What had been Little Drunken Chef is now Drunken Taco Bar. The White Plains spot, which opens July 17, is under new ownership with a modern Mexican menu, refreshed interior and a vibe that blends Miami energy with New York style.
Despite the “taco” in its name, owners Carlos Garcia and Fredy Duarte stress their place is more than tacos.
“It’s meant to be about sharing,” said Garcia. That means an assortment of small and large plates including fusion items you don’t often find in a Mexican restaurant, such as pork osso buco, a pulled pork burger and Maduro lasagna with light pomodoro sauce, sweet plantains and melted mozzarella cheese. Other items include rice bowls, soups, salads, quesadillas, wraps, wings, fried calamari and empanadas in chicken and birria versions.
Of course, there are also taco platters with choices that span the gamut from fish to cauliflower and falafel.
A first-time venture for restaurant owners
Garcia and Duarte met through the restaurant business years ago, but Drunken Taco Bar marks the first place they’ve owned together. Duarte, who previously ran an eatery in Norwalk, CT, has more than 15 years of industry experience, while Garcia, who owned a small Italian spot in Poughkeepsie, has spent more than two decades in kitchens.
Garcia, a Guatemala native, said his restaurant career began at 17, when he landed a job as a dishwasher. From there, he worked his way onto the line, learning the ins and outs of the kitchen while cooking everything from Italian to French, Mexican, Indian and American. His dream of owning a restaurant first became a reality with Capperi, his Poughkeepsie eatery, but Garcia said his goal was something bigger. So when he heard Little Drunken Chef closed, he saw an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
While the layout of the bi-level space is the same, the two business partners have refreshed it by adding colorful lights, hanging greenery and assorted pink neon signs with wordage like “I didn’t text you, tequila did” and “hello, gorgeous.” The doors that previously existed on the walls under Little Drunken Chef’s tenure are still there, albeit with moss now between them. And there’s some new furniture on the second floor, which overlooks the first level and is designed to be more loungey with sofas, tables and chairs. (There’s also an additional bar here.)
Also new: a mural from artist William Panama near the entrance that puts a Mexican spin on Marilyn Monroe. The image features a cup runneth over martini glass and signage that reads “You’re the tequila to my margarita.”
Offering inventive cocktails is important to Garcia and Duarte as their goal is to create a place where diners can relax and have a good time. Margarita flavors, in both frozen and on the rocks versions, include mango, coconut, cucumber, strawberry, pineapple and passion fruit. There’s also a jumbo option known as “La Bichota,” along with an impressive margarita tower.
Other drinks include Don Cadillac (Reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, agave and triple sec), Strawberries & Cream (Blanco tequila, strawberry, coconut cream, lime juice, agave, triple sec and coconut rim), My Baby Pepinada (cucumber, jalapeño tequila, lime juice, agave and Tajin rim) and either red or white sangria served with a popsicle.
Mocktails, draft and bottled beers, wine and cocktails such as an espresso martini, Hugo Spritz and Mexican pineapple mule can also be found on the drinks menu that encourages guests to tell their server their favorite. The restaurant also carries Mexican coke and Jarritos, the latter of which are displayed in multicolor glory behind the bar.
If you go
Address: 91 Mamaroneck Ave., 914-358-5918
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays; to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Prices: $10 to $16 for small plates; $17 to $19 for taco platters; $20 to $24 for rice bowls; in the $25 range for large plates.
Good to know: The second floor accommodates up to 45 and can be used for both private and large parties.
FYI: Brunch menus (with unlimited mimosas) and Happy Hour to come.
Hungry for more news?
Sign up for my free weekly newsletter, which often includes behind-the-scenes info I don’t always share in my stories at profile.lohud.com/newsletters/manage.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New Westchester restaurant blends Miami energy with New York style
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
