Mates on Crates Feat. Tara Davies & Erick Vazquez
G’day,
Those in the know, know where to go.
We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates, featuring Tara Davies and Erick Vazquez, Co-Owners at Chupito in Vancouver, BC. Chupito is a neighbourhood Mexican bar inspired by Sinaloa, built around the warm, communal feeling of gathering in a friend’s backyard. The original alley-side patio earned three consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand distinctions with a food program created in a shipping-container kitchen. Now operating from its Yukon Street home, Chupito pairs its indoor dining room with the return of a walk-in back patio, where guests can expect charcoal-grilled dishes, seasonal ingredients and a thoughtful low-waste drink program with equally considered zero-proof options. Tara and Erick are long-time hospitality professionals and award-winning bartenders who have known each other for around sixteen years and been partners for four. Erick’s Mexico City roots and their shared love of Mexican food, hospitality and culture shape everything from the menu to the sense of community they create in the room. It was a pleasure to sit down with Tara and Erick to chat about the return of the Chupito patio, Chef Maria Ponce’s evolving food program, the influence of Mexico City, the culture of sobremesa, their low-waste and zero-proof approach, and all of Tara and Erick’s favourite spots.
Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.
What to get at Chupito
Tara:
Favourite: Tostada de Pulpo, made with sous-vide octopus and a green salsa macha (think: Mexican pesto).
Pairing: A zero-proof highball built around seasonal fruit and herbs, in keeping with Chupito’s patio program.
Erick
Favourite: Carne Asada, featuring Australian Wagyu served with flour-tortilla quesadillas and salsa.
Pairing: A zero-proof michelada-style pour to complement the smoky, charcoal-grilled beef.
Cocktail: Stems
Snack: Gilda
The FULL LIST of Tara and Erick’s Local Favourites:
Tara:
Cocktail Bar: Bar Supernova
Churros (Local): La Taquería
Dying to Try: Nui
Hidden Gem: Mercado Panadería
Last Meal That Blew Them Away: Niwa
Mexico City Bar: Bar Mauro
Mexico City Restaurant: Baldío
Mexico City Food District: La Roma
Erick:
Cocktail Bar: June
Churros (Mexico): Churrería El Moro
Dying to Try: Nui
Hidden Gem: Mercado Panadería
Last Meal That Blew Them Away: DD Mau
Mexico City Bar: Bar Mauro
Mexico City Restaurant: Baldio
Mexico City Food District: Centro Histórico
Thanks for joining us, Tara & Erick!
Watch Tara & Erick’s full Mates on Crates Episode below.
