Summer Fiesta: Announcing Our New Outdoor Patio and Seasonal Menu

08 Jun, 2024

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As London finally embraces the summer sunshine, we at Gringos Mexican Smokehouse are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our brand-new outdoor patio dining space! After months of planning and construction, we’re ready to welcome you to what we believe is the most atmospheric outdoor dining spot in the area. And to celebrate, we’re launching a special summer menu that perfectly complements those long, warm evenings.

The Perfect Outdoor Setting

Our new patio doesn’t just add additional seating—it creates an entirely new dining experience. Designed to evoke the vibrant outdoor markets and plazas of Mexico while incorporating practical features for London’s variable climate, the space transforms the way you can enjoy our food and drinks.

Here’s what makes our new outdoor area special:

Design and Atmosphere

We worked with local designer Maria Gonzalez, who specializes in Mexican-inspired spaces, to create an authentic yet comfortable environment. Colorful hand-painted tiles, imported directly from Puebla, adorn the walls and table tops. Overhead, string lights create a warm glow as evening falls, while strategically placed plants provide natural beauty and privacy.

“We wanted to create a space that transports you somewhere else entirely,” explains Maria. “The minute you step onto the patio, you should feel like you’ve left London behind and entered a little slice of Mexico.”

Weather-Ready Features

Being realistic about London weather, we’ve installed retractable awnings that can cover the entire space in minutes if rain threatens. Discreet heating elements are integrated into the overhead structures, extending the usability of the space well into autumn. These practical additions ensure that a sudden shower won’t end your meal prematurely.

The Centerpiece Fire Pit

The heart of our patio is an impressive circular fire pit surrounded by comfortable seating. Perfect for cooler evenings, this feature creates a natural gathering place where guests can enjoy our smoky mezcal cocktails with an additional sensory dimension from the crackling flames.

A Menu Made for Summer

To complement our new outdoor space, our culinary team has developed a seasonal summer menu that emphasizes lighter, fresher options while still delivering the bold flavors you expect from Gringos. Here’s a taste of what’s new:

From the Grill

The addition of a traditional Santa Maria-style grill to our outdoor kitchen allows us to offer special dishes with that unmistakable live-fire flavor:

  • Grilled Cactus Paddles (Nopales): Marinated in lime and herbs, these tender cactus paddles are a traditional Mexican vegetable that takes beautifully to grilling. Served with queso fresco and fresh tortillas.
  • Citrus-Marinated Grilled Fish: Local catch marinated in Mexican citrus, herbs, and mild chilies, then grilled over open flames. Served with grilled pineapple salsa.
  • Chipotle-Rubbed Cauliflower Steaks: A substantial vegetarian option that even meat-lovers have been devouring, thanks to our complex chipotle rub and 30-minute smoking process before hitting the grill.

Summer Small Plates

Perfect for sharing in the outdoor setting:

  • Watermelon & Jicama Salad: Crisp, refreshing, and dressed with chile-lime salt and fresh mint.
  • Chilled Avocado Soup Shooters: Silky smooth avocado soup served in small glasses—the perfect cooling starter.
  • Smoked Elote Bar: Our take on Mexican street corn, with a DIY toppings station including traditional cotija cheese, smoky chipotle mayo, lime, and chili powders.

Summer Cocktails

Our bar team has created refreshing new drinks that complement outdoor dining:

  • Frozen Hibiscus Margarita: Our house-made hibiscus tea gives this frozen cocktail its stunning color and light floral notes.
  • Cucumber-Jalapeño Cooler: Fresh cucumber juice, jalapeño-infused tequila, lime, and a touch of agave. Served tall over ice.
  • Smoked Watermelon Paloma: Fresh watermelon juice and tequila in our twist on the classic Paloma, with a lightly smoked salt rim.

Desserts for Hot Days

What better way to cool down than with our new summer desserts:

  • Mango-Tajin Paletas: Housemade Mexican ice pops combining sweet mango with the tangy-spicy kick of Tajin seasoning.
  • Horchata Affogato: Cinnamon-infused horchata poured over vanilla ice cream for a Mexican twist on the Italian classic.
  • Chocolate-Chili Ice Cream Sandwich: Our famous chocolate-chili cookies sandwiching dulce de leche ice cream.

Summer Events and Entertainment

The new patio isn’t just about food and drinks—it’s about creating memorable experiences. Throughout summer, we’ll be hosting a variety of special events:

Live Music Weekends

Every Friday and Saturday evening, the patio will feature live acoustic sets from talented local musicians, focusing on Latin and fusion styles that enhance rather than overwhelm conversation.

Mezcal Mondays

Our popular mezcal tasting series moves outdoors for summer, with expert-led flights of this complex spirit every Monday evening. The tastings partner perfectly with our smoke-focused menu items and the ambiance of the fire pit.

Taco Tuesday Extended

Our famous Taco Tuesday deal now runs all evening on the patio, with an expanded selection of special tacos available nowhere else on our menu. The outdoor grill allows us to offer flame-kissed fillings with toppings made to order.

Private Events and Celebrations

The patio space is also available for private bookings, perfect for summer celebrations, corporate gatherings, or special occasions. We’ve created several package options:

  • Fiesta Package: A standing reception for up to 40 guests with passed appetizers and a taco station
  • Patio Dinner Party: Seated dinner for up to 24 with a family-style menu
  • Ultimate Smokehouse Experience: Interactive event featuring a smoker demonstration, mezcal tasting, and full dinner

Our events team can customize any of these packages to suit your specific needs, from birthday celebrations to team-building events.

Sustainability Initiatives

In developing our outdoor space, sustainability was a key consideration. Here’s how we’ve addressed environmental concerns:

  • Solar-Powered Lighting: All those beautiful string lights are powered by solar panels on our roof
  • Rainwater Collection System: Hidden cisterns collect rainwater for irrigating our herb planters
  • Reclaimed Materials: Much of the woodwork uses timber reclaimed from London’s historic buildings
  • Bio-Diverse Planting: Our plant selections support local pollinators, especially bees and butterflies

We’ve also extended our composting program to manage the additional food waste from the increased capacity, returning it to our urban farm partners to complete the cycle.

Book Your Outdoor Experience

The new patio is already proving incredibly popular, so we strongly recommend reservations, especially for weekend evenings. You can specify a patio table when booking through our website or by phone.

During the summer months, the patio will be open (weather permitting):

  • Monday-Thursday: 12 pm - 10 pm
  • Friday-Saturday: 12 pm - 11 pm
  • Sunday: 12 pm - 9 pm

Our indoor dining room remains available as always, with the full menu served in both spaces.

We can’t wait to welcome you to our outdoor oasis and share the flavors of summer, Mexican-style. From all of us at Gringos Mexican Smokehouse—¡salud y buen provecho!

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