The GOODS from Tacofino
Vancouver, BC | Tacofino’s trademark Mexican-by-way-of-West-Coast cuisine gets a perfect complement this fall as Julia Diakow joins the team as Bar Manager at the group’s flagship Taco Bar in Gastown.
Formerly behind the pine at Vancouver’s Reflections at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, The New Oxford and Cuchillo, Diakow enters the Tacofino family armed with an extensive knowledge of spirits and local craft beer and an abundant enthusiasm for creating her own handcrafted syrups and infusions such as jalapeño-spiked tequila and clamato juice fashioned from fresh-daily Tacofino salsa.
Evoking the same eclectic, Mexican-inspired flair for which the Tacofino brand has become known, Diakow’s new cocktail list includes such notable creations as the Negroni Rosa (El Jimador Blanco, Orange and Strawberry-infused White Port, Aperol), Gold Rush (Pisco Gobernador, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice, Grapefruit Syrup, Jaume Serra Cava), Coronation Street (Beefeater Gin, Mezcal, Lemon Juice, Agave Nectar, Parsley) and Bermuda Triangle (Old Grand-Dad Bourbon, Gosling’s Dark Rum, Mezcal, Maple, Coffee and Cacao Bitters), which will join already popular Taco Bar favourites such as the Michelada, Caesar and Margarita. A number of non-alcoholic options are also available, including Ginger Beer with house-pressed ginger, an Elderflower Collins and Cold Brew Coffee.
Diakow has also introduced a trio of tequila and mezcal Spirit Flights with accompanying orange and sal de gusano — a traditional Oaxacan spice made from sea salt, toasted and ground agave worms and dried chile costeño — all presented on handcrafted wooden flight paddles custom designed by Vancouver bartender and woodworker Sean Hewlett.
Starting today, Taco Bar’s new Happy Hour menu runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and will feature specials on classic cocktails like the Batanga ($8) and Caipirinha ($8), and a daily Featured Cocktail ($7) from the bartending team, as well as rotating beer selections on tap ($5) and glasses of red and white wine ($5). Alongside the happy hour drinks, a variety of share plates, including Veracruz Vegetables ($6), Queso and Cannellini Bocoles ($6), Chili Salt Wings ($6), Fish or Pork Al Pastor Tacos (two for $10) and Nachos ($11), will be offered throughout the restaurant’s 80-seat dining room and 20-seat bar.
“I’m thrilled to join the Tacofino family in Gastown,” says Diakow. “It’s a fun environment with a supportive team and I’m looking forward to expanding our ever-changing selection of handcrafted cocktails as well as introducing our guests to a whole new range of tequila and mezcal-driven spirit flights.”
For more information on Taco Bar or to stay up to date on the latest developments, go to www.tacofino.com/gastown, become a fan of Tacofino Vancouver on Facebook or follow @TacofinoVAN on Twitter and @tacofinovancouver on Instagram. Julia Diakow may also be found on Twitter at @JDiakow and Instagram @JuliaDiakow.
DETAILS
TACO BAR
Blood Alley Square | Vancouver, BC | 604-899-7907
SUN – WED | 11:30 A – 10 P
THU – SAT | 11:30 A – MIDNIGHT
BURRITO BAR
15 West Cordova St. | Vancouver, BC
SUN – WED | 11 A – 10 P
THU – SAT | 11 A – MIDNIGHT
COMMISSARY
2327 East Hastings Street | Vancouver, BC | 604-253-TACO (8226)
MON – THU | 5 P – 10 P
FRI – SAT | 5 P – 11 P | Closed SUN
Web: www.tacofino.com | Vancouver Twitter | Tofino Twitter
GALLERY
THE PEOPLE
Jason Sussman, Owner, Executive Chef
Kaeli Robinson, Owner
Ryan Spong, Owner
Christine De Young, Chef de Cuisine
About Tacofino
Tacofino was born out of a desire to create a unique dining experience by offering quality, freshness and affordability with an environmental and nutritional conscience. Fast “slow” food is a concept that really appeals to us, so we make everything from scratch and with love, but without the wait. Our menu is inspired by our world travels, taking the Baja-style taco to another level. Our truck has been a phenomenon in Tofino; it is vibrant, bright orange, with local artist Lee Robinsong’s painting of the Virgin de Guadalupe holding a taco. It is an homage to the birthplace of the taco, Mexico and Baja California. We now have trucks in Vancouver and Victoria as well; and most recently, two new restaurants in Vancouver, one on East Hastings and one in Gastown.