Piñata

Popped into Piñata over the holiday season after reading the reviews on Unilocal and kinda wanting to see where I stood on the debate. The verdicts so far have ranged from pretty darn good, to downright average, so it was time to put my nosey mind at ease and check ‘em out.
Given that this location appears to have the kiss of death for most biz, it was somewhat reassuring that this place was still opened when we happened by. Usually when I tell people about any business on this location, I just ring through the list of things it’s been in the last 2 – 3 years:
«you know, where The Long Way Home Was… Bondi Beach?, Ad Lib? The Pakistani Café?» And the list goes on…
So, what’s all the buzz about this joint. Well, at first I was a little unsure as to what to expect. A place claiming to offer authentic mexican grub whilst calling itself Piñata and having a donkey wearing a sombrero on it’s signage does not auger well. Part of me expected to be met by a waiter wearing a Speedy Gonzalez costume, shouting ‘Ay Gringo’ in our general direction and handing us our fake mustaches and ponchos as we were directed to our table… a burnt out jalopy… but no.
Décor wise, it’s quite nice. A tad on the dark side, but nice without being too tacky. Service was swift, friendly and helpful, which is all you can really ask for. Grub wise, the offering struck me as being certainly more authentic than other mexican joints in town. I went for the tacos (a recent fave of mine) but found them to be a little on the skimpy side. The female one with the baby in her belly, went for the chirozo salad, which seh informed me was ‘really rather splendid’ (my words, not hers).
A thought which sums up my opinion:
You know when you here a version of a song that’s not the original and then here the original and think it sounds wrong?
Aye? Well, that’s kinda how I feel about mexican grub. I think I’m more of a Tex-​mex chap, rather than straight out authentic. So in saying that, I’ll be honest and say that I prefer other mexican joints in town, yet the female, canadian beaver eating one, prefers this place… all in what you like eh?
Anyblow, this place is a good shout. Like I said, good food, good service and nice (if a little gloomy/​atmospheric ?) décor. I’d hit it and make up your own mind.
Adiós!

fairly average on the whole, with even the desert of churros not rousing any enthusiasm. another entrant for the corner of doom?

This place offers more ‘authentic’ style mexican cuisine. The quality of the food is great. Though if you order the nacho’s be warned they don’t actually come with cheese and the tortilla chips are actually broken in half taco shells. Hardly what one would expect when ordering nacho’s and for the price!!!
I loved their «street food’. I had the taco’s which were very good and filled to the brim. All the veg was fresh and the salsa’s were very nice. I would like to return here and try out their other tastes and their guacamole, that might make up for their nacho’s.