First up, La Cholita is not a bar. This means, to have a drink you have to order some food, but since this is Mexican fare and my attitude to such food is Mex-I-can-do, that is no problem. No, the only problem at La Cholita is getting a seat in order to have a drink with some food.
The got-in-early crowd at La Cholita; this is before 6pm
MS and I arranged to be there at around 6pm. I got there a bit before and I was glad I did, as the place was already starting to fill up. When I explained to the lady at the door that it would be just me and a mate, she steered me away from a table and over to the bench by the window. From there I could gaze at Noise Pollution Records and tell myself that I must not buy any more records.
Deliberately not looking at the Music Store across the street
I ordered Chorizo queso corelo quesadillas along with a Corona. I was grateful for the noise in the place created by the packed in restaurant goers, as it masked my still awkward Spanish pronunciation. I confess it took me years to realise that you don’t pronounce the l’s in quesadillas. Also, let me just say that I get the idea of silent letters but two of them, side by side, seriously? And they say English is hard to learn.
‘Don’t make me say it again”
Maybe it was a mixed up order or maybe they were feeling generous for Christmas but before the tortillas arrived I got a tray of condiments – sour cream, red chillies and jalapenos plus some serves of lime. I spread these over my silent ‘l’ fried tortillas when they arrived. Very tasty and it all went down well with the beer.
Compliments on your condiments
MS arrived and he too ordered the Chorizo, queso corelo quesadillas plus a Corona and a fish taco.
Fish Taco; I am not going to say, imply or infer anything else, although I probably just did by saying I won’t
So over this delightful Mexican repast and liquor, we chatted about the year at work, and what the year ahead could feature for the Barchivists. There are plenty of places in Perth to check out such as The Aviary and Wolfe Lane along with all the other bars actually in Wolfe Lane. Who’s Your Mumma in Freo is worth a visit from what I hear and we still have not been to Mrs Browns which is also out that way. Plus, opening up near my neck of the woods is The Precinct, the first small wine bar in Victoria Park, or so they say. I am definitely putting that on our itinerary. Oh, and in Maylands, The Swallow is opening soon, I hear.
Meanwhile back at La Cholita, the food we had, was great. The menu has got enough options to keep you pondering for a bit about what to have. And then on the other side the menu is wholly devoted to tequila. If that is not to your liking then there is also a good selection of cocktails and even some Mexican soft drinks on offer.
Actually, this was taken from where I rather liked being…
By 6.30pm La Cholita was full and more were trying to get in. The lady at the door explained that the tables are reserved for parties of 3 or more, while smaller groups sit at the bar or window like we did. Then there is the waiting area and then there is the waiting list to sit in the waiting area. She said it can get really crazy and that at the moment this was nothing. “You should see us when we are really busy”; sure that is a cliché but I could tell she meant it. Maybe after the novelty of this place has passed the crowd situation will relax a bit. However it did feel good to have got in to La Cholita while that “buzz of the new” is still around.
Ooh, artistic angle; and on an empty stomach
La Cholita is definitely worth a return visit with more of us so we can get a table, and early enough in the night so we can all get in.
If you have a bag, then you can hang it on the shoe under the bar
