Over the last year the Counter service restaurant in Mexico has been covered up whilst it has been transformed into two new restaurants. This area has now re-opened and the new La Cantina de San Angel will continue to serve counter service meals while the new La Hacienda de San Angel will serve table service dinners staring at 4. 00pm each day.
The entrance to La Cantina is now situated near the bridge as guests enter the Mexico Pavilion. Here you will find five windows where you can place your order. There is a new menu but old favourites like Tacos de Carne, Nachos, and Empanadas de Queso are still available. I like the sound of Guacamole con Totopos which is corn tortilla chips with guacamole. They now also sell three varieties of Margaritas, Lime Raspberry, Passion Fruit and Coffee, as well as Dos Equis beer.
The outside seating area has a great view of World Showcase and apparently you can feel a welcoming breeze from the water here. Between 11am and 3. 00pm guests can also sit inside in the air-conditioned adjacent La Hacienda, this might be a good option in the hot summer months.
La Hacienda de San Angel is a 250 seat table service restaurant and will open each evening at 4pm. This has been specially designed to resemble different living areas of a hacienda; one room has the feel of a living room while others have more the feel of a grand salon, pantry, and artist’s studio. Original pieces of art adorn each room and fabulous chandeliers hang from the ceiling. You will find the restaurant entrance across from the pyramid.
It has been designed with large and tall windows and anyone dining in the evening would do well to book their table to coincide with the presentation of IllumiNations as everyone in the restaurant will have great views.
There is also a great menu with starters like queso fundido (warm cheese with poblano pepper and chorizo) accompanied by homemade tortillas. I also fancy Botana which includes a sampling of Mexican favourites like chicken tostado, Chilorio sope (marinated pork), and cheese empanada.
I believe there are also several tequilas on offer.
For entrees La Hacienda sounds appealing. It is a mixed grill for two to share of flank steak, chicken al pastor, chorizo and vegetables, served with beans and fresh salsa; I am feeling hungry just writing this! Fish lovers will probably enjoy Tacos de Camarones which is fried shrimp, chipolte-lime aoli, cabbage, lime and salsa verde all served over flour tortillas.
The kids menu includes Beef Tacos, Chicken Tacos, Nachos and Chicken Tenders.
This all sounds good to me and I think on our next visit we will reserve a table in the evening so that we can watch the IllumiNations as we dine.