Mesa Verde
The verdict
Located on the 6th floor of Swanston Street’s Curtin House, Mexican tequila bar and kitchen Mesa Verde is now serving up a revamped taco menu and an all new boozy brunch. While the taco selection may have changed, their obsession with agave remains.
Mesa Verde boasts one of Australia’s largest tequila and mezcal collections, so you know the margaritas will be good—you have to try the deadly spicy Ghostface Killah and fruity Frida Kahlo. If you’re really thirsty, make sure to order a MEGA margarita.
If you feel like drinking something a little different, the bar will also be slinging what they call an unknown Mexican classic, the Batanga, made using tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, cola and their secret salt mix. If you ask for a Batanga 1961, they’ll serve it alongside an old-fashioned bottle of Mexican Coca Cola (and add a generous measure of reposado tequila). If tequila isn’t really your thing, Mesa Verde will pair one of their favourite mezcal’s with a local beer and an off menu taco for $25.
Speaking of tacos, their brand spanking new taco menu is absolutely drool-worthy. Head chef Jake Green has managed to put Mexico on a plate with five new flavours, serving up roast pumpkin, beer battered fish, pork carnitas, caramelised brussel sprouts and braised ox-tongue tacos. Some of the other dishes featured on the Mexican-inspired menu include quesadillas filled with pork and salsa verde or potato and ricotta, corn esquites with chipotle mayo and guacamole with tortillas, all of which are included in Mesa Verde’s new bottomless brunch.
The Mexican eatery will be serving up bottomless brunch every Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. For $65 per person, you’ll get 1.5 hours of bottomless Palomas, Batangas, Micheladas, tap beer and prosecco, as well as guacamole with tortillas and corn esquites, a quesadilla and two tacos. If you can’t make it to Mesa Verde for brunch (but we recommend you try), their dinner menu and even longer drinks menu are both available 4pm til late from Wednesday to Saturday.