Incredible but true, following Weslodge (saloon), Morah aka Byblos, Ting Irie (curated by Toronto’s beloved chef Craig Wong) and Sweet Salvation aka Sweet Jesus (cult Canadian soft ice-cream), another fantastic restaurant has exported from The Six aka Toronto. La Carnita.
Started as a pop up taqueria (taco stand) in July 2011, it soon expanded into four permanent locations in Toronto and beyond, opening its doors last year in the Gulf’s fanciest city, Dubai. Home to everything street style: cuisine, art, design, beat, beverages, vibe and interiors, which could easily pass for a road corner, La Carnita on the lower level of Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Marina, fills you with highly positive energy right from the entrance.
Passed giant wooden doors, a big bright screen briefs you on what’s on tonight:
“… When the working day is done,
Girls, they wanna have fun…” A quote from from Cyndi Lauper’s signle back from the 80’s, a perfect intro to Dubai’s beloved and one of a kind “Ladies Nights” with free often unlimited drinks, set menu or nicely discounted dishes, entertainment and dynamic music. La Carnita offered a free flowing high beat by resident DJ Travis accompanied by Margaritas and Sangrias from 8pm to midnight for us, the girlz every Monday night. That’s when I stopped by.
The place visualizes a concept of “you could be anywhere in the world” with its awesome cosmopolitan crew, eye catching design with a few shady elements (cage bars, exposed brick and bulbs), delightful mix of accents, easy going bartenders ready to mix a dream in a glass and to party and the best Mexican street food in town. A tribute to Toronto’s origin, La Carnita serves a Bloody Caesar, hard to find in the Middle East, and first mixed in Canada in 1969 with clam juice as a key ingredient. I love my Caesar crazily spicy with a pickle on a side but don’t you worry La Carnita’s mix is a more traditional beverage paired with a celery stick (AED 50).
Following recommendations from Michael, who looked after our table, we opted to start with the “off menu” special beetroot salad with the loveliest and the lightest avocado mousse imaginable. As this place is often referred as “taqueria”, I had to try their house made super crunchy tortilla chips with all kind of dips: guacamole, corn salsa (OMG) and bean cueso (AED 55). Scorpion chicken wings was the last appetizer ordered (AED 58) and they didn’t last long.
From the tacos selection we picked three different single tacos with the intention to split them in half: a very tender short rib (AED 32), exotic tuna ceviche (AED 40) and an absolutely brilliant polo frito with a fried chicken and peanut butter hot sauce (AED 28).
Our main course was inspired by the region’s love for lamb chops. They were served glazed in pomegranate sauce, generously sprinkled with sesame and accompanied with charred lemon (AED 165). Needless to say, they were devoured within minutes. As for dessert, I was impressed by chef Lara Said’s twist on traditional churros, which she turned chocolate with coating them with Oreo cookies crust and intense liquid chocolate (AED 35). Another must try is smooth peanut butter paletas (AED 28).
P.S. Not so many know, but right next to the entrance to La Carnitas there is a secret door leading to a secret bar. If you are looking for an exciting unimaginable adventure – contact Cartel and ask for a code word. There is no other way to get in. I’ve been, I’ve seen and I’m speechless.
