There’s a new tequila and tapas bar coming to town, courtesy of local restauranteur Knick Ndreka.
Ndreka has been active in The Annex for two decades as the owner of Victory Cafe and Crafty Coyote, both on Bloor Street West. His latest venture pays homage to Mexican culture, built as the restaurant concept of the phrase “life is beautiful,” one of Ndreka’s most commonly-used adages.
Former Victory Cafe manager Anthony Walker is relocating to run the new space, called Mezcalero, and working with the interior designer to create a modern, tailored space. “His intention with the place is to be a celebration of life. He wants it to be a destination that people come to the Annex to go to,” Walker explains. “It’s supposed to be that positive thing, even though these times can be hard.”
The tequila and tapas bar will, naturally, offer a large selection of mezcal (hence the name) and offer 12 to 15 food items that pair perfectly with both tequila and mezcal. The liquors can be enjoyed as shots, sippers, and as cocktails, all of which are carefully created and heavily influenced by the celebration of life theme, which Walker says goes hand in hand with tequila and mezcal. “Tequila is that party drink, it’s the one to get the party started.”
Walker also notes that each detail has been meticulously curated to tie perfectly into one another, springing from the bold interior, created by local designer Alexander Perry.
“The design itself is modern and really fun,” Walker says. Ndreka got the keys to the space at 509 Bloor Street West last year, but the team has spent the last six months working to create a uniform, uplifting vibe.
“Everything is really tailored to each other, the way the space will feel will also feel how the food taste, which is also tied to the music you hear and the vibe you are feeling.” As for the menu, while it is not official yet, Mezcalero brought on a local menu builder who specializes in Mexican tapas, and will train a head chef–also brought in–to create each tapas dish.
Walker notes that the plan for Mezcalero is to host DJ nights and events, as well as after-dinner service in a reservation-based space. “It’s just going to be somewhere where everyone can do everything,” he says.
As for opting to stay in the Annex, Walker says it was a decision Ndreka made out of love.
“He cherishes the people and the neighbourhood a lot, and he’s been around it for 20 years, so it’s something he knows really well, and he’s a big part of the community,” he says. “The Annex is his home, and it’s such a cute and charming area.”
While no official opening date has been set, Walker reveals that the team is aiming for a spring 2022 timeline, after a flurry of Covid-related delays.
For more information on Mezcalero’s opening at 509 Bloor Street West, check for updates on Instagram.