Introducing: Agave y Aguacate, a permanent reincarnation of the beloved Mexican food stall
Introducing: Agave y Aguacate, a permanent reincarnation of the beloved Mexican food stall
Name: Agave y Aguacate
Neighbourhood: Baldwin Village
Contact Info: 35 Baldwin St., 647-748-6448
Owners: Mexican-born chef Francisco Alejandri and furniture designer Keyvan Foroughi
Chef: Francisco Alejandri, who trained at Scaramouche, Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar and Chiado before launching the original Agave y Aguacate food stall in Kensington Market’s El Gordo food court
The Food: Inventive Mexican dishes, some of which will be familiar to fans of Alejandri’s now-defunct food stall (which celeb chef Anthony Bourdain once called “some of the most amazing Mexican takeout north of the border—any border.”) Current options include chicken tinga tostadas, flank steak salad and lengua de res—i.e. beef tongue in mole sauce. Lunch and brunch service will begin in the New Year.
The Drinks: Classic cocktails with a Latin twist, like a Negroni that subs Campari with mescal.
The Place: Owner Keyvan Foroughi is quick to point out that there are no sombreros or cacti in the two-storey restaurant, which is housed in the old Elle M’a Dit space in Baldwin Village. The Latin theme comes across in the turquoise-and-gold colour scheme, the painted tilework and the massive mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe (the patron saint of Mexico), which spans an entire wall. Alejandri’s good luck charm—a hand-painted figurine named Diego El Matador—sits on a shelf above the bar.
The Numbers:
• 44 seats
• 20-seat patio
• 12 spaces were viewed before settling on Baldwin Village (other possible locations included Queen West and Roncesvalles)
• 7 months to renovate the space, formerly Alsatian bistro Elle M’a Dit
• 6 dangling lights above the bar that resemble crystal decanters
• 2 floors
• 1 wall devoted to Catholic iconography
Read More
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- Agave y Aguacate is located in the old Elle M’a Dit space in Baldwin Village
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Agave y Aguacate is located in the old Elle M’a Dit space in Baldwin Village
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- The first floor houses the bar and a few casual booths
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- The crystal light fixtures above the bar were provided by Toronto designer Klaus Nienkamper
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- A mural of the Virgin Mary by local artist Ford Medina
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- The second-storey dining room
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- The second-storey dining room
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- A mural of the Virgin Mary by local artist Ford Medina
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Alejandri’s good luck charm is a hand-painted figurine named Diego El Matador
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Pinto-tomato purée with queso panela (a smooth cow’s milk cheese), ancho chili, crema and crushed nachos
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Poblano pepper stuffed with guac, carrots, gooseberries and pineapple
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Seafood cocktail
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Chicken tinga tostada with fried beans, ancho chile, crema, macerated onion, peppers and avocado
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Flank steak salad with lime vinaigrette
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Stewed beef tongue with olives, fried plantains and sesame seeds
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Vegetarian stew in guajillo sauce with fresh queso
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Zucchini in a creamy mint sauce
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Pinto beans with chicharrón, bacon, tomatoes and habanero peppers
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Chocolate-tequila torte with rose petal sorbet
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- The Oaxacan is a Negroni made with mescal instead of Campari
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- The Paloma subs grapefruit Stiegl-Radler for grapefruit-flavoured soda
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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- Owners Francisco Alejandri and Keyvan Foroughi
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
- Introducing: Agave y Aguacate
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 Current options include chicken tinga tostadas, flank steak salad and lengua de res—i.e. beef tongue in mole sauce. Lunch and brunch service will begin in the New Year.
The Drinks: Classic cocktails with a Latin twist, like a Negroni that subs Campari with mescal.
The Place: Owner Keyvan Foroughi is quick to point out that there are no sombreros or cacti in the two-storey restaurant, which is housed in the old Elle M’a Dit space in Baldwin Village. The Latin theme comes across in the turquoise-and-gold colour scheme, the painted tilework and the massive mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe (the patron saint of Mexico), which spans an entire wall. Alejandri’s good luck charm—a hand-painted figurine named Diego El Matador—sits on a shelf above the bar.
The Numbers:
• 44 seats
• 20-seat patio
• 12 spaces were viewed before settling on Baldwin Village (other possible locations included Queen West and Roncesvalles)
• 7 months to renovate the space, formerly Alsatian bistro Elle M’a Dit
• 6 dangling lights above the bar that resemble crystal decanters
• 2 floors
• 1 wall devoted to Catholic iconography
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elle m’a dit was not a “scandinavian bistro” . it was a french (alsatian) restaurant . DUH
It was a pleasure having Chef Francisco Alejandri work inside the Rundles kitchen for two seasons. He’s an amazing cook, very hard working and focused. Plus, I am fortunate to have studied with him at Stratford Chefs School. He’s definitely Canada’s top Mexican restaurant chef, no question. Can’t wait to dine at his Francisco’s new gig! Sinceremente, Ricardo
Ate at Agave Y Aguacate on Saturday. The food was fantastic. Had the meatballs, stuffed Poblano pepper, beef tongue, ceviche and chicken .. all delicious and well proportioned. The dessert (Carlota di Limon) was incredible (albeit a bit small .. hint hint). The service was great (our waitress Tilly was attentive and very helpful). Have known the owner for some time, and have sampled the chef’s food before when he was in Kensington Market. Anthony Bourdain was bang on: Fantastic Mexican food. Don’t expect tacos and guacamole, as its not on the menu. This is traditional Mexican food and it tasted great. Loved the ambiance, great music, good vibe. All in all a cute, fun place to have a drink and a good bite to eat.