YOU don't need the stars of Strictly Come Dancing to bring a taste of Latin passion to Exeter.
Over the last few months there has been an exciting transformation going on behind closed doors at former Exeter bar Pitcher and Piano in Queen Street.
Since closing in September, there was much speculation about who would be moving into the premises until it was finally revealed the new owners were Las Iguanas – a popular restaurant chain which began 22 years ago in Bristol.
Since then it has been spreading its unique South America menu up and down the country with 30 branches across the UK, and now it has arrived in Exeter.
Renowned for having a passion of all things Latin, Las Iguanas offers a South America inspired menu using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients from the most carefully sourced suppliers.
Operations manager George Bovill said: "The team and I couldn't wait to bring fresh Latin food and drink, and an exciting vibrant restaurant, to this great city.
"Diners can expect a fresh, fabulous foodie adventure through the deliciously diverse cultures and cuisines of South America. Of course, at Las Iguanas everything begins and ends with their passion for food. All dishes are made freshly to order, and all of the unique 30 plus sauces and salsas are homemade in the kitchens every day.
"The distinctively eclectic menu, deliciously different in every venue, reflects the diverse mix of Spanish, Portuguese, African and native Latino influences that make up South American culture.
"Although every Las Iguanas is unique from a design point of view, the inspiration is always that as soon as you open the doors, you are instantly immersed in the colour, chaos and charm of Latin America."
Although not completely unrecognisable from its Piano and Pitcher days, it has undergone a much maturer makeover to create a vibrant but chilled out environment, which is both welcoming relaxing. What was once the bar is a busy hub where the waiting staff busily collect orders and cocktails from its vast menu which becomes even more popular during happy hour when they are buy one get one free. Its signature cocktail is Caipirinha, made with their very own cachaça, sourced and distilled near Rio de Janeiro.
The main star of the show though is its food menu which offers something unlike anything else you have previously been able to enjoy in Exeter.
You'll find Mexican classics like their famous fajitas, burritos and old-school chilli con carne made as it should be; Brazilian specialities like the coconut-rich curry Bahia Moqueca, sizzling steaks and 'blazing birds' fresh from the barbecue; and a tantalising selection of exotic salads, adventurous Cuban sandwiches and burgers.
There's also a brilliant choice of vegetarian and gluten-free options, as well as a children's menu and selection of authentic tapas and sharing plates.
Such a diverse menu can sometimes at first seem at little daunting or confusing, but the excellently trained staff know the menu like the back of their hand and can answer any questions you might have and offer recommendations to suit your personal taste.
The drinks menu is almost as extensive with a wide choice of wine, beer and coolers, in addition to its legendary cocktails menu.
This Christmas, Las Iguanas has teamed up with The Entertainer to create some community cheer. It has launched its Community Christmas Present Fund to turn Christmas parties at its Latin American restaurants into joy for kids.
Las Iguanas will be donating £5 to their present fund for each party booking of 10 or more during the festive period and The Entertainer will be supplying the presents.
The aim is to raise £20,000 nationwide and presents will be delivered to each Las Iguanas charity on Christmas Eve. Exeter have chosen to support Honeylands Children Centre.
To make a booking call 01392 210753 or visit www.iguanas.co.uk
Review
One of the great things about eating out in Exeter city centre is the vast choice of cuisines available from around the world, but I have to admit to being unsure what to expect at a South America-inspired restaurant.
I'm glad I never looked at the menu before going because it turned out to be pleasantly surprising – a theme that continued throughout the evening and right from the moment I stepped through the door and was wowed by the vastly improved interior.
Our table for four was situated by the window, perfect for people watching on a busy Friday night. Our first difficult decision was deciding which cocktails to buy during happy hour. Be warned – there's so many tempting choices you'll find it hard to pick, but what helped was being limited to the happy hour list and what was available as single cocktails or pitchers.
The next dilemma was what to order for a starter and main. Being a vegetarian who eats fish, I sometimes struggle to find many dishes to be tempted by. This time the choice was a little overwhelming, but our waitress was amazing at explaining each dish and happily shared her recommendations when asked. As each dish is made fresh, she was also able to accommodate any particular requests we had.
Our feast began with tucking into a plateful of holy guacamole (£3.90) – or guacamole in bits! It has been cleverly created so that you can mix the ingredients to make your own guacamole and season as you choose. It was served with corn chips, dusted with a blend of cumin, paprika and coriander, which are as far removed as you can get from the usual corn chips you buy in supermarkets – thankfully.
Two of us opted for the Gambas starter (£6.40) of whole prawns, split and cooked in a garlic, lemon and chilli sauce, served with ciabatta. Being a massive lover of king prawns I would have loved a bigger serving than the three that it came with, but to be fair it was only a starter and what I did have was devoured.
For the main I opted for Mexican classic fajitas. Freshly cooked to order, the choices included chicken breast strips (£13.90), marinated strip-steak (£15.30), shelled prawns (£15), and three mushroom (£11.50).
I chose the latter and it was served up sizzling, with chunky guacamole, soured cream, jalapeños, homemade tomato salsa and soft wheat tortillas.
My fellow diners feasted on a taste of Brazil which included The Extraordinary Xinxim (£12.50), a exotic, creamy dish of lime chicken in a crayfish and peanut sauce with spring onion, garlic and coriander rice and fine green beans. It arrived with a warming pot to keep it at the right temperature, and a serving of toasted coconut farofa to sprinkle to your taste.
Each main was enjoyed with no complaints and we were already planning our returning visit!
The portions were all so generous that for pudding we shared the Dulce De Leche Macadamia Cheesecake (£5.30).
It is a whopping wedge of creamy vanilla cheesecake stacked with roasted macadamia nuts and dulce de leche sauce, and because of the interesting crunch of the nuts and flavours, I would rate it as one of the best cheescakes I have ever been served in a restaurant.
It was washed down with coffee liqueurs and then it was time to reluctantly head on our way.
What is so great about the Las Iguanas is the menu is so vast and varied that you would have to make many repeat visits to test out everything you wanted to try.
The service was exceptional – a good mixture of attentiveness without being over keen, and indepth menu knowledge – and the setting was perfect for a relaxed evening out with friend, and equally suited for parties and couples too.
If you want to try out a new dining experience in Exeter then this is definitely the place to head.
The opening hours are Monday to Thursday, noon to 11pm; Friday and Saturday, noon to 11.30pm, and Sunday noon to 10.30pm.
