mexican coffee tequila
Tacos, Tequilas and Tahari
Who'd of thought there'd be low riders on Nicollet Mall or Brooks Brothers suits being replaced by top buttoned shirts and colors stuck in back pockets. Well, we still haven't. But you' ld think we'd be one step closer with a joint called Barrio on the street. If your a home-boy hankering for a little bit of East L.A....this isn't it. The word barrio means district or neighborhood. It can also mean a cohesive place of sharing which is more of what Barrio Tequila Bar is all about. Tucked into a former Dunn Bros. coffee store next to the venerable Irish Pub The Local, Barrio has carved out a cute little spot for the good looking and well healed downtowners to get their taco fixes along with the chance to sample over 100 tequilas.
I happened to walk in the same night the Vikings were playing a Monday night game and was a little surprised to see t.v.'s. Besides the obligatory flat screens poised at the corners of the bar, there was a giant projection screen covering almost an entire wall. Barrio is a long narrow space and the big screen was only directly visible by a few tables, but the reflection in the massive back bar mirror made the images available to practically everyone in the space. But just so not to turn Barrio into a sports bar on nights like this, they kept the hip Latin jazz cranked instead of the banal banter of the t.v. announcers. The crowd ranged from work shirts and jeans to stylish club wear that night seemed rather oblivious to the game. I liked the mix though, it kept everyone relaxed and having a good time.
Let's start at the bar. As we entered we were greeted by my favorite hot downtown bartender from Solera (a cousin of Barrio by the way). Jane was waving madly until we spotted her and responded. It took me awhile to see her because my eye was caught by the massive collection of tequila bottles. I'm a bit of a tequila snob and have tried to keep up with all the newest labels flooding the market in recent years, but this was confounding even me. There were names and bottle shapes I had never seen before. There were even some varieties of certain brands that I didn't even know existed. I wanted to start at the top of the list and taste my way down. Knowing the inherent danger in that I decided to start somewhere in the middle and just be happy with one or tow taste that night. I wasn't ready to end the night doing flaming shots while running down the mall howling at the moon. (I'll tell that story some other day.) Most tequilas in most bars are served in Margaritas. But the occasional shot is usually accompanied by a salt shaker and wedge of lime. Or training wheels as its know in the industry. Barrio has done there research and offer a group of tasty "compadres" to with your shot of tequila. The classic compadre found in many bars in Mexico is Sangrita, a blend of tomato, orange and lime juices spiked with a little hot chiles. They offered some unique and interesting flavors for the tequila novice of adventurous like Apple Ginger Soda and White Grapefruit Cherry Soda. The large, larger than the food menu, drink list even lists some well though out combinations of tequila and compadre to get you started. There are also rum, tequila and sangria cocktails listed along with a solid list of local and Mexican beers as well as Spanish and South American Wines.
As I said earlier Barrio is cousin to Solera and a vision of the most solid and creative restaurateur team in the Twin Cities, Josh Thoma and Tim McKee. They are focused and detail oriented and it shows. From the hip looking servers in logo'd denim or tee shirts to the dancing marionettes on the wall to the finely tuned menu. The menu may be small in stature, but awfully large in flavor. Simply organized into Small Plates, all priced at $7.50, Tacos and Enchiladas ranging from $3.50 to $4.00 and half a dozen Larger Plates. Chef McKee has taken his cues and style of cooking, preparation and presentation from what he has successfully developed at Solera and used it quite effectively at Barrio. He's created a menu with honesty and has avoided some of the obvious cliches that might have tempted a lesser experienced Chef. There are not nachos, chicken wings or fried ice cream. What there is, is a list of foods like the rich Queso Fundido done with a soft and stringy melted cheese (I'm guessing Chihuahua) that is miles from the orange gloop found elsewhere. We had it embellished with a spicy chorizo that added to its richness while at the same time offering a compatible counter punch of garlic and vinegar. The tacos we tried were all soft corn and filled with great roll ups like carnita, (braised pork), fried mahi or spiced shrimp. At $3.50 each you could easily get out of there with a couple of tacos and a beer for under $10. Not bad in this economy. Our favorite was a Crab Empanda, little fried pillows of red corn dough filled with fresh blue crab set against a tomatillo salsa and an avocado pico. We finished with a chocolate Tres Leche, or three milk cake that was just ok... I would have preferred the classic white version instead.
You don't need to wear you colors to get into Barrio. You don't even need to be wearing a designer's name either. But when your downtown and in the mood for a little of the "hood". Slip into Barrio and order a shot or two and maybe a little bite to go with it. Leave your low rider with the valet.
About the Author
Tobie Nidetz is a 35-year veteran of the hospitality industry. He began his career in Chicago as part of a restaurant and tavern family. He served an apprenticeship in classical French cuisine with Chef John Snowden. After working in several small bistros he joined the fledgling Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises where he helped mold the unique culinary styles evident in the organization today. In 1979 he began food service and hospitality consulting to both small independents and major corporations. He is a freelance magazine writer working on his first book and teaches at cooking schools around the Twin Cities.
Wich mexican product would you like to import?
I'm from Mexico and for a school project in the english class, I need to investigate "a product that can be made in Mexico and that can be exported abroad" and I don't have idea of wich product would like in other countries, so....
well my ideas are:
Tequila
Beer
Bread??Bimbo maybe... http://www.bimbo.com.mx/indexenero.php
Chocolate
Silver
Talavera http://www.tecayehuatl.com.mx/
Chilis
Nopal
Petrol(well i think we don't have the capacity to export to another country :S)
Chips http://www.barcel.com.mx/
Coffee
Cement http://www.cemexmexico.com/index.asp
Please help me to choose one, or if you have a beter idea please tell me.
I would say coffee or sugar cane. Mexican coffee and American coffee do not compare - the beans of Mexico have a much more rich flavor. And I say sugar cane because Mexico's climate can support year-round growth of sugar cane and can export to the northern countries. good luck with your project!
Mexican Coffee
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Tequila $3.98 With its smoky base and smooth intensity, tequila has for decades been an icon of wild times and life in the fast lane. Yet no other spirit is as adaptable to the flavors of food, and none matches so well the rich complexity of the Mexican culinary repertoire. Illustrated with Mexican-style linoleum cuts, this funky little celebration of tequila offers 35 authentic recipes for tequila drinks, dishes using tequila as an ingredient, and meals to serve with tequila. Including a wealth of anecdotes and information on the liquor's history and origins, this lively, thorough cookbook provides all you need to become an instant aficionado of tequila in its many moods. |
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TEQUILA $5.48 An A-Z guide to the "burning river in a glass," complete with photographs, recipes, and stories. Tequila is a national drink of great variety and complexity, inextricably entwined with the history and culture of Mexico. Smithsonian's Tequila is the first book in English to explore fully what has been called "that burning river in a small glass." Here is a wonderful guide to everything you need to know about tequila, from 21 background questions and answers, to an A-Z illustrated description of all the tequila brands from the most common to the rarest, to a collection of recipes, not only for cocktails but also for tequila shrimp and tequila leg of lamb. Accompanying this practical information are thought-provoking and entertaining articles on the history of tequila making, from the Aztecs through colonial times to the present; a look at tequila in the movies and in literature; poems, poetic evocations, and a short story, written especially for this volume, by Laura Esquivel, the acclaimed author of Like Water for Chocolate. Tequila is richly illustrated on every page with photos of the art of tequila bottles and labels (themselves a Mexican craft), movie stills, contemporary and historical paintings, and portraits of the landscapes of tequila country in the state of Jalisco. 225 color photographs and illustrations. |
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Mexican Distilled Beverages: Tequila, Tequila, Jalisco, Academia Mexicana del Tequila, Aguardiente, Agave Nectar, Don Cenobio Sauza $19.99 Mexican Distilled Beverages: Tequila, Tequila, Jalisco, Academia Mexicana del Tequila, Aguardiente, Agave Nectar, Don Cenobio Sauza |
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Mexican Tequila Party Guy Halloween Costume $39.99 Tequila Pop N' Dude |
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Mens Adult Mexican Tequila Party Guy Halloween Costume $34.99 Tequila Pop N' Dude |
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Tequila! $15.59 Tequila! |
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SOR TEQUILA $9.99 SOR TEQUILA is a Mexican comedy about the funny situations that Maria, the Indian nun, seems to get herself in while she travels around helping people. |
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Sor Tequila $7.59 SOR TEQUILA is a Mexican comedy about the funny situations that Maria, the Indian nun, seems to get herself in while she travels around helping people. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved. |
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'The Bottle Tequila Lotto' Original Art Print (Mexico) $54.99 This handmade creation is offered in partnership with NOVICA, in association with National Geographic.Product Features:*Art print by Marina Pallares features agave stars shining over a tequila bottle *Aquafortis and aquatint etched art is a stunning addition to your home decor *Original Mexican art is from the 'Tequila Lotto' series *Signed by the artist *Limited edition *Arrives unframed Story Behind the Art:Mexico's Marina Pallares believes painting has always been her destiny. 'Throughout my life, certain unexplainable things keep happening that lure me to the path of the fine arts. I adapt techniques according to the theme that I'm working on. Most of my themes revolve around people and ordinary activities such as drinking coffee, riding a bike or dancing. Although sometimes I can be more complicated and express my dreams, my feelings, and other personal issues.'What is Worldstock?The handcrafted nature of this product will produce minor differences in design and sizing. Subtle variations will occur from piece to piece, adding to its unique qualities. Measurements may vary slightly.ImportedPlease allow 10 business days for the product to leave our warehouse and to receive tracking information. You should expect to receive this item within 15 business days. |
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Tequila Sunrise $6.99 Mac McKussic may have quit the business of drug dealing. But - inside and outside the law - the business won't quit him. Mel Gibson (as Mac), Michelle Pfieffer, Kurt Russell and Raul Julia star in this high-gloss, high-stakes thriller from Chinatown Academy Award®-winner Robert Towne. Russell is Mac's pal Nick, a cop under pressure to bring Mac down; Julia plays a Mexican lawman with shady intentions; and Pfieffer is a cool restauranteur torn between her feelings for Nick and Mac. All four bask in Conrad Hall's glowing, award-winning cinematography. The volatile elements of Tequila Sunrise make an excitingly watchable mix. |
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Sor Tequila (DVD) $7.99 SOR TEQUILA is a Mexican comedy about the funny situations that Maria, the Indian nun, seems to get herself in while she travels around helping people.DVD Features:Region [unknown]Keep CaseFull Frame - 1.33 |
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Alcohol in Mexico: Mexican Alcoholic Beverages, Tequila, Kahla, Pulque, Chicha, Sotol, Michelada, Raicilla $19.99 Alcohol in Mexico: Mexican Alcoholic Beverages, Tequila, Kahla, Pulque, Chicha, Sotol, Michelada, Raicilla |
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Mexican Liquor: Tequila, Kahla, Mezcal, Opuntia, Pulque, Chicha, Aguardiente, Turnera Diffusa, Sotol, Michelada, Tesguino, Mezcal Worm $14.14 Mexican Liquor: Tequila, Kahla, Mezcal, Opuntia, Pulque, Chicha, Aguardiente, Turnera Diffusa, Sotol, Michelada, Tesguino, Mezcal Worm |
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Plus Size Tequila Pop n' Dude Costume - Spanish or Mexican Costumes $52.99 Plus Size Tequila Pop n Dude Costume This funny Plus Size Tequila Pop n Dude Costume includes the serape, 2 shoulder bandoliers with shot glass loops, belt with 2 bottle holsters, 8 shot glasses and tequila print sombrero. SPNL70-MF |
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Mexican $11.41 Mexico`s rich and diverse culinary traditions include countless complex and vibrant dishes. In these pages, you will find recipes that capture the best of the cuisine, from mole poblano, a long-simmered blend of chiles, seeds, and spices, to bright-flavored ceviche dressed with fresh citrus juice. A chapter on desserts also tempts, whether you crave chocolate cake with chile-infused whipped cream or coffee and KahlÚa flan. Williams-Sonoma Collection Mexican offers more than 40 recipes, including well-loved classics and many other timeless dishes. For a casual dinner, fill warm corn tortillas with tender morsels of carnitas or chunks of fresh fish lightly fried to a crisp golden brown. Or, plan a summer supper of watercress salad tossed with orange, jicama, and avocado; creamy corn and poblano chile soup; and delicate sea bass topped with salsa verde. Versatile and delicious, Mexican food is always irresistible. Full-color photographs of each dish help you decide which one to prepare, and each recipe is accompanied by a photographic side note that highlights a key ingredient or technique, making Mexican more than just a superb collection of recipes. Including all the basics and an extensive glossary, this essential volume will help you create and enjoy many delicious Mexican meals. |
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Sor Tequila - $8.99 An Indian nun stumbles into a series of hilarious misadventures while attempting to help those around her in this Spanish-language comedy starring Mexican funny lady Maria Elena Velasco. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi |
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Deluxe Mexican Tequila Pop n' Dude Costume - Spanish or Mexican Costumes $49.99 This Tequila Pop n' Dude Costume includes the serape top with fringed sleeves and hem, 2 shoulder bandoliers with shot glass loops, belt with 2 bottle holsters, 8 shot glasses and the sombrero. All you need are the jeans and the drinks to be the life of the party! |
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'The Sarape, Tequila Lotto' $64.95 Marina Pallares exalts Mexican customs in her original Tequila Lotto series, inspired by the classic loteria game, or bingo. Card 20 features a sombrero, a guitar, a trumpet, a bottle of tequila and the traditional sarape. The loteria made its appearance in the second half of the 18th century, and it is still a favorite at schools, fairs, carnivals and festivals. "I grew up in Jalisco, known for the production of tequila from agave plants, and as a child I used to play loter�a all the time. These two facts inspired me to create the 'Tequila Lotto' series," confides Pallares, who credits the influence of Leopoldo M�ndez and Jos� Guadalupe Posada in her work. She masters aquafortis and aquatint etching techniques to create this eloquent composition. Titled "El sarape" in Spanish |
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'Agave, Tequila Lotto' $62.95 The tall silhouette of an agave plant graces the card marked as number 11, in Marina Pallares' original interpretation of the Mexican loter�a. In pre-Hispanic Mexico, the agave was regarded as a deity who gave her people that precious and once sacred drink, the tequila. Mexico's loter�a game is a unique version of the classic bingo featuring traditional Mexican images. The loteria made its appearance in the second half of the 18th century, and it is still a favorite at schools, fairs, carnivals and festivals. "I grew up in Jalisco, known for the production of tequila from agave plants, and as a child I used to play loter�a all the time. These two facts inspired me to create the 'Tequila Lotto' series," confides Pallares, who credits the influence of Leopoldo M�ndez and Jos� Guadalupe Posada in her work. She masters aquafortis and aquatint etching techniques to create this eloquent composition. Titled "Loteria tequilera" in Spanish |
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Deluxe Tequila Pop n' Dude Costume - Spanish or Mexican Costumes $49.99 Deluxe Tequila Pop n Dude Costume This Tequila Pop n Dude Costume includes the serape top, 2 shoulder bandoliers with shot glass loops, belt with 2 bottle holsters, 8 shot glasses and the sombrero. SPNL68-AO |
