Ex-Wahaca chef to open Mexican street food restaurant

Wahaca’s former head of menu innovation is set to launch his own Mexican street food restaurant in Shoreditch.

Santo Remedio - meaning 'Holy Remedy' - will feature a largely gluten-free menu, with dishes such as Guacamole with Crispy Oaxaca grasshoppers

It is the brainchild of Edson Diaz-Fuentes and his wife Natalie, who are set to open the 45-cover site on 21 March.

Born in Mexico City, Edson trained at Casa Oaxaca, one of the San Pellegrino Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, under the tutelage of renowned chef Alejandro Ruiz.

He was head of menu innovation at Wahaca from 2014-15, where he worked closely with co-founders Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby.

Miers described him as ‘an inspired and inspiring chef who has good food running through his veins’. 

“He is never happier than when concocting some delicious new plate of food and his approach [is] thoroughly Mexican but steeped in the local ingredients around him,” she said.

In January Restaurant Magazine predicted 2016 would be the 'year of the taco', with 'proper' Mexican food continuing to develop in the UK.

Santo Remedio will be serving up several interesting sounding varieties including Grilled Cactus with Sautéed Sweetcorn and Onions topped with Salsa Roja and Feta Cheese and Pork Confit, caramelised with Orange Juice & Coca Cola, served with Tomatillo Salsa Verde, Red Onions and Coriander. 

Drinks are set to include smokey cocktails such as Mezcalita Verde - a blend of Mezcal, Pineapple, Cucumber and Jalapeno - and Mexican wines and beers.

Santo Remedio will open at 22 Rivington Street, London on 21 March.