Kateryna Topol –
26 Market Street is filling a culinary gap in the St. Lawrence Market neigbourhood: Mexican.
Añejo Restaurant is a chain with a handful of locations across Canada, but with a family-operated feel. It retains staff employees from businesses it takes over and offers team members plenty of opportunities to move up.
At the Market Street version, head chef Chester Echalar started his career in the Don Mills location, and gladly accepted the offer to spearhead the Downtown East location. During my visit, the restaurant had been open “for two Mondays,” the host shared with excitement.
“This team is really great,” Echalar added, saying he came in on his day off to help team organize the kitchen.
Añejo’s focus? The restaurant “offers a unique journey through the rich flavours and culture of Jalisco and Central Mexico.” On the menu is a selection of tacos, classic Mexican appetizers (including tableside fresh guacamole), and large plates like carne ahumada (smoked meat) and chile relleno (stuffed chili).
Añejo’s claim to fame, however, is its spectacular tequila selection and daily happy hour.
The happy hour runs twice per day, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight. The special menu includes $4 classic tacos, $7 margaritas, and half-priced tequila. The entire selection of tequilas – 200-plus! – lets you taste top-shelf bottles at a hefty discount.
Tequila is not the only spirit on the menu, though agave is the dominant base. Patrons can also choose beers, wines, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages. Each category on this beverage menu has a Canadian option, such as spirits and seltzers from Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery (near Cambridge) and wines from Mission Hill Family Estate Winery (of Kelowna, B.C.).
The dimly lit space with exposed rock walls is fitting for this casual restaurant with a lively atmosphere. The Market Street terrace has great sun exposure and a direct view of St Lawrence Market.
“The Don Mills location has live music, and here we have this great patio,” Echalar commented. “We hope to introduce live music at some point too.”
Learn more at www.anejo.ca.
