Re-opened with a new look - Las Iguanas Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth will be celebrating their makeover this month with a vibrant new look. The quirky restaurant décor reflects the team’s most recent travels to South America, and guests can enjoy an invigorating space that sees comfy banquettes teamed with a backdrop of sunshine shades of yellow, sky blue and turquoise. Diners can sit back and relax whilst admiring the big bold graphics dancing across the walls, inspired by the colourful selection of street art in Buenos Aires. They are complemented by swathes of foliage and a flash of neon here and there. The biggest change that regulars will notice is that the bar has been moved to create a more comfortable space for Portsmouth’s cocktail aficionados to enjoy.
The Menus - The menu at Las Iguanas is carefully developed and served up by a team of skilled chefs who love cooking from scratch; discovering unique flavours and inspiring recipes from across Latin America and bringing them to life through high quality, fresh ingredients. The new menu additions are no exception.
Luscious new Ipanema Mussels – cooked in a lightly spiced lime, coriander and coconut sauce and served with ciabatta will tantalise those taste buds whilst the Seco de Cordero - Peruvian style slow cooked lamb shank in a golden ale, red wine and Amarillo chilli sauce, served with roasted sweet potato mash and crispy chilli and onions is a meat lover’s dream.
Las Iguanas is Vegetarian Society approved and a new attraction is the Cauliflower and Corn Quinotto, a perfectly cooked Peruvian-style quinoa risotto with smoked cheese, roasted cauliflower and charred baby corn, topped with puffed quinoa and crispy chilli.
The Desserts - If there’s room for dessert, continue the journey through the Latin continent with a Banana Empanada, where traditional pastry is hand-filled with banana, sweet plantain and delectable dulce de leche. Served with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of rum-flavoured syrup, this is relaxed dining at its best. If truly tropical is your thing, the Piña Colada Mess will energise taste buds; Piña Colada ice cream is served with caramelised pineapple salsa, crispy pineapple pieces and toasted coconut chips… definitely a dessert that brings visions of Copacabana.
The Bar - So on to the cocktails… Las Iguanas have turned Happy Hour in to ‘Happy Days’ for Autumn, with all cocktails now available 2 for 1 ALL day, EVERY day. It’s a game changer. Las Iguanas commit to using premium spirits, including their own award-winning artisan Magnifica cachaça distilled by the de Faria family near Rio, in the Famous Brazilian Cocktail the Caipirinha, and there is something for everyone, with 14 newbies on the list. Try Mezcal Watermelon Smash, a winning combination of Olmeca Tequila, Bru-Xo Mezcal, watermelon, mint, cucumber and lime or the Latin American take on the classic; a ‘Golden’ Porn Star Martini, compromising Gosling’s Gold Rum, apricot, Funkin passion fruit, vanilla and pineapple with a shot of cava.
Just launched – Sharing Drinks - Celebrate spending time with friends and family with a host of new sharing drinks. Alpaca Punch has a kick like a mule; El Dorado 3 year old Rum, falernum, passion fruit, lime and cranberry, topped up at the table with a showy bottle of Freixenet cava for 4-6 to share. Or dive in with the new Tropical Fishbowl; Beefeater gin, Sauvignon Blanc, passionfruit, elderflower, Ting and a few finned friends swimming around for 3-4. Barrel o’ Caips is a giant version of the signature Caipirinha cocktail made with Las Iguanas Magnifica cachaça and fresh limes, perfect for 3-4 to enjoy this Brazilian classic.
The Hotlist offers exciting specials each month but for any designated drivers, there are also plenty of non-alcoholic cocktails and soft drinks to whet whistles.
Tis the season to be spicy - Try a Carnival Feel to your Christmas Party this season with Las Iguanas! The party starts here from just £19.95 per person, with £5 off on selected dates! Why not enjoy a festive twist on some of Las Iguanas’ favourite dishes and some exciting new additions. As well as a tempting Christmas menu, sample the all-time Happy Hour cocktails & coolers 2FOR1 all day every day. Move over mulled wine, Magnifica Cachaça is here. (Happy Hour times may vary by location). And that’s not all, there are some amazing drinks packages to pre-order for the perfect party!
Address: 108 -111 East Side Plaza, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, PO1 3SY
Covers: 160 excluding the bar and Piazza
Opening times: Mon-Thurs 10am-11pm Fri-Sat 10am-11.30pm / Bar open until 12am Sun 10am-10.30pm
Price point: Lunch from £7.50 | Tapas time: From 7pm every day and all day Sunday & Monday - share 3 dishes for £15.95 or 5 dishes for £25.95 | A la carte: from £8.50 | Happy Hour all day every day with every cocktail available 2FOR1
Social links: FB: /LasIguanasGunwharfQuays | Inst: /lasiguanasgunwharfquays | Tw: @lasiguanas
Straws Suck Campaign - From this Autumn Las Iguanas will only be giving out plastic straws on request for most drinks, as they commit to reducing usage and environmental impact with their Straws Suck campaign.
Magellan is working with Las Iguanas Gunwharf Quays to raise awareness and publicise their new look restaurant. For more information, contact Sue Lowry +44 (0) 7725 997 121 | Alexandra Pinhorn +44 (0) 7515 283 040.