If you’re in need of Mexican-style warmth, Shoreditch has the answer in the form of new restaurant and bar Zapote. Opening on the former site of critically acclaimed St Leonards restaurant), Zapote is the first collaboration from chef Yahir Gonzalez, previously executive chef at Aqua Nueva, and Tony Geary, global executive director at Aqua Restaurant Group.
Zapote’s namesake is the bright-orange-fleshed Mexican fruit, and the restaurant’s interior design is also influenced by this vibrancy, with a gold-painted ice counter, midnight-blue banquettes, a mural wall, and cacti. To further heat things up, there’s an open charcoal grill in the 65-seater dining room along with a cocktail bar (and a private dining room to come).
Chef Gonzalez hails from the city of Aguascalientes but relocated to London in 2010, so you can expect traditional Mexican fare with creative twists. Native Mexican corn varieties will be used for the tortillas made in-house, with Mexican chillis and spices imported semi-regularly in the interests of sustainability. The cocktail bar has an all-day menu with snacky plates – such as crispy pork skin with pico de gallo or whitebait and habanero alioli – but you can also order from the full restaurant menu, which includes:
- Seabass aguachile, fennel, dill and cucumber
- Grilled octopus, pasilla chilli, pipian verdue, tortillas
- Grey mullet recado rojo, grilled corn, smoked cod roe
- Beef tartare taco, roasted bone marrow
- Wild mushroom quesadilla, endive, tomatillo salsa
- Coconut crème, pineapple, coriander
There’s a European-focused wine list, including a smattering of organic, biodynamic and skin-contact options. And, do we have to say it, tequila and mezcal are the main players in the cocktail department.
More about Zapote
Where is it? 70 Leonard St, London EC2A 4QX
When does it open? 9 February 2023
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @zapoteshoreditch.
Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners
