Food Review by Nicola Moyne
IF you find yourself hankering after some hot Latin flavours this festive season, head to Las Iguanas in Lakeside.
Bursting with Latin American flair, the eatery, which is located on The Boardwalk, is a stylish venue backed up with some fantastic dishes.
I visited the restaurant last week and was impressed with the funky, lounge-style décor, as well as the vast choice of food on offer.
The menu is bursting with Mexican-inspired dishes, including nachos, fajitas, and burritos, as well as Spanish-style tapas and authentic Brazilian curries and stews. For those less adventurous there’s the usual dose of burgers and fries, and a healthy dollop of fish dishes for seafood fans.
Indeed, there’s something for everyone at the Shopping Centre hotspot, and whether you’re visiting for a special occasion; stopping off for lunch mid shopping trip, or dining out with colleagues, the restaurant’s warm, eclectic vibe will serve as an instant pick-me-up.
As a fan of Mexican food, I was drawn to the sharing nachos platter to start (£5.20) and also ordered spicy chicken wings (£4.50). Both came to the table swiftly and were delicious. The chicken wings in particular had a nice kick to them due the lemon and garlic dressing, and both dishes were polished off in quick succession.
For mains my partner and I went for chicken fajitas and were impressed with the amount of filling that came with each dish.
I have often been left disappointed by the miniscule chicken portions that normally come with fajitas, but Las Iguanas doesn’t scrimp. For £12.70, you get around five tortillas, a sizable stripped chicken breast, and all the dips and extras you could ask for, including guacamole, sour cream, onions, peppers, salsa and cheese.
Both dishes were served piping hot, and went down a treat. However, I was tempted by the Peurto Rican Paella (from £9.90) and Moqueca – a creamy coconut curry served with rice, sweet chunks of plantain, and crunch coconut farofa (from £8.90).
For dessert, you can choose from a delicious selection of cheesecakes, banoffee pie and some mouthwatering ice-cream combinations. Just make sure you leave room for a Las Iguanas signature cocktail!
My personal favourite is the Classic Caipirinha, which at just £5, is a delicious Brazilian-inspired mix of whole lime muddled with sugar, crushed ice and cachaca.
And, if you’re keen to save your pennies for Xmas shopping, fear not. Arrive between noon and 7pm and you can take advantage of the Lunch and Early Evening Set Menu, which boasts mains from £6.90 and additional starters from just £1.
For further details, or to find out more about Christmas bookings, visit www.lasiguanas.co.uk, or call 01708 680466.