This week, we welcome chef Santiago Lastra back to the studio to discuss his new London opening, Fonda, inspired by Mexico’s laidback eateries. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Petri Burtsoff meets Finnish chef Sami Tallberg to learn about the transformative flavours of fresh-foraged herbs. Plus: Monica Lillis heads to Lulu's, a South London neighbourhood restaurant taking the area’s culinary reputation to the next level. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello and welcome to the menu, Monaco Radio's food and drink program.
I'm your host, Chiari Mella.
Coming up, Chef Santiago Lastra reveals why his latest opening was inspired by Mexico's down to earth Fondas.
The idea of Fonda as well is to be able to be some sort of hub or exhibition for Mexican contemporary art.
Also on the program, we go foraging for fresh herbs.
In Finland Today we found 13 edible plants and I would say you could find like 25 edibles from this park.
Plus we celebrate a pint sized but accomplished neighbourhood restaurant in London.
All that here on the menu on Monaco Radio.
Plenty of people are often on the lookout for the most authentic version of a cuisine.
But does that need to mean they should only focus on down to earth type of spots in their search?
Chef Santiago Ilastra has always been a proponent of respecting the Mexican flavors of his upbringing.
But he also believes in staying true to his own fine dining training.
His first restaurant in London, Col has become a point of reference when it comes to high end Mexican cuisine.
All made with a radical belief in only using local ingredients to recreate traditional flavors.
But for his new opening, Fonda, he didn't want to just replicate the formula.
While the idea was to make it more accessible and welcoming for regulars, he also remained faithful to his unique style.
Taking inspiration from the country's Fondas and assuming restaurants are part of people's daily life, he has created a spot that incorporates the homely feel of this cultural institution, all the while spotlighting some of the country's best emerging designers and delivering bold dishes.
Santiago, join me in the studio to tell me more.
For me, it's about something that is bigger than just a restaurant.
Like I moved here to London because I wanted to share the meaning of quality of Mexican culture, Mexican food, not only in the uk, but like in the world, like that's like my dream.