Wahaca founders
Thomasina Miers (pictured right) and Mark Selby have announced plans for a new restaurant on Brick Lane.
DF / Mexico will open in the Old Truman Brewery on 24 July and begin as an 18-month residency, though this may be extended.
The concept is born out of the pair’s recent road trip around Mexico and the United States and Mexican food with US twists will
set the menu apart from more authentic Wahaca (food pictured below).
The menu will feature Mexican tortas that are served like burgers, with fillings such as pork pibil or ancho mushroom in a brioche bun with smashed avocado and cucumber pickle, as well as Mexican
sharing boards and burritos. Sides of baked nachos, fries and corn on the cob will be available, and Caesar Salad will also be on the menu.
Desserts will include
soft-serve ice-cream with toppings including dulce de leche and peanut brittle, while all diners will be given a packet of popping candy for the journey home.
Drinks will include frozen Margarita cocktails as well as London-brewed ales from Gipsy Hill Brewing Company and Brixton Brewery.
The fact that Miers and Selby have started a new company for this project, rather than operate through Wahaca, has led to speculation that it is a concept which they are looking to roll out to more
sites, though this is unconfirmed. “A short-term residency gives us the opportunity to test out something we were excited about; a diner to reflect the enterprising heart of Mexico, with bold
flavours and fresh ingredients”, says Miers.
There are now 12 Wahaca restaurants across London, plus street kitchen vans in Canary Wharf and on the Southbank. Two more
restaurants are due to launch, in Brixton and on Great Portland Street, later this summer while the first Wahaca outside the capital is due to open in Cardiff later in the year.
Published 6 June 2014.