A Review: El Rey Mezcal Bar, Kensington Market
this screenshot was taken in a different time zone.
mez·cal
: a traditional Mexican alcoholic beverage distilled from the agave plant.
I read the message and heard a tiny whisper, "be late."
I arrived at 7:10 PM after a short walk. He stood up to greet me and offered up the bench seat, my favourite, before taking a seat opposite me. I took off my black puffer jacket and adjusted the sheer cream-coloured turtleneck sweater I had paired with high-waisted black mom jeans, a western inspired belt and black ankle boots and surveyed my surroundings. He was dressed in a pink? G-Star RAW hoodie and a grey? skater hat. We were seated in a room to the left of the dimly lit bar, the all wood decor providing a warm, cozy vibe. I commented that the only thing missing was a fireplace although there was no room for it. He agreed.
His margarita arrived and I ordered the Kim K, a house cocktail. $18, mezcal, toasted coconut, campari, yellow chartreuse, vanilla, passionfruit, lime, 2oz. “It’s a blended drink.” the waitress warned. She had a sweet and friendly disposition. I hesitated for a second, and then “sure, I’ll try it.”
There were only a few other patrons in our section. We launched into intimate conversation. It felt easy and natural. The waitress arrived with my drink, a tropical blend, served in a delicate long stemmed glass with a straw and an edible orchid garnish. I soon discovered it tasted as good as it looked.
Two hours later, the spell was broken and I emerged from the little bubble we has created to get to know each other. He paid for his two margaritas and my Kim K.
He complimented my belt and my style as I walked through the door he held opened. Outside, I said, “that went well, don’t you think?” He looked awkward, and then, “you really had no hope in this huh?” We hugged and then, “let’s definitely keep talking.” We walked in opposite directions. I turned back after a few steps to retrieve the studded black leather gloves I has left at the bar by accident in typical Tipora fashion. Our waitress helped me look. I found them under the bench I had been sitting at.
“Wow, you’re a very lucky girl,” she commented as I walked through the door for the second time and into the cold night, warm inside from my time at El Rey Mezcal Bar, Kensington Market, Toronto.
The Kim K, 18
mezcal, toasted coconut, campari, yellow chartreuse, vanilla, passionfruit, lime, 2oz
Photo: El Rey Mezcal Bar
