The branding says an authentic taste of Mexico and the establishment in Edinburgh’s atmospheric Canongate (there is another in Glasgow’s vibrant Merchant City) is where founder Mayra Nunez says you savour the flavours and most popular dishes of her home town in Mexico, Valle De Bravo.
This Edinburgh restaurant has been a firm favourite of some members of my family for over 25 years, so they must be doing something right.
As a first-timer, the in-house team answered a number of questions. I was unsure of what to order, particularly as the food is served tapas style so you to try different dishes. (Beware, the bill can mount!)
The Alitas de Pollo spiced chicken wings cooked in garlic, coated with chilli and honey proved a wonderful starter, the flavour exploding in the mouth.
My rustic lamb, picked from the specials menu, was interesting without being spectacular. It is lamb cooked with pasilla chillies, roasted garlic and mushrooms and topped with goats cheese and was served with rice.
The first few forkfuls were great but then I became a little bored with the taste.
I enjoyed the overall experience – it was busy without being rowdy – but I’d hate to be there on a big party night. The noise may be too much for me!
Pancho Villa’s, 240 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8AB (t: 0131 557 4416)
Experienced news, business, arts, sport and travel journalist. Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website. Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV. Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs.
