Harden's survey result
Summary
“Authentic Mexican street food” stars in the “not-at-all street-food setting” of the Park Lane Intercontinental hotel in this three-year-old from celebrated Mexico City chef Martha Ortiz. The food both “looks and tastes amazing”, although – not surprisingly, given the location – it is “expensive for what it is”.
Summary
“Authentic Mexican street food” stars in the “not-at-all street-food setting” of the Park Lane Intercontinental hotel in this two-year-old from celebrated Mexico City chef Martha Ortiz. The food both “looks and tastes amazing”, although – not surprisingly, given the location – it is “expensive for what it is”.
Summary
The Times’s Giles Coren described it as “the worst restaurant he’s ever reviewed”, but reporters’ feedback (if still a tad limited) is very much more upbeat on Martha Ortiz’s London newcomer, which occupies the Intercontinental Park Lane’s ‘second’ dining space (as made-over by David Collins Studio). Its most ardent fans say, “the heart and soul of the very best Mexico has to offer is brought to lucky London”, and even those who find it “very expensive” say that “it’s a fun experience, with great staff and interesting and unusual food”.
Summary
World’s 50 Best chef, Martha Ortiz, of Mexico City’s Dulce Patria, opened her first London venture alongside Theo Randall at The Intercontinental Park Lane’s second restaurant. The new dining room, designed by David Collins Studio, serves the chef’s take on Mexican cuisine. The name by the way means ‘She Sings’.
Owner's description
Opening to much critical acclaim in September 2017, Ella Canta brings the colours, flavours, and spirit of modern Mexico to London. The talented Martha Ortiz, Chef Patron of Mexico City’s award-winning Dulce Patria, has created a menu that that delivers the beauty, vibrancy, and spirit of Mexico in a total experience of the senses – a blend of ancient cooking traditions with contemporary style.
The menu at Ella Canta features a range of exotic ingredients from Mexico, whilst incorporating the very best produce from across the British Isles. Dishes include the fiery, red-hued Vampire ceviche with mango and sangrita sorbet, while Pato al mole negro is a careful balance of duck, plantain purée, red rice and black mole sauce, the latter being a rich, cacao-tinged sauce incorporating up to fifty different ingredients. Many of Ella Canta’s dishes are served with soft tacos produced using masa which is ground on the premises. Martha’s signature Guacamole Nacionalista (Guacamole with ricotta, pomegranate) intrigues guests with a gold painted grasshopper placed on top.
In addition to the extensive A La Carte menu, Ella Canta also has a creative selection of themed menus ensuring that there is always something new to try. The popular Weekend Brunch incorporates many of the restaurant’s best dishes in addition to exciting egg options, accompanied by unlimited margaritas.
The bar at Ella Canta is a destination in its own right, offering a carefully-sourced collection of rare mezcals and tequilas, alongside signature cocktails entitled Mexico’s Gifts to the World. Sips inspired by the traditional margarita include the Calavera, with Patrón Silver Tequila, Patron Citrónge, guava marmalade, grapefruit and lime, while innovative mezcal-based concoctions include the La Niña Fresa, with vanilla-infused Peloton de la Muerte Mezcal, Di Saronno liqueur, Cocchi Barolo Chinato, lime, agave syrup and Tepache burdock bitters. The wine list has a strong Central and South-American focus, including wines from Hacienda La Lomita in northern Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe.
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pretheatre | £39.00 |  |
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| Brunch | £45.00 | |
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| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 75.00 | 6 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £11.00 | £28.00 | £5.00 | £9.00 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.50 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
The chef
Martha Ortiz is a chef who is celebrates for her creative, feminine cuisine, her historical research into Mexican food traditions, and the great imagination and fantasy present in her work.
She is recognised for resurrecting Mexican culinary traditions and reinvigorating them with Modern twists, with an emphasis on the sensual nature of the food of Latin America.
Mexico’s natural bounty is Chef Martha Ortiz’s inspiration. Her art is a response to the colours, textures, stories and spirit of her beloved country. Modernist expressions of customary cuisine. Her loving curation brings Mexican verve to Park Lane.
InterContinental London Park Lane, Park Lane, London, W1J 7QY
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Opening hours
| Monday | 5:30 pm‑1 am |
| Tuesday | 5:30 pm‑1 am |
| Wednesday | 5:30 pm‑1 am |
| Thursday | 5:30 pm‑1 am |
| Friday | 5:30 pm‑2 am |
| Saturday | 11:30 am‑4 pm |
| Sunday | 11:30 am‑6 pm |
