If we had to choose an all-time favourite cuisine, Mexican would be up there towards the very top. What’s not to love? It’s fresh, flavoursome and spans the culinary spectrum from light and bright through to hearty Tex-Mex-style that’s dripping in sour cream. If your hankering leans more towards the light-and-bright end and possess an appreciation for authentic modern-Mexican morsels, add Pablito’s Mexican Cuisine and Tequilaria at Sanctuary Cove to the top of your to-do list. The menu opens with a selection of small plates, which are perfect for sharing (or not), and includes a Mexican sweetcorn salad with chipotle and lime, oven-roasted jalapenos stuffed with cashew cream and a must-try red snapper ceviche, a dish inspired by Sanctuary Cove’s waterside location and salty sea air. The tacos are served in twos and are available in an array of taste-bud tickling combinations such as roasted cauliflower, corn-crusted chicken thigh, pulled pork and spiced fish. Those with a sizeable hunger can plunge a fork into a burrito bowl, which is topped with your choice of cauliflower, pumpkin, chicken, pork, fish, steak or mushroom, and if there’s a few of you, there’s a clutch of sharing boards to choose from.
Pablito’s is perfect for date nights or meals with mates. The venue’s owners Pete Baumgart and Paul Hodgkinson have created a striking tequilaria that closely resembles the Pinterest board of your dreams with cacti occupying every corner, exposed concrete floors, terracotta tables and white breeze-brick features. Softly glowing statues of the Virgin Mary preside over the dining area, creating an ambient mood, while a scattering of swinging chairs and intimate booths fill the restaurant floor and outdoor seating area. Try as you might, your gaze is inevitably drawn towards the impressive black-out wooden bar that houses Pablito’s seriously stacked collection of 50-plus tequilas and mezcals. Love a good marg? You’ve come to the right place. Pablito’s features no less than eight different kinds of margaritas to wet your whistle, ranging from classic through to the lavish Millionaire’s Margarita, which contains Fortaleza Reposado tequila, Grand Marnier Cordon Jaune, organic agave syrup and fresh organic lime juice.
To celebrate its first Cinco de Mayo, Pablito’s will feature a live Mariachi band on Friday May 6 from 5:00–7:00 pm. Skip over to our Stumble Guide for opening times.
Image credit: supplied.
