Last Updated on June 22, 2024
Treat Yourself to FREE Halloween Shots and Delicious Food at Covent Garden
With the friendliness of its service staff, the website-claimed ‘spirit of Aloha’ certainly shone through at this intimate spot in Covent Garden. 3 Henrietta Street’s creamy exterior does not belie the Hawaiian street food restaurant within, but once you have descended the stairway into the basement space you are entered into an intimate jungle green room with low lights, mellow reggae and fake hanging greenery. The small space (only seven tables) was overlooked by a bar; leaf-printed sheets hid the kitchen.
El Ta’koy is one of several restaurants and bars housed within a complex which includes Pivot Bistro and Lilly’s Café. The food menu is split into sharing plates, tacos and small snacks; I would recommend splitting a couple of small snacks and either a taco or sharing plate as the snacks are not as ‘small’ as suggested.
We started with the Lomi Salmon Tostada; a crunchy taco base loaded with soft, plump salmon, drizzled with lemon cream, edame seeds and fresh coriander. The first bite was one of succulent softness and tangy taste; the raw salmon was perfection. The crunch of the taco balanced against the softness of the salmon; strands of seaweed further rooted the traditional Hawaiian lomilomi salmon in its islander origins as well as contributing interesting texture. When eaten with the tomatoes, the tequila-cured salmon chunks created a juicy explosion of fresh flavour.
We followed this ‘small snack’ with the eggplant empanadas. Aubergine, black beans, plantain, and tofu were encased in buttery-soft pastry. This dish too was characterised by a softness of texture – from the pastry and slow-cooked filling – but this time complemented by a sharper, tangier sauce. The empanadas were delightful on their own but also, for a change of flavour, delicious when dipped in the spicier sauce, adding a tangier edge to the hearty pastry.
To finish we had the Lamb Barbacoa taco which consisted of shredded lamb on a base of warm taco, accompanied by dollops of guacamole, yoghurt, and mango purée. The sweetness of the mango brought out the flavour of the lamb; they complimented one another beautifully. All the sauces combined to create delicious flavours in every mouthful.
For Halloween, El Ta’Koy has created mysterious ‘trick-or-treat’ shots, an innovation which brings some playful fun to the table. If you don’t want spoilers about taste and appearance, stop reading here!
The ‘trick’ shot is called Black Magic, after the charcoal powder which colours the margarita-style, salt-rimmed drink. The ‘treat’ shot is the sweet vodka foil to the Black Magic tequila cocktail; it’s a mix of vodka, lychee, and lime, with a sugared rim. We also ordered a couple of cocktails; I chose the Hamakua Cooler, an intriguing mix of banana liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse, lime juice and a splash of rum, whilst my partner opted for The Mix in Maui, a cocktail ‘shaken like a naughty child’. The anise spice came through strongly in the Hamakua Cooler and mingled nicely with the sweet banana. The Mix in Maui was heavy on the orange and, due to its tequila base, smokier than the Hamakua Cooler.
Chef Luis Pous has created a wonderful menu of exciting dishes; I’ll definitely want to return to try the seabass ceviche and Hawaiian fried chicken popcorn!
3 Henrietta St,
London
Covent Garden
WC2E 8LU
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