We had good experience with the staff although we had to wait 1 hour for a place (didn't mind- we just went to porterhouse to have a pint)
Nice if them to give you some chili seeds to plant at home!
The place is over designed in my opinion.
Worth a try - not more...]]> Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:59:45 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca1137746790 good value 51.510302 -0.124256 Wahaca - review by gilka http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by gilka

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: good value

I totally agree with 'the Wagamama of Mexican food'
This definitely not street market food it is a westernized version (nothing wrong with that but the current branding is misleading) We had good experience with the staff although we had to wait 1 hour for a place (didn't mind- we just went to porterhouse to have a pint)
Nice if them to give you some chili seeds to plant at home!
The place is over designed in my opinion.
Worth a try - not more...]]> Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:59:45 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca2082678628 good value 51.510302 -0.124256 Wahaca - review by Niamheen http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by Niamheen

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: lively, cheap eat, crowded, mexican

Let me set the scene. A friend of mine, a new Mum, had arranged a night off, one where she could leave her house for a few hours and indulge, priorities were nice food and cocktails and some company.

I had heard about Wahaca and was keen to try it, I love good Mexican food and it's not something that you can come across without some effort in London. I had heard that this was the real deal, a friend who had lived in Mexico was very impressed and highly recommended it. It's also in Covent Garden, a convenient point for both of us.

Another point of interest was that it was owned by winner of Masterchef, Thomasina Miers, someone I didn't have much affection for on the TV (at the time, she has since won me over with her Cooks Tour of Spain) but her knowledge of the cuisine and quest for authenticity appealed.

So, off we went, knowing the situation, our expectations were wagamama's canteen style eating and a cheap and authentic eat. We expected a queue and weren't surprised to find one. And so we queued.

While queueing we noticed alot of people were passing us out and it wasn't really very controlled. It seemed the guy manning it was more interested in theatrics and having everyone finding him funny than in being professional and efficient. At first I could ignore it, but, half an hour in I was beyond frustrated. Eventually we approached him and arranged to come back an hour later. This apparantly was the system and even though he was only 6 feet away from us, he didn't approach us at any point in that half an hour to tell us so. We trundled off an had a cocktail in nearby La Perla and returned promptly for our table only to be faced with the same scenario of lack of control or knowledge about who in the queue was next or when anyone would get a table.

About to leave, I expressed my frustration politely and it was handled very badly. The customer is always right, no? Not at Wahaca. Someone else took control and seated us, profusely apologising and provided drinks on the house. We had some nice mojitos and started to settle, things were getting better. We ordered some items from the street food menu and the mole. Both were very good, quite light and full of flavour, exactly what I would have expected.

The ambience? The decor is bright and modern, very nice. It's full on of a weekend evening, large groups, birthday parties, lots of noise, so great for groups but not so great if you just want to catch up with a friend. Happy Birthday was sang raucously more than once in our 2 hours here (there was even a tambourine) and while it was great for the birthday boy/girl, I could have done without it.

To sum up: the food is good and it's a vibrant place, nice decor, central location, but, the start of the evening left a sour taste in my mouth and did taint the experience for us. I wouldn't discount it and will try it again but for a nicer mexican street food experience I prefer the more intimate Taqueria in Westbourne Grove.]]> Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:51:04 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca169956735 lively cheap eat crowded mexican 51.510302 -0.124256 Wahaca - review by bingbong_uk http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by bingbong_uk

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Great if you can get past the stage of waiting on the stairs. Like one of the other reviewers it was third time lucky for me.

I think the best plan is to be organised; pop in at 6.30 p.m. before meeting friends and get on the list for a table at 8.]]> Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:45:42 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca1065429864 51.510302 -0.124256 The Loft Bar - review by RobD http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1c64j7x/the-loft-bar
The Loft Bar - review by RobD

Rating: 4.3

Location: 67 Clapham High Street, SW4 7TG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7627 0792

Tags: lively, good value

Apart from housing two of my main bugbears - a point in the evening where the bar stops serving pints (only bottles) and *those* 'bathroom beggars', I found The Loft to have a great, easy-going vibe with very attentive and friendly staff. In fact some of the friendliest bar staff I have come across - chatty, respectful and eager to please. I held my 30th birthday drinks here recently and the team were great will all my guests; and following a tip-off from my fiancé - even made a special 'birthday panna cotta' (as opposed to bday cake) with a candle in it. Nice touch ;)

The place itself looks cool without being self-conscious about it, and you can forget you're in Clapham for a while. Would recommend, especially for parties or reservations. Also the bar food - namely the pan fried squid was excellent!]]> Sun, 14 Sep 2008 09:51:22 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1c64j7x/the-loft-bar573582347 lively good value 51.462643285991 -0.1329038616913 Wahaca - review by misstravelbug http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by misstravelbug

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: lively, cheap eat

This is a great informal restaurant, with yummy small portions of food perfect for sharing. Make sure you come before the huge dinner crowd during the weeknights as you can't be seated until all your party is there. So a bit of a bother with big groups, but worth the wait. The service is spot-on.]]> Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:26:45 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca2111578578 lively cheap eat 51.510302 -0.124256 Wahaca - review by foodbymark http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by foodbymark

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: crowded, modern mexican, cheap eat

I have given this place 3 chances. 2 hits 1 miss. The most frustrating thing about this restaurant is the queue... not least, having to queue for ages just to get your name on a waiting list and then having to come back in an hour and a half. Twice we ended up having enough time to walk to Shaftesbury Avenue to see a film and come back in time to eat!

So, the food... we found the street food to be generally too greasy/oily but the mains better than average. I always order Fish a la mojo and it is always good. Have it in mind that I normally have no problems with grease. I love the pork scratchings. Strangely they weren't covered in oil and are very light. Service is always super speedy... this place is about turnover and has the feel of early Wagamama's or Cha Cha Moon perhaps.

It's a cheap eat... just not as convenient as other cheap eats perhaps. But it is Covent Garden.]]> Wed, 03 Sep 2008 01:40:27 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca853162773 crowded modern mexican cheap eat 51.510302 -0.124256 Wahaca - review by t0m http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by t0m

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: lively, cheap eat, good value, crowded

I finally made it to Wahaca with a few friends on a Sunday night. It wasn't too packed, but pretty busy.

The food was excellent - a diverse range of flavours on offer, and the prices were good. Their 'tapas' style means you get to try a whole bunch of dishes, which is great. Service is speedy and good (possibly because they want to get the next punters in..). Just don't go here if you don't think you'll like the grease.. It's not really the superfood salads of Leon.]]> Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:37:17 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca382633539 lively cheap eat good value crowded 51.510302 -0.124256 Wahaca - review by Oriana http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca
Wahaca - review by Oriana

Rating: 3.7

Location: 66 Chandos Place, WC2N 4HG, London, United Kingdom

Phone: 020 7240 1883

Website: http://www.wahaca.co.uk

Tags: lively, cheap eat

For real Mexican food (not greasy TexMex) Wahaca is fabulous. You can't make a reservation and the queue is often quite long, but it's worth it. Everything is made fresh daily and with a tapas style approach you can try loads of different flavours. The margaritas are great too!]]> Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:48:26 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1c74784/wahaca340870106 lively cheap eat 51.510302 -0.124256