Name: El Caballito (which means “the little horse” in Spanish)
Contact Info: 220 King St. W., 416-628-9838, elcaballito.ca , @elcaballito220
Neighbourhood: Entertainment District
Owner: Andreas Antoniou, who also owns Richmond Street restaurants Little Anthony’s and Estiatorio Volos
Executive Chef: Elia Herrera (formerly the pastry chef at Canoe)
Chef de Cuisine: Gerardo Quintero, who has worked in the kitchens at AOK Foods and Yours Truly
The Place: El Caballito is just one half of a larger project: come summer, an upscale Mexican restaurant called Los Colibris will be opening in the space directly above it. The basement bar was designed to feel like a moody Mexico City cantina: it’s big, dark and decorated with graphic Jose Posada-inspired murals and miscellaneous Mexican tchotchkes.
The Food: Herrera designed the short menu to complement the bar’s tequila-focused drinks list. It includes a mix of Latin snacks, like crunchy tuna tostadas and molotes ( deep-fried pockets stuffed with chicken and topped with cojita cheese). The well-known pastry chef rounds things out with a pair of traditional Mexican sweets: cinnamon-dusted churros and a decadent tres leches cake.
The Drinks : Margaritas, Mexican beer and twelve sipping tequilas, which are available by the bottle or the ounce. Enthusiasts who sign up for private tasting sessions with bar manager and tequila expert Manny Contreras can sample from the bar’s full library of 64 different blanco, reposado and añejo tequilas and mezcals.
The Numbers:
• $4,500 for a bottle of Clase Azul Ultra tequila
• 1,800 square-foot patio opening in summer 2014
• 12 tequilas and mezcals available by the ounce, or for servicio de tequileros (i.e. bottle service)
258432 El Caballito can be found on the lower level of 220 King Street West; the upstairs space is going to be turned into an upscale Mexican restaurant called Los Colibris, which is slated to open later this year (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-01.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-01/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-01 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258442 Toronto firm Douglas Design Studio, who designed the space, were inspired by cantinas found in Condesa, a popular nightlife district in Mexico City (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-11/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-11 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258439 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-08.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-08/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-08 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258441 Twelve types of tequila are available at the bar, including a $4,500 bottle of Clase Azul Ultra (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-10.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-10/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-10 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258437 Graphic murals and Mexican-inspired tchotchkes contribute to the Latin vibe (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-06.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-06/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-06 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258440 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-09/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-09 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258443 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-12.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-12/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-12 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258433 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-02.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-02/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-02 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258434 The private tasting room can be booked for sessions with bar manager (and tequila expert) Manny Contreras (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-03/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-03 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258435 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-04/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-04 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258436 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-05/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-05 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258444 Tuna tostada with avocado, fried leeks and magnolia sauce ($5.75) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-13/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-13 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258445 Pulled chicken panuchos with black beans and pickled red onion ($3.75) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-14.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-14/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-14 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258446 Baked pickerel taco with fried leeks, salsa and red cabbage ($5.50) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-15.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-15/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-15 0 0
258447 Taco al pastor with pork, pineapple and salsa verde ($4.50) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-16.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-16/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-16 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258448 Cod ceviche with house-made root-vegetable chips ($11.50) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-17.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-17/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-17 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258449 Chicken-stuffed empanada with tomato sofrito, chipotles, cotija cheese and crema ($4.25) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-18.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-18/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-18 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258450 A trio of margaritas, including Manny’s Margarita (centre), which is flavoured with pink peppercorns and juniper ($11.50) (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-19.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-19/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-19 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
258453 Executive chef Elia Herrera (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: El Caballito Introducing: El Caballito https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-22.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-caballito-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-22/ el-caballito-toronot-restaurant-22 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)