EP’s Crab Tostadas 🦀

Fresh hand-picked Devonshire crab, brown corn mayo, crushed avocado, red onion and spring onion, on blue corn tostadas.

Add a squeeze of lime and salsa of your choice.

On the menu across the Pastors.

🎄Mexican Christmas Markets at Casa Pastor! 🎄

This Friday, Saturday and Sunday (1st – 3rd December), we’re hosting our annual Mexican Christmas Markets with our great friend and founder of @MexiBrits, @paofererod.

There will be a huge selection of beautiful, artisanal Mexican clothing, accessories, ornaments and crafts from independent artists and designers such as @moncocoo, @cactus.tudio, @sicarujewellery, @peppermint.lola and @inkascrafts - if you’re looking for unique Christmas presents, this is the place.

There will also be music and dancing from La Guerrera, Mariachi El Mexicano and Mestizo Mexican Folklore Group, piñatas, loteria for the kids and Mexican snacks including tamales, sopes and pan dulce.

No need to buy a ticket, swing by anytime from 11am to 8pm each day. 🛍️

Earlier in the month, EP’s co-founder @senor_pastor, joined host @Dan.Saladino and fellow mezcal enthusiasts @santiagolas and @matthias.ingelmann on an episode of @bbcfoodprog, Mezcal: A Beginners Guide, exploring the diverse world of agave spirits, the promotion of biodiversity and more.

In a segment of the episode, Crispin, Santiago and Matthias taste through a flight of mezcals and describe the breakthrough sip that made them fall in love with mezcal in the first place.

Crispin remembers it like this:

‘I was on the banks of the river outside Acapulco, in a town called Pie de la Cuesta, and the restaurant was called Donde Polita – Polita’s Place. She was about 75, and would cook this amazing grilled fish and then the mezcal would come out of a plastic jerry can. It had a sort of sweetness, a fiery strength and an almost spiritual high that could be attained from drinking lots of it.’

Listen to the full episode of BBC’s The Food Programme now, released on November 12th.

Link in stories and here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001scy6.

Spiced Aubergine & Halloumi Tacos return to the specials this week!

Aubergine purée topped with golden grilled halloumi, paprika-spiced roasted aubergine, served on corn tortillas with salsa Verde Fresca, salsa Mexicana and toasted cashew nuts.

Try it whilst you can. 🍆

EP’s ‘Papas al Arbol’ have had a bit of a change lately... 🥔

They’re now triple cooked - steamed, roasted (and smashed), then fried until golden and crispy.

Sour cream, chile de arbol and coriander remain!

Available across the pastors, book via @sevenrooms or walk in. ⚡️

DIA DE MUERTOS OFRENDAS 💀

An integral part of Dia de Muertos is the ‘ofrenda’ – an altar to remember the dead, invite them back and remember happy memories shared in life together.

Ours are handcrafted by Mexican artist, @mfdenti and feature candles to honour the departed, as well as tequila, mezcal and traditional Mexican snacks, courtesy of @mexgroceruk. Cempasuchil flowers adorn the ofrendas and the legend goes that the petals of the Mexican marigolds retain the heat of the sun to help call the deceased home by marking a path for them.

They’re at each of the Pastors now until November 6th.

Next up on the specials: Baja Avocado Tacos 🥑

Beer battered avocado on an heirloom blue corn tortilla, topped with crunchy celeriac and red onion slaw, chipotle chilli mayo, avocado-serrano chilli taquero, salsa Mexicana, pickled red onions and coriander.

On the menu this week and next, try them whilst you can!