When Vincent Shao first opened Axis 8 years ago, nobody could have foreseen the exponential evolution of Xianlin’s premier Mexican Cantina. Based in Yadong Plaza, Axis started out as a dream of a nexus for expats and natives alike to have a beer, eat a taco and shoot the breeze.
It was a small dream, poorly lit and oddly smelling of mould, like the dream writer’s room was severely underfunded. The fajitas were amazing and the service charming. Some things haven’t changed at all.
Now on its fourth season, Axis has recently reopened after a staggeringly quick and complete refurbishment at the end of April, and is the place to be in Qixia ever since.
Rich ochre and burnt sienna set the Olé-chill ambiance from the first step inside. The music is actually good, the lighting is subtle and well placed, and the food. Let me tell you about the food.
The fajitas remain, as do the tacos, chimichangas and other staples of Mexican cuisine, and they are as delicious as always. But now, the discerning diner can also sample salads of braised tuna and roquette, smoked salmon or a stunning Greek feta and black olive.
The steak is superb, the Tomahawk crowning the menu at a gargantuan 600g with all the trimmings (¥388), though the less carnivorous diner may prefer the Filet Mignon or Carne Asada, and being able to actually walk out of the restaurant when finished.
The most popular local dish on the new menu is Chinese rice with sausage and pine nuts and a delectable spinach sauce (香肠松子菠菜汁饭).
It’s Mexican with a side serving of fusion dishes, and contrary to the norm, all and every style of food on the menu is prepared to exacting standards, with ingredients of the highest quality. We have eaten our way through the new menu and are on the second spin around. There is no dish on the Axis menu that is not divine.
Another plot twist in the fourth iteration of Axis Mexican Cantina is the new bar. A whopping great 5 metres, stocked with Canary Islands’ rum, Irish whiskey and a crisp London gin, the bar seeks to fill the (drinking) hole in this part of the city.
The most wonderful ingredient is the perfectly proper oversized ice-cubes, and all the rest is top class, in keeping with the overall tone and atmosphere.
With extended opening hours, now until 1.30 am, Axis hopes to continue to be the heart of Xianlin. Shao has even installed a music corner, stocked, mic’ed and amped up to go whenever the urge to perform is too overwhelming.
All told, the latest season of Axis is the best to date.
Axis is located at Yadong Commercial Plaza, 12 Xianyin Bei Lu 仙隐北路 12号亚东商业广场 Tel: 15895872728
