Niagara-on-the-Lake now has an authentic Mexican restaurant — feliz!
I’ll take the Nacho Business food truck tacos in St. Davids any day, but there is nothing like sitting in a cool space drinking an ice cold margarita and ordering tacos, churros and nachos on beautiful pottery style dishes with a vacation worthy playlist in the background.
I’m talking about the Twisted Bar in Virgil, owned by Raul Ojeda and Elizabeth Valencia, who also operate the very successful food truck.
So when a bold, bright, Alex Noya mural was painted outside the former Italian Twisted Vine restaurant people started talking, facebooking and NOTL 4 ALL-ing, I thought “Mexican restaurant in Virgil - could we be so lucky?"
Early press including an article on this very site has made the opening a trending topic for more than two weeks. Add the social media buzz and Twisted Bar will likely be the hottest seat in town when it officially opens for business next week — our waiter told us it was a soft launch that hasn't been soft.
It's tough to open a restaurant in a tourist town. As a business owner you have to ask yourself will I cater to tourists who flock during peak season or locals who could be my bread and butter 365 days a year. Twisted Bar may have the unique formula that can achieve both — week day specials, fair menu pricing and a cool relaxed atmosphere coupled with one of the most popular cuisines on the planet will likely draw locals looking for something different, without the drive to Niagara Falls or St. Catharines. While authentic Mexican cuisine, bold murals and strong word of mouth will likely attract foodie tourists who are known to drive long distances and off the beaten path for an amazing experience, if the food, service and atmosphere deliver they could have a home run right here in our beautiful little town.
So now on to the review — here are some first impressions. Overall, the decor, music and food presentation were excellent. We ordered the fish tacos and they would rival any fish taco I've had at some of my favourite spots in Toronto, including El Catrin, Fonda Balam and Playa Cabana.
The fish offered by Twisted Bar was flaky and lightly battered, which gave it a great textural element. It was topped with a bright fresh slaw, cucumbers and crema with a squeeze of lime on the side, and perfectly placed atop an authentic tortilla. A dash of hot sauce and spritz of lime juice made it a tantalizing bite of food.
Plating was simple and beautiful atop the backdrop of ceramic dishes painted with bright blue curlicues. Stunning. I don’t usually take pictures of my food but this was photo worthy (albeit part of the job).
You always start with a taco — if a Mexican restaurant can execute a great taco you know everything else will be amazing. It sounds simple and obvious, dare I say easy but it isn’t. The ratios are important, as is heat level, protein quality and tortilla. This taco was a winner!
A tortilla soup and grilled vegetable salad rounded out the perfect meal.
To drink I ordered a margarita, because a taco will always taste better with an ice cold tequila-based beverage or Mexican beer. They have both, and some local Niagara wines for good measure — well done! Glassware choices were fantastic. Traditional long-stemmed stepped coupe for the blender margarita, double high ball for the rocks version.It’s all in the details and they’ve considered everything.
I’ll end with service, as it’s sometimes the hardest thing to get right in the restaurant biz, but one of the most important. So far they’re nailing it. Staff were friendly, attentive and efficient.
A soft launch requires patience on the part of the customer. One has to understand that it’s meant to iron out the kinks. There may well have been some on this day, but you wouldn’t have known it. A wonderful cohesive team executed a delightfully, delicious dining experience.
I wish them the best of luck. Our town needs this place. Our town will love them. Will I be back to try more? Yes (churros and birria have my name on them!).
Will I share my honest impressions with you? Always.
