Restaurants

Exquisito
Budget choice
Though not on a stretch of the street saturated with fine restaurants, it's worth hunting out this amiable Mexican joint on Blackstock Road. There's a something-for-everyone menu, the portions are colossal, and a litre of the house white comes at the can't-argue-with-that price of £9.95. What's more, there are plenty of herbivorous options too, since most of the main dishes are available with artichokes substituting for the meat. The artichoke fajitas arrived with no less than six artichoke hearts, so don't fill up on the complimentary nachos beforehand. Jennifer Lopez and Gloria Estefan had heavy rotation on the in-house stereo, but don't let that put you off. The service was attentive and if you enjoy a free post-meal tequila slammer (and who doesn't?) then Exquisito should suit perfectly.
Time Out Cheap Eats in London Guide 2007

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Posted by Jade on 23 Mar 2009 08:42
The service was awful! It was £90 for the 4 of us, reasonable for the portion sizes but the food wasn't great. It was dry and areas of the food was freezing, not quite what you'd expect. The waitress also cleared our table while we were still eating and frequently came to our table to move the cutlery and glasses (there really was no need). I was going to complain but as the bill came we were offered a free shot each on the house, I don't know if they could see the disapoinment on our face at the food and service. The house Rose was a bargain and actually quite nice. I don't think I'll be going there again.

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Posted by Jacob on 20 Mar 2009 11:11
Candace, I hope you are right, although this is a review of the restaurant, not me. Our meal, without drinks, came to £23. I had lunch yeasterday in The City at the Abbey on Minories and paid £36 for a meal, including appetizer and a bottle of wine. So I believe in certain expectations when I pay £23 for a dry Mexican meal.... and the use of fresh ingredients is not a lofty or even unreasonable desire. After all, near Angel, better Mexican is half as pricey. What Exquisto really needs is not further discussion, but a visit from Gordon Ramsay.

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Posted by Candace on 09 Sep 2008 14:46
I quite like exquisito and it's sister restaurant pizzadelique. It's not that authentic with the chickpeas but it's very tasty, healthy and beyond reasonable even if you don't get the 25% off. It's quite difficult to find a place that can tick all of those boxes. I've eaten here a few times and have never had anything frozen. All the people I've brought have been happy too. I think Jacob was either expecting far too much, is never satisfied or was simply unlucky.

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Posted by Jacob Gaffney (registered user) on 09 Jun 2008 15:25
A lot has changed since TO wrote its review. The "refried" beans were not even fried, much less refried... and since when are Garbonzo beans Mexican? Frozen enchiladas with burnt tortillas soaked in Italian ragu sauce. Horrible!
Sign outside said 25 percent off if in before 7pm... we were, and staff refused to give it to us anyway.
Ever had a restaurant experience leave you both hungry AND angry? No?
Then go to Exquisito.

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