Tequila Kitchen - a Preview

In the Photos: Dining room; Emiliano Núñez and Laura Enriquez, plant decorations against a feature wall where the restaurant plans to later display art by young Mexican artists; the Hibiscus Rose Margarita; bartender pouring Margaritas; cocktail menu detail; server with Acapulco cocktails and detail: tequila bottles behind the bar; view through to the kitchen; Chef González with salsa; nopales salsa with Mexican white cheese: tomatillo salsa; artwork and flowers, Chef González at the stove; customer seated at bar: more tequila bottles; press party.


TEQUILA KITCHEN - A PREVIEW
--- [**NOTE: This posting has been left on the website for information only. TEQUILA KITCHEN CLOSED IN JANUARY 2009***]

"When the hurricane destroyed both my house and my business, more or less sweeping both of them out to sea, I figured I should find another place to run a restaurant", said the practical Laura Enriquez . "So when I collected my insurance money, I packed up my remaining belongings, and my over twenty years of experience running the franchises for Senor Frog's and Carlos' n Charlie's in Playa del Carmen (in Mexico's Yucatan), and said: "I'm going to Canada."

Along the way, Enriquez met up with son Emiliano Núñez, who had been working in the restaurant business in Halifax, and together with their business partner Claudia Ibarrondo and Chef Juan González, made her dream come true by launching Tequila Kitchen in Vancouver's Yaletown.

Not to worry, the menu of the new Yaletown restaurant will not reflect the tourist fare of Senor Frog's, but instead, will be the closest thing to authentic regional Mexican cuisine that Vancouver has yet to enjoy. Only a few compromises have had to be made. The family had originally envisioned a wall of specialty and connoisseur quality tequilas behind the bar, but then made the acquaintance of the BCLCB. That piñata-popping encounter brought it home that they would have to content themselves with ten mainstream selections instead. Even so, they have made the decision to base all the drinks on their cocktail menu to those that are tequila based.

From a preview of the menu we can assure you that the food will be tasty and somewhat of an experience, even for those who have travelled in Mexico and think they know the cuisine well. Until March 31st you will be able to try it yourself at a bargain price as Tequila Kitchen presents a preliminary $25 tasting menu during their soft opening period. Hopefully the doors will be open and the paper down off the windows as soon as this weekend. After March 15th the full menu will be available.

To give you a hint of what to expect, we have posted photos of the press preview above, and below, a copy of a $25 preview menu, as well as photos of sample dishes by photographer John Sherlock.

To see more detailed information about the restaurant, visit our info page here.

Or log onto the restaurant's website at www.tequilakitchen.ca.


Tequila Kitchen
1043 Mainland Street
Vancouver, B.C,
604-681-2120





















































In the photos: top to bottom, left to right: Mexican "bread and butter"; tequila cocktails; ceviche (octopus, halibut); quesadilitas (pepper/corn mix, crab, mushroom); salsa; duck, pork ribs and lamb (with corn tortillas)