Bringing the taste of Baja to Bree, Hacienda’s contemporary coastal menu and formidable line-up of tequilas and mezcals turn the tide on what authentic Mexican cuisine can be, setting it apart from the maelstrom of mainstream Tex-Mex in the city.
Inspired by the coastal region of Baja California in North Western Mexico, Hacienda’s predominantly seafood menu showcases some of the freshest ingredients to encapsulate the rich variety of flavours and spices in Mexican cuisine.
As soon as you walk in, the exposed brick walls and the wooden bar combine to provide a natural and inviting atmosphere, while the Norteño music in the background sets the scene of the dining experience to follow. There’s a carefully balanced design approach that blends classic Mexican elements with contemporary finishes, summing up the restaurant’s cutting-edge yet traditional ethos.
Hacienda’s bar area is the ideal place to get a drink on arrival before being led into the moodier and more ambient dining area. Soft lighting, wooden furniture, darker-toned walls and leather seating come together to give this space an earthy, subdued and homely feel that allows the colourful array of tapas dishes to truly stand out. The wooden elements in the dining area create the perfect setting for a cosy, winter date spot, while the freshness and radiance of the food, often with fruity or spicy components, lend itself to more of a summery feel — enabling Hacienda to impressively transcend any seasonal limitations.
Being the first restaurant in Cape Town to tap into Baja cuisine, authenticity is at the forefront of Hacienda, from the hospitality to the food. To start things off, every table is served a tricolour of totopos to warm up your palate. You’ll also be informed about their signature mole sauce that’s been kept alive since the restaurant’s inception, being fed each day to allow the flavours to change as it ages. They also have a homemade chilli sauce, the perfect addition to their highly-recommended crispy tempura lobster tacos or Guajillo prawns served with chorizo foam.
Overall, Hacienda is an all-encompassing experience, where the interior of the restaurant reflects the organic and vibrant idiosyncrasies of the menu, while still maintaining a modern allure that blends in perfectly with its Bree Street locale.
Words by Shai Rama
