Doing a very good impression of a swanky New York rooftop restaurant, Maya offers impressive views and a ritzy menu of modern Mexican food.
You get the impression that everyone here has a certain smugness about securing a table, and Soho House – who aren’t known for doing things by halves – have worked their interiors magic on the dining room and terrace. Layers of signature textiles and muted tones have created a cosy, comfortable space that is simultaneous bright and airy.
Despite the menu being fairly short (smalls, greens, tacos, large plates and sides – you know the drill), there’s a good span of dishes that help to ensure a meal of meandering flavours and textures so nothing gets too samey. The guacamole cart churns out on-the-spot bowls of fresh, lively dip and both crudites and corn chips add crunch and colour.
Things like tacos and tostadas come in pairs with larger plates made for sharing. Highlights included a beautifully balanced seabass ceviche split with a bright herb oil and topped with pickled onions, lime, radishes and jalapenos. The fun and friendly staff are on hand to top up your corn chips and to ensure the tequila cocktails keep on coming, to keep you dipping and sipping throughout. A larger plate of perfectly cooked ribeye had that all important salty crust and came with grilled, spicy sweet potatoes with a good thwack of barbecue smoke.
As all serious diners know, there’s always room for dessert. Here that means cinnamon sugar dusted churros with a rich chocolate sauce. Crunchy edges with a fluffy centre, this is the stuff of childhood dreams.
The combination of a trendy east London crowd, some of the city’s best views and plush interiors make this a must visit for those looking to impress with inside knowledge. We reckon it won’t be long until it’ll be hard to get a table, so get in now before the crowds.