North Turramurra has become a little less boring with one of its main culinary attractions, The Cook’s Garden, opening a fun Mexican restaurant upstairs.
‘Mexed Up’ has been open for just over a month and is attracting a good crowd for entrees, main meals, desserts, snacks and drinks.
With decent prices for tasty food (about $30-$50 per head), a selection of wines, cocktails and beers, efficient and hospitable service, the Central-American bar-style restaurant is ticking all the boxes.
Mojo Prawns – served with coriander, mint and oregano.Their Jalapeño Poppers really have to be sampled. Jalapeños filled with cream cheese, crumbed and pan fried. Not too spicy, the jalapeño are crunchy and the cheese completes the combination.
The star of the entrees is the Mojo Prawns. Flame grilled prawns with a little bit of coriander and mint, served with oregano and a squeeze of lime. Fresh, simple and a real treat in the back blocks of the North Shore.
We selected the soft shell tacos as our main course. Sampling a pulled pork, chicken and fish taco, we’ve got all bases covered. The flathead fish was fresh and zingy with its jalapeño and tomato salsa. The pulled pork shoulder had an aromatic chipotle sauce with a sweet corn salad and the chicken was served with a delicious achiote spice.
To pick a favourite? I would probably choose the fish. Did I say how fresh it was? I love eating a dish where each ingredient stands out but does not compete. It is simple fare, but very tasty. My dining partner thought the pork was best, until he tried the chicken. The Achiote Chicken was his favourite. With its strong orange colour and subtle distinctive flavour it’s worth having the Achiote Chicken Taco simply to sample the achiote spice.
The atmosphere and dining setting is hard to specifically define and categorise as it covers many bases. Lively music and colourful, authentic surroundings make it good for cocktails, a glass of wine and some snacks whilst being mellow enough with space and privacy for your own conversation over a good meal.
It’s a fun place, run by a bunch of young enthusiastic people who know what they’re doing and clearly enjoy doing it.
You can sit in small or large groups among the usual crowd or can hire the whole floor out for functions and larger events.
Friendly, professional and hard-working service from all staff makes your visit not only very pleasant but also quick if need be.
Their menu has classic and original entrees, the people’s favourites – tacos and burritos, the usual sides and even Mexican inspired desserts.
OR, you can choose the banquet, which costs $35 per head and provides you with a selection of starters, some tacos with rice and salad on the side and churros for $5 extra for dessert.
If you haven’t had churros then break your virginity here, you won’t regret it. The chocolate sauce is divine…
Mexed Up
3/270 Bobbin Head Road
North Turramurra
Tel: (02) 9988 0016
Website: http://www.mexedup.com.au
