Dishes are designed to share but the first hurdle is tackling the microscopic portions. Sharing would require laser like precision or passing your conservative bite of food to your dining partner like a mother bird. The Margarita we begun the night with was the most palatable element of our meal. The corn sautéed with onion and epazote served with mayonnaise, queso fresco, chile piquin and lime is relatively bland and is nothing in comparison to Mamasita’s grilled corn. The tacos are modestly sized. Modest means the size of your palm. And I have the hands of a small child. They came out a little cold, much like our reception – the tortillas were hardened and handled suspiciously like something pre-prepared. Not to buck against the trend - all the tacos were skimpily portioned. The prawn taco with black refried beans, fresh tomato and avocado was the best of the banal.
The drinks menu is an actual Mexican passport. You'll need this to flee the country. As with everything else, the text is so miniscule you will need to order your drinks with bifocals. We ordered a bottle of Tempranillo, our waitress immediately assuming the most expensive on the menu. Granted we weren’t more specific – but certainly the question as to which bottle needs to be asked? Our charmingly authentic Mexican staff also had some confusion between what was tuna and what was chicken – though I suspect a language barrier was to blame.
This restaurant fails on so many levels aside from the language barrier. It just doesn’t translate. It needs to stop selling itself as a restaurant and repackage itself as a bar. Despite the disappointing meal, the interior and ambience is intoxicatingly chaotic and alluring. Just order drinks, not food. In Spanish. And you’ll be fine.
SEÑORITAS
16 Meyers Place
Melbourne VIC 3000
Tuesday - Saturday
Dinner - Late
6 comments:
Pity about this place, thanks for the heads up. Have you been to Newmarket Hotel? It isn't strictly Mexican, but it's prob your best bet in Melbourne. We blogged about it here.http://momoandcoco.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/newmarket-hotel/
:)
Fantastic review on Newmarket. I'll have to make my way across the river to sample. Crossing the river is a clear indication my interest is piqued. It's always so busy though ... I'll have to get the elbows out.
What kind of a name is Dangerous duplicity! I think you are being harsh. The food served and it's appearance is traditionally Mexican in every way. The corn starter is delicious, as is the pulled pork and the traditional pork soup. The drinks are amazing! It is a tequila bar. As you say maybe it should sell itself as such rather than a restaurant, but each to their own, it does both! You should focus on the finer points rather than point out your shit photography. I highly suggest people try the restaurant and have a bloody Mary style tequila shot and traditional rice milk drink as made in the taco stands of acapulco. They do a mean fillet steak also. It is not fancy Mexican it is real.
Yes the drinks are good, but it still didn't save the fact that my party and I didn't enjoy our meal, which we found to be overpriced and bland. I never rebutted the authenticity of the food, which I wouldn't pretend to have any knowledge about. I may have been harsh but I believe it was fair and the opinion of an everyday consumer.
You said it aptly - each to their own. There is no point trying to disprove the opinion of another. Your experience may have been different to mine, but I still remain disappointed and still stand by my review and shit photography :)
Well *I* certainly enjoyed the review, and the photography. Made me giggle. Pithy and personal.
- Love, the Hot Pork Mole
As a mexican who worked Mamasita for a fair bit and has been away from Melbourne for the past 10 months I am quite eager that the frenzy for Mexican food has continued with places such as Señoritas or Fonda Mexican in Richmond.
From what I can read from your and other reviews on the place, this place aims to be the complete opposite of what authentic Mexican food should stand for: considerate, tasteful portions that wont burn a whole your wallet. While I am aware that Mexican food can sometimes be a little hard on the eye, I know the presentation of the dishes could be greatly improved like its CBD counterpart Mamasita.They strive to present mexican food in a pleasant way, while keeping much of the flavour and ingredients inside the meal, and not just in the Menu. I strongly believe that Mamasita is easily the best mexican restaurant in Melbourne.
Perhaps it would be interesting for you to try out Fonda Mexican, a fairly recent restaurant in Richmond? Their take on Mexican food is more of a fusion one, but they might be worth paying a visit!
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