A sense of adventure

Nov 9 2007 By Our correspondent, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

YOU certainly need a sense of adventure to go on an evening out with us ...

Having been to a Mexican restaurant in the centre of Wakefield some time ago and deciding it was certainly worth another visit, I set off with two pals for Mex Cantina in the heart of the city.

“Do you know where we’re going?’’ said Lindsay, who had very kindly offered to drive the short distance to our neighbouring city.

“Oh yes,’’ I said confidently. “I’m sure we’ll find it easily.’’ Famous last words.

Approaching Wakefield I remembered the directions – straight across the roundabout, up the hill, turn left by the Post Office and you can’t miss it.

Well, we missed it – and went round and round and round! We even asked a local chap who was walking though Wakefield minding his own business until three women in a blue car suddenly pulled up.

Admitting he didn’t know, he did however put us on the right track by directing us to the city’s Latino Quarter.

“It’s round here somewhere,’’ I said, in a hopeful voice. Meanwhile Yvonne sat quietly in the back seat and very sensibly said nothing.

Suddenly, as we drove up past Wakefield Westgate station and city theatre, I spotted an archway, a cobbled street, a jaunty red umbrella and some bright lights.

And there it was.

Amazingly enough we were only about seven or eight minutes late for our table booking after parking up in the aptly named Latino Quarter which I’m sure would be great for strolling through and enjoying a drink in summer.

On a rainy Tuesday night in autumn however, we were just glad to get inside.

From outside, Mex Cantina looks very small. Step inside however and it’s big, bustling and a great asset to the city.

Having recently been voted one of Yorkshire’s top restaurants, Mex Cantina has somehow managed to capture the very essence of Mexico.

With great food and a bustling exciting atmosphere, this restaurant attracts couples, young families and groups of friends.

Looking at the menu, we first ordered a jug of house white wine and a jug of iced water, just in case our food was a bit on the warm side.

The beauty of going to Mex Cantina in the early evening midweek (before 7pm) is that the Early Bird menu is available and offers a 50% discount.

So what should we order? Well, we opted for a large plate of cheesy nachos to share. It certainly touched the spot and got us in the mood for more Mexican nosh.

On to main courses, and I opted for vegetarian chilli while Lindsay chose burrito mestizo, a large tortilla stuffed with chicken, tomato, chorizo sausage, pineapple chunks and baby new potatoes.

Yvonne chose traditional Mexican enchiladas with spicy beef.

All three plates soon disappeared and then the debate started as to whether or not we should have a pud.

In the end we decided to share two between the three of us.

Profiteroles and Malteser Magic ice cream were ordered to round off the meal and put the icing on the cake of a great meal out.

What makes Mex Cantina so special is the atmosphere. It’s busy and bustling and bursting with life. Even on an early Tuesday evening, it was full to bursting.

However, the night wasn’t quite over. Remember what I said about needing a sense of adventure ...

On the way out of Wakefield (appropriately on the road by the city’s prison) we suddenly spotted a speed camera and slowed the car a little abruptly.

A few seconds later all three of us gave a collective gasp of horror as a police car complete with flashing lights suddenly appeared alongside us.

“It’s that speed camera,’’ said Lindsay in horror.

Thinking we were about to be pulled up and told off, we were so relieved when the police car suddenly shot off up a road on the right – obviously in hot pursuit of some real villains.

Phew! We thought we were about to be given a right talking to.

Could we have been arrested for laughing and talking too much? Our night out had certainly given us something to talk about.

However to sum up, Mex Cantina is a great place for a night out. After all, Wakefield’s not that far away, it always make a change to go somewhere different and it’s an easy drive across (or should be).

Meanwhile, to sum up: “Da las gracias para una gran tarde.Véale otra vez!” Or in English, “thanks for a great evening and see you again!”

Venue Mex Cantina, White Horse Yard, Wakefield.

Tel 01924 211999.

Opening times: Monday to Saturday 5pm onwards, Sunday 12noon onwards.

Children welcome? Yes.

Disabled access: No steps, but in a cobbled yard.

The bill: £35.90 including a jug of house wine.

Would you go back? Definitely.