New restaurant Mejico has launched, bringing market-to-table Mexican dining and Melbourne’s largest selection of tequila and mezcal to the city’s CBD.
The venue has taken up residence in Collins Quarter Building’s courtyard and glasshouse bar, with entry via the new laneway off Little Collins Street. Downstairs is the weatherproof courtyard and glasshouse dining space, while a tequila bar and margarita lounge can be found upstairs.
“In 2013, we opened Mejico in Sydney as a fun and exciting place for people to celebrate delicious food with friends and family,” says Mejico owner and Hicks Hospitality Group Director Ian Hicks. “As a Melburnian, I’m so excited to be able to bring the venue to my hometown and open Mejico in an iconic part of the CBD.”
Daily lunch and dinner services showcase seasonal Victorian produce, with an ever-changing menu that includes everything from street snacks and tacos to larger share plates, late-night snacks and more.
Dishes include Daylesford beef brisket empanadas with raisins, olives and chimichurri, sweet corn ribs with chilli and lime miso and queso fresco; pasilla chilli spiced roasted chicken with molé negro and kale slaw; Cochinita Pibil with citrus and Yucatan spiced pulled pork, smoked eggplant and hot sauce; Mount Macedon fried chicken with plantain and hibiscus hot sauce; and tacos with hand-pressed tortillas including confit Yarra Valley carrot, Gippsland lamb barbacoa and fire-glazed salmon.
Guacamole is served with plantain chips and prepared table side, with guests able to customise the dip to suit their tastes.
Available from 11pm, the selection of late-night snacks are designed to pair with any number of tequila varieties and include hicharrones (Mexican pork crackling), roasted pineapple and habanero salsa with blue corn chips and tequila and herb-marinated olives.
Breakfast is also on offer, with takeaway coffee and pastries ready from 7:30am before a full menu for dine-in and takeaway is available. The latter features almond granola, mezcal cured salmon and Méjico benedict, a take on the classic eggs benedict, plus smoothies and fresh juices.
The drinks menu encompasses more than 260 mezcals and tequilas, with six margaritas including the classic and the signature with lemon, agave and egg whites. The list also features local wine, and craft beers and ciders from Victorian breweries Two Birds Brewing, Mountain Goat and Coldstream.
Mejico is open for takeaway breakfast from 7:30am on Monday to Friday, lunch and dinner daily from 11:30am to 11pm and supper on Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 3am.
Image: Arianna Leggiero
