Found on Hackney’s bustling Mare Street, Caldera is a casual Mexican restaurant which promises diners a contemporary and creative take on classic Mexican flavours. Once inside, you’ll find a relaxed dining room which features colourful artwork on the walls, low-hanging light fixtures and cosy window booths. The restaurant’s name, meanwhile, is derived from the Spanish word for ‘cauldron’, with the idea being that the name reflects the globally inspired menu.
Speaking of the menu, it’s full of tempting dishes. To start, try the likes of Padron peppers with Maldon salt or a bowl of pinto beans. The global influences are apparent from the off, thanks to starting dishes such as a poké bowl (typically found in Hawaii) topped with salmon, guacamole, edamame beans and mixed quinoa.
When it comes to main courses, Japanese influences abound. Perhaps the molé-miso lamb cutlets will take your fancy, or maybe you’ll be more partial to the likes of baja fish tacos with chipotle aioli and ao-nori seaweed. Elsewhere, try deconstructed whole poussin al pastor with a habanero and jackfruit sauce, or tuck into matured ribeye steak served alongside corn truffle, porcini mushroom and a helping of thick-cut chips.
While Caldera’s food menu might feature plenty of twists on the classics and a few lesser-known dishes, its drinks offering is firmly on the traditional side of things. There are Mexican beers and soft drinks, as well as a cocktail list that includes Pina Coladas and Carmencitas (a blend of Tequila, grapefruit, cranberry, lemon and lime that is a great mix for the spicy and savoury flavours of the cooking).
If you’re got a sweet tooth, don’t ignore Caldera’s tempting, albeit concise pudding menu (there are only two available). You can choose between cinnamon-dusted churros served with a dulce de leche sauce for dipping, or order whichever homemade cake the kitchen has cooked up that day.