Santo Remedio, SE1 2TU
- 020 7403 3021
- 152 Tooley Street, SE1 2TU (streetmap) (osm) (gmap) (bingmap) (streetview)
- santoremedio.co.uk
- Mon-Thu: noon-3pm, 5:30pm-10:45pm; Fri-Sat: noon-11pm; Sun: 10am-5pm
Mexican restaurant in Bermondsey, located in the premises previously occupied by Magdalen.
The white-and-wood ground floor dining room is enlivened by turquoise woodwork and a couple of paintings, while a single tulip on each table adds another splash of colour. In the corner is a small bar, fronted with glossy dark blue tiles and surmounted by a gantry of dangling wine glasses. Large windows let in a reasonable amount of light. There's another room upstairs on the first floor with more of a bar-like ambience.
Kake visited on a Monday lunchtime in April 2019. There was just one other customer when I arrived a little after 1pm. Music was playing, not too loud.
I went for their set lunch menu (£15.50 for two courses), choosing pork belly taco photo as my starter. The tortilla had a pleasing texture, but was so small and piled so high with fillings that I had to eat the taco with a knife and fork — it was impossible to pick up. The pork belly was cooked very competently, retaining just the right amount of chew, and the crackling was beautifully crisp with no hint of toughness. Chicharrones on top were light and airy. I did feel it was a little under-salted and very under-acidulated for the richness, and was grateful for the lime wedge on the side. (The advertised tomatillo salsa was either undetectably scant or inexplicably absent.) Overall, though, I'd certainly order it again.
My main was hibiscus flower enchilada photo, and this was again good. The hibiscus flowers had an almost meaty texture that contrasted well with the enclosing tortilla. A tiny but delicious portion of black beans came on the side.
Tap water arrived on request in a large, sturdy glass bottle. Service was friendly and helpful. A 12.5% service charge was auto-added to the bill.
Kake's verdict: I'd happily come back, and I think it's worth a journey.
Accessibility: A step to get in. No further steps to the ground-floor accessible toilet (which doubles as the ladies') though there is a tight-ish turn.
See also:
- Photos of the menu as of April 2019: main menu, lunch menu
- The Telegraph review (William Sitwell)
- The Picky Glutton review
- Samphire And Salsify review