(Image: Gizelle Lau)
Name: El Catrin Destileria
Neighbourhood: Distillery District
Contact info: 18 Tank House Ln., 416-203-2121, elcatrin.ca, @elcatrinca
Owners: John Berman, Mathew Rosenblatt and partners
Chef: Olivier Le Calvez, who moved to Toronto from Mexico City a month ago
The Place: The former Boiler House space has been given a mod-goth makeover with heavy black chandelier-style light fixtures, wall-mounted glow-in-the-dark skulls and a kaleidoscopic floor-to-ceiling mural by Mexican street artist Oscar Flores. Tables on the 190-seat enclosed patio are arranged around a fire pit.
The Food: Tacos, burritos and tostadas, served tapas-style, plus starters like Serrano-spiced guacamole and watermelon-tuna ceviche. Heavier dishes include 24 hour–braised pork brisket and mole-braised short ribs.
The Drinks: Spanish, Portuguese and South American wines, sipping tequilas and cocktails like the Pepino Diablo, a mix of tequila, muddled cucumber and Serrano peppers and agave nectar.
The Numbers:
• $200 for a shot of Clase Azul Ultra Extra Anejo, a premium tequila that’s cellared for five years in sherry oak barrels
• 6 weeks for Mexican artist Oscar Flores to complete the skull-covered mural on the restaurant’s back wall
• 4 different margaritas on the cocktail list, each available by the glass and pitcher
• 1 candle-festooned, Baja-style altar by the bathrooms
• 1 spirit available: tequila
224553 The former Boiler House space was given a gothic-style makeover with heavy black light fixtures, a floor-to-ceiling mural and lots and lots of skulls (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-03.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-03/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-03 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224551 From above: the main-floor private dining room, decorated with glow-in-the-dark skulls by Mexican street artist Oscar Flores (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-01.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-01/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-01 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224552 A private dining room on the second floor landing (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-02.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-02/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-02 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224554 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-04.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-04/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-04 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224557 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-07.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-07/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-07 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224559 Oscar Flores took six weeks to paint the floor-to-ceiling wall mural (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-09.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-09/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-09 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224564 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-14.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-14/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-14 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224558 (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-08.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-08/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-08 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224556 The enclosed patio seats 190 and has a central fire pit (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-06.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-06/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-06 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224555 The patio bar (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-05/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-05 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224560 Serrano-spiced guacamole ($6) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-10/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-10 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224570 A classic mojito ($8/glass, $32/pitcher) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-20.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-20/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-20 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224563 Tuna-watermelon ceviche with habanero mignonette ($8) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-13.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-13/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-13 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224569 Cactus salad with onion, tomato, cilantro, radish and tequila-lemon vinaigrette ($8) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-19/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-19 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224562 The Pepino Diablo cocktail (translation: Cucumber Devil) combines tequila with muddled cucumber, Serrano peppers and agave nectar, and is rimmed with Tajín, a tangy, chili-based Mexican seasoning powder (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-12.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-12/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-12 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224568 Foie gras tostada with mezcal-mango syrup, poblano and red onion relish ($9/person) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-18/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-18 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224573 The Mayahuel cocktail (translation: Goddess of Alcohol) with tequila, Jägermiester, agave nectar, lemon juice and ginger beer ($12) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-23.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-23/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-23 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224566 Shaved pork taco with pineapple, cilantro and chopped onion ($14) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-16/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-16 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224561 A lime margarita sweetened with agave nectar ($10 glass/$42 pitcher) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-11.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-11/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-11 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224565 The Fuego Sandia cocktail (translation: Watermelon Fire) with tequila, St. Germaine, watermelon juice and lemon (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-15.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-15/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-15 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224572 Black mole–braised short ribs with sweet potato purée ($14) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-22.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-22/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-22 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224571 The Zarzamore cocktail combines mezcal with orange liqueur, muddled blackberries and cilantro ($10) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-21.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-21/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-21 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224575 Sugar- and cinnamon-dusted churros with a trio of dipping sauces (chocolate, caramel and strawberry) ($6) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-25-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-25.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-25/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-25 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224574 A coconut cocktail made with coffee-infused tequila, Amarula, coconut water and lemon ($11) (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-24.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-24/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-24 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
224981 The patio by night (Image: Gizelle Lau) Introducing: El Catrin Introducing: El Catrin https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-intro.jpg 656 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/el-catrin-toronto-restaurants/slide/el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-intro/ el-catrin-toronto-restaurant-intro 0 0
(Image: Gizelle Lau)
By far, the best Mexican restaurant in town for now. Great venue, patio, ambience, food, chef and décor. Definitely a must.
had a great meal there last night with my daughter before heading to Soulpepper. fantastic food, service and great atmosphere! i haven’t been this excited about a restaurant in a while! we ate pescatarian and had plenty of choices!
Went to el- Katrine in the Distillery, Ambience was great , great and great , Food bad , bad bad meat was dried out , very small portions , service could be better, will go again for the ambience and drinks only , hope the service improves