Mariachi.....Authentic Mexican food in Edinburgh's Old Town

There are any number of Mexican Restaurants in Edinburgh and out of the many I've visited very few can actually live up to their boast of 'authentic Mexican cooking'. 


The food in Mariachi on Victoria Street by The Grassmarket on the other hand is as authentic as any I've had south of San Francisco, and that includes Casa Guadalajara in San Diego.




Mariachi is a family run restaurant which has been in business for over ten years and a favourite of mine at Festival time as it would have to be exceptionally busy for the ever pleasant staff not to find you a table.


They are committed to sourcing the finest quality ingredients and their food represents many of the different styles of Mexican cooking, whether it be traditional 'family style' home-cooked or street food or the more stylish 'Californian' favourites such as Burritos, Nachos and  of course the ever popular sizzling Fajitas.





They also stock a wide range of imported Mexican beers, Premium Tequilas and mix a mean cocktail!

So if it's for a celebration, a family meal, a romantic rendezvous or just to wind down after a hard day at the office why not let the staff at Mariachi take care of you.




 

Don't take my word for it, here's some reviews from the mighty Trip Advisor.....

“Excellent service & Fantastic food”

Reviewed 2 October 2012

This photo of  Mariachi 
is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Visited here on Sat night, we were a group of 9, each one of us were impressed with the food and the service and left there feeling very happy, we all had something different, personally I had the Fajitas and they were the best I have ever tried. Would definately recommend it if you are looking for a nice Mexican...More 

“Fantastic food and service”

Reviewed 5 October 2012

This photo of Mariachi
is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I recently visited Edinburgh with a large group of friends. We were slightly worried about dining out due to our vast numbers, however Mariachi were very accommodating and provide us with excellent food and service. We were all very impressed with the excellent authentic Mexican fare, and I couldn't get enough of the grilled steak burrito. Our meals were washed...
More 

                                                            Mariachi Christmas Menu 

                                               Three course dinner              £22pp 

                                    

                                                       Three course lunch (before 5pm)    £16pp

Starters

nachos

corn torillas / pickled jalapenos / white cheddar / salsa pico de gallo / sour creme

buffalo wings

jumbo chicken wings / chipotle chile / bar-b-que glaze

ceviche

lime-cured fish (ask for today’s choice) / onion / cilantro / fresh jalapeno / tomato

chiles rellenos

whole japaleno peppers / cream cheese / coriander/ garlic / crispy batter (HOT!)

Mains

enchiladas roja

marinated chicken or roasted vegetables

rolled, soft corn tortillas / rancheros sauce / cheese / sour creme

chimichanga

marinated chicken or slow cooked chilli beef

deep fried flour tortilla parcel / cheese / salsa pico de gallo / sour creme

soft tacos

marinated chicken or bbq pulled pork

white corn tacos / shredded lettuce / salsa roja / sour creme 

fajita

chicken breast, grilled steak or vegetables

sizzling platter / peppers / onion / mariachi seasoning / sour creme / cheese/ jalapenos / salsa roja

chili con carne

spiced, slow cooked, scottish beef mince / mexican rice / sour creme

chicken breast

garlic and lime marinated chicken breast / mexican rice / mixed leaf salad

steak £4 supplement

10oz aged scottish sirloin / potato wedges / mixed leaf salad

Dessert

key-lime cheesecake

with raspberry coulis and sorbet

warm chocolate pudding

with vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis

ice cream

vanilla / chocolate / raspberry

sorbet

lemon / raspberry / mango 

If you have any special dietary requirements please ask your server for advice before ordering.

Please note a 10% service charge will be added at your discretion.

Call them on..... 

01316230077

Mon	Open	5pm - Late
Tues	Open	5pm - Late
Wed	Open	5pm - Late
Thu	Open	5pm - Late
Fri	Open	12 Noon - Late
Sat	Open	12 Noon - Late
Sun	Open	2pm - 10pm

Help Find Charley.....

