When we heard Wahaca Brighton had a new Winter menu, we jumped at the opportunity to try it. As the evenings get colder and darker, the colourful and joyful Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) decorations are currently lighting up Wahaca Brighton and will do so until early November.
The Brighton branch of Wahaca is one of my favourite local places to go to share food and try a bit of everything. At the moment, it is adorned with vibrant Mexican-style bunting, an altar inspired by traditional ofrendas (honouring deceased loved ones) and there are even some skeletons dining out at one of the tables. So fun!
I keenly stated to our lovely server that I wanted to try everything new on the menu and she kindly talked me through all the different options. I tried the new Gin Soleado (£9.95), a refreshing Portobello Road gin-based drink with mint, grapefruit and lime. I had a sip of my partner’s Tipsy Horchata (£9.95) a milky rum drink that feels very authentically Mexican.
We went for the creamy new Butter Bean & Confit Garlic Dip, described to us by our server as like hummus but with butter beans instead. This was the perfect way to start the meal and we chose to have it topped with Sobrasada (chorizo) (£6.95). It was creamy, garlicky and rich in flavour, with three soft whole garlic cloves on the top to devour. It is also topped with crispy chickpeas and rosemary. A divine combo. This comes with Wahaca’s signature tortilla chips, which helped me feel right at home.
We had arrived hungry and what’s great about Wahaca is each dish comes out when it’s ready. We also tried the new Roast Ancho Mushroom Tacos (£7.50). I’ve had mushrooms at Wahaca before and they somehow make them so meaty and full of flavour. Apparently, the mushrooms are marinated with layers of unami and spice and this really shows. These are then served in a taco with warm white bean allioli, jalapeño mayo and salsa macha. The result: a spicy, smoky, juicy taco with a crispy topping that might just drip on your chin. Don’t miss trying this dish.
The unexpected showstopper of the dishes we selected was the special – the Beef Birria Torta (£13.50). All the staff we spoke to recommended it and said it’s the dish they will have if there’s any left at the end of the day. This is a sandwich-like dish but don’t be put off by that. It’s a limited time collaboration with The Flour Pot Bakery. Other Wahacas collaborate with other local bakeries. The torta is filled with slow-cooked beef, grilled cheese, avocado, cauliflower, and jalapeño allioli, and comes with a rich birria broth for dipping. As our waiter popped the dish down, he said: “It’s OK if you want to drink it” about the broth. And my partner did at the end. This thoughtfully-created dish is unreal and I can imagine going back just to get that for my lunch. Be warned: there are a limited number each day and they are sold until they sell out.
The other new dishes we tried included the Guajillo Prawns (£8.95), sauteed with caramelised onions, garlic and ajillo oil. These came with avocado, coriander, red onion and lime on the side. I like spice and found this to be quite a spicy dish. We also tried the Roast Butternut Squash (£7.50), which is served on a cashew nut mole. The butternut squash from Riverford Organic is roasted and also served with a fresh herb salad and salsa macha. It was nice to have this wholesome, nourishing vegetable dish alongside all the meaty options we went for. One more thing we tried which was tasty was the Smoky Pork Belly Skewer (£8.50). The pork is both crispy and tender, exactly what I want from a pork belly and packed with flavour. It comes with a fragrant tamarind sauce and is topped with tasty crispy leeks and fresh herbs.
Other new dishes on the menu which we didn’t try include the Corn, Bean & Feta Tostadas (£6.50), topped with charred jalapeño oil, zesty lime, pico de gallo, feta and herbs, and a drizzle of salsa macha. Nor did we have room this time to try the new Chocolate Mole Cake (£7.50), blending cinnamon, ancho chilli, sesame and chocolate into a rich, spiced cake. Next time!
Other specials to tell you about include a limited-edition Blood Orange & Hibiscus Margarita (£9.95) available throughout the Day of the Dead festivities. This month, Wahaca has also launched a new Tequila Experience (£14.95) – a curated flight of three tequilas. Not only this, a trio of frozen delights, the Frozen Flight (£9.95) has also been added to the dessert menu this season.
Our visit to Wahaca Brighton was perfect for a Thursday evening. The staff are welcoming and friendly, the atmosphere is uplifting and the new winter menu items are absolutely worth trying.
Address: 160 – 161 North Street, Brighton, BN1 1EZ
Website: https://www.wahaca.co.uk/location/brighton/
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