La Cholita

Clint Nolan might not be the most Spanish name in the phonebook, but don’t let that put you off the hombre’s loud, no-holds-barred and – most important of all – fun homage to Mexican food and drink.

As you’d expect, tequila gets star billing. If you’re a purist, working your way through the bar’s 70 or so bottles – give or take a Mezcal or six – will keep you busy. And not to mention horribly drunk, should you happen to do it all in the one night.

Don’t feel like dropping $120 on a pour of Partida Elegante extra anejo? Fear not. The Negronita (si, it’s a Negroni with gin switched out for you-know-what) makes for an easy transition into la vida loco, otherwise, launch straight into the likes of a tamarind Margarita and its palate-rousing trifecta of lime, coriander-infused Calle 23 tequila and, of course, tamarind. It’s one salt-rimmed tumbler of win.

Cerveza Mexicana is another avenue worth exploring with all beers upgradeable to a salt-and-citrus-bolstered Michelada.

In the kitchen, the red-shirted team keep it similarly real. While booze-friendly entradas in the vein of grilled octopus and zesty pico de gallo keep those at the bar merry, those seated in the restaurant section have the whole proverbial enchilada to choose from: we’re partial to the tostadas, particularly the avocado and crab configuration.

The wood-grilled Angus beef hit with chimichurri is another winner while the chimichanga with dulce de leche ice-cream makes for an ideal non-alcoholic exclamation point to your night out.