What: Described as a love letter to Latin America that is ‘loud, generous, and full of soul’ but not authentic or traditional, Tigermilk has landed on London’s Charing Cross Road and takes its name from the marinade used to make ceviche.
Who: It has been opened by Paris-based restaurateurs Nina and Alexis Melikov (pictured), who founded the Tigermilk Group in 2019.
The food: The first half of the menu is almost exclusively given over to the Mexican hand-hand dishes of tacos, tostadas and quesadillas, including cochinita pibil tacos made with pulled pork; pollock tempura tacos; quesadillas with cheese and slow-cooked beef; and the ‘Tuna Turner’ - a corn tostada with marinated tuna and guacamole. Mains have a broader Latin American feel and include a handful of ceviches; slow-cooked chicken in a green mole; and portobello mushrooms in a red mole. A number of dishes designed for sharing also feature - a bone-in ribeye in a sweet agave and smoky chilli marinade that serves two to three (£72); and the ‘el gran barbacoa lamb’ - a hefty 1kg portion of eight-hour cooked lamb served with warm tortillas and a trio of salsas (£58). Round things off with its dulce de leche cheesecake.
To drink: Tequila and mezcal are the spirits of choice here, with more than 250 bottles on offer. The spirits also make their way into mixed drinks including mezcal-laced mules, and the hibiscus margarita, alongside other Latin American spirits such as cachaça and pisco. For those looking for something a little less punchy, the wine selection has a focus on independent producers from France and South America.
The vibe: Set across two floors, the 138-cover restaurant’s design comes courtesy of Tigermilk’s in-house creative team Studio Leche in collaboration with Soho House interiors alumnus Christie Ward. The design is described as taking its inspiration from the faded grandeur of the old estates around Cuernavaca, with a red and white marble floor, a mirrored ceiling, comfy sofa style seating, and tropical greenery. A large open kitchen dominates, as does the bar that stretches across the room, and the backlit wall of its 250 mezcals and tequilas.
And another thing: London is the 11th Tigermilk restaurant, joining the group’s four sites in Paris as well as in Nice, Lyon, Lille, Bordeaux and Marseille and also in Brussels. It says it serves more than 3,500 diners each day.
127 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0EW