El Guaca

It was easy to forget that Britain was heading towards a blustery winter as we sat down in the wonderfully colourful Mexican restaurant El Guaca. Situated on Colchester’s busy High Street (they also have restaurants in Maldon, Clacton-on-Sea and Newmarket), its brightly lit green and red name shone above the door, while inside vibrant shades lit up the walls, and a decorative flower-inspired calavera motif took centre stage.

Turning up the heat at El Guaca is the menu, which reads like a spice-lover’s dream – ask for an extra kick to your dish and the chefs will be only too happy to oblige. The menu offers an authentic assortment of options, with special dietary requirements taken into consideration, particularly for gluten-free diners. I was delighted to see my favourite meal, the enchilada – a Mexican staple – on the dinner menu, available with vegetarian bean chilli. Served on a bed of spicy rice, it was nourishing and bursting with flavour. The guacamole was some of the best I’ve ever had: zingy with great texture and a wonderful complement to the dish. My partner opted for the delicious Santa Fe chicken, which featured half a boneless chicken marinated overnight and served with spiced fries and red jalapeño coleslaw. For dessert, we shared churros – Mexican doughnuts, fried and dusted with cinnamon sugar, served with dulce de leche and vanilla ice cream. It proved a rich and indulgent end to the meal.

Service was attentive and friendly, even with every table full. The cocktail list screams of summer holidays and is guaranteed to get you dreaming of warmer climes, whether you plump for a Margarita, Piña Colada or fresh strawberry Mojito. Great deals can be found on the website, including the likes of 25-per-cent discount vouchers. Children can eat for free all day on Sunday, making it a great choice for a fun family day out.