Last week Ralph tweeted about the theft of a bulldog pup in Rugby.....well one week later little Charley is still missing.  Here's some photo's and background information and if you know who has taken Charley or if you've been offered a similar dog please get in touch with Det Con Richard Zarcone at Rugby Local Investigations on.....

01788 541111 ext 3839




A reward for the safe return of Charley or for information leading to her safe return is available.....

Charley has been chipped and her ID number is 44362.

Tiny Charley a 12-week-old bulldog had been living with Paul Tolin and his family for less than a month when she was swiped by burglars.

They forced their way into the home in Cresswell Place, Cawston on Wednesday between 12.30-5pm.

Paul, 38, said: Were desperate for any information leading to Charleys safe return.

Read More http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/rugby-town-news/2012/10/29/12-week-old-bulldog-puppy-charley-is-stolen-in-rugby-burglary-92746-32119501/#ixzz2AsLdF3dD

Through The Looking Glass.....A horror film by Craig Griffith

Now out on DVD is the Indie produced horror film 'Through The Looking Glass'.  It's a UK production by Cardiff born Writer/Director Craig Griffith.  Filmed in Compton House in  Devon which is over 1000 years old and was mentioned in The Doomsday Book. It's billed as one of the most haunted houses in the country and in-keeping with that background the film is a deeply dark psychological thriller guaranteed to have you looking over your shoulder from the first scenes. 



'The Artist lives alone in a old house in the country. Once prolific he is now at odds with his work and unable to paint.  He discovers a  mysterious package on his doorstep, finds a strange mirror within and soon becomes wracked by horrific visions.  Beguiled by the mirror his work becomes fuelled by the visions and he paints like never before'.  


'Disturbing things soon begin to happen to him and to those who enter the house.  Escalating with each vision, with each brush stroke the mirror’s grip on him slowly tightens. Can he untangle himself from the mirror's creeping influence before it is too late'?

The film stars Paul McCarthy, Jonathan Rhodes, Mike Langridge and Ros Povey. It's Produced by Craig Griffith, William Charles & May Gwen, Executive Producers are Mike Pringle & Mark Stevenson and is  written and directed by Craig Griffith.  

In 2007 the film won The Swansea Bay Film Festival, was nominated for The Everglades International Film Festival of South Africa and was screened at the 1Xth WT OS Norway International Film festival and in 2008 it was selected for The International Film Festival England.

I've included part of an interview Director Craig Griffith gave to the excellent horror review website The Evil Eye the rest of which can be read by a quick click on the link.....

Craig Griffith, Writer/Director of 'Through The Looking Glass', talked to us recently about the movie and what it was like to film in such a daunting yet intriguing environment. So pull up a chair, turn out the lights and read the fascinating interview here:-

Thank you for joining us today Craig to talk about your film Through the Looking Glass. 

It’s a pleasure. Thanks for having me.

For those people who haven’t seen ‘Through the Looking Glass’ how would you describe it? 

Through The Looking Glass is a horror of the mind. A dark psychological thriller, challenging, thoughtful and atmospheric.  It’s a haunted house movie that explores the nature of obsession and how it can lead to a downward spiral of destruction..... 

You can find more reviews and information on the film, cast and crew on The Workshop Presents and The Looking Glass websites or The Workshop Presents and The Looking Glass Facebook pages.  Also you can follow the film's Director Craig Griffith on Twitter and get an insight into Craig and the film on his blog Workshop Craig and of course  you can buy your very own copy of this award winning film from Amazon from the 31st October 2012.

CRAIG GRIFFITH - DIRECTOR/WRITER

---

Craig is an award-winning director born in Cardiff, Wales 1969. He became interested in filmmaking after he was given his first Super 8 camera for his eleventh birthday and set about making "film stars" of all his family and friends.

He joined the Orbit Youth Theatre Company in his teens gaining his first experience of acting, writing, directing and many other aspect of story telling.

