Exquisite

We've been to Exquisite 4 times as we live just round the corner. We've always been impressed by the welcome (free little bowl of nachos with houmous!), and the food. I've twice had lamb fajitas - delicious and juicy strips of meat sizzling on a hot plate. I've also tried the quesadillas and burritos and never been disappointed. I asked for extra tortillas (which WERE steamed - the reviewer below had burritos, which had been in the oven, hence the crispiness) for my fajita, which were £2-ish on the menu but they didn't add them to the bill, and generally it's good value with plenty of dishes under a tenner, plus a big discount if you go early evening. Best value is probably a small (still a decent portion) vegetarian burrito for about 6 quid. My girlfriend is obsessed with the artichoke version (though I tasted hers and felt there was fur left on the artichokes, but that was probably just a one-off). The mojitos aren't too bad either, and there's a reasonable choice of Mexican beers - Dos Equis is nicest. The atmosphere can feel a bit stark until it fills up, but there's usually a decent crowd, which is saying something since the other restaurants on that stretch of Blackstock Road can be empty even at weekends. This repeat custom speaks volumes.
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Charlie
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

We went to Exquisite last night based on the good reviews on here and I must say it was excellent! Not the huge choice of different dishes I've seen in other Mexican restaurants but a large choice of starters, then fajitas or burritos made up most of the rest of the menu.

Food was very good, service was excellent, and reasonably priced. I'm veggie and there was plenty for me to choose from.

Will definitely be back!
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Christine
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, October 31, 2007

We went to this restaurant because I had read good reviews and I couldn't have been more disappointed. The atmosphere was nice but the service was awful. The food, however, really shocked us. I'm appalled that they call it Mexican food. I expected cheese on my nachos and my burrito tasted like it had a can of mixed beans thrown in. A real disappointment for anyone who has tasted good Mexican food and had hoped to find it here.
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Rebecca
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Friday, October 05, 2007

I thinkI can be described as a re\gular visitor to Exquisite,so I write with some authority. the menu is varied, one can stray away from the Mexican element if required, to good fish,or steaks. But I have to say that the Mexican element of the menu is excellent - wonderful fajitas etc. the atmostphere is also excellent - even if the music is sometimes VERY Mexican. the important elements of this restuarant are first-class. Food, 9.5 out of 10; atmostphere 9.5 out of 10; staff efficiency and friendly approach, 9.9 out of 10.
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T. Nash
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, September 20, 2007

My burrito was awful! It had kidney beans - no refried or black beans in sight. The chicken was overdone and clearly pre-cooked. The tortillas were toasted and cripsy - not steamed and wrapped aroudn the chicken/rice/beans mixture. I thnk Londoners just have low expectations of Mexican food in London because every one i've been to here has been pretty poor. Including Exquisite. Oh, and it was incredibaly overpriced.
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Alex
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Friday, September 07, 2007

Good/medium quality mexican food, very good value for money and extremely attentive and friendly service. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal. For our table of two the food was served quickly. Main courses are very large. I would venture to say American-sized; order small where you can. The beef fajitas were excellent but the chicken burritos were crispy, not soft flour tortillas. They appeared to be baked and were slightly burned around the edges. Refried beans are included with the burritos, so don't order additional - a 'side' plate of refried beans is a meal in itself. The mains are so large and filling that starters are not really required either. We didn't see any desserts on the menu but didn't ask either since we were already stuffed.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, August 05, 2007

We had dinner a exquisite last night. Everything was perfect. The food is fantastic, best Mexican food outside of Mexico, the portions are huge, the service is good and the atmosphere as well. The only downside is the area, not the best in London. I will highly recommend this place.
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anon
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, July 29, 2007

First visit on saturday night 9th June 2007.Excellent.Very friendly staff and good service.The food is great with generous portions and cooked to perfection.We had a three course meal with carafe of wine £24 each.Then we were offered a drink of our choice on the house.We will certainly eat at this restaurant again and again.We enjoyed a relaxed 2 hours at this eatery.
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Nicholas Ruckert
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, June 10, 2007

Food absolutely delicious and amazingly good value. Portions gratifyingly large. [Though if anyone from Exquisite is reading this - put more cheese on your nachos and more sauce in your pots!] The venue looks good too (in a spangly, maximalist, Mexican restaurant type way). Service (courtesy of a Frida Kahlo-alike) was somewhat slow, though we were late, and it was a Saturday, and there were 8 of us so this was not entirely surprising. Overall would thoroughly recommend it (and recommend booking - they were full the night we were there).
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Kat
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Not located in one of London's more salubrious areas but that only works to the diner's advantage as prices are low and portions are huge. A colourful Mexican styled interior plus a free tequila shot afterwards served by the friendly staff means you can't go far wrong. It's also large enough for them to be able to cope with a large raucous party and romantic couples with equal ease.
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Pendar - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Sunday, March 25, 2007