Chef Patron of Durham’s Barrio Comida, Shaun Hurrell, has opened the doors to La Mesa which take guests on a journey of Mexican flavours with a tasting menu
Shaun Hurrell, chef patron of the award-winning taqueria, Barrio Comida, located in the heart of Durham city, has opened the doors to his latest restaurant offering – La Mesa.
La Mesa is an intimate and refined dining space, located beneath Barrio Comida, where up to 20 guests, seated at either the large central dining table or the chef’s counter can get up close and personal with the action going on in the open kitchen.
The multi-course tasting menu showcases dishes inspired by the variety, intricacies and innovation of Mexico’s vast culinary repertoire and distinctive heritage, whilst utilising the finest hyper-seasonal British and European produce.
Born in Yorkshire and raised in Australia and America, Shaun spent most of his formative years in California, bordering Mexico. Here, he fell in love with Mexican food, which is served throughout the state.
‘’We opened Barrio Comida in 2020, with the ambition to add other elements to the business as we progressed. The pandemic got in the way but we’re now fortunate to be in a position to be able to launch our interpretation of a fine dining restaurant with a twist,” said Shaun.
“With the launch of La Mesa our guests can now discover a multi-course tasting menu showcasing dishes inspired by the variety, intricacies and innovation of Mexican cuisine.
“We’re looking forward to developing and refining what we do, and adding something very different to the North East’s food offer,” he added.
Each ingredient is carefully sourced from only the very best producers in their field, including day boat fish and shellfish from Cornwall, beef from North Yorkshire, vegetables and fruit from Durham and Northumberland.
All alongside highly specialised ingredients sourced with the utmost care direct from Mexico, such as the eleven varieties of heritage corn, which have been produced to exacting standards by small-scale specialist farmers using symbiotic growing methods, which Shaun uses to create fresh tacos and tortillas daily.
The menu priced at £59 per person includes highlights such as starters of Oyster Aguachile Verde with Garden Herbs and Sope with British Asparagus, Queso Fundido and Morita Chile.
Mains will include dishes such as Ceviche of Wild Red Prawn, with Tomatillo and Olive Oil and Barbacoa slow cooked Spring Lamb, with Fig Leaf Macha, served with Heirloom Tortillas, and desserts including Raspado, with Alfonso Mango, Mexican Vanilla and Tajin or Chocolate from Chiapas served with Cafe De Olla Spices.
Places at the central table or the chef’s counter are available on Friday and Saturday nights. Before dining, guests can gather in La Mesa’s plush bar area, available exclusively to diners, where members of the team will work their magic, utilising all manner of specialist ingredients to create intriguing cocktails, including Picante Margarita, Café Ole, and Anejo, as well as mocktails such as Pepino and Horchata.
There’s an extensive drinks list too, featuring hand-picked traditional Mezcals and agaves from regions such as Jalisco, Oaxaca and Guadalajara, as well as wines and spirits from producers from the UK, Europe and further afield, who utilise biodynamic and organic minimal intervention practices whilst caring and nurturing the land on which they grow.
An optional wine pairing which has been carefully curated by the team is also available priced at £39 per person, or alternatively a non-alcoholic aguas frescas (juice) pairing at £25 per person is also available.
La Mesa is happy to accommodate individual diners, couples and parties of up to six guests, exclusive use can also be arranged by prior agreement.
Diners are asked to arrive at 6.30pm to enjoy cocktails and get to know the other guests, dinner service begins each evening from 7.00pm.
Reservations are released quarterly and currently available to book via the website, the tasting menu price is £59 per person.
Bookings for August-October will go live on July 1st. (Please note card details are taken at the time of booking).
To book visit: www.lamesadurham.com
