Mamasita

8th September 2013

After Crossfit and then shopping in the early afternoon and before a basketball game at MSAC in the evening, I had some time to kill. Rather than head home for a short time before heading back out again I decided to stay and try a restaurant that i had been waiting to try since it opened, Mamasita.

Always packed when i have been past before, the 430 pm on a Sunday time seemed as likely as any to provide me with the opportunity to try it out without having to queue for an hour or more for a table. I still decided to go despite reports of it being overrated and better less crowded Mexican restaurants around.

However i decided to push ahead (also limited options on a Sunday at 430 pm) and see if it is worth the hype and queues. After heading up the narrow stairs to an interesting mix of dining room with some nice features but a dodgy school dining room floor.

After being seated at the window with views out to the street, i was served by friendly staff who were quick to refill water and offer other drinks. A decent drinks menu offered a variety of options but I settled on a simple Pacifico beer.

The menu was also reasonably extensive and offered a variety of different ways to go representing its sharing philosophy. As it was just me i decided just to try some smaller items and therefore experience a little bit of everything it had to offer.

The first 2 dishes came out together with one being a single serve of Ceviche de Yucatan served in a shot glass and filled with market fish, green tomato, chili, mint, lime and coconut milk. Good fish with nice flavours and contrast of the milk and sharp lime.
The next was a Fish Taco with a very fresh mix of grilled fish, lime, red onion salsa and chipotle mayo. Good fresh flavours and hint of spice and sharp lime provided a good mix. However were no better than tacos from Paco's Tacos (although they were about the same price).

After a slight break the next dish was my favourite dish and was a crusty rolled filled with pulled pork, pickled onion and refried beans. Served on a big plate that was "drowned" in a spicy tomato sauce. Good flavours and bold mix it was very good.

This was served with a side of Sauteed sweet corn marinated in chili & lime. I mixed this with the above dish and was great flavours if a little too much lime. However generous bowl of sweetcorn and worked well.

I had heard about a desert that involved a Sweetcorn ice cream so i thought i would try this out and see if it worked. Served in a normal cone filled with Sweetcorn ice cream and topped with caramel and popcorn. The caramel and popcorn consisted of a few kernels on top that were gone within the first bite and while nice added little to the whole dish. The Sweetcorn ice cream was actually a little blander than i anticipated and was a little underwhelming. It was nice but nothing exciting or boundary pushing.

Overall the flavours and dishes were good if nothing boundary pushing or amazing and the service was decent (however it was on a relaxed low key Sunday afternoon - I would imagine it would be different when packed) and a quality drink list. It was a decent meal that was worth a trip given my experience just not worth waiting for or the hype surrounding the place. Much better restaurants, both Mexican and non-Mexican that you don't have to wait for.