Restaurant of the Month - November 2014

Restaurant Mexicano, Niederdorfstrasse 13, 8001 Zurich. 

http://www.bei-tony.ch/mexikano/home.html

'Direct in Hirschenplatz', this Mexican restaurant which is part of the Tony Navarro empire, can easily be missed at first glance. The name of the stag and the old, golden Hirschen sign above the door can be misleading, and if you enter, you will first find yourself in the rather small Cuban bar. But at the back it's another world - palm trees, pot plants up to the ceiling, brightly coloured walls and decorative Mexican murals embrace you in another time and place.

At lunchtime, there is an extensive menu of typically Mexican dishes; the weekly menu and additional specials feature chicken, rice, lamb, Argentinian beef and even kangaroo. The ZIWA Dining Around the World ladies chose fish, chicken fajitas, empanadas and beef taco. The a la carte menu offered even more tempting choices familiar to anyone who has eaten at the nearby Restaurant Turm or another of Da Tony's outlets. Palm hearts, chili con carne, nachos con guacamole, ostrich, chimichanga and a tempting selection of fish and seafood are among the long list of Spanish-sounding dishes on offer. The lunch platters were all nicely presented with accompaniments of freshly prepared guacamole, rice and salad.


After we had placed our orders for these substantial platefuls we were served with wine, water or margaritas to accompany the meal. We speculated on the nationality of our friendly waiter - Mexican, Spanish, Swiss? It turned out he was from Lebanon. That's Zurich for you!

Da Tony has found a successful theme and developed it. As well as the Mexicano and the Turm in Zurich's Altstadt, he has a garden centre, another restaurant in Urdorf and a wine business in Badenerstrasse. But at the Mexicano, you may be tempted by a delicious cocktail or a pitcher of margaritas, or explore the endless possibilities of Spanish wines, with or without a delicious dish.

The Mexicano may suffer from being overlooked, even right in the centre of town. But once you enter the zone of Mexico hidden behind the traditional Swiss facade, you will enjoy the colours, tastes and sounds of another world.

Buen provecho!