Sophie found a gluten free taco restaurant, which is good because of the many, many dietary intolerances, allergens, and dislikes that Chloe has, gluten is one of them. I still can’t believe Chloe is French. I swear she ended up in Birmingham after they kicked her out the second they knew she couldn’t eat butter, foie gras, cheeses, baguettes, and scallops. I don’t blame them, I’d have her booted out of Brum for the same if I had my way. Pack her Louis Vuitton suitcase and ship her off to Northampton. Or Luton. Or Edinburgh where they have the gluten free taco place.
I’m happy to be here because I love tacos, and they serve frozen margaritas by the pitcher for which we have two before we get the food order in. They are superb, probably the best frozen margs I’ve ever had. The tacos themselves are great with zero compromise on flavour or texture, just about sturdy enough to take on all the toppings. Politely spicy baja fish, another pair of sloppy Joe ground beef with pickles that needs the house hot sauce to brighten it, and buffalo chicken, pokey and vibrant. We order seconds and then thirds. More margaritas.
The real fun happens with the small plates and snacks. Cheese fritters that ooze filling with a jalapeño jam that they could easily sell by the truckload, skewers of layered and deep fried potato under a blizzard of Gran Moravia cheese. Sweet potato with a salsa macha that runs loose with chilli and pecan. Prawns basted in mezcal and thrown on the barbie, finished with smoked salt as if to emphasise the point. More margaritas. I’m sure I have on lots of occasions but I honestly struggle to remember having this much fun in a restaurant.
The bill for the 4 of us runs in at £80 a head, though a fairer representation would be closer to £30 each with a normal amount to drink. Look, I’m often told by readers that they support my drivel even though they’ve no chance of ever going to some of the restaurants I write about, but should you ever find yourself in the beautiful city of Edinburgh you could do far worse than taking a trip to Leith and eating here. In the corner will be Chloe, looking very chic and living her best gluten-free taco life. Please do say hello.
9/10
