Next week on Monday, Feb. 8, 7 Numbers Restaurant is trading in its southern Italian specialties for something a little more spicy.
Rosa Marinuzzi, better known as Mama Rosa at 7 Numbers, is joining forces with Andreas Marquez, former owner of Fonda Lola to throw a taco takeover at the restaurant’s Eglinton Avenue location (516 Eglinton Ave. W.).
“If an Italian restaurant throwing a taco party sounds a bit off brand, it’s because it is, but it sounded like a fun way for two cooks to share their love of food with the rest of the city,” says 7 Numbers owner, Vito Marinuzzi.
Vito says the idea sparked when Mama Rosa had a Mexican craving.
“Mama Rosa is as restless as the rest of us, and she’s like the energizer bunny,” Vito says. “She had reached out to Andreas for a Mexican craving she was having, and he obliged and made up a taco kit for her, which we will offer on a future menu. She sent over meatballs and duck and he sent over a taco kit and everyone was happy.”
And that craving has led to this new pop-up concept which will launch on Feb. 8.
Customers can expect to choose from a delicious taco menu for pickup or delivery from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. All soft-shell tacos are $18 for three tacos, with the choice of vegan chorizo, turkey tinga, or caramelized rib-eye. Other menu items include aguachile ceviche, tuna tostada, guacamole, and even a Mexican pasta, featuring chipotle ragu. A fiesta happy hour will also take place and tequila is on the menu of course.
“They have very similar cooking styles. The food is rustic, approachable, and not pretentious,” Vito says. “Rosa really wanted people to try [Marquez’s] food. They get along really well and have fun cooking together. Other than the 45 years between them in age, you’ll find similar styles and smiles.”
7 Numbers will share its menu online on Sunday, Feb. 7 for pre-order, and will keep selling until everything sells out.
For more information on how to pre-order, email info@sevennumbers.com.
Update (Feb 4, 2021, 1:47pm): The menu is now available and open for pre-orders.