A Mexican sojourn in Delhi

Delhi: A dash of colour and zest awaits SOCIAL outlets this month, thanks to Mela Mexicana, a month-long festival designed to enliven the senses. Organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Mexico, the festival is featuring Mexican food, live musical performances, interactive games and art-inspired programming.

A specially curated menu features classic Mexican dishes with an India-inspired twist. The bold flavours that define Mexican cuisine are paired with familiar Indian ingredients and techniques to suit the Indian palate. In addition, SOCIAL outlets are hosting a series of community-driven events inspired by Mexican culture.

Guests could begin their meal with Guac ‘n’ Roll Chips, which are available in vegetarian and non-vegetarian avatars, or the Nacho Average Love Triangle – pink, green and black nachos served with salsa. Small plates with some desi twist are the Corn Chivda Chaat (chaat that combines corn flakes with pico de gallo, salsa macha and Mexican nuts) and the Gajar Tinga Tostada, a savoury reinterpretation of a familiar Indian favourite. The Chicken Tikka Tinga Tostada, Chilli Chipotle Aloo and Chilli Chipotle Chicken will pair Indian staples with smoky Mexican spices.

For cheese and taco lovers

Queso Fundido, Cheesy Mushroom Quesadilla and Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla are for cheese lovers, while the Baja-O-Mushroom Taco, the Al Pastor Chicken Taco, the Taco Bout Fish and Mutton Seekh Taco are for those who love tacos.

Those looking for something more filling can choose from dishes such as Dry Noods aka Fideos Secos, Burrito and a Bowl, Chipotle Mushroom Chimichanga, Barbacoa Chicken Chimichanga, Birria Sando and Chicken Barbacoa Torta. To end on a sweet note, the menu features Concha French Toast, a dish made using traditional Mexican sweet bread, and The Impossible Cake, chocolate cake layered with creamy flan.

A natural fit

Chef Shamsul Wahid, Group Executive Chef at Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt Ltd, says the similarities between Indian and Mexican cuisines made the collaboration a natural fit. “Both are generous, layered, spice-led and built around the joy of eating together.”

Chef Ashish Sharma Diaz Del Castillo says the idea was to celebrate Mexican culinary traditions while giving them a distinctly SOCIAL identity.

“With Mela Mexicana, we wanted to honour that shared spirit through familiar Mexican formats while giving the menu a SOCIAL twist with flavours such as tikka, seekh, chivda, gajar and nihari, so every dish feels festive, rooted and full of character,” he says.

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Tequila-based cocktails with options such as the Batanga, Hibshi Margarita, El Tamarindo, Pineapple Jalapeño Picante, Cantarito and the spicy Borracho Michelada are some of the tequila-based cocktails on offer. Guests looking for non-alcoholic options could opt for Not a Paloma or Tamarind Ginger Smash, while shot serves including La Roja and Jose Hot add a lively finish to the experience.

A taste of Mexican culture

Mela Mexicana is designed to be much more than a food festival.

Among the community events is the Telenovela Table Read, an improv-based game where participants step into the dramatic world of Mexican soap operas with secret character roles, unexpected twists and theatrical performances. Another signature event is Bingo Beats Club: Mela Mexicana Edition, inspired by Mexico’s iconic picture-card game Lotería. Instead of calling out numbers, hosts use riddles, music and cultural references as players match illustrated symbols on their cards.

The festival calendar also includes salsa-themed evenings, workshops, live music performances and cultural activities. A major attraction is Abakorao, a New Delhi-based Latin band led by Colombian musician Santiago Ramírez, who will perform salsa, merengue, bachata, son, reggaetón and cumbia at select SOCIAL outlets.

With all the food, the music and the games, Mela Mexicana is set to transform SOCIAL’s outlets into lively cultural spaces. For anyone curious about Mexican cuisine or simply looking for a monsoon outing, the festival offers a chance to experience the country’s flavours, traditions and festive spirit without leaving India.

Mela Mexicana is being held at all SOCIAL outlets across Delhi until July 31.