Mamasita

1/11 Collins Street, Melbourne

As the final siren sounded at the MCG and the crowd began to pour out of the oval, we look down at our watches, and, being only 5.30pm, make the decision to walk across to the City and try our luck at getting into Mamasita, one of Melbourne’s current “it” restaurants.

Mamasita has a reputation for being impossible to get a table at, unless you are willing to eat at a time more suitable for your nanna or are prepared to stand your ground on the street below in hope that you will be the next to experience this Mexican phenomenon.

Heading towards Collins St we fear that perhaps we are not the only ones with this idea and as we reach the restaurant we discover that there is already a line snaking down the narrow staircase. The line is not yet spilling onto the street as it often does so we decide to give it a go. It must be our lucky night as there is one table of four available until 7pm and the couple in front of us has been politely refused as the remainder of their dinner party is not yet here. We’re in!

Although it is not even 6pm the restaurant is packed to the brim and the noise of our fellow diner’s bounces loudly around the room, creating an exciting and fun filled atmosphere. We are shown to our table, our coats are taken and our drink orders are filled. The delicious aroma of the Mexican delights being served around us is almost too much to take in and we quickly order some homemade corn chips with guacamole to keep our new found hunger at bay.

Our waitress runs through the menu and we follow her suggestion by ordering a few individual starters and two larger mains to share. First on the list is their famous street style char grilled corn, served on the cob and covered generously in queso (cheese), chipotle mayonnaise & lime. I am a corn fan from way back but Mamasita’s have taken this simple vegetable to a whole new level. I fear I may never be satisfied with the trusty butter and salt combo again, yum!

We also ordered an individual soft shell taco each and a char grilled chicken quesadilla to share. My taco is filled with large juicy marinated prawns that are dusted in a mix of spices and accompanied by habanero chillies and an almond pesto. Around the table the other tacos include the braised pork, pineapple, coriander & white onion as well as the chorizo, cabbage, chipotle, coriander & onion and we all agree with delight that this is no Old El Paso. The quesadilla is perfect for sharing but perhaps lacks the flavour of the two previous dishes and the chicken is a little dry. A note to all dinners; watch out for the hot sauces on the tables! They have some real bite.

We are lost in conversation and caught up in the buzz of the restaurant when our mains arrive. We happily tuck into the black mole with confit chicken, the roasted pumpkin & caramelized onion stuffed tortillas and a side of salad of quinoa, corn, spinach, coriander and chilli. I am still not 100% sure what ‘black mole’ is but the sticky black sauce that covers the rich confit chicken beneath is strong yet delectable. Accompanied by the sweet roasted pumpkin and the fresh crunch of the quinoa the three dishes work in perfect unison.  

With a sense of achievement we regretfully leave our table, making way for the next round of eager patrons, and head out into the city below. The evening is still young, not quite 8pm, but we have had a small win tonight, Mamasita – tick.  

Rated 15 O’s out of 20