The new lunch spot from the team at Mexico

Torta with beet-stained radish, white slaw, pickled carrot and coriander. Picture / Supplied.

We're always on the hunt for a good sandwich spot, so were intrigued to hear about Mexico's new offering.

Around the corner from the popular chain's Britomart location, its tiny holding bar, IKTO, has been transformed-by-day into Rica's Tortas (rough translation: delicious Mexican street sandwiches).

Inspired by executive chef Javier Carmona's recent trip to Mexico (see our exclusive story and photos in an upcoming issue), the new lunch venue focuses on street food favourites tortas, paletas (icecreams) and aguas frescas (fresh fruit drinks).

Carmona says he wanted to provide options that Mexico had not offered before, and that had not been seen widely in New Zealand.

True to Mexico form, there are New Zealand tweaks and flavour twists such as white peach sangria or avocado and buttermilk on the paleta menu, and coriander and lime or watermelon and cherry for aguas frescas.

The tortas, at $10 each, come in options that include dry rubbed ancho prawns and charred guajillo chicken, or for vegetarians, roast eggplant in xocolate mole with plantain. Each is served, as per Mexican tradition, in an oval bun with frijoles (beans), and layers of vegetables - in this case beet-stained radish, white slaw, pickled carrot and coriander.

• Rica's Tortas, 51 Galway St, 12-4pm Monday-Friday.

- VIVA