El Camino

Well someone must have overheard my gripe for a lack of Mexicans in London as El Camino has just opened in Soho. The part of my gripe that they didn't hear was the lack of good Mexicans. Sadly El Camino tries but does not fulfil.

The food is ok but overpriced, the staff encountered were a little too surly and the décor was eye-catching but felt a little uninspired. You know you're in a Mexican but you don't feel you're in one - even the chain Las Igaunas does a better job at this. It's hard to put ones finger on, but this place definitely has the "meh" factor about it, especially when Wahaca is under a 10 minute walk away and is far superior in every way.

The wall of chilli sauces, most crudely named, that don the wall are novel but after one, possibly two sittings this will wear thing. With several sporting peoples screaming faces you'll probably find yourself mimicking these when you see how much you paid for the experience...






















































Details:
El Camino‎ 272 Portobello Road, North Kensington,
London W10 5TY‎
020 8960 8556

Closest tube(s): Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square Price pp: £15-20


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Vital Ingredient

Normally when you think "salad" you think of those depressingly drab things you find in Pret and Eat, that seem like an afterthought to keep the veggies happy. Thankfully Vital Ingredient isn't one of those places and puts the competition to shame.

All of the ingredients are organic, dolphin friendly, locally sourced blah, blah, blah. If this doesn't float your boat then just see it as all of the ingredients are fresh and bloody tasty! There are set and guest salads to choose from - remember though; it's free to take stuff out but not to replace ingredients. You can make your own too if the need takes you, but either way you can't go wrong.

Some of the dressings negate the healthiness of the salads but they are all really hearty so there is something for everyone here (even carnivores). Also, if they can fill me up, you'll be easily stuffed and all for a respectable fiver - there's no buyers remorse here.

It does get a little packed around 1pm, especially if the weather is nice, so factor that in when going. The queue is worth the wait, especially considering Soho Square is a minute away for you to enjoy a leisurely salad in the sun...





































Details:
Vital Ingredient
36 Berwick Street, London, W1F 8RR‎, UK
020 7494 3441

Closest tube(s): Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Circus
Price pp: £5


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Carney's Restaurant

If you find yourself on a tour of Hollywood and have a hole to fill in your stomach then Carney's is the place to go. It's speciality is the good old fashioned Hot Dog and they don't get this wrong. Providing you like meat, bread and onions then you have a wide selection to choose from.

I can't say it's terribly healthy but if you can handle that then it's a good place to rest your feet whilst going down the Walk of Fame. Plus how often do you get to eat good food in a railway carriage?

Details:
Carney's
8351 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90069, United States
(323) 654-8300

Price pp: £10






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Wahaca

If you're looking for good food, good service and a great atmosphere that is easily accessible, then Wahaca is for you. The range and quality of the food is extremely good, which they change every couple of months and is a great excuse I use to come back often.
There are main dishes to have to yourself or there are "tapas" style dishes that you can share to suit whatever mood you're in. Unless you're extremely fussy it's safe to say you can order anything on the menu and won't be disappointed. Another bonus is that even if you order a lot, each dish isn't extortionately priced (which is the case elsewhere in London) so when the bill comes it's just the chilli making you sweat.

It's success and popularity is it's undoing in some respects however, as you can't book a table and if you come at the wrong time the queues can last over an hour. Thankfully there is a large enough bar to wait at and with good company the wait passes by in a flash and is very much worth it (try to come before 6pm or after 9pm for better waiting times).

Overall I'd say this is the best Mexican I've found in London so far, though I'm open to recommendations...

Details:
Wahaca
66 Chandos Place, London, UK
020 7240 1883

Closest tube(s): Covent Garden, Charring Cross, Leicester Square
Price pp: £15-20



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