Ashley L.
Yelp
Welcome to a small taste of culinary cielo (heaven).
On our way down Portobello Road last night, in search of an Iranian restaurant we had been tipped off about, we stumbled across Santo. Now, I've only written a handful of reviews so far, but if you haven't noticed, the soul of the restaurant/cafe is just as important to me as the food served. So it's no surprise that, when we first walked into this low ceilinged, salsa music playing, candle lit hole in the wall, it was love at first sight.
First, and foremost, lets talk burritos. For those of you who are in constant search for a good mexican restaurant, but seemingly always end up with overpriced TacoBell, you're in for a treat. The burritos consist of a flat, soft tortilla filled to the brim with whatever meat or vegetables you choose. My choice for the evening was Pollo Asado (literally meaning 'roasted chicken'). But don't let the literal name fool you. There is far more to this dish than a bit of roasted chicken and some tortilla chips on the side. A hearty helping of rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and a tangy sauce accompany this meal, making for a definite fiesta en su boca (party in your mouth). Along with a variety of tasty chicken dishes, Asado offers beef, lamb, fish and vegetable dishes (all available in burrito form though some are available as tacos, quesadillas or even cazuelas).
Drinks are plentiful and range from a large list of tequilas to beers. A side note about their margaritas. For those of you who have ever had a margarita in any chain restaurant, you'll know that you receive a massive glass with quite a bit of liquid. You'll also know that most of this liquid consists of margarita mix rather than the tequila itself. That said, don't be put off by the size of the margaritas at Santo. While the glasses might seem small, what's inside is a small amount of margarita mix followed by your fair share of good quality tequila (an acceptable explanation for the price of £7.50).
Now, as I wrote earlier, soul and atmosphere are just as important as the food itself. While the low ceilings and candle lit tables make for a very intimate experience, the DJ controlling the salsa, bachata and lambada music, mixed with the personable waiters and waitresses constantly on the run, adds a definite sense of fun and excitement to your experience. Santo makes it their duty to ensure their customers feel as close to Mexico as possible without literally being south of the Border.