SHAW: Espita Mezcaleria Debuts Weekday Lunch And Weekend Brunch

Master Mezcalier Josh Phillips is pleased to announce the debut of lunch and brunch service at Espita Mezcaleria, the Southern Mexican-inspired restaurant located in the Shaw.  Lunch debuted Monday, April 18^th and is available Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the 100-seat restaurant. Weekend brunch will kickoff on Saturday, April 23^rd, and will be served Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

Executive Chef Alexis Samayoa's new lunch menu features a collection of sopes, ensaladas, tacos and ceviches that can be found on the dinner menu, along with a selection of tortas, served on a brioche roll from Lyon Bakery.  Standouts include the Milanesa, crispy chicken, shredded cabbage, chipotle mayo and cilantro; Hamburguesa, short rib, green chorizo, rajas, queso Oaxaca, lime mayo and salsa roja, as well as Fried Fish, tilapia, lime mayo, onions and green cabbage.  Lunch items are priced from $3 to $23 each.

 

Also available during lunch are two Precio Fijo, or “Fixed Price” specials for those who need to eat quickly before heading back to the office.  The Numero 4: Hamburguesa Torta and Yuca Fritais priced at $17 and the Random Taco Combo: Two Tilapia Tacos and a Green Kale Salad with candied walnuts, queso fresco, chile pasilla and agave vinaigrette is available for $18.

Then for brunch, guests can anticipate classic American staples along with dishes influenced by Southern Mexico.  Menu highlights include the Chilango, potato hash, slow poached eggs, chorizo and salsa verde; Chilaquiles, tortilla squares smothered in salsa roja and topped with eggs over easy, queso freso and cilantro; Torrejas, French toast with smoked agave, mezcal-infused bananas; Biscuits & Eggs, jalapeno Chihuahua biscuits with slow poached eggs and árbol hollandaise; Omelettes, choice of maitake mushroom (scallions, cilantro and red onion),ranchera (Serrano ham and salsa ranchera) or queso Chihuahua (beet sprouts and queso fresco); Tortas de Huevos, baked eggs with a choice chorizo y papa, black kale y creminis or papas and queso Chihuahua.  House-made taco choices include the Skirt Steak with salsa baga and cilantro; Chicken with red bell pepper sofrito; Grilled Tilapia with pickled carrot, cabbage slaw and chipotle mayo, and the Maitake Mushroom with salsa borracha and pickled white onion.

The brunch menu at Espita Mezcaleria also includes Guacamole Clasico with avocado, jalapeño, onion and cilantro, along with seven salsas that incorporate fresh chilies sourced locally, and dried chilies imported from Mexico.  Standouts include Pistachio with roasted tomatillo, Serrano, sherry and mint, Roja with guajillo, roasted tomato, onion and garlic, Verde Asado with roasted tomatillo, onion, garlic and Serrano, Macha with peanut, roasted tomato, ancho and arbol, Chipotle Tomatillo with moritas, onion and garlic, Borracha with mezcal, roasted tomatillo and moritas as well as Yellow Habanero with citrus, onion and garlic.  Guacamole is priced at $10, and salsas are priced at $3 each.  Both will be accompanied with chips made from fresh tortillas.

Also available are a selection of American brunch classics such as Fruit Salad, seasonal fruit, mint and guajillo oil, and Yogurt Parfait, pepitas, coconut and Piloncillo granola.  Sides include Arroz Rojo; Bacon; Shishitos; Frijoles Negro, and Extra Tortillas.  Brunch items range in price from $2 to $23.

For the perfect beverage pairing at Espita Mezcaleria, brunch-goers can enjoy an expansive, rotating selection of mezcals featuring many varietals and styles.  Over 100 are available in one or two-ounce pours, a six-ounce carafe to share, as a choice of flights, or highlighted in the nine cocktails on the list.  A selection of brunch cocktails will also be available and include standouts such as Misa del Gallo, tequila, grapefruit, honey and sparkling rosé; Guadalupe, house-made bloody mary mix and mezcal; Que Onda, mezcal, aged rum, cold brew coffee and lemon, as well as non-alocoholic cocktails such as the Jamaica Agua Fresca with hibiscus, lime and raw agave.  Non-alcoholic libations are priced at $3 each, and alcoholic concoctions are priced from $12-13 each.

Espita Mezcaleria is located at 1250 9th Street, NW