There are more taquerias on Kingsland High Street than there are smelly butchers on Ridley Road Market. This unexplained multitude of Mexican restaurants on the road (within 10 minutes walking distance from the Junction in both directions) is perhaps the result of a gentrified neighbourhood looking for excitement in the dining sphere. But the over-tacoification often comes with a lack of flavour and an abundance of 'concept'; produce and technique that don’t recreate original tastes and decor that mimics Mexican culture to a level of accuracy similar to Speedy Gonzalez. Yet among the eight Mexican joints, I can think of off the top of my head, there is one that feels less like a gimmicky recreation of culture and more like Mexicans trying to do wonders in a hole-in-the-wall: Corrochio’s.<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/11/2/1671525749988.jpeg" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" width="550" ratio="1.00" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"><h4 fr-original-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Aguachile, a weekly special</h4><hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;">As a taqueria and cocktail bar, Corrochio’s is for casual nights that are special. Maybe for a slightly romantic weekday date or a dinner with friends. The cute and sometimes cheeky messages on the marquee lead the way to the underground bar, akin to entering a pyramid if the tomb belonged to a hipster Aztec emperor.In the dimly lit, lively lounge there are a handful of tables surrounded by vividly decorated walls. Not cheesy enough to have Frida Kahlo paintings but with an appropriate amount of Dia de Los Muertos flair. The number of ornaments has the necessary attention-grabbing quality, pizzazz if you will, to fill the silence during dinner. Interesting enough for the uninterested guest to look around and find something to ogle at while the overly interested one tries to establish extended eye contact after the second marg. The menu fits this dynamic perfectly too, as it is approachable enough for the newly initiated Mexican tastes but also lists regional and niche dishes to keep a level of gastronomic excitement.<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/11/2/1671525526611.jpeg" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" width="550" ratio="0.91" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"><h4 fr-original-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Cornholio, a muddled corn-based cloudy margarita </h4><hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;">What to eat/drink: Go here for the tacos and then regret not trying the more regional and less mainstream dishes. It feels to me like the Mexican chefs in the kitchen occasionally miss a dish from their home and include it in the menu for a bit. The safe options are the Gobernador tacos with shrimp, the lengua (tongue) tacos or whatever birria they have. The vegan and vegetarian options here are also much better than any other taqueria I have tried in London, probably thanks to their salsas [mostly cruda (hangover illnesses caused by a previous bout of heavy drinking), as it should be] &nbsp;and the overcomplicated mole dressings. Another nod-earner is the hefty guacamole and chips starter, which by the laws of space and time should not be this good in London, as any North American would attest.The cocktails here are proud to be on the spicy to salty spectrum, with even Clamato micheladas making appearances. The margs and mezcalitas pack the perfect fresh punch for fatty and drippy tacos but my favourite so far is the sweetly unique cornholio, a muddled corn-based cloudy margarita with a tajin rim (of course).And then some:&nbsp;This autumn Corrochio’s also extended to their neighbouring lounge (where Ruby’s used to be) and opened a bar: Cantina. It’s not the most popular yet, the queue outside is not comparable to other dance joints in Dalston, which makes it perfect. More importantly, they serve tacos. Music goes on until 2:00 a.m., with the rare sighting of Mariachi bands.Where:&nbsp;76 Stoke Newington Rd, N16 7XBWhen:&nbsp;Great for weekday nights. Booking is recommended, especially for weekends. Taco Tuesdays are also worth going to with 4 small tacos and a decent margarita at £16, among other deals.

Aposto London

An underground taqueria with pizzazz, now with a dancefloor.

Under the marquee, a true Mexican:  Corrochio’s

<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"> ID </h2>My nickname is: Kevin is just fine, if I’m lazy making a reservation over the phone in Istanbul I’ll use the name Kerem to avoid spelling out Kevin.My last cocktail was: A picante of course, at Soho House.I’ve eaten most recently: I had some çöp şiş&nbsp;from Canım Ciğerim in Asmalı Mescit.I have been busy lately: Doing the interview right now on a boat from Capri to Napoli, where I came to create cocktails for the art fair NOMAD. Before this, I hosted a dinner and cocktail pairing in Cappadocia for the music festival Echoes from Agartha, which was fantastic.I live in:&nbsp;Çukurcuma, my favorite slice of the city.I think I am from: the Mediterranean. In my past life, I was running a wine bar in the Mediterranean. I’m most relaxed when I’m by the sea.<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">SHOOT THE BREEZE</h2>You are familiar with Istanbul after almost a decade of living here. How have you experienced city life throughout this period, can you give us your observations as an Istanbulite?I think Istanbul is always changing, some can argue that it’s changing for the worse, but there are always some constants in the city that make it feel like home. I’ve been in the city a long time and grew up here, and grew up with Istanbul as well, so I’m happy to adapt to the city that has always been so welcoming to me.Working in Istanbul has been one of my biggest advantages since I interact with so many Turkish people in the hospitality industry. I can always get advice on where to eat and drink, and I can connect with the best chefs, bartenders, wine-makers, and food historians when it comes to creating new cocktails or planning new events. That network that I have grown over time has made the city feel much smaller, more familiar, and fortunately less chaotic.You are well informed about the cocktail &amp; food culture in the city and the changes taking place around it. In one of your GQ Türkiye pieces, you dwelled on this subject and argued that Covid-19 has radically shaped and transformed Istanbul's f&amp;b culture. How do you foresee its future?Unfortunately, I don’t see much hope in the near future. I think a combination of the pandemic as well as the economic fallout, has pushed people away from investing in the hospitality industry. Young chefs will find it harder to open their restaurants, and promising bartenders will struggle to make the leap from mixologist to bar owner since Istanbul’s bureaucracy does not favor the cocktail industry. Of course with tourism, larger hospitality groups and hotels will continue to pop up across the city, such as Galata Port, the most recent one. But I’m not a huge fan of these places. I think talented young chefs and bartenders would prefer to work abroad and unfortunately, that will drain the food culture and identity of the city for a long time.Speaking of the future, what do you think about the MICHELIN Guide’s arrival in Istanbul? How will it effect the bar scene in Istanbul?I’ve rarely met someone who would list a Michelin-starred restaurant as their favorite restaurant. I think it’s cool the guide is coming to Turkey and that chefs who have worked hard in the fine dining sector will achieve some deserved recognition, but otherwise, I’m quite indifferent. I don’t think Michelin is particularly interested in cocktails or bars, and I like it that way. Rather than being for the elites, I prefer cocktail bars in Istanbul that remain for the people of the city.

Aposto Istanbul

Ages ago, maybe you met Kevin in his cocktail bar, Külhanbeyi or you've heard that name somewhere. No matter what, let's meet Kevin Patnode, again or for the first time. 

Kevin Patnode

Istanbul is known for many things: its cultural heritage and history, the Bosphorus, various restaurants, emerging museums, mansions and palaces, but not for its cocktail bar scene. However, it’s now time to put our heads together and seek out the cocktail bars of Istanbul. Thank you, Kevin.&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/geyikcoffeeroastery/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Geyik</a>:&nbsp;Geyik&nbsp;has long been my favorite place to go and have a cocktail before heading home, the staff is always lovely and they do some of the best classic cocktails in town.</li></ul>Take down the address:&nbsp;Kılıç Ali Paşa Mahallesi Akarsu Yokuşu Sokak No:22, Cihangir&nbsp;Try this: Ask for the sourest cocktail<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/sohohouseistanbul/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Soho House Istanbul</a>: I think the bar team at Soho House is also great, and I love having a Martini at the bar there, with the stunning frescoes painted overhead.</li></ul>Take down the address:&nbsp;Evliya Çelebi Mahallesi Meşrutiyet Caddesi No:56, PeraTry this: Martini or Picante<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/kaiabebek/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Kaia Bebek</a>: It’s just a great place to let loose, enjoy a cocktail, and dance the night away. A rare find.</li></ul>Take down the address:&nbsp;Bebek Mahallesi Küçük Bebek Caddesi, BeşiktaşTry this: Whiskey Sour with sumac&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.hello-ic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Inspired Choice:</a> I love the bitters and cocktail cordials from Inspired Choice in Nisantasi, they make some great products and cocktail kits for cocktail enthusiasts.</li></ul>Take down the address: Teşvikiye Mahallesi Deryadil Sokak No:71/A, NişantaşıTry this: Bitter seriesAnd lastly, some tips on the local spices, liqueurs, and pairings from Kevin:&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Rakı cocktails are really fantastic, I always recommend people try them in sour cocktails with fruit. The anise is a little more subtle and really refreshing.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">A sumac, Urfa chili flake, and sea salt mix for a margarita rim is seriously delicious, like a Turkish version of the famous Tajin spice mix from Mexico.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I often use&nbsp;jams and marmalades for cocktail syrups, which can easily be found anywhere in the city.</li></ul>

Here it is: Kevin Patnode’s favorite local bars and tips for the best pairings of liqueurs and local spices.

Refreshing & unexpected: Cocktail bars 

5- Italian cuisine tasting: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.biletix.com/etkinlik/1KK29/TURKIYE/en" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Dolce Far Niente, Italian Aperitivo</a><ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">What is it? Aperitivo. A brief introduction to some Italian appetizers with DJ performances.</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Where? Eataly Bosphorus Terrace</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">When?&nbsp;July 13, &nbsp;5.30 PM&nbsp;</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Why should you go?&nbsp;Isn't Italian cuisine introduced with limitless delicious appetizers is sufficient?</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Duly noted: You get to drink one cocktail per ticket as well.</li></ul>

cocktail ile ilgili hikayeler