Introducing: Estrella Taqueria, North York’s answer to the downtown taco trend
Name: Estrella Taqueria
Contact Info: 4899 Yonge St., 416-222-1500, estrellataqueria.ca, @estrellataco
Neighbourhood: Yonge and Sheppard
Owners: Rick Padulo, Charles Z. Markowitz and Otta Zapotocky, the former sommelier at Nota Bene and current owner of L’Avenue Bistro,
Executive Chef: Jeremy Dyer, also the executive chef at L’Avenue
The Place: A sprawling, honky-tonk–themed restaurant and bar modeled after the famous Big Star taqueria in Chicago (“estrella” is Spanish for “star”).
The 4,200-square-foot clubhouse is really three spaces in one: a massive freestanding bar and lounge; a casual dining area; and a bright purple rec room with ping-pong tables and a DJ spinning old-timey Bakersfield tunes. A fourth space, opening next spring, is a 130-seat rooftop patio with a full-service bar, a fire pit and a jumbo-screen television for movie nights.
The Food: Tacos and other Mexican standards, plus some unconventional options, like tortillas stuffed with duck confit and ratatouille (the restaurant bills itself as “French-Mex”). Guacamole is mashed tableside and served with house-made chips.
The Drinks: Tequila and bourbon–based cocktails, like the citrusy Along Came Paloma with Cazadores Anejo tequila, Cointreau and grapefruit. The wine list sticks to bottles from Spain, Portugal and South America.
The Numbers: • 4,200 square feet • 280 seats • 130-seat rooftop patio, opening April 2014 • 35 kinds of tequila • $16 per ounce for the most expensive bourbon, a 1792 Ridgemont Reserve Barrel Select
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