Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina, Jindabyne

 

Beef burrito, Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina, Jindabyne

The style: Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina is just what Jindabyne needed - a fresh new place to eat with a great atmosphere. The decor is mex to the max with bright little trinkets everywhere. There are tables both inside and out - if you eat outside, you also get a view of Lake Jindabyne which is a nice bonus.

The taste: I was pleasantly surprised by the food at Cocina - some small town Mexican restaurants seem to offer up a stodgy mess coated in a thick layer of cheese. Cocina managed to avoid this and the dishes were fresh, tasty and had a nice little zing. The nachos were yummy with all of the trimmings.  The burrito was AMAZING with the meat absolutely melt in the mouth delicious. It was one of the best things I have eaten in a long time.  The fish tacos were fresh and tasty although way too small to constitute a main - if you order these, consider a side as well.

Nachos, Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina, Jindabyne

The service: The wait staff were helpful, enthusiastic and able to provide accurate information about the food on the menu. They were timely in taking orders and got everything spot on. The food also came out in good time.

The price: I didn't note down the prices but from memory, the mains were in the $15-20 bracket. 

The location: Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina is located in the Old Town Centre in Jindabyne (off Kosciuszko Road.) The Old Town Centre is the first lot of shops as you come into Jindabyne from Canberra.

Outdoor seating, Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina, Jindabyne

Useful links:
Cocina Facebook Page

Santa Fe, Merimbula

Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant, Merimbula

The style: Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant at Merimbula's style is what I have dubbed 'modern mariachi.' There were some really nice, sleek touches like the new bar area coupled side by side with sombreros and ponchos. May sound terrible but I really liked it - definitely not the usual 'every colour under the rainbow' look which Mexican restaurants tend to go for - Santa Fe has a more restrained, minimalist pinch of spice when it comes to its interior.

Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant, Merimbula

The taste: YUM. Not sure if one word is enough but it pretty much it says it all. The food was fresh, spritzy and actually really surprised me. I have never been to Mexico so I'm not sure what authentic Mexican food is - what I expected at Santa Fe was the usual nachos, burritos, fajitas type spread but it was actually more salads, fish and the like (although I did give in and get the nachos). The most positive thing I can say about Santa Fe is that every single person groaned with pleasure as they were eating and all went out of their way to tell the staff how good the food was.

Seared Tuna Steak Salad, Santa Fe, Merimbula

Nachos, Santa Fe Restaurant, Merimbula

The service: A+. So nice to eat somewhere that you aren't made to feel like a burden getting in the way of the wait-staff's social lives. The ladies who served us were super-friendly and smiling the whole time.

The view from Santa Fe Restaurant, Merimbula

The price: The lunch menu ranged from $15.90 for nachos to $22.90 for the fish of the day. Dinner will set you back between $19.90 and $25.90 for mains. Desserts are around the $12 mark and there is a kids menu too. Best of all the food is GOOD and well worth it.

Exterior of Santa Fe, Merimbula

The location: Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant is located at 23 Beach Street, Merimbula, NSW (just off the main shopping street). Merimbula is about one and a half hours from Cooma so its an easy day trip from the Snowy Mountains to the coast. 

Main Beach, Merimbula