Joanna Taylor's Review In A Few: Ixchel, Chelsea

You know that phrase, don’t BLEEP where you eat? I’d like to make a more literal amendment: don’t BLEEP (not that literal, jeez) at your favourite Mexican restaurant. Why? Because you’ll have to find a new one. And believe me, here in London that’s far more difficult than sourcing a new flatmate. So here I am, hopefully scuttling to the King’s Road, vowing to never make the same mistake again.

A south-eastern Mexican eatery, Ixchel and its soft curves, tactile fabrics and playful murals has all the wholesome, sunshine-tinted hospitality of the Yucatan as well as an exemplary (albeit less authentic) Tommy’s Margarita. Casual and friendly yet precise, the service felt seamless, while the food was more of a mixed bag. Following under-seasoned guacamole, mightily fresh tuna and crab tostadas lacked the necessary acidity that would usually come from a slice of lime served on the side, while a pork belly taco with salsa verde and refried beans called out for texture, spice and freshness to balance the fatty meat. Of course, salsa would have done the trick, though there was no mention of needing it when we ordered (We later learnt it’s featured elsewhere on the menu at a chilling £2.50 a pop).

We rectified that with the mains, though nothing could save a generous but dry hunk of beef short rib which came with its own brilliantly invigorating pineapple salsa. Thankfully, there were some ups, and beautifully moist flakes of grilled sea bass piled into corn tortillas with pipián verde (pumpkin-seed sauce) saved the day, leaving us with crunchy corn doughnuts named chochoyotes to mop up the leftovers.

Likewise, we found second stomachs for the plump tres leche sponge topped with a thick layer of whipped corn cream and, of course, a refreshing Cucumber Margarita. But would we return? Let’s say I won’t be sending my compliments to the chef.

33H King's Rd, London SW3 (ixchellondon.com)