While Toronto is no stranger to stellar patios and drool-worthy pop-ups, The Oasis Rooftop Patio at Wayne Gretzky’s Sports Bar has won the summer draft! The new Taqueria pop-up by celeb chef Andres Marquez promises a game-changing menu of authentic Mexican eats. Can you say Arriba?!
With restaurants like Fonda Lola and Milagro under his belt, Chef Andres Marquez is no stranger to creating delicious eats and the Taqueria is right on cue. As Marquez puts it, the pop-up is “a roller coaster of textures, flavours, and emotions”. Sensory overload in the best way possible.
Menu highlights include loaded up tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, nachos, fajitas and more, all served with choose-your-own Pico de Gallo. Eaters get to pick a tomato component, a citrus, a herb, type of onion and Picante – voila, your very own custom salsa is born.
Following in this fashion, the menu also offers traditional Mexican street eats but with a summer-fresh twist. The Caesar Salad is a hand held taco (no forks allowed) with romaine lettuce as the vessel, topped with roasted garlic avocado dressing and mouth-watering, candied jalapeno bacon. Nachos are made light with fresh queso, ancho salsa, lettuce, pico de gallo, beans puree, and avocado crema.
Mainstays include The Great Juno Taco; plancha caramelized Rib Eye Steak, great Juan tortillas, Mexican slaw and guacamole salsa, the Taco Fish (not to be confused with fish tacos); a lettuce vessel, Mexican slaw, Tequila jalapeno crema and ancho crisps, and the El Taco Pastor; caramelized marinated pork, served with double tortilla, cilantro, onions, pineapple and guacamole salsa.
Even your standard drinks like mojitos and lemonade are kicked up a notch. Normally made with crushed mint, mojitos on the Taqueria menu are made from batches of soaked and strained mint leaves, allowing for a more intense flavour. Not to mention the lengthy list of other thirst-quenching drinks including beer, coolers, wine, cocktails and sangria.
But of course, we can’t forget about what Mexicans do best – tequila! A quick shot in between dishes washes down the gullet nicely as a digestive aid or if you’re feeling frisky, skip the pleasantries and dive right in (shots, shots, shots, shots, everybody shots!). The menu boasts eleven different types of tequila, all made from Agave Tequilana Weber so tasty that at least one is a must.
Drinks and food aside, the Oasis Rooftop Patio is also the perfect summer setting – high top tables are great for small groups, while the plush area with more loungey seating is great for larger groups.
Next time you feel like unwinding with the crew (or revving up), head over to the Oasis Rooftop Patio and indulge a little. Be ready to get your hands dirty and chow down on some killer Mexican street eats, basically summer in a taco shell.
The Taqueria pop-up will be featured at the Oasis Rooftop Patio, located above Wayne Gretzky’s at 99 Blue Jays Way, now until the end of summer.
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What are you most excited to try at the Taqueria on the Oasis Rooftop? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.
