Other Notes: La Cantina II Restaurant is an interesting place to say the least.
First off, the security is very good. The restaurant is set far back away from the street as well. We passed through metal detectors and all is secure.
Then it opens into a nice courtyard area that I’m sure gets packed on nice spring and summer days.
Inside, it opens into what appears to be a small little bar area. A big sign exclaiming “Margaretville” greets you right away. But once you turn the corner, you see the huge open dining area. Décor was excellent for a Mexican restaurant. The music was eclectic ranging from 80’s pop to modern Techno dance music.
After I ordered my drink, I was informed that I got the last of the gin. Of course this upset me. Then we ordered the food. I got swayed into the pizza despite this was a Mexican restaurant.
When the food came, the Mexican dish that my buddy ordered was standard Mexican fare. Nothing special about that. My pizza, on the other hand presented a few physics questions. The crust around the rim was burned to a crisp, the middle of the toppings was cooked perfectly, and the bottom of the pizza was ice cold. While most people would have barked at this, I found it a great combination (minus the burnt crust.) I don’t like my food very hot; luke warm is fine by me. With the bottom being ice cold, it was easier to hold and it stayed together better! But I still can’t figure out how one pizza, in less than two square feet can range so much in temperature.
Shortly after we were done eating, my buddy took a shine to the bartender. So we had to have one more drink at the bar before we left. Turns out, my buddy starts chatting up two Irish guys instead of the bartender. I was getting worried. Maybe my buddy has been in Kabul too long?
A few minutes into our drink, and the power went out. Not to uncommon in Kabul and everyone adjusted quickly. But it was when I was lighting a lantern that I saw a bottle of “Bombay Sapphire Gin” behind the bar. I immediately called the bartender over for interrogation. She was very apologetic and immediately took full responsibility for the fact that I was told there was no more gin when there was, in fact, a very decent gin to be had.
Then, I broke a cardinal rule of Restaurant review; I pulled the “do you know who I am?” card. (Not that I’m any sort of real critic, but I did make up business cards for this site.)
To make amends, the bartender bought a round of gin and all was quite on the western front once again.
La Cantina Restaurant is definitely a fun place to go and hang out. The bartender (who I promised not to put her name in the review) really knows how to have fun with the crowd. There were plenty of interesting people there to talk to and get to know. The huge dinning area also has large couches and lounge chairs so you can make yourself comfortable.
While this was the first Mexican Restaurant I reviewed in Kabul, I wouldn’t put the food on the top of any lists. It wasn’t bad, it was just unremarkable.
Overall, I’ll be scene at La Cantina Restaurant a few more times while I’m here in Kabul!
I was getting a little "artsy" here with this photo.
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This one was taken when the lights were out.
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