Get the party started with Mezcal

Tequila: it makes me happy

A restaurant named Mezcal instantly promises to be a purveyor of the beverage. If you’re not already familiar with it, Mezcal is a distilled spirit that can be made from various types of agave plants. Cooked in pits beneath the ground, the plant takes on a strong smoky flavour. It’s often confused with tequila, which is a type of mezcal made purely from the blue agave plant, mostly produced in the region of Jalisco, Mexico.

It’s definitely worth trying the venue’s Mezcal and Tequila board if you’re new to the spirits. It’s a great way to discover the subtle taste difference and get a handle on the various maturities, colours and brands. The flights come with either verdita (pineapple, mint, coriander, jalapeno, green pepper and lime, or sangrita (tomato, orange, red pepper, chilli salt and lime). Jarritos and mocktails ensure that non-drinkers have plenty to get excited about too.

Spice up your life

Food is made fresh to order using both Scottish ingredients with a lower carbon footprint, as well as genuine Mexican produce imported to ensure an authentic flavour. The menus at Mezcal have been created in collaboration with the acclaimed Mexican chef Adriana Cavita and as you might expect, deliver plenty of spice. There’s also a selection for kids to cater for younger taste buds. As it’s a casual kind of place, you don’t need to order a huge feast (although you absolutely can). Pop in for a snack while shopping, a drink after work, a family lunch or even a dinner date. It suits lots of occasions.

So what sorts of dishes can you expect to see on the a la carte and lunch menus?

You might like to make your own tacos with Mezcal’s traditional slow-cooked meats (slow-cooked birria lamb, pork carnitas or a vegan mix consisting of courgette, corn, tomato, sweet potato puree and pickle) with accompaniments of house sauce, rice, Oaxaca beans, guacamole and tortilla.

Make sure to tuck into some taquitos. These deep-fried tacos are stuffed with your choice of chicken tinga, spinach and veg, or chorizo and potatoes, all served with cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and salsa.

Or you could try the carne asada, a flat iron steak with guacamole, pickled veg, caramelised onion and abodo; homemade beef chilli Tostadas with mexi-bean purée and sour cream; birria lamb quesadillas with ancho, guajillo, oregano, cumin and garlic marinated lamb; and specials such as the Mezcal Arrachera, a skirt steak marinated with garlic, mezcal soy sauce, orange and Worcester sauce, accompanied by grilled potatoes, tomatoes, jalapeno, spring onions and green sauce.

And don’t think the tequila offer starts and ends with the drinks menu. It plays a major role in the puds here, too. Mezcal’s tequila toffee pudding is a twist on the British classic, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a great big Mexican kick. Or you could sample the toffee tequila caramelised pineapple if you’re feeling fruity.

Get this party started

Weekends are lively here. You don’t have to choose between a bar, restaurant and a club, because Mezcal delivers all of the above under one roof every Friday and Saturday. Live DJs play disco, house and techno, which accompanied by the cocktail selection, create a party atmosphere.

And come the heatwave, (ok, we’re in deep winter now, but summer will return) the venue is all set up for some sun-soaked dining and drinking sessions, with flavoured frozen margaritas on tap and an al fresco terrace. The venue also opens for a superb value lunch deal (one course plus a softie for £7 or plus beer, wine and mezcal for £9). Expect a major fiesta around the time of Day of the Dead, as well as special events, drinks and food to celebrate the holidays.

Under neon lights

Neons are so now. And Mezcal is full of them, creating a bright, lively and fun interior vibe. The restaurant’s signage is made from neons, artwork on the walls is framed by them and the bar is flanked by them. The colour scheme here is colourful and funky, just as any street food taqueria should be. Bold geometric stripes are found on the walls, illuminated mezcal branding lights up the bar and there’s plenty of traditional Mexican iconography, too.

Mezcal is found on Hope Street and is open from 12noon till 10.30pm daily, for food and drinks.