90 minutes of bottomless XL Tiki cocktails.
Just off the Piazza of Covent Garden we find Henrietta Street. No.3 is a destination townhouse offering a selection of dining and drinking delights – and El Ta’koy with their Never-Ending Cocktail Brunch is well worth visiting.
Chef Luis Pous’ inspiration for El Ta’koy started when he was opening a restaurant on the small island of Kauai in Hawaii. That tropical paradise would be bound to make an impression. He visited local restaurants, farms, farmers’ markets and food events around the island and discovered complex culinary diversity. The food was influenced by not only Polynesian culture but also that of the Caribbean, South American, European and East Asian cuisines as well. El Ta’koy in London reflects that vibrant culinary landscape.
This basement restaurant and bar is a cosy corner of a tropical rainforest. Its ambiance is subtle and romantic yet fun enough for a brunch with one’s mates. Never-Ending Cocktail Brunch will likely be the talk of the town for its exceptional drinks offerings, but also for the food.
They pack a punch
One can enjoy 90 minutes of a tropical Tiki immersion with El Ta’koy’s Never-Ending Cocktail Brunch. One has a choice of three XL bottomless cocktail bowls for just £40pp. Not cheap, one might say, but take a look at those cocktails. The description of ‘XL’ hardly prepares one for the arrival of these goldfish bowl-sized extravaganzas. They pack a punch, too.
The cocktail selection for the Never-Ending Cocktail Brunch includes Rum Punch, a classic and made with dark rum, spiced rum, orange juice and bitters. Blue Hawaii is a striking colourful cocktail of blue curacao, rum and pineapple juice. Melon Ball is perhaps my favourite cocktail, made from Medori Melon, vodka and orange juice.
The food here is exciting, with a tapestry of flavours and textures: Eggplant Empanadas filled with black beans, plantain and tofu were a lot more impressive than the menu description. The accompanying dipping sauce elevated these scrumptious pasties. Don’t miss this dish. Hawaiian Fried Chicken Popcorn is one of the most popular small plates here and it’s easy to see why. The tender and juicy chunks of chicken with spring onion, sweet-spicy filipino glaze and sesame seeds are addictive and the perfect nibble to go with a well-crafted cocktail. Shrimp Lumpia with green mojo is attractive and delicious with melting pastry and flavourful filling. OK, every item on this unique bill of fare was well-presented, well-executed and enjoyed by these two diners. Not a foot wrong with any of the plates we tried.
A feast for the eyes and palate
The menu at El Ta’koy is so diverse that there is sure to be something to suit every taste. Each creation is a feast for the eyes and palate, from the savoury and luxurious Tuna and Caviar Taquitos to the simple and sweet Banana Lumpia with silky chocolate dipping sauce; all are tempting.
The El Ta’koy Never-Ending Cocktail Brunch is available every Friday and Saturday from 12:00pm till 6:00pm at £40pp. Only one XL cocktail per person at a time. Order food from the regular menu. The cocktail must be finished before ordering the next one. Guests can choose any cocktail from the three options available and have the choice to opt for a different cocktail during the 90 minutes once the initial cocktail is finished. All guests per reservation must opt for the cocktail brunch offer, reservations cannot be split into brunch and standard à la carte.
El Ta’koy
3 Henrietta Street
Covent Garden
WC2E 8LU