Viva Mexico!
As travel remains a distant dream, FACT’s Sara Waddah heads to an eatery that instantly transports you off the island and into the heart of Mexico.
Confession: Casa Mexicana threw us off from the moment we entered.
From the chatter to the guests to the harmony of Spanish music in the background and the big smiles that welcomed us, we made our way into the main dining hall of this hole in the wall with zero expectations – only an appetite. Sitting directly opposite Casa Mexicana’s resident performer, Dolly, I needed to take a moment to soak in the surroundings and remind myself that I was in the heart of Adliya, not Mexico! With dim lights, rustic brick walls, and vibrant paintings depicting different aspects of Mexican culture, this restaurant’s ambiance was the ideal mood-setter. I immediately knew that my friends and I were bound to have a good night.
We let the hosts make all the choices for us on this night. After all, they were the professionals, and we were ready to dive into the full experience. The beverages were brought out first, and a special shout-out goes to the sweet-salty-citrusy taste of Guadalajara in a glass. And sombreros off to the strawberry flavour! You’ll need to definitely try it yourself to understand what we mean. Thirst quenched, we delved into the Platter Santiago to start us off. It brings together a selection of Casa Mexicana’s best appetisers, and you can opt for either the half or full portion, the latter feeding up to four people. I couldn’t help but notice that the quesadillas were generously filled – a rarity – and made of the freshest flour tortillas. They’re topped with pico de gallo and, let me tell you, even the first bite was bursting with flavours. I devoured mine in a matter of seconds.
At this point, Casa Mexicana had all five of my senses on high alert – and we hadn’t even reached the main course yet. And speaking of: Dolly, who incidentally hails from Columbia, gave us all the attention while we waited for our mains. It made us feel at home. With a phenomenal voice and even more stunning aura, she briefly spoke about her experience as a Latina in Bahrain. “Working at Casa Mexicana has been one of my favourite experiences,” she said. “Me and the owner go way back, and ever since she had me come join her in Bahrain, I’ve felt like I was a part of a family – from the entire staff to those loyal guests who continue to return on the days I’m on stage. Once I step into these doors? It’s like being back in Columbia!” And right on cue, out came sizzling our fajitas.
We even got a chance to try the vegetarian option, Fajita de la Verdura, which was almost as good as the others. True to tradition, our fajitas came straight off the grill and right onto our table, accompanied by the likes of refried beans, rice, guacamole, and sour cream. One of the oldest Mexican restaurants in Bahrain, Casa Mexicana has steadily built a reputation for its authentic cuisine, live entertainment, and an incredible team that continues to maintain the quality of this beloved establishment. Whether you’re out for a quick meal, an intimate gathering, or a carefree night out with friends, Casa Mexicana is the definitive host. As the saying goes: mi casa es su casa. ✤
GO: CALL 1771 5521 FOR RESERVATIONS OR MORE INFORMATION.
