A new restaurant has opened its doors in the heart of Durham City - and is set to offer diners a taste of Mexico's vast culinary repertoire. 

La Mesa has this week opened on Durham's Church Street, promising an exclusive, refined, and intimate dining experience for clients. 

Owner and chef Shaun Hurrell is building on the success of his established award-winning taqueria, Barrio Comida, which is located on top of the newly opened La Mesa. 

20 guests, seated at either the large central dining table or the chef's counter, can get up close and personal with the action going on in the open kitchen.

The Northern Echo: Chef Patron Shaun HurrellChef Patron Shaun Hurrell (Image: Steven Landles Photography)

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The restaurant offers a multi-course tasting menu, which has been designed to showcase dishes inspired by the variety, intricacies and innovation of Mexico’s vast culinary culture and distinctive heritage, whilst utilising the finest hyper-seasonal British and European produce.

A spokesperson said: "Each ingredient is carefully sourced from only the very best producers in their field, including day boat fish and shellfish from Cornwall, beef from North Yorkshire, vegetables and fruit from Durham and Northumberland.

"All alongside highly specialised ingredients sourced with the utmost care direct from Mexico, such as the eleven varieties of heritage corn, which have been produced to exacting standards by small-scale specialist farmers using symbiotic growing methods. 

Shaun uses these speciality corn varieties to create fresh tacos and tortillas daily. 

Chef Patron Shaun Hurrell said: "We opened Barrio Comida in 2020, with the ambition to add other elements to the business as we progressed.

"The pandemic got in the way but we’re now fortunate to be in a position to be able to launch our interpretation of a fine dining restaurant with a twist. 

"With the launch of La Mesa our guests can now discover a multi-course tasting menu showcasing dishes inspired by the variety, intricacies and innovation of Mexican cuisine.

"We’re looking forward to developing and refining what we do, and adding something very different to the North East’s food offerings."

The menu is priced at £59. Starters include Oyster Aguachile Verde with Garden Herbs and Sope with British Asparagus, Queso Fundido and Morita Chile.

Mains include Ceviche of Wild Red Prawn, with Tomatillo and Olive Oil and Barbacoa slow cooked Spring Lamb, with Fig Leaf Macha, served with Heirloom Tortillas.

Desserts include Raspado, with Alfonso Mango, Mexican Vanilla and Tajin or Chocolate from Chiapas served with Cafe De Olla Spices.

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The Northern Echo: Quail taco with habanero and black beans from Guerrero. Quail taco with habanero and black beans from Guerrero. (Image: Steven Landles Photography)

Places at the central table and the chef's counter are available Friday and Saturday nights. 

There’s an extensive drinks list too, featuring hand-picked traditional mezcals and agaves from regions such as Jalisco, Oaxaca and Guadalajara, as well as wines and spirits from producers from the UK, Europe and further afield.

An optional wine pairing which has been carefully curated by the team is also available priced at £39 per person, or alternatively a non-alcoholic aguas frescas (juice) pairing at £25 per person is also available.

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La Mesa is happy to accommodate individual diners, couples and parties of up to six guests, exclusive use can also be arranged by prior agreement.

Diners are asked to arrive at 6.30 pm to enjoy cocktails and get to know other guests, with dinner service beginning at 7.00 pm. 

Reservations are released quarterly and are currently available to book via the website, the tasting menu price is £59 per person. Bookings for August-October will go live on July 01st. (Please note card details are taken at the time of booking).