Image taken from Sonora Mexican's Instagram
In a front courtyard of a busy intersection in Potts Point in Sydney, the owners of this ambitious Mexican restaurant have turned the hard edged urban space into a welcoming and hip destination. Greeted by a tall cactus, shimmery floor length drapes and a friendly member of staff, the experience is relaxed and pleasant from the get go.
Cool video art hangs on the walls in this space designed by Guru Projects Interior Design Studio providing an authentic vibe. Lighting is crucial in any design plan, and in this space it works beautifully, with rims of purply blue against the crumbly white ceiling with exposed pipes.
The bustling and well lit kitchen is viewed from the busy street on one side through plate glass, and as a flip up window bar on the other side where customers can perch on a stool and watch the magic take place before them in the kitchen.
Browse the concise but on-point menu while sipping a margarita or any number of small batch mezcal or tequila infused cocktails at a bar stocked to the rafters.
This is contemporary Mexican food like you’ll find on the streets of Mexico: creamy not stodgy black beans, smokey baked pumpkin sprinkled with Mexican cheese for an experience like no other, tacos filled with excellent spiced beef, and grilled sardines that look like they have come straight from the Gulf.
Once when we were having a quick family rendezvous dinner there with lots to discuss, we found the music loud and a little bothersome.
The staff quickly and kindly moved us to a quieter table when it came available with no fuss. Their can-do attitude includes taking bookings even if you are a group of three or four, and they don't have the irritating ubiquitous two-hour seatings like other restaurants which means eating like a child at 6pm, or after you’ve been so hungry you’ve filled up on snacks for 8pm.
This is a gem to have in the city. Easy access via Kings Cross station.
1/37-41 Bayswater Rd, Potts Point NSW 2011
Phone: +61 424 188 553