Reading Roars!

It was one of the coldest nights of the year, with the temperature barely registering zero degrees, so our decision to visit The Oracle’s Santa Fe restaurant, offering cuisine from New Mexico and the American South, for a work outing, was a very sensible one.

While waiting for others to turn up, I coolly sipped a Mojito at the bar. I eyed the range of tequilas, thoughtful, but quickly came to my senses. My colleague opted for the no less sophisticated but more internationally famous Harvey Wallbanger (who was Harvey, and why did he bang walls?).

Recently a highly fashionable drink, before the equally magnificent Caipirinha became the beverage to be seen with, the earth-shatteringly gorgeous Cuban Mojito is a simple mix of rum, mint, sugar and crushed ice. Despite a numbness emanating around my jaw from the ice, I happily drained my cocktail and pondered on choosing another from the menu. Alas, we had to eat.

To kick off, I had the Shrimp and Sweet Corn Griddle Cakes (GB£ 4.25):

Two griddled cakes filled with baby shrimp and sweet corn with guacamole, sweet corn relish and habañero jelly.

I chose this starter mainly because I wanted to see what habañero jelly was like. Sure enough, when the plate arrived, I saw that it was golden and jelly-like. The cakes were very nice indeed. I washed them down with a bottle of Banana Bread Beer.

My main course arrived last (grrr), but it was worth waiting for. The Carne Adovada Burrito (GB£ 8.75) was, according to the menu:

Spicy red chile pork stew inside a warm flour tortilla, with house made spicy asado sauce. Accompanied by black beans and our rice of the day.

I love spicy food with a passion, so this burrito, warm, fluffy and juicy, was a delight. Here is something you perhaps didn’t know: burrito is the Spanish term for “little donkey” (burro is donkey, while the -ito ending is the diminutive suffix). Like a donkey, I gently plodded through my meal. I was so satisfied that I passed on the pudding, going for a short, sharp espresso instead.

I left Santa Fe with a fire glowing in my stomach. Recommended.