Native Tongues Taqueria
Zanahorias – Grilled Alberta Carrots, Agave Butter Crema, Queso, Cilantro
Calabaza Tostada – Shaved Zucchini, Sesame, Whipped Queso, Salsa Macha, Tomatoes
Tacos de Guisado – Suadero, Chorizo Rojo con Papas, Pollo Adobo, Hongos con Kale with White Onion and Cilantro, Salsa Verde, Salsa Roja
Donas – Glazed and Made In-House Daily
Alfajores – Shortbread Cookie, Dulce de Leche, Coconut
Finding Canada oddly intrigued by the cuisine of Mexico, the two nations separated by nearly 2,300 miles of United States, one could not help but be curious about the strongly positive reviews of Native Tongues Taqueria, the open kitchen looking quite Caucasian during an afternoon visit but the owners doing an admirable job of replicating the feel of similar modern concepts in Los Angeles and elsewhere.
Focusing squarely on Mexican Street Food and a lively atmosphere, the space still packed by a lingering lunch crowd at 1:30pm, it was from a hurried middle-age woman that the menu was explained with a focus on portion sizes, a daily special of Mole Chicken Thighs that sounded excellent only heard of later when it was described to a neighboring table, long after I’d already received the bulk of my plates.
Divided into Antojitos, individual Tacos and family-style Al Carbon presentations along with Tostadas, Desserts, Cocktails and Beer, it was after considerable perusal that tough choices were made to focus on variety, a total of eight items requested as the kitchen worked with quiet fervor.
Served in three courses, though one and two did overlap some, first bites from Native Tongues came by way of Vegetarian-friendly plates of grilled Carrots lightly topped in sweet butter and fresh Cheese alongside an elegant fried Tortilla topped in razor-thin Zucchini slices with an airy Cheese not unlike Mascarpone that helped to balance the smoke and fire from a thick salsa made almost entirely of dried Chiles.
Drinking plenty of water with this meal, though no heartburn or adverse effects were noted later, it was as I was enjoying the Carrots that a silver tray of Tacos and Salsa was presented, the tortillas unfortunately brought in from elsewhere and thus accounting for the low cost of just $2CAD each on Tuesdays, with the braised Meats highlighted by spicy Adobo Chicken while the combination of fibrous Mushrooms and crispy Kale was also well-balanced and tasty.
Disappointed that Tres Leches has been struck from the menu, especially as Native Tongues’ famous $5CAD Doughnut is really no better than what can be had at most mom n’ pop shops for a buck anywhere in North America, the sizable Alfajore was a far more fanciful finish, the buttery Shortbread Sandwich filled to overflowing with smooth Dulce de Leche before a dusting of Powdered Sugar and a roll in flaked Coconut.
http://www.nativetongues.ca/
