For all you Playa Cabana lovers, there is good news: a third location has opened for business which will (hopefully) help us all not have to book a reservation one month in advance to enjoy their fantabulous fare. Just two blocks east of the original location on Dupont, the hot cantina has taken over the former space of Vittorio’s and is offering Playa’s delicious flavours in a smaller, more tapas-like menu.
Last week I was privy to check out their new digs and get a full tasting of their new menu. The first thing that surprised me was the menu itself – completely different from the other two locations. This menu is more “La Carnita-esque” in the sense that it is small and only consists of a couple of snacks plus a variety of individual tacos and tostadas. I love menus like this because it means we can order more and enjoy a larger variety of flavours.
We tried everything – and I mean everything. Their tacos, while individually served tapas style, remain very traditional. The pollo adobado taco with a Durango salsa was one of my favourites with an authentic taste that reminded me of home. The arrachera taco was also bursting with flavour. Think marinated bavette steak and a peanut salsa – the beef melted in my mouth and again, the taste of Mexico was front and center even with the peanut aspect. The other star in my eyes was the langosta asada tostado, which just encompassed all my favourites: lobster and lobster roe guacamole on a crunchy tostado. Need I say more? The textures in this bite left me wanting more and more and more. I will also say that every Playa Cabana serves some of the best guacamole I have ever had – even better than mine! I don’t know how they make it or what kind of avocados they use but damn it’s tasty.
We all know there is an ongoing debate about the best tacos in the city. Playa Cabana is not about that. They serve really good, healthy authentic Mexican food with a very cool and fun vibe – this is why they do well. This new location may be serving up a smaller more modern menu, but never mind, Chef Dave Sidhu is still Mexican and the flavours are still authentic. Playa Cabana Hacienda is officially opened for business and I do suggest you check it out.