Absolutely reviews Santo Remedio Casona & Cantina, Marylebone’s newest Mexican
At a Glance:
Food: Tasty Mexican street food Golden
Decor: Pink hues make a cosy space
Price: Various dishes £13- £31
Verdict: Great food; fabulous margaritas
Absolutely’s London Editor, Pendle Harte tries the newest Mexican restaurant in Marylebone
Edson Diaz-Fuentes and Natalie Feary’s third restaurant Santo Remedio, Casona & Cantina is a sister to Asador in London Bridge and Taqueria in Shoreditch. The vibe is homemade, authentic Mexican specialities and it’s a winning one.
Inside, everything is in shades of peach and terracotta, with flattering golden lighting and a warming, comforting feel. Smiling staff quickly furnish us with cocktails: a spicy margarita for me (“tequila or mezcal?”) and a surprisingly delicious dry one for my partner, made with a smoky but unlikely-sounding alcohol-free tequila.
The menu might be a manageable size but it’s still not easy to choose from, so we’re happy to go with all the recommended options and munch on cool bright green guacamole and corn chips while we wait. To start it’s the chef’s favourite: cured seabass ceviche with fresh Guauabana juice and habanero, which is a generous plate of sweet, soft fish with a delicate sharpness.
Shiitake mushroom aguachile rojo with pomegranate and physalis is a good vegan option, fresh and salady with hints of cucumber alongside marinaded mushrooms. Next are prawn tacos, the prawns coated in beer and tequila batter, with sweet pineapple pico de gallo and lots of texture and flavour, while Cornish venison quesabirria is a crispy, meaty tortilla filled with melted cheese and shredded venison. It’s said to be a house favourite, but we were more impressed with the excellent pork shoulder pibil, slow cooked to perfection in achiote and orange juice, with pickled red onions. The shredded, spiced meat is soft and sweet, served with lots of coriander and onion in a flour tortilla that’s not to be missed.
In the next round of margaritas I swap tequila for mezcal and the deep, intense smokiness feels luxurious and life-affirming. Puddings are good too: dulce de leche and ancho chilli tart is a salty caramel tart laced with chilli and served with cold creme fraiche, while spiced grilled pineapple with coconut ice cream and Amaranth granola is delicious, if a smidge breakfasty.
In all, it’s a definite winner.
Address: 13-14 Thayer Street, W1U 3JR
View Santo Remedio’s menu
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