Mixing the cuisines and cultures of Mexico and Japan, Los Mochis is the bold new Notting Hill restaurant specialising in eye-catching dishes and colourful art.
Considering I was visiting this restaurant during the pandemic, I was instantly surprised with just how busy it was - it almost felt like normal life had returned.
As I waited for my guest to arrive, there was a steady stream of people heading to the bar for cocktails and being shown to their tables for dinner. It definitely was the place to be and the place to be seen.
This Farmer Street dining room is the latest venture from restaurateur Markus Thesleff, whose other venues OKKU and CLAW saw him make a splash in the Middle East. Now he's taking his talent to London where he'll be overseeing an eclectic menu of Pan-Pacific plates, including Korean fried chicken and miso cod tacos, quesadillas and maki rolls. The drinks too are due to leave an impression, with handcrafted signatures such as mezcal-based palomas and tequila and lychee martinis. While I waited I sat in the bar sipping cocktails and enjoying the high levels of energy in this vibrant restaurant, I was able to soak up the series of graphic murals across the walls, inspired by pop culture, technology and social issues and by the very talented Mexican artist Jorge Tellaeche. The overall design of both the ground floor dining room and the first-floor lounge is rustic Mexican, with Japanese accents. Los Mochis would also work as a date night dinner location with a ceiling covered in soft-glow lights and ivy, bringing an element of intimacy.
It was a warm evening and downstairs the full length bi-fold windows, also caters for al fresco eating, enabling the atmosphere of the high spirited eatery spill out onto the streets and the tables outside. Signature dishes include Trailer Park KFC - Korean fried chicken, Napa cabbage, jalapeño, spicy pickled cucumber, pico de gallo, pickled onions, cheese & poblano sauce; Miso black cod taco with den miso, pickled cabbage & crispy onions; buttermilk fried chicken quesadilla with Monterey pepper-jack cheese, onions & ranch crema. We however were treated to the set menu which included a whole host of taco’s, maki rolls, sashimi, ceviche - to be honest the food just kept coming and all of it was absolutely delicious and the presentation was out of this world. We didn’t really have room for dessert, but still managed to sample the Churro Ice Cream Sando, Tarta de Merengue de Ancho Chile Limón and Cajeta de Dulce de Leche Fondant - which I wish I was more hungry for or could of packaged up to take home.
Los Mochis walks a fine line between casual and fine-dining, though I would recommend dressing for the latter. I was genuinely impressed by the quality, presentation and creativeness of all the dishes we ate and would definitely return. With over 150 seats Los Mochis is one of the busiest restaurants in the area. Open from 08:00 to midnight, Los Mochis serves breakfast, lunch & dinner.
However there's more to this West London restaurant than being a place for food, drink and a bit of interior eye-candy. Community lies at the heart of the eatery, and for every meal purchased in the restaurant one will be provided for someone vulnerable or less fortunate.
https://www.losmochis.co.uk/
