FAWC: Service to match fine food

Crispy chicken and duck pacella with salsa tarasca (pumpkin seed and almond salsa).

Mamacita was packed on Saturday when we arrived to try the F.A.W.C! by 5 dish.

I've been to Mamacita twice before and I love the atmosphere in this funky, noisy Mexican restaurant.

We were greeted as soon as we walked in the door and were shown to a table.

The F.A.W.C! by 5 dish was crispy chicken and duck pacella with salsa tarasca (pumpkin seed and almond salsa) and a Si Mamacita Si margarita for $25.

It sounded delicious.

While we waited we chatted with one of the three owners, Liv Reynolds. She, along with Nick Neilson and chef Clint Toomer, opened the doors to Mamacita in October 2013.

In less than two years this restaurant has morphed into one of the places to be in Hawke's Bay, with food and service that is constantly good.

Liv says Mamacita's success is thanks to the locals who always support them. "We look after our local market and expect our staff to recognise regulars and, at the same time, ensure that first-timers have a good experience."

Liv conceded it was not easy to get good staff and even harder to hold on to them.

"We like our staff to be energetic and personable. We can teach them how to wait on tables, etc but we can't change their personality."

Our food arrived and we tucked in. The pacella was crispy and crunchy and when I cut into it, out came Mamacita's famous crispy chicken. It was full of flavour, easy to eat and just lovely. There were little squirts of chimmi chyrri on the plate, along with the salsa. I loved the taste of this, it gave the dish a bit of a bite with its sourness.

Chef Clint said he chose the pacella for the F.A.W.C! dish because the restaurant had included them on the menu before and they had been popular.

"People like this style of dish. it's easy to eat and tasty. It's our signature dish really. Our job is to make people feel welcome ... it's all about being hospitable."

After our meal we walked just up the road to Hugo Chang Bar, owned by the same trio.

It was packed but we managed to find a couple of seats where we relaxed with a glass of wine. What a cool place this is. It was the perfect way to round off a lovely evening.

-There's more to come from these entrepreneurs. In September they plan to open a cafe in the village, offering healthy options along with the classic breakfast and lunch options.

-Mamacita

12 Havelock Rd, Havelock North; phone 06 877 6200.

-For the entire month of June, an array of Hawke's Bay's finest restaurants, cafes and bars will be serving special Winter F.A.W.C! menu selections, these will come in $5 offerings.