Yo Papagayo!

Ample Parking: Agave Lovers Line Papagayo Boston's Big Tequila Bar...

Having lived in both Texas and New Mexico, and also being a 20-year tequila aficionado, I have been waiting a long time for this type of place to come to Boston. And the good news is, it's here! Temazcal? No! Papagayo on Summer Street (near Fort Point Channel) has fantastic food, a great atmosphere, friendly staff, and the tequila? Well, 175 bottles and the most agave-knowledgeable barman I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Service overall was excellent. Papagayo has the guacamole cart that rolls up and makes it fresh at your table and it's to DIE for. Prices are not dirt-cheap but you get a really nice experience for the buck. Sampled a few tequilas for the first time: Maestro Dobel Joven tequila, El Tesoro Paradiso, Frida Kahlo blanco, and the exquisite Partida Elegante. Try the Tacos al-Pastor, and a fresh, handmade margarita made with Espolón Blanco. Kudos to the bright, agave-elevated atmosphere and delicious food of Papagayo!

Many Happy Tequilas!

Una Mas, Por Favor!

Well, this past weekend could not have been more filled with good agave if I’d had dreamed it. First, on Friday we attended a good friend’s wedding. Dave Fiorito and his lovely bride Laura are both tequila lovers and readers of this blog.
The bar at their awesome reception at The Endicott Estate in Dedham, MA was stocked with Cazadores Anejo. Now, I said in a previous blog that I had been disappointed with the Caza Repo the last couple time’s I’d tried it, having liked it a lot before. I also mentioned that I’d never tried the anejo because I would not pay that much money to be potentially unhappy with the juice. I know David read that blog, and whaddya know, there it was at his wedding! Caza Anejo! Coincidence? I think not! I loved it and will buy it again in the future. Best of the Cazadores line-up for sure.

I had brought the couple a bottle of Espolón Reposado as a gift there to the reception. Well, when the Caza ran out, guess what the bride did? Yup! She ordered, “Drew go get that bottle from the gift-table and we’re gonna open it and enjoy it right now!” And you can’t turn down the request of the bride, now, can you? We killed off the Espie in about 15 minutes. Oh yeah! Fun wedding!

Then, the next night, my band Twang ‘em High! played our favorite place, ChiliHead BBQ in West Bridgewater. As you know they have one of the best Tequila bars here in Mass. While we played, we enjoyed shots of Casa Noble Reposado and Corralejo Reposado. I was spreading the word over the microphone, and the bar sold a lot of tequila that night – way more than usual, thanks to my between-song tequila banter.

Salud!

Hat's Off to ChiliHead!

West Bridgewater BBQ Joint Smokes With Live Music and Good Tequila



I first walked in to Chilihead BBQ within day's of the restaurant's opening in 2004. Being a lover of good authentic Texas BBQ, the place caught my eye as I drove by one night. Luckily, the food did not disappoint! I quickly made friends with the owner, Paul Bello, and soon was playing live music in the corner of the little cafe.

A couple years later, Paul expanded ChiliHead, doