Mesita is a new-ish wine bar and restaurant just off the main square in Martinborough.
With a great selection of wines and Mexican inspired cocktails and food, it was a great hit for us.
Mesita is tucked in and away from the main hustle and bustle. You enter the unassuming restaurant to a typical-restaurant fit-out. Leather booths, some neon lighting, a bar. Out the back in the courtyard, the Mexican theme sings a bit louder, with brightly covered Mexican tablecloths. A grapevine fittingly sneaks across the back wall and up above the mismatched tables, creating a casual and cool atmosphere.
Kayla kicked off with the cocktail of the day, I can’t remember quite what it was now, other than Mexican inspired. I had the Nga Waka Chardonnay, a wine local to the area that I’ve been wanting to try for ages. It was delicious, a very easy to drink Chardonnay.
The food was the star of the show. The menu is made up of seasonal small plates, made to share. The fried chicken was the standout for me. Delicious and tender pieces of chicken, cooked to perfection. Moist and flavoursome – with honey, chilli and pickles.
We had the esquite – Mexican corn salad, which was delicious and refreshing in between our other plates.
The grilled Langoustine – honestly, I had mistakenly thought we were getting a pasta so I was a little surprised when a crustacean turned up with just a salad.. nevertheless, it was also perfectly cooked – moist and juicy with heaps of garlic butter and a crunchy and fresh salad.
We tried the tempura oyster mushrooms with a sesame mayo – delicious. Loved them. Highly recommend.
And to round off, we had an incredibly strong negroni, a delicious pisco sour (my pick of all the cocktails) and some fried peanuts with chilli – delicious.
I recommend booking, as always.
Definitely, a cute spot to mix up with the regular restaurants in Martinborough! I’ll be back.
Looks awesome!!
Deeelicious!