Barrio Central recently re-launched as Barrio Soho, with a new head chef (Ernesto Pavia) offering a mexican menu and some super tasty cocktails, whilst also keeping the live music and party vibes some of you might know the Barrio chain for.
I popped along last week so I could spill the beans (not out of my burritos don’t worry) on the new menu and let you in on the inside info. Ok, I’ll leave out the corn-y jokes…Get it? haha.
The vibrant interior is pretty cool and modern, with a fab laid back atmosphere upstairs, whilst downstairs was a little louder and felt like it would be a fab place for Friday and Saturday evenings. I loved the layout and booth tables, and also the wallpaper…
It’s actually a bright turquoise but the lighting was dimmed for atmosphere!
But obviously it was the food and cocktails I went for..
Pavia’s new menu features everything from yellow mole to yucca and tiger’s milk and offers intense flavours and authentic ingredients of Mexican cooking. Some things I had definitely never tried, but that’s the best thing about going somewhere new!
We tried a few different dishes from their new menu, from nachos to tacos and sweet potato fries. My favorite had to be the lamb tacos – a saucy, slightly spicy lamb mixture on top of soft corn tortillas. We did add an extra drizzle of hot sauce on ours – we like the kick. They tasted amazing and were definitely over a little quickly.
But if meat’s nacho thing, the fish tacos are pretty incredible too!
Cactus Quesadillas
Sweet potato fries – not overly crispy but pretty yummy.
Fish tacos
Lamb tacos – My favourite!
The weirdest dish we tried was the Chicharron Mixto – it was a pork starter, with the long thin pieces a bit like pork crackling (they were pig’s ears), the fluffy squares reminding me of skips (the crisps, they were so light and airy – these were puffed pork crackling) and the circles which looked breaded/battered being pigs trotter croquettes – I think if I’d asked before trying I might not have had the guts to give it a go. I’m not a pork crackling fan, so we didn’t eat all of this to make sure we had space for everything else, but the pigs trotter croquettes were actually pretty nice – Wow, did I just say that?
The cocktails were fab too. With classics to something a little different, the whole menu looks great, including names such as Wonky Donkey and Tropic Plunder – I loved the name of this cocktail!
The Wonky Donkey was a favorite and stands out in memory. A tequila cocktail (the perfect thing to have with mexican) – Quite strong but a great mix of flavours. I loved the little copper cups they served it in too! I’m deifnitely returning though – I have to try the Gingerbread Colada (Santa Teresa Gran Reserva rum with pineapple and coconut are taken for a spin by a ginger baked man). Have a look at their cocktail menu – It’ll surely get you tempted too!
I think Barrio Soho is fab. The setting and atmosphere cater well for so many occasions from a catch-up over dinner or even an evening out for cocktails with friends, or even date night! I do recommend giving it a go!
Barrio is actually hosting two Day of the Dead parties this Saturday for Halloween – in Soho and Angel. So if you’re still looking for your Halloween fun, don’t make a grave mistake and miss out on this…
For one night only, the colourful interiors of the Barrio venues will be transformed into spooky cemeteries of hidden sins. As with every Barrio bash, an array of mouth-watering tequila cocktails will be on offer, keeping thirsty guests dancing until the early hours. Their food menu will offer a lip-smacking Mexican feast, including a selection of perfect party snacks, from crispy chorizo nachos to marinated pork tacos. Party goers can expect torturous tune rotations from DJ Oliver Night and The Barrio Allstars, and specialist face painters will be on hand to adorn guests with Day of the Dead make-up.
Have you been to one of their restaurants yet? What did you think?
Chloe x
*I was invited along to the press evening to try the new food and cocktails. All views my own.
