With a well established reputation for excellent Mexican food in the South of the US, Cantina Laredo opened its first outlet in UK on 22nd June, 2010, at St. Martin's Courtyard, Covent Garden. An interior that's both sophisticated and relaxing has private booth seating as well as comfortable well-set tables for guests to enjoy themselves at. There is even a private room accommodating about twenty if you fancy a party to hit the margaritas hard, without everyone in the restaurant noting your raucous laughter.

It's not the usual Tex-Mex kind of fare that sadly we have come to expect, just honest and real Mexican cuisine, but with a difference. Your guacamole, a Mexican standard, is actually made at the table, and - sensibly priced - it is enough for four people, instead of being mashed up as it is normally, it is carefully scooped out of the skins, mixed with spices, lime juice, red onion, tomato and coriander and gently mixed, you really can't get it fresher than that.

Another familiar dish to Mexican food lovers is ceviche, again a cut above the normal, made with tiger prawns, scallops and fresh fish marinated in lime juice, the problem is then finding room for the main event as the portions are exceedingly generous, plus then give two bowls of spicy, one cold and the other warm, with corn chips at the outset.

The menu is inspired by the unique confluence of culinary traditions found along the Rio Grande, so the kitchen, headed by Executive Chef Ruben Lozano, a spring chicken of sixty two himself, brings to the table excellent dishes such as carne asada y camarones - grilled steak topped with bacon-wrapped tiger prawns filled with Mexican Oaxaca cheese and fresh jalapeño pepper slices and served with Mexican rice and sautéed vegetables.

Finally their tour de force a Mexican brownie, believe me, it may not be traditional, but it comes on a sizzling plate with brandy butter, and the brownie itself is stuffed with everybodys favourite nut - pecans - and in quantity, just don't miss out on it.

The drinks list is obvious in some ways, unusual in others, with a range of tequilas unequalled in London, and naturally some wonderful, larger than normal, cocktails; the wine list is short but well selected by Richard Bampfield, a Master of Wine. There is also an al fresco seating option for those who like to make the most of good weather.