If you want a good time, head to a Latino restaurant. In two years of doing the A to Z of World Food, the region that’s provided hands down most fun is Latin America. Yes, you can get more interesting flavours in Asian or African cuisine, or more sophisticated vibes in European restaurants, but for pure enjoyment, Argentina, Brazil, Cuba et al are miles ahead.
Alf and I ended up at Miko’s Ecuadorian restaurant after trying to meet for another Hispanic country – the Dominican Republic (no other ‘D’ countries had full restaurants in London). However, after meeting up after work in Vauxhall, we soon discovered the place was a pop-up which had since disappeared. So, a short bus ride dropped us off at the much revamped Elephant and Castle and we wandered into a pedestrianised side street. I’m sure there are loads of downsides to the area’s regeneration, but you know what, it looks an awful lot better than when I was last here about five years ago.
The Elephant is well-known as a hub for London’s Latino community, and this wasn’t the only Ecuadorian restaurant in el barrio. But Miko’s gets good reviews online and it was conveniently close to the bus stop too. Thanks to the lack of cars, tables spill out onto Sayer Street, so we sat out in the early evening July sunshine and perused the menu.
First up, drinks. As I say, Latino restaurants equal good times, and there was obviously a 2-for-1 deal on high-octane cocktails (naively we thought 2-for-1 would mean one each, when we obviously ended up with two per person). The menu described its drinks variety as “megadiverse”, but the waitress told us the most typically Ecuadorian libations were a Canelazo (firewater with cinnamon) and a Viva Ecuador Carajo (rum with a shot of coffee). Move over, poncy espresso martinis.
We asked the waitress for recommendations on Ecuadorian specialties too, and she suggested ceviche to share, a churrasco steak for Alf, and coconut prawns for me. This was all perfectly adequate, filling and easy to eat – and felt quite similar to food from the other Caribbean and northern Latin American restaurants we’ve been to. Yet despite the fact that some of the food is pretty unusual for European tastebuds (ceviche is basically raw fish in lime, after all), it’s all somehow quite bland. Even my coconut prawn soup which tasted almost south Indian, was somehow lacking in edge. Prawns and coconut are a perfect combination, but still, it needs something more to lift it.
Despite the food being a bit forgettable, we couldn’t complain. The portions were massive, the caffeinated cocktails got us buzzing, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Sure, it might not be the most thrilling food, but it tasted good and we had a lot of fun, which is arguably just as important.
Score: 6/10
Cost: £72.50
Address: 17 Sayer Street, SE17 1FY
The A to Z of World Food in London 