
Given that we've gone a whole paragraph without mentioning the place looking like a sex shop, those who know Bodega Negra will recognise that we were in the ground floor no bookings cafe, but even with the no bookings policy, we found ourselves immediately seated for a midday lunch. The 'Dining & Lounge' area which is downstairs has a (modestly?) different menu and considerably riskier décor, and while they do take bookings, they are open for dinner only.
The menu is divided into Starters, Tacos, Tostaditas and Mains though this seemed to have little impact on the order the food came out with a plate of tacos arriving after the mains were essentially finished. This may have simply been a quirk of the moment but the place, while serious about food, is also quite relaxed so it may just be the way they go with the flow. Walls decorated with Mexican event posters, in theme music and the sound of ice bouncing around a cocktail shaker is enough make you feel that you're on holiday once seated.
Foodwise, first out is the avocado and prawn ceviche. Beyond being spicy, it was perhaps a little dull with prawn mostly lost in the mix. It is the next dish however that totally wins us over, the ceviche of tuna, chillies, coriander and lime amongst other things. Less outright spicy than the previous dish, it hits however the perfect balance with the ingredients (our waitress too said this was here favourite). It's so good that you end up saying you'd return just to eat this again, and you would.
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Related links
La Bodega Negra website