El Nivel is the latest of Tomas Estes's Pacifico Group (Cafe Pacifico, La Perla). Tomas began his career as a restaurateur in Amsterdam in 1976, and since then has gone on to open 17 Mexican bars and restaurants across Europe and in Australia. In recognition of his work promoting and raising awareness and education on the tequila category over the past four decades, Tomas has been awarded the title of official Tequila Ambassador for Europe by the CNIT, the Mexican National Tequila Industry Chamber.
Tomas Estes
His concept was to create a high-end bar dedicated to agave spirits, primarily Mezcal and Tequila, but also showcasing lesser-known Mexican spirits like Bacanora, Sotol, and Raicilla. The idea to launch El Nivel started off as a way to use the space in the floor above La Perla Maiden Lane in Covent Garden. Tomas wanted to create a laid-back, intimate bar specialising in rare, unique and unusual agave spirits and innovative Mexican tasting plates. The food menu consists of a carefully tailored selection of small plates, perfect to accompany a good sipping tequila or long cocktail alike.
The bar is named El Nivel as an homage to the first licensed cantina (drinking establishment) in Mexico (opened 1855 with license no. 001), now unfortunately closed. It was named El Nivel (the level) because the building also acted as the water level measure during the city’s floods. Che Gueverra and Fidel Castro were also known to hang out and drink in the cantina while they were in Mexico City plotting the Cuban Revolution. El Nivel also refers to the next level up, both physically (first floor) as well as in terms of quality.Tomas explains that his inspiration behind his 18th bar was to create the most exalted place in London to drink agave spirits. He has been collecting rare and one-of-a-kind tequilas, mezcals and raicillas for years to stock in this bar. Special bottles from the private collection of Julio Bermejo will also be featured, including many vintage tequilas. Craft cocktails will focus on agave spirits with innovative twists. Tomas describes this concept as an Agaveria, being that it features all categories of agave spirits: tequila and mezcal, and also their lesser known siblings bacanora, raicilla, and sotol. All categories will be represented by rare and unique bottlings not normally available.
From the kitchen, the bar will serve small plates to compliment the drinks. These will be a fusion of what Tomas has seen from bars and restaurants from around the world. The menu will be created by Eamonn Mullen, Cordon Blue trained chef with over 35 years experience creating Mexican and Latin fusion dishes. There will be a small cocktail list, drawn up by Bar Manager Massimiliano Favaretto, comprised of mixed drinks made exclusively with agave spirits, although all classics will be available.
The décor is Latin retro with all original pieces of art on the walls. The ambience will be relaxed and low key with the emphasis on high quality products and good service without pretense. Specifically, the concept is rooted in Mexico in the late 30’s early 40’s. The bar has taken some influence from Malcolm Lowry's Under the Volcano, in which the English Consul drinks his way through far too many bottles of mezcal and tequila, ultimately drinking himself to death under the volcano Popocatepetl. The décor will also have some film noir overtones.We hope to open our doors the second week in April and look forward to seeing you all there!
Sign up here to be invited to the opening or email us at info@elnivel.co.uk for more info.
More info on the original El Nivel Mexico City here: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/feb/18/mexico
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