Mersa Verde - Australia

Fabulous and creative and pretty drinks I love the booth seating the booths are a little tight the booths are little ways from the action, but good for intimacy and talking best music in Curtin house

Rating it a 5 because it's the home of the Best Spicy Margarita in Melbourne {in my books anyway} You're looking at the BEST spicy margarita found in Melbourne {at least as of date}. This was no easy feat as we've had multiple run ins with terrible margaritas. Luckily, we stumbled upon this restaurant called Mesa Verde which we were forced {alright, maybe not forced but it was here or go elsewhere} to eat at since the rooftop was closed for a cinema showing on the 6th floor. Once seated, I asked the waitress what their best drink was that no other place around Melbourne had. She recommended a few different margaritas, a few described as having a bit of spice to it. I ordered the El Scorcho Tommys Margarita. The bartender torches the jalapeño to give the drink a smoked flavor using it as garnish on the glass. Later, my partner decided to order the Ghostface Killah Margarita which was very similar to the other. For dinner we shared a pork taco, chorizo fundido (think queso but not quite as liquidly) and my personal favorite, pumpkin quesadilla. They seem to switch up the menu often; therefore, it's likely you won't get to order the same food or drinks twice.The bar is quite impressive as they have a ridiculously large selection of tequilas, you will struggle to choose! The servers are good at making suggestions if you can't decide with the numerous options available. After dinner, make your way up one more flight of stairs to the Rooftop Bar for a great view of the city or down to Toff in Town on Level 2 to watch a band, or Cookie on Level 1 for another drink. Or why not just walk between all the floors to enjoy a drink on all the great bars Curtain House has to offer.

I've had a love affair with Mexican food since my first beef taco I had in a street fair in Sydney many many moons ago. I have the opportunity to have some of the best and worse Mexican in the world. So it's always a pleasure to come across a Mexican eatery that takes your tastebuds on a journey to the heart of Mexico. Curtin House in Swanson Street Melbourne is home to an assortment of dinning rooms and bars, hosting one of the best rooftop bars in Melbourne. It also has a very rich history and once housed the Australian Communist Party head quarters. So I got a little excited to hear that there was a new addition to the building. Mesa Verde is situated on Level 6, and depending on what time you go is accessed by a small elevator when that is out of action you take the stairs, and believe me by the time you make it you're in need of a drink. The fit out is relaxed and casual and the bar, at first glance, seems to hold a good variety of spirits to get any palate going. Lots of washed out coloured wood and a variety of the usual Mexican artefacts decorating the walls. The drink list had a great variety of cocktails with an interesting selection of margaritas. I was also pleased to read that they supported local independent brewers that they rotated weekly and was excited to hear what our waited had to offer. I must say I was both disappointed and confused when our waitress read out the beer list from Lion Nathan, who is neither local or independent. I opted for one of their imports, Pacifico Clara from Mexico. The menu was above good, it was amazing and whilst there was a Taco and Nacho section represented it certainly gives you the impression that a lot of research has gone into the menu development. The first dish we ordered was the Mexican beef carpaccio with zucchini flowers, salted ricotta, baby basil, black garlic aioli and saltines. Everything about this dish was amazing, the beef melted in your mouth and each component of the dish adding a fresh sensation that left you wanting more. Next to arrive was the grilled sweet corn with queso and mortima creama. Another winning dish and I found myself wanting to lick the plate clean. Two courses down and two to go and I was starting to think is this where it all goes pear shape. Asparagus and green beans arrived and thankfully I had no reason to fear with again a dish that was not only cooked to perfection but gently refreshed your palate. A visit to a Mexican restaurant wouldn't be complete with out a taco or two and when our platter of tacos was placed in the centre of our table I knew this was a great night out. Mesa Verde is certainly a standout establishment and has been elevated to one of the top restaurants in Melbourne. So if your looking for a Mexican eatery that serves more than salas and corn chips then make a booking at Mesa Verde. So

Amazing food and the waitress helped us bringing food up to the rooftop cinema. Best vegetarian food I've ever had

Most dinners don't start with a full leg muscle workout. 4 minutes and 6 flights of stairs make even the most fit person feel a little tight in the legs. Mesa Verde has accommodated for this by providing toilets for those who can walk freely, those on crutches and those in wheelchairs. The later (and those feeling less fit) can access the restaurant/bar using the less adventurous lift. The toilets by the way are kind of cool all light and white marble with a great view make you feel like a little bit like a trendy kid in NY. But it (the restaurant and bar not necessarily the toilets) is definitely worth the walk. Drinks are a amazing. The jalapeño margarita and another drink with sage leaves and pineapple where amazing. Litres and litres of different tequilas and a good list of beers. Food was also great. Best unconventional Mexican in Melbourne. Tacos especially the raw tuna were awesome. Warm light almost fluffy tortillas, with juicy spicy citrusy accompaniments. The Mushroom, and the pulled pork tacos were also stand outs. Everything else tried was also great. My friends said the cheeseburgers were a surprisingly good stand out but I didn't try them. I'll be back soon.