Hola Mexico !!!

Lagos is a cultural melting pot of not just different tribes, but also different nationalities, many of whom have been kind enough to share their local cuisine with us. In a quest for some Mexican and 'Tex-Mex' cuisine,which is reasonably rare in these parts, I discovered Bottles Restaurant.

Tucked away in a duplex in Victoria-Island, you almost drive past, because you think it's a residential premises. But the minute you walk in through the door, guarded by two 'totem' like light poles, it's like you stepped into a portal and have been teleported either to Mexico or the set of an old Mexican movie.

The Menu: with a menu twice the size of two A4 papers, filled up with Mexican specialities and Tex-Mex Cuisine, you are definitely spoilt for choice and a little overwhelmed with what to try out. What's great about the menu is that it's very precise and descriptive especially about what you are ordering so you know exactly what a dish is made of.

The Food!!!:

The Entree:

The 'awesomeness' of this place knows no bounds. The minute you sit down, you are presented with a 'COMPLIMENTARY' and very generous serving of Tortilla chips and dip. The dip is a surprisingly nice mix of raw tomatoes, red and green peppers, doused with a sprinkle of ground pepper which gives you an insight into the spicy and fiery reputation mexican food has. You can snack on this while you skim through the menu or while you wait for your food to be served.

The main Dish

Enchilada : This is a divine mix of taco beef, chicken breast, spinach and cheese rolled into a soft flour tortilla, and topped yet again with cheese. The enchilada is usually either beef or chicken, but they can mix it up so you have chicken on one end and beef on the other. The texture of the filling is delicate and near perfection. The cheese topping is a great accompliment to the spicy hot chicken and beef waiting to be uncovered underneath.

Tacos: This comes in either hard or soft shell, and it is a wrap generously filled with lettuce, tomatoes and a choice of either chicken of beef. It almost tastes like a sharwama but wayyy better. Despite the fact that the soft shell is quite delicate, it doesn't fall apart and leave you looking like a messy eater.

Most dishes are served with a side of beans(which is a staple in mexican cuisine, not to worry it's not ewa agoyin) and jollof rice, and ode perhaps to us here.

The Margarita!!!!
Sooo...I was going to order the non- alchoholic virgin magharita, but who does Mexican, the birth place of the margarita without trying a real margarita!!

And so I got the house special, frozen magharita! This is one of those dangerous drinks that taste so sweet and amazing you keep drinking until your glass is empty and you are left winking at everyone that passes by(tequila content at work!!). Highly recommended. The alcohol filled snow cone stays frozen even after half an hour of slowly sipping the icy delight.

Delivery Time : The main courses were served between 15 to 20 minutes of the order being taken, which was reasonably fair considering the fact that you get to snack on those crisp tortillas.

Portion control : One plate of whatever you order is enough for two people to share, especially since you're reasonably filled up courtesy the free entree, not to forget the cheese topped beans.

The Staff : The staff are very friendly and helpful when it comes to recommending combos you can try. They also don't do the whole 'breathing down your neck till you decided what to order' skit.

Specials:
Tuesday nights offer an all you can eat of chicken wings and beer at a very fair rate.

Wednesday and Saturday nights also involve a wicked live band, worth checking out.

Ambiance: I saved the ambiance for last, because there are so many cool details that come together to infuse the North American culture. In addition to the Sombreros decorating the bar and the multicoloured chairs, the entire space is littered with artefacts and figurines that clearly have a Mexican influence. Like the name suggests, there are bottles on each table with a candle tucked into it, giving a very rustic and homey feel to the place. It's definitely not just about the food,it's a cultural experience.

Fun outdoor sitting!

Last Words!!!  

Bottles Restaurant is a great way to experience Mexican Cuisine, with a breathtaking ambiance,  and has earned themselves a FIVE STAR rating *****, wish I could give them more stars, but hey, five's the limit!!

Bottles is at No.8, Imam Augusto Close, Olosa Street, Victoria-Island,Lagos.