I’ve just got back from a whirlwind visit to Cape Town (lucky me). While I was there grabbed the opportunity to try one of the many new restaurants that’s popped up in my absence. Time for a bit of Mexican in the centre of town.
Hacienda brings the spirit of Baja California to the tables of Cape Town with its modern twist on authentic coastal Mexican cuisine. As it happens I’ve been to the Baja coast and eaten absolutely the best shrimp tacos ever, so high hopes then. Hacienda is in Bree Street’s restaurantland just opposite Heritage Square.
Tortillas are made fresh daily and there’s an exciting cocktail list as well as a tempting selection of tequila and mezcal that needs to be explored. We visited for a light lunch on a beautifully sunny Cape Town day so sat outside taking in the activity of Bree Street. The obvious go-to in Mexico drink has to be a margarita but I couldn’t resist sampling their Wild Spritz. A vibrant cocktail of martini fiero, St Germain elderflower liqueur, bitter orange juice, yuzu, agave and martini prosecco. So beautifully citrussy and moreish. One of my favourite cocktails ever.
What’s on the menu
As we sat down we were served their freshly made totopos served with their three mother sauces. Totopos are crunchy little tortilla-like chips and they’re super-delicious. A beautifully colourful selection was delivered to our table. Coal-smoked, achiote spice and coriander and spinach totopos. Matched with three sauces – spiced black bean, red adobo rub and green tomatillo. Authentic flavours with the perfect balance of spice and such a great way to start.
I’d been eyeing out the menu online (essential preparation). I’d had already decided I had to try some Drunken Oysters. These lush, creamy babies were topped with Los Danzantes Joven Mezcal (hence the drunkness), salsa verde, burnt corn, salmon roe caviar and cholula (a type of hot sauce). Oysters have never tasted so good.
We then decided to share a pair of tacos which again came in beautiful shades. The taco of brisket adobo came with salsa macha, pineapple sesame seed salsa and little cubes of watermelon pickled in some more of that mezcal. Melt-in-the-mouth brisket with plenty of adobo sauce and the crunch of watermelon. And then the Baja lobster tacos – crispy tempura lobster with fennel salsa, pomengranate aioli and dried grapefruit. Wonderfully crispy batter, the sweetest of lobster and the beautiful zest of grapefruit and fennel, a dish I will be going back there to eat.
Here’s the close up of that lobster taco. Heavenly.
There’s plenty more I’d like to try on the menu. Including seabass ceviche, tempting-sounding lamb chops and guacamole prepared right at your table. And margaritas are half price every day between 4pm and 5.30pm. I see a guacamole, margarita afternoon in my future.
Today’s price point
And finally, here’s the bottom line.
Our food came to R463 (around £21 at today’s exchange rate).
One beer, one cocktail and two glasses of rose were R288 (around £13 at today’s exchange rate).
The perfect light lunch with enough food to easily satisfy two.
Hacienda is at 92 Bree Street, Cape Town, South Africa.
