new in town
LA SALA TEQUILA CANTINA
A modern Latin kitchen debuts in Scottsdale BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
T
he Shops at Gainey Village in Scottsdale just got another neighbor. Fresh off the heels of The Living Room Wine Café & Lounge opening in the popular central Scottsdale shopping center, La Sala Tequila Cantina debuted right next door in recent months. “La Sala is an intimate, 50-seat cantina next to its cool and convivial sister, The Living Room. The two concepts share an open-air kitchen and offer interior access back and forth between our two venues,” says Tom Kaufman, co-owner of the La Sala Family of Restaurants, which includes Humble Pie, La Sala, The Living Room, Rock Lobster and Chop. Local foodies will appreciate the authentic, from-scratch recipes and the modern take on classic Latin fare, not to mention the ability to order from The Living Room menu, and vice versa, if something piques their interest. The menu boasts mesquite-grilled flavors of Mexico and Latin America, such as carne asada, carnitas, shrimp ceviche and rock shrimp, and each item is designed to accompany their awardwinning margaritas and tequila/mezcal cocktails, $12 each or $8 each during happy hour. Some of the cocktail favorites include: Cinful Pineapple: Maestro Dobel Reposado Tequila SO SCOTTSDALE! |
combined with lime juice and fresh-made pineapple syrup infused with cinnamon. Michocan: Vida Mezcal and Gran Gala Orange Liqueur with a raspberry gastrique and topped with prosecco. Oaxan Old Fashioned: Corralejo Anejo Tequila and El Silencio Mezcal paired with agave nectar and mole bitters. The bar also offers more than 65 tequilas, six mezcals, four dessert tequilas, and two dozen wines by the glass and bottle as well as a dozen beers, both domestic and international. “And don’t skip dessert,” says Kaufman, noting the homemade churros with powdered sugar, dulce de leche sauce and hot chocolate sauce are not to be missed. La Sala Tequila Cantina is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Brunch is offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the weekends and happy hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, featuring drinks from $3 to $7 and deep discounts on starters including street corn, nachos and green chili stew. La Sala Tequila Cantina, 8977 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.656.7628; www.lasalacantina.com.
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| MAY 2017