His first professional job was as Director of Photography for an independent production company called White Elephant. Here he shot educational adaptations of the plays of William Shakespeare.

In 1998 he graduated from the Surrey Institute of Art and Design with a BA Hon's Film Degree and his short film LITTLE BLUE SPOT won awards and played the festival circuit inc. the BBC short film festival.

Next he became a Freelance Runner and soon progressed to Production Assistant. He was then hired by Lee Lighting to run their Kino-Flo department and working on large-scale films at Shepperton and Pinewood Studios made him more determined to direct.

He continued to hone his skills as a director, making several short films, music promos and test commercials.

In 2000 Craig signed to London Management where he developed several scripts. He later left and signed to Renting Eyeballs where his stint as a music video director saw promo’s aired on MTV.

Next Craig set up his own production company The Workshop Presents to develop a slate of feature film projects beginning with THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. This award winning film is a dark psychological thriller made for £6K and was picked up by US distributor Goliath Arts for worldwide rights and has since screened around the world.

His last project NIGHTVISION was co-funded by Channel 4 and stars Keith Allen, Ray Quinn and Shazad Latif and has just wrapped.

He has just begun work on his next project a road movie entitled THE LONG ROAD due for completion later this year.

In addition Craig is currently developing several new projects inc. a horror thriller called EVOLUTION CELL, a comedy drama for Paper Chase Films called STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW and a three-part TV drama entitled HOME SWEET HOME in collaboration with Corkscrew Production. He also co-founded Go Faster Stripe directing/producing live comedy DVDs by artists such as Stewart Lee, Richard Herring & Robin Ince.

Filmography

Features:

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS - Director/Writer: Distrib – Goliath Arts.

Winner best horror SBFF 2007.

THE LONG ROAD – Road movie Shooting

EVOLUTION CELL – Thriller in development

STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW – Comedy drama in development

TRANSMEDIA:

NIGHTVISION - Channel 4 staring Keith Allen, Ray Quinn and Shazad Latif

TV:

PICTURESHOW – Sitcom in development

HOME SWEET HOME – Drama in development

Shorts:

LITTLE BLUE SPOT - Director/Writer: Winner of Best Student Film and Best Comedy at the 1997 Surrey Film Festival

Ladies & gentlemen the king has left the building - Director/Writer

THE WRONG NUMBER - Director/Writer

SWITCHCARD KILLER - Director/Writer

DEBRIS - Director/Wrier

THE WEEKEND – Writer

One Pot Sausage and Lentil Stew

Ok so you've had a pack of sausages stuck at the back of the fridge and the sell by date draws near but you don't fancy bangers and mash again and it's the start of the week so too early for a big fry-up breakfast.....why not try this delicious One Pot Sausage and Lentil Stew, perfect for a chilly winter supper.  It only takes five minutes to prep and 40 minutes to cook.

It's a great way to make ordinary (or meat free) bangers a bit special, although for a real treat why not splash out and buy some hand-crafted bangers like O'Hagan's venison or beef and Guinness. They're available online and are supplied by Bill O'Hagan 'Britain's Best Sausage Maker'.




Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 
  
• 400g pack sausages
• 
  
• 1 onion  fine chop
• 
  
• 1 garlic clove  crushed
• 
  
• 1 red pepper  sliced
• 
  
• 250g lentils (I used puy lentils)
• 
  
• 150ml vegetable stock
• 
  
• 125ml red wine or extra stock

Heat oil in a wok or large frying pan, cook the sausages until browned, then remove.

Tip in remaining oil, onion, garlic and pepper, then cook, about 5 mins more until softened. 

Add lentils and sausages to the pan with the stock and wine, if using.

Bring up to the boil, then simmer for 20 mins until lentils have softened and sausages are cooked through. 

Serve with plenty of crusty bread.

Nutritional Value:

556 kcalories, protein 28g, carbohydrate 45g, fat 29 g, saturated fat 9g, fibre 8g, sugar 8g, salt 2.42 g