La Bodega Negra – Vibrant Mexican Cuisine in the Heart of Soho
The year is 2020 and there are still restaurants that opened in 2008 that I’ve never been to. HELLO Bodega Negra and the Bodega Negra Cafe
I don’t know why I’ve never been before? I’ve always been told that they do incredible margaritas (CONFIRMED) and some beautiful tacos (SPOILER ALERT: They Are)
The Vibe
Really love the chic Mexican cantina/diner feel of the ground floor cafe. It over looks old Comptons screen.. with loads of light beaming. Love the walls that are plastered with colourful signs and the bright artwork. Very evocative of the Mexican culture that I grew up with.
Downstairs is a different affair altogether with its sex shop entranced sexy basement vibes. I opted to do the one with better lighting (for the photos obvs)
The Drink
There are about 6 margaritas on the cocktail list. The classic was great, good balance of sweet and tart. Ive always wanted to try their Watermelon Margaritas, unfortunately they are not in season.. so opted for the apricot and tarragon margarita. The paragon was nice a subtle for those that are not fans of getting punched in the face with aniseed flavours.
Round 2 consisted of delving past the margitias int o the proper cocktail list. My fave was the smokey and spicy mezcal infused Pepino
The Food
We came for tacos and boy did they deliver. They are London standard size (meaning smaller than in Mexico, but they are stacked and pack full of flavour. Loved the aged beef and bone marrow and the fried chicken. Had the mushroom also, it was nice, but did not sign little the other two.
Loved the Smoked aubergine rustica. It was like this tortilla based pizza… or a toppled quesadilla. How ever you want to describe it it was delish. Not super cheese (which is a good thing) and the base was soooo crisp.
The star of the meal in my humble opinion was the Tuna Tostadas. They were two rather large shell like tortillas piled to the rafters with tuna ceviche. It was soooo farking delish. I might still be drooling just thinking about it as I type.
The Damage
The meal that we ordered with 4 cocktails and service would have come to around £125 for 2 people. Full disclosure this meal was comped, but given the quality of food and value for money I would have happily opened my wallet without regret.
The Take-Away
In today’s London restaurant scene where 2 newly opened restaurants close for every new one that opens… It shows when a restaurant has been opened for 8 years it’s doing something right. Bodega Negra is hitting all the marks. It’s got fresh interiors, killer cocktails and the food is SOOOO FARKING GOOD!
I promise it won’t take another 8 years to visit again! ⠀
La Bodega Negra
9 Old Compton St
Soho, London
W1D 5JF