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La Taqueria to Reopens Doors to Original Hastings Location on March 29

The GOODS from La Taqueria

Vancouver, BC | Local Mexican spot La Taqueria will reopen the doors to its original Hastings outpost (322 West Hastings Street) on March 29, unveiling a refreshed look and innovative beverage program for its ninth year of operations.

Boasting a redesigned interior and an updated black-and-white façade, the 700-square-foot space will serve La Taqueria’s award-winning menu of authentic Mexican tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, as well as a newly introduced cocktail menu developed in collaboration with the Keefer Bar’s Simon Aukett.

A veteran mixologist who has held positions behind the wood at esteemed establishments such as the Mondrian London and Arabica Bar & Kitchen, Aukett emphasizes fresh, offbeat ingredients on the inventive eight-drink list, which includes the Jalisco After Midnight (El Jimador Reposado, Pisco, vermouth, Cynar, cacao, and grapefruit oil), the Shifting Sands (Fino, Becherovka, Triple sec, honey, citrus, and mint), and the Sangre y Humo (Los Siete Misterios Mezcal, vermouth, hibiscus, cilantro, and orange). Reimagined classics, like the Spiced Coconut Old Fashioned (Wild Turkey, piquant and coconut, bitters, and orange oil), are also available.

Along with a rotating selection of regionally produced beers, these sips will be offered during La Taqueria Hastings’ new extended hours, which will see the former hole-in-the-wall transform into a cocktail lounge during the evening.

In celebration of its ninth anniversary, La Taqueria Hastings will also make a donation to the Service Excellence Scholarship, which is cosponsored by Les Dames d’Escoffier BC and Two Rivers Specialty Meats, during its grand opening on the evening of March 29. Established in honour of late chef and entrepreneur Tina Fineza, the award gives aspiring women chefs in B.C. the opportunity to learn more about the humane treatment of animals and the sourcing of local, sustainable ingredients.

A beloved figure in Vancouver’s tight-knit culinary, beverage, and hospitality industries, Fineza served as a restaurant consultant for La Taqueria Hastings leading up to the eatery’s opening in September of 2009. During that time, she and La Taqueria founder Marcelo Ramirez developed a close friendship, travelling to Ramirez’s native Mexico on multiple occasions to study the country’s regional cooking styles and the restaurateur’s family recipes.

La Taqueria founder Marcelo Ramirez with chef Tina Fineza in Mexico

Almost nine years later, La Taqueria Hastings — and the five additional outposts in B.C. that Ramirez has launched —continues to satisfy guests with the creative, authentically Mexican menu that Fineza helped produce. “Tina played an integral part in the success of La Taqueria Hastings and every location we have opened since,” said Ramirez. “She was not only an extremely talented chef, but a warm, caring, and compassionate person. We were so lucky to have known and worked alongside her, and hope we can honour her by contributing to the Service Excellence Scholarship, which was set up in her memory.”

“I’m so happy to hear that La Taqueria will make a donation to the Service Excellence Scholarship that Les Dames d’Escoffier BC have set up in conjunction with Two Rivers Meats,” said Annette Rawlinson, Fineza’s life and business partner. “We now have two sets of women chefs who will have gone through the program as of the coming year, and I’m excited to see her legacy continue.”

La Taqueria Hastings is the second of a number of launches (and relaunches) for the local Mexican restaurant this year. The business opened a location in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood at 2521 Main Street in February, and has plans to relocate its Cambie Street eatery to West Broadway and Yukon Street. It continues to offer special-event and catering services from its North Vancouver taco shop and commissary kitchen.

La Taqueria Hastings is open Monday – Thursday 11am to 9pm, Friday – Saturdays: 11am to 2am and Sunday: 12pm to 6pm For more information, please visit www.lataqueria.com.

Neighbourhood: Gastown
322 W Hastings St.
604-568-4406

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