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2016-04-29
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Mexico is a mystery country, famous for gangster, cactus and pyramids in my view. The country is located at the other side of the world. A good 20 hours fight without direct route from Hong Kong. Not many of us are lucky to travel there. However, it is not hard to have a taste of Mexican cuisine in Hong Kong. Taco, tortilla & salsa sauce are famous around the world. Nacho with avocado sauce, sour cream and spicy tomato sauce are very popular at bar or restaurant as it is just great for sharing.H
Having said so, I did not know Mexican cuisine well. It was always the snacks or comfort food that I was familiar with. I have never been to a classic restaurant that serves authentic Mexican cuisine. I was lucky be brought here tonight.
Verde Mar, just off Wanchai’s Johnston Road, was opened by Vivian Wong and Chef Eligio Escobedo, the team behind Mr. Taco Truck in Central. I have been to Mr. Taco Truck a couple of time, just to pick up taco or enchiladas for a quick lunch. I found it cozy and sufficient.
Whereas in Verde Mar, the menu has a lot more items. It is also a place that we can hang around for a whole evening.
The deco of the restaurant is full of Mexican spirit. The design concept is based around a typical Mexican village courtyard, with a very rustic style interior, warm colors and hanging lights.
It is not strange to find Mexican cowboy hats, but Gekkonidae is also everywhere on the walls. This probably reflects the fact, gekkonidae is popular in warm, forest and dessert type of environment and that is Mexico. This casual, unpretentious décor seemed instantly welcoming.
A huge bar is situated at the far end but facing front door. Without surprise, Mexican drinks will be served.
Verde Mar is green sea in Spanish. It is the color of Sea of Cotez in Mexico where the cuisine is rooted. Owners of the restaurant wrote: “Even though we are an ocean away. Authenticity and quality is just right at your doorstep.” I have a good expectation on seafood and authentic cuisine after I read this.
It offered qutie a wide menu as compare to other Mexican restaurants in Hong Kong.My first drink was a popular street drinks in Mexico, Horchata.
Horchata
Horchata
$38
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Our pre-dinner snack tonight was Chips with Guacamole.
Chips with Guacamole
Chips with Guacamole
$68
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Less is more. The dip is an avocado sauce with fresh tomato chop. The chips were fresh and crispy. It was hard in texture but broken easily in big pieces by a bite. Dipping with the avocado sauce was just a perfect match. The corn chips and avocado were in great harmony as they were both veggie-fruits. Richness of avocado sauce enlightened the slight salty taste of chips. The greatest amongst all was fresh made chips.Salsa Sauce
Salsa Sauce
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Chorizo Quesadilla
Chorizo Quesadilla
$108
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Chorizo Quesadilla
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Chorizo Quesadilla
$108
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Aqua Chile Snapper
Aqua Chile Snapper
$148
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Aqua Chile Snapper
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Char-Grilled Cactus
Climax arose when a cactus steak was served. Everyone has certain expectation as none of us ate cactus before. Would it taste like a plant?
Sushi-grade raw sapper
$108
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Char-Grilled Cactus
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The cactus paddle was already sprinkled with sea salt and we were supposed to add on lime juice.
After cut into smaller slice, the steak looked like green pepper and so did the taste. With a second thought, it also tasted like Aloe or lady finger. Green pepper was hollow in the middle but the cactus was stuffed with jelly texture juice. There was no smell of grass. On the contrary, the taste was unique but acceptable.It worth a try, although, could not tag it delicious.
Chicken with Habanero
Habanero is the world’s second hottest chili pepper that Chef specially imported this chili from Mexico. He offered this special dish to customers upon special request.
Chicken with Habanero
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Chicken with Habanero
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Shrimp Cocktail Mexicana
It was now perfect timing for a chilled soup after the chicken wing challenge.
Shrimp Cocktail Mexicana
$118
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Shrimp Cocktail Mexicana
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What we have to do was to mix everything in the wine glass. For sharing purpose, we cut the shrimp into smaller pieces and mixed with other ingredients.
Whoever would like to take more challenge, please feel free to add on hot sauce to the cocktail as this was a common practice for Mexicanos.
It was unbelievably refreshing with multiple layers of spicy favor. The chilled Mexican shrimp cocktail was tossed in a flavorful sauce of ketchup, onion, black pepper, cilantro and citrus juice. Strong citrus taste of the cocktail awakened my stomach, wonderful to be a cold dish itself or as an appetizer.
My second drink was an authentic Mexican cocktail named Jarrito.Jarrito – grapefruit favor
Jarrito
$58
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I picked grapefruit favor so did it tasted. It seemed to have more carbonated than popular soft drinks made in the United States. Fruity taste was natural, alcohol was low. It was a lady’s drink in my opinion.
Birria beef stew with Mexican rice
Birria beef stew with Mexican rice
$188
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Birria beef stew with Mexican rice
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We put all rice and add-on to the beef stew. Immediately, the soup was absorbed by the rice and dry up quickly. In a rich soup with a strong beef favor, the rice was very tasteful.
However, the texture of beef stew was too rough to me. They were chewy but tasteless. It was different with other slow cooked experience that meat used to be tender and juicy. The beef stew was simply like it was overdone by cooking in hot soup for hours.Whole Chargrilled Chicken
Whole Chargrilled Chicken
$318
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Whole Chargrilled Chicken
$318
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Cutting the chicken into smaller piece was not too hard as the meat was very tender. We saw moisture of the meat and thin slice of stiff texture on chicken skin.
Small portion of chicken fats were found under the skin enhanced smoothness to the meat while chewing. A little bloody red color was found near the bone proved that it was cooked well done but not overshoot.Crispy skin and juicy meat with smoky favor tells all. It was just delicious.
Last but not the least, how could we skip dessert?
Home-made Churro
Home-made Churro
$68
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Home-made ice cream
Home-made Churro
$68
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Mexican food was never a 5-star cuisine so I have my expectation managed. Although my comments on some of the dishes seem negative, there were many things I did love about Verde Mar. Dishes were unique and cooking with heart with lots of home-made products. Service was friendly and venue has style. Pricing is reasonable. We have a wonderful evening. I would not mind to introduce friends to be here again.
If Verde Mar is not the best, I believe she is definitely one of the best Mexican restaurants in the region.
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