Photos: Steven Woodburn
Esteban – 1 Temperance Lane, Sydney
This one is a new Sydney restaurant, tequila and mezcal bar and taqueria that launched in the heart of the CBD in October. It’s from the team behind Paddington’s Tequila Mockingbird, and most recently, pop-up venue Tequila on York. Esteban will take up permanent residence in the same venue which housed Tequila on York with the main entrance on Temperance lane.
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From street vendor-inspired bites to large asado share plates, Esteban will deliver an innovative dining menu showcasing authentic Mexican dishes, designed to be enjoyed across the split-level venue, which includes an upper-tier restaurant, basement taqueria and tequila and mezcal bar and alfresco seating in the outdoor licensed laneway, open until midnight.
The building, formerly an old printing shop, reflects its heritage with exposed sandstone walls, towering archways, and timber beams. Sydney architects Humphrey & Edwards (Barangaroo House) took cues from the high-end art deco era of the 1930s and underground basement bars of Mexico City to create extraordinary drinking and dining spaces split across the venue’s two levels.
Downstairs, the 65-seater subterranean taqueria, tequila and mezcal bar features booths and banquette seating where raw elements, such as the natural granite bar top and custom timber mezcal and tequila cabinets, are balanced by warm leathers and feature lighting. Here, a secondary, street-food style menu will be available wih a range of street-style dishes such as tacos, ceviche and tortas as well as Esteban’s signature Margarita flight featuring 3 mini Margarita-style cocktails paired with 3 signature tacos
Behind the bar, Mark Crawford brings with him 15 plus years of experience. Crawford and his team will offer an expertly crafted menu of signature cocktails spiked with house-made infusion, as well as premium tequila flights, and a dynamic selection of New and Old-World wines.