Mexican restaurant Poca Madre, ‘the new home of agave’, opens in South Brisbane

This new South Brisbane restaurant has been labelled the new “home of agave” and bold contemporary Mexican dining, and it comes hot on the heels of another Latin American hot spot just across the road.

Devang Seth and Sebastian Ruiz at Poca Madre. Photo Steve Pohlner

A popular South Brisbane precinct has welcomed a brand new Mexican dining experience, that truly embodies its name, complete with a stand-alone margarita bar and a strong focus on the country’s agave heritage.

Poca Madre, meaning ‘impressive’ or ‘awesome’, opened last Thursday on Little Stanley Street, after taking over the former Mucho Mexicano site.

With a fresh facelift giving the venue a “more refined yet approachable sophistication”, the pink desert themed space can seat up over 200 guests, including in a private dining room, and is the latest venue from the ever-expanding Alemré Hospitality Group, just months after the opening of Calida Argentinian, across the road on Grey Street.

Poca Madre’s menu will feature a wide array of Mexican dishes, from snacks and small plates to large plates made with sharing in mind, all curated by chef Adam Starr.

The restaurant will work in conjunction with Fino Food and Melbourne-based Hunted and Gathered, to champion bold traditional flavours with a contemporary twist, importing chillies, spices and cheeses as well as regionally grown corn and other Mexican ingredients.

The menu features dishes like semi-cured chorizo, dry-aged ribeye tacos and slow roasted brisket, alongside several desert options like churros coated in chipotle infused cinnamon sugar.

Food at Poca Madre. Photo: Jamie Alexander

What sets Poca Madre apart from some of Brisbane’s other impressive Mexican establishments, is their hero offering- Agave, assembled from nine distilleries across Mexico’s regions, as well as their 17 different tequilas and mezcals.

Poca Madre has curated their vast selection of Agave spirits, and is a stockist of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s small-batch Teremana Agaves, which only launched in Australia in July and one of only a few stockists of the world’s first ruby port-wine barrel pink tequila, Don Julio Rosado.

Brisbane local and founder of The Meniscus Co and The Church of Agave, Carlos Hurworth said that consumers are becoming more interested in agave spirits.

“There’s a growing global curiosity around agave spirits, and it’s exciting to see venues leading the charge in introducing people to the incredible world of high-quality tequila and mezcal,”

Agave spirits at Poca Madre. Photo: Jamie Alexander

“Agave is special, not only is it more easily metabolised by our bodies due to its natural sugars, but it carries a deep cultural significance, tied to generations of families and producers and a rich history that goes back almost a thousand years.”

The team at Poca Madre hope to have Hurworth run masterclasses or tastings at the venue in the future.

On top of their agave offering is their stand-alone side venue, The Margarita Bar, where guest can choose from 15 different margaritas and a long list of cocktails, Mexican beers and wine to enjoy from their table on the open-air ground level space, from the mezzanine level (when its not hosting a private event!) or as a guest of the bar itself.

Margaritas at Poca Madre. Photo: Jamie Alexander

Signature margaritas included the Cokiwi, made with Teremana Blanco, lime, kiwi, coconut syrup and agave and the Amigo, made with Cafeto Coffee Tequila, Tia Maria, Espresso and sugar.

The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.