We have been trying to visit this Mexican spot in Chinatown for a while now. However, due to mis-scheduling and being sick, we have had to postpone it until today. And we are so glad that we did as this was well worth the wait and the trip.
They have a brewery in North Vancouver, featuring their Mexican-style, fruit flavoured beers. This is their second location, and their beers are transported here, so that they could be poured from tap. This location is more of a cantina with its larger kitchen, and more fulsome food menu to match.
Walking into the restaurant, I immediately fell in love of the decor. The freshness of blue and white tiles that mimic the branding of their cans. These tiles ran across the bar and along its back splash, with more peeking out from behind table side aesthetic arches.
My favourite piece was the iconic tiled toilet, repurposed as a planter by the doorway.
We grabbed a seat on a high top and started with drinks. The best way to get acquainted with their drink menu is through one of their flights. Either beers or margaritas severed on a white ceramic paddle decorated with the same blue.
I found the beers more complementary to the meal ahead. Ten different options, we left it to our server to pour the most popular.
The salted lime lager was the most refreshing, adding a splash of citrus to the fresh seafood, best highlighting it.
The La Catrina Berry Dark Sour was tart and tangy, heavy in the mouth with bold acidity.
I also liked the Strawberry Kiwi Sour, that wasn’t puckering like a sour, but more juicy and fruity.
The Cafe Cold Brew Dark Lager is a nitro expresso that is a yrupy in mouth, making it a good morning and brunch time beer.
You can order their classic margaritas by the glass, or try 4 out of 5 of them as a flight. We tried all but the spicy margarita. Each bold in their chosen fruit and strong in spirit with a healthy splash of tequila with a thick coarse salt rim to match. Raspberry, Mango, Passionfruit, and Peach. We found the mango and the peach most complimentary to food. The other two were so bold that they stood alone.
We also took our server’s recommendation for food and ordered all their new items, as well as the most popular. We found each dish better than the last and were thoroughly impressed as a result. I was not expecting these flavours, here, and how well they would pair with the house beer. I was all very thoughtfully curated by the Ono Catering team.
We started off with chips and dip, the ideal pairing with beer. This is their Queso Fundido, which they describe as “Mexican Fondue”. A mix of melted Cheese with a side of crunchy tortilla chips. The Queso is thick and stringy and the chips tough enough to lift it without breaking. For a little more substance, you can add on some protein, we went with carnitas for a more filling and delicious bite. Other protein options include the Pastor, Carnitas, Crispy Chicken, and Carne Asada; basically all their taco fillings.
The Esquite is new on the menu. Served chilled corn kernels, fresh lime juice, and a touch of salt. Topped with crumbled Cotija cheese, creamy chipotle mayo, and a hint of epazote. It does not look like much, but we found it an excellent side and a great accompaniment for all of the dishes. Sitting in a pool of water we weren’t sure of whether to treat this like a soup or a salad. You stir all the seasonings together and there is still more than enough flavour despite the corn being waterlogged. A spoon was great as a sweet and spicy chase after bites, but best as a topping for the tacos below, and over our cheesy chips above. We just wished that the corn was torched, charred, and roasted for more depth.
We also really liked the Ceviche Tostada Avocado. Fresh fish cooked with lime juice, onion, cucumber, jalapeños and cilantro, all chopped up and piled over a Mexican tostada topped with guacamole and house-made garlic mayo. The torta base had the same thickness and crunch of the chips above. Fully loaded with meaty cuts of whitefish, it was more fish than chip, serving as a substantial appetizer.
For tacos we went with the Carne Asada, Grilled beef. Marinated beef steak, cilantro, white Grilled mojo fish, shredded cabbage, onion, and avocado salsa. It was bold and flavourful with plenty of acid and an even char. This was definitely one of the tastiest steak tacos I have ever had. There was no need to look for squeeze bottles of salsa on the tables or ask for a side of dip. It only could’ve used some additional freshness, which our side of corn easily remedied. Worth mentioning is that the price is also reasonable at 3 tacos for $17.
For dessert we had their classic Mexican churro coated with sugar and cinnamon, served in a cup with a side of caramel pooled at the bottom. These were double fried churros that remained crunchy with the texture of baked pie crust. Each stick was chewy at the very centre, surrounded by a thick layer of hard dough and a fine layer and flavour of oil. Plain as is, it needed the sweetness of the dip.
In short, we had an amazing visit and I am sure I will be recommending them for Mexican food and beers with a more energetic space.
La Cerveceria Astilleros-Chinatown
219 Union St, Vancouver, BC V6A OB4
cerveceria-astilleros.com
