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fonda
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Fonda

79

Signal score

Strong, consistent praise across multiple sources.

Santiago Lastra's chic, high-energy Mayfair spin on a Mexican 'fonda' that dazzles with design and palomas but divides opinion on its pricey, British-ingredient-led plates.

Cuisine

Modern Mexican

Price

££££

Neighborhood

Mayfair

Location

12 Heddon St

Ordering Strategy

Portions can be small (described as 'Borrower's portion' by some), so order a few more tacos than usual or commit to a large main like the Short Rib. Don't skip the trio of salsas to start.

What to order

Safe first

Baja Taco

Called the 'supermodel of the fish finger sandwich world' by The Guardian, this taco features cod fillet fried in the 'laciest of batters' and served with a 'moreish' cucumber and pistachio sauce.

Hungry

Short Rib with Mole Poblano

This substantial main consists of 'long-braised' shredded beef that The Guardian hailed as 'conversation-stopping stuff,' served with a stack of fresh, warm tortillas in various colors.

Wildcard

Oaxaca cheese quesadillas with black truffle

An 'unmissable' dish that reviewers describe as 'wondrous stuff.' It features stringy Oaxacan cheese and a generous grating of black truffle, balanced by a side of 'amazing' crème fraîche.

Wildcard

Rhubarb & Gooseberry Paloma

With an entire section of the menu devoted to Palomas, this version is highlighted for its use of tart British ingredients to create a punchy, 'exuberantly good' cocktail.

What to skip

Skip
Lobster Al Pastor GringaThough described as tasty, critics repeatedly flag the 'steep £34 price tag' and note that the heavy Spenwood cheese risks overwhelming the delicate flavor of the lobster.

More in Mayfair

See all restaurants in Mayfair

Signal Score

79
Strong SignalStrong, consistent praise across multiple sources.Agreement 54%2 Elite · 2 Editorial · 10 mentions

Signal score reflects how strong and consistent the review coverage is, not a star rating.

Top critic: Jay Rayner (90%)

Editorial Weight 50 pts

Authority + depth + recency

Agreement 5 pts

How aligned the critics are

Coverage 10 pts

How many real review signals exist

Public Signal 14 pts

Google rating + volume

Boosts 0 pts

Manual boosts + hidden gem

Review signals

2 Elite · 2 Editorial · 5 total signals

Public signal

4.7★ (761 reviews)

Good to know

The kitchen strictly strictly adheres to a 'British ingredients only' philosophy, meaning no limes or avocados are used (gooseberries and sea buckthorn provide the acidity).

Trust signals

  • Not yet visited
  • mediumConfidence level

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