Most Mexican restaurants have a colourful cheap and cheerful atmosphere to them, however, recently opened El Cartel takes a very different approach, presenting a high quality stylish take on the popular cuisine. Part of the growing empire that also owns the successful Bon Vivant just across the road, El Cartel borrows many ideas from its sister bar.
Not taking bookings El Cartel goes for a relaxed walk in feel to it. It is small and intimate, with seating for no more than c.20 people. Low comfortable sofas surround the tables with a darkened mood lighting. Built on the site of the old Tex Mex 2, this has a very different atmosphere to its predecessor. Once seated you also start to notice quirky features surrounding you, a cactus on the table and a super hero picture adjoining the wall. Everything feels very deliberate. The friendly waiter gave us an introduction to the menus and left us to peruse through them.
The drinks menu is quite extensive and looks like it has had a lot thought put into it. The beer selection goes well beyond the popular Pacifico and Negra Modelo options, also featuring a good range of Day of the Dead beers. There were also several pages of tequila, definitely one of the biggest ranges I have ever seen in a restaurant. There was a special drinks board with some interesting margaritas on offer.
The regularly changing food menu is split into two sections. The top section was described to us as similar to meze plates, including Mexican street corn and home made Guacamole. The bottom section was the main event - the soft shell tacos. These included carne asada (steak) and cochinita (pork shoulder) or for the more adventurous de lengua (ox tongue). The waiter suggested we could just order the food as and when rather than all in one go.
The tacos proved the popular option. The meat was very tender and they were cooked to perfection. The food was definitely of a high quality. We were also presented a interesting array of hot sauces to complement our tacos including El Cartel's own home made one. However, if you are hungry you can easily find yourself ordering several dishes which can push up your final bill. The serving sizes were a bit more akin to tapas as opposed to regular main dishes
El Cartel successfully implements a different take on a popular cuisine. Maybe not for everyone, our party today left divided between those who loved the high quality food and those who felt the value for money could have been better. The friendly staff helped to make it a good lunch option in the city centre!
Quality Food: 8.40
Quality Drinks: 7.20
Value: 5.60
Service: 8.00
Ambience: 7.20
Overall: 7.00
Bill - 2 steak Tacos, Day of the Dead IPA + small tip: £12
Full Leaderboard
Comments:
- Really tender meat on the tacos. Would have to order a lot to fill full however.
- I had two great tasting portions of tacos, but left hungry and poor.
- Portions were very small - would have been better with starter & tacos as the waiter suggested. The hip hop was bangin' though. Word.
- Had 2 lots of 2 tacos: pork shoulder and steak Very nice tacos, good fillings and flavours, and range of hot sauces for the side. A good range of Mexican beers. Service was quick and friendly. Quality over quantity and so not cheap.
Not taking bookings El Cartel goes for a relaxed walk in feel to it. It is small and intimate, with seating for no more than c.20 people. Low comfortable sofas surround the tables with a darkened mood lighting. Built on the site of the old Tex Mex 2, this has a very different atmosphere to its predecessor. Once seated you also start to notice quirky features surrounding you, a cactus on the table and a super hero picture adjoining the wall. Everything feels very deliberate. The friendly waiter gave us an introduction to the menus and left us to peruse through them.
The drinks menu is quite extensive and looks like it has had a lot thought put into it. The beer selection goes well beyond the popular Pacifico and Negra Modelo options, also featuring a good range of Day of the Dead beers. There were also several pages of tequila, definitely one of the biggest ranges I have ever seen in a restaurant. There was a special drinks board with some interesting margaritas on offer.
The regularly changing food menu is split into two sections. The top section was described to us as similar to meze plates, including Mexican street corn and home made Guacamole. The bottom section was the main event - the soft shell tacos. These included carne asada (steak) and cochinita (pork shoulder) or for the more adventurous de lengua (ox tongue). The waiter suggested we could just order the food as and when rather than all in one go.
The tacos proved the popular option. The meat was very tender and they were cooked to perfection. The food was definitely of a high quality. We were also presented a interesting array of hot sauces to complement our tacos including El Cartel's own home made one. However, if you are hungry you can easily find yourself ordering several dishes which can push up your final bill. The serving sizes were a bit more akin to tapas as opposed to regular main dishes
El Cartel successfully implements a different take on a popular cuisine. Maybe not for everyone, our party today left divided between those who loved the high quality food and those who felt the value for money could have been better. The friendly staff helped to make it a good lunch option in the city centre!
Quality Food: 8.40
Quality Drinks: 7.20
Value: 5.60
Service: 8.00
Ambience: 7.20
Overall: 7.00
Bill - 2 steak Tacos, Day of the Dead IPA + small tip: £12
Full Leaderboard
Comments:
- Really tender meat on the tacos. Would have to order a lot to fill full however.
- I had two great tasting portions of tacos, but left hungry and poor.
- Portions were very small - would have been better with starter & tacos as the waiter suggested. The hip hop was bangin' though. Word.
- Had 2 lots of 2 tacos: pork shoulder and steak Very nice tacos, good fillings and flavours, and range of hot sauces for the side. A good range of Mexican beers. Service was quick and friendly. Quality over quantity and so not cheap.
