Here are 7 Metro Vancouver Mexican restaurants on our radar right now
A new Davie St. restaurant is putting a Mexican twist on tried-and-true West Coast menu items.
Davie Social, which opened in February, is the brainchild of head chef Henry Xie and manager Alejandro Sanchez. The two met at Coast Coal Harbour Hotel and decided that they wanted to add some equatorial flavour to dishes like fish and chips, chicken sandwiches, and smash burgers.
On a recent Monday evening, house music was playing and the windows were open to the sights and sounds of Davie. A couple of tree sculptures rose pillar-like from the bar. Once home to West End icon Hamburger Mary’s, the corner eatery is very much a neighbourhood hang, with live music Thursdays and DJs on the weekend. But the chicken sandwich, made with maple habanero aioli, and the churro waffle, with candied pecans and maple walnut gelato, are all-around crowd-pleasers.
Here are some other Vancouver Mexican restaurants currently on our radar:
Monarca Restaurant and Supper Club (181 Carrall St., Vancouver)
As the name implies, Monarca is more than a place to stop in for a bite. Along with tostadas, tacos and enchiladas, diners can get down in a “jungle oasis” to a DJ dance party. Talent includes name DJs like Pyramido and the parties aren’t only at night — Monarco recently hosted a brunch groove-athon with Made by Pete. Now in its 4th year, Monarca is the sister restaurant to the Michelin-recommended Ophelia on West 2nd.
Alimentaria Mexican (1596 Johnston St., Vancouver)
Infusing some spice to staid, touristy Granville Island, Alimentaria’s menu includes ceviches, chilaquiles, tacos and, for dessert, house-made churros. If we were going tonight, we would order the Instagram-friendly and delicious-looking beer-battered halibut.
La Mezcaleria (1622 Commercial Dr., Vancouver)
Billing itself as Canada’s first mezcaleria — that is, a restaurant or bar specializing in mezcal, tequila’s smokier cousin — this Commercial Drive stop has been serving Mexican food and agave-based drinks and flights since 2013. The spring/summer menu offers seasonal fish and shrimp tacos, ceviche ahumado de mariscos (smoked seafood) and a seasonal tres leches cake with berries and orange. Tequila and mezcal fans take note: The first Tequila and Agave Festival is on May 30 at Croatian Cultural Centre. The event hosts more than 100 agave brands, with cocktails, food, a mariachi band, and DJs. Visit tequilaandagavefestival.com for tickets.
Acuyo (1140 Alberni St., Vancouver)
This traditional Mexican restaurant has just opened and is already receiving raves for its tableside guacamole and tacos. Stop by for a happy hour special on its baked cauliflower dish “and refreshing drinks.”
Tacos & Taps (91 Moody St., Port Moody)
When in Port Moody stop in at this casual eatery for a pork belly al pastor or wild mushroom taco, a draft from nearby breweries like Twin Sail and Parkside or coconut margarita or mojito, and a churro or dulce de leche cheesecake.
Cuchillo (261 Powell St., Vancouver)
This is the one with the glowing neon skull sign. A cinematic cocktail program includes drinks like Tears of Venus, with camomile- and white tea-infused vodka, the Jackie Brown, which is a riff on rum punch and named after what is easily Quentin Tarantino’s best film, and a Dark and Filthy, with ancho chile pepper-infused rum. Food items include mole carrots, a chorizo verde Scotch egg, various types of ceviche including steelhead trout and Peruvian scallop, and a range of tacos — fried chicken, turmeric cauliflower, Arctic char.
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Source: vancouversun.com