#ochotequila

Coming up on April 7th is another exciting and enticing Tequila Dinner here at The Patio on Goldfinch with Chinaco Tequila. One of our favorite things is to create innovative menu pairings with one of our favorite spirits. In fact, we love Tequila so much that we have our own Catador here at the restaurant. Chris Simmons, our general manager and resident tequila expert, not only curates a list of over 100 tequilas and agave based spirits here at The Patio, but he also developed and oversees the Tequila Ocho Project. This exciting program is something that Chris cooked up in his valiant quest to reintroduce Tequila as more than a margarita base. By aging Tequila Ocho Blanco in 5-liter American Oak barrels, Chris is able to create a truly unique spirit. We age the tequila in these Oak barrels for either 14 days, 28 days or 42 days, deepening the flavor while imparting notes from the individual barrels. When serving this specially aged Tequila at the restaurant, we pair each style with Ocho’s Respado, Anejo and Extra Anejo, respectively. By pairing our aged Tequila with a refined, aged, counterpart from Ocho, we hope to provide an exciting tasting experience for our patrons.  

Another way that Tequila lovers can enjoy themselves with their favorite spirit is by attending out Chinaco Tequila dinner coming up soon. Chinaco Tequila, in the Tamaulipas region of Mexico, is rich in history. Started in 1977, this distillery came into being after a man named Guillermo Gonzalez grew agave plants that were contracted to be purchased by a distillery in Jalesco, at the time, the only state allowed to produce Tequila. When the buyer reneged on their agreement, Gonzalez fought the Mexican government to change the laws defining the regions allowed to produce Tequila.  After winning the right for Tamaulipas to produce Tequila, Gonzalez created Chinaco Tequila and began another journey into the world of distilleries and spirits. However, he didn’t stop there, and in 1983, Chinaco became the first 100% agave Tequila distributed in the United States. Up until this point, the Tequila consumed here in the U.S. was a watered-down version of today’s premium Tequilas, with added sugar. So, the next time you are enjoying a nice Tequila you should give a little thanks to Guillermo Gonzalez for his pioneering efforts that allow us all to enjoy the fine Tequilas we do, today.

What makes Chinaco Tequila special is the very fact that their agave plants are grown in somewhat different conditions compared to the agave plants grown in Jalisco. Much like wine, the taste of Tequila has a lot to do with the weather conditions and soil that the agave plant was grown in.  In fact, Tequilas from this region are known for their spicy, herbal qualities, while also maintaining acidity.

We are delighted to be pairing five scrumptious courses with five Chinaco Tequilas coming up on April 7th.  Take a look at the menu below, and take special note of exciting and unique food pairings that we have worked to provide for diners. We want to move away from the idea of only pairing Mexican fare and although you will see that influence throughout the menu, you will also experience a wide variety of tastes and styles during this dinner.

Chinaco Tequila Dinner Menu

amuse bouche pacific northwest oyster with raspberry mignonette shallot - cucumber - champagne vinegar blanco first course assorted stuffed peppers duck confit - ahi tuna - street corn reposado second course porketta dried fruit - pine nut - charred carrot anejo third course braised beef cheek salted celery root - preserved meyer lemon - chicharon reposado dessert vanilla infused tapioca custard fresh seasonal berries - strawberry coulis extra anejo

This dinner does have limited seating and it has sold out in the past so get your tickets today to this exciting culinary experience! Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1391940

For more info on Chinaco Tequila please go to:

http://www.chinacotequila.com/landing.php?p=home

For more info on Ocho Tequila please go to: