Delicioso, dude! Cali-Mex Bar and Grill

Delicioso, dude! Cali-Mex Bar and Grill

Irresistible Mexi-‘merican cuisine has family on both sides of the border.

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE
Delicioso, dude! Cali-Mex Bar and Grill

Take Mexico's famously spicy and flavourful cuisine, add a generous helping of California style grill-fare deliciousness… and you've got Cali-Mex, the Hong Kong-based restaurant chain that rates a resounding nailed it! for its impossible-to-resist hybrid cooking.

Arriving at the recently opened, maiden Thailand outlet on Sukhumvit Soi 22, we were somewhat disappointed at not being greeted by a blond-haired Venice Beach surfer and a mustachioed Latino guy in a Sombrero. But what Cali-Mex lacks in overt stereotyping it more than makes up for with its densely populated menu of sinfully alluring nosh.

A testament to their dedication to the cuisine, Cali-Mex employs an epic eight-metre-long tortilla baking machine (it's tor-TEE-ya -- get it right folks!) which produces traditional corn and wheat flour flat-wraps that are perfectly textured and spot-on authentic.

Showcasing this exquisite texture is the ubiquitous bowl of Tortilla Chips & Salsa (149B++). The small triangular corn-crisps are particularly thin with a delicate, nuanced-crunchy bite, while the selection of four accompanying salsas (sauces) runs the gamut of spiciness from mild to "super-hot".

Most of the very well prepared and -presented Mexican dishes come dressed out in a house-blend of melted cheeses, guacamole (mashed avocado), jalapeno peppers, pico de gallo (fresh salsa) and sour cream. And as if the menu decision weren't difficult enough, diners are faced with a daunting list of filling options like Angus Steak, Grilled Chicken, Pulled (shredded) Pork, beer-battered fish or shrimp plus multiple vegetarian options.   

Now picture this: the ingredients above plus a filling choice piled high onto a bowlful of tortilla chips--you've just imagined Nachos (349B++), but the real-life version is far more satisfying. Our Nachos were soon joined by an order of Pulled (shredded) Pork Enchiladas (399B++/2 pc.), which arrived smothered in still-bubbling cheese and served in a mini iron skillet.

The Quesadilla (half: 299B++/full: 499) can be described as a Mexican-ised pizza-sandwich consisting of two 12" flour tortillas (one, folded over for the half-serving) house-blend cheeses, salsa, greens, sour cream and guacamole plus whatever filling turns you on--we had and highly recommend the Grilled Chicken.

While nothing we tried could be considered ‘light' fare, we found the Burrito (299B++) to be particularly burly, packed with the standard garnishing suite plus uber-flavourful turmeric-season rice.

The Tacos (299B++/3 pc.) come in soft flour or crispy corn tortillas, and when ordered with the Angus Steak (add 99), perfectly embodies the CALIfornia-MEXican culinary symbiosis from whence the chain's very name is derived.

While ordinarily something described as fake cheese might be considered a US president-style accusation, here it's part of the vegan offerings, which feature non animal-derived meat and dairy analogues that will appeal to even the most ardent carnivore.

Cali-Mex has distinguished itself by introducing the concept of self-serve beer taps. Fitted to the wall in each booth, the US-made DIY suds dispensers let guests fill their own mugs at-will, with a digital display keeping the tab.

And for that one guy in everyone's group who's "just not into ethnic food", Cali-Mex offers a number of un-intimidatingly familiar dishes like BBQ ribs (499B++); Camembert bites (229B++); Baked Canadian lobster tail (499B++); Beer battered fish & chips (299B++); assorted burgers (299-599B++) and Spinach-Artichoke Dip (299B++) plus a brimming selection of brekkie plates.


Cali-Mex Bar and Grill is located at the Holiday Inn on Sukhumvit Soi 22, open 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 10 to 2 a.m. to Thursday through Saturday.

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