La Bodega Negra

Yesterday I found the ideal balance between just date 'drinks' and dinner. La Bodega Negra in Soho is a fab Mexican cafe serving up laid back Mexican street food and deliciously moorish cocktails. The cafe, and attached restaurant (opens at 6pm) is the brain child of New Yorker Serge Becker (owner of elite Soho institution 'The Box'), London restaurateur Will Ricker (E&O and Great Eastern Dining Room fame) and entrepreneur Ed Spencer Churchill.

labodeganegra.com

As I was on a date and am still too embarrassed to crack out the camera during, there are none of my own photos...however these are probably better! We started by agreeing we may as well get on the hard liquor. Mojito for him, spiced daiquiri for me. It was delicious. Daiquiris can be hit or miss...this was the perfect hit if maybe a little small (mojitos always take longer, I was really having to pace myself...probably didn't hurt since it was mid afternoon and I had only a diet coke for breakfast).

The best date food? The type you don't need a knife and fork for...nachos with homemade guacamole and salsa, you can't really go wrong with this but you can tell they had put effort it for them to be delish.

Nacho deliciousness - photo credit

For 'mains' we each oped for tacos, him steak me lamb; this way we could share. The lamb were way more stuffed than the steak but the steak was really well cooked. You get three of each. The perfect lunch time amount.

Taco's - photo credit

Had I been feeling really naughty the deserts looked amazing. Chocolate pots served in old jam jars and a fabulous looking cheesecake. Instead of this we went for another round of cocktails.

The vibe of the place was great, cool surroundings and good music. I will not hesitate in heading back here for a break from the tourist crowded or over priced terrible places catering for the masses in the surrounding covent garden/soho area.

What was also great about the venue? We were a stones throw away from dean street to go and enjoy a jug of pimms in the unseasonably good weather (well we are taking about Britain...)

Good food, good service, no pressure laid back atmosphere. Take your dates, your friends, your mum...they'll all love it.

Atmosphere: 3/5 we grabbed a window seat, it was a gorgeous day
Food: 4/5 especially for street food, not exactly haute cuisine but darn good
Drink: 4/5 get a spiced daiquiri
Overall: 4/5 go for the atmosphere, food and a good time

There are no reservations in the cafe, but are for the restaurant (the entrance for which in concealed in an Old Compton Street sex shop). More info here

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