Las Iguanas Liverpool
Photos by Stephi LaReine & Patrick McGuinness
Liverpool One has some of the best variations of chain restaurants, not only do we have independent but we can also do the best of franchises. One of the restaurants that was on everyones lips for a while was Las Iguanas in Liverpool One. You have the benefit of having a beautiful view of Chavasse Park (especially as it’s all Christmassy) whilst dining on Latin American food and cocktails. The restaurant is bursting with colour, ambient lighting and a level of informality that keeps the vibe comfortable with a focus on providing great food at an affordable price. You can’t argue with their 2-for-1 cocktails, because every day is happy hour – which I completely dig! Prepare yourself for a spicy but colourful palette of foods, it’s like a holiday from the comfort of your hometown.
We were greeted with warm smiles, and felt like we were ready to join a party with such a comforting welcome. I love that the service is super quick, and that your personal waitress has a beaming smile and will be happy to take care of everything in an instant. We decided to have an explore of their new additions to the menu, which is always labelled ‘New!’ in yellow. So if you’re looking to try something exciting I’d seriously try out their new menu.
It would be rude not to take up their offer of 2-for-1 cocktails, so a Watermelon Margarita was the first choice. Sweet, a fresh cocktail that’s great for deciding on what to choose foodwise.
Las Iguanas Food & Cocktails
We were tipped on a few favourites on the menu, so we tried a bit of everything – except deserts, but how I wish we could have crammed in their famous Kahlua chocolate cake! That’s a review for another time, but we’re determined to tick it off our bucket list super soon.
The temptation to get tapas caved in, so we shared 3 for an extremely affordable £14.95, however you can upgrade for a further £10 for 2 more small plates. I’d really recommend sharing this with a few people as the portions are massive (even for two huge foody lovers!). Tapas is perfect for a pre-night out meal with your squad, and as mentioned 2-4-1 cocktails is a serious winner.
Our tapas included:
Gambas; Butterflied shell-on prawns cooked in a garlic, lemon & chilli sauce, served with ciabatta. Fish lovers need to home in on this starter as it’s a total treat.
Calamares; Deep-fried squid in crisp cayenne & cassava crumb served with creamy aioli. A tad spicy but teamed with the dip is a harmonious starter – by far my favourite from the the tapas.
Albondigas; Patagonian-style lamb meatballs with apple, mint, parmesan & a pinch of nutmeg. Braised in a rich tomato, mint & mild chilli sauce. I’m determined to make this myself as it’s extremely hearty, and perfect for a winter warmer.
To follow our starters our next cocktail of choice was a Yuzu Samba; Las Iguanas Magnifica cachaça, Yuzu, pineapple & lime juices. Fruity, fragrant and super zesty.
Swiftly after finishing our starters, our mains were swapped over (they really are quick at cooking!). I decided on the new addition to the menu; the Buenos Aires Burger. 100% prime short rib & chuck beef patty, char-grilled & topped with aioli, crisp baby gem lettuce, smoky pork chorizo, caramelised onion, emmental cheese & fresh herb chimichurri in a toasted brioche bun. I cannot resist a burger in a toasted bun burger. It was brimming with flavours and the chorizo complimented the cheese, alongside the beef patty it was the perfect size and not overstuffed which I often find the problem with burgers crammed with goodness. What is a burger without sweet potato fries? Cooked to absolute perfection, and great with a dip.
Paddy vouched for the classic Chilli Con Carne; A rich chunky beef & black bean chilli, with spring onion rice & jalapeño buttermilk cornbread. Hearty, wholesome and delicious. I love that you can pick your spice level from mild, medium or hot.
Las Iguanas is an overall fantastic restaurant and really great for a stop whilst Christmas shopping in the middle of L1, where a quality meal is provided in a laid back atmosphere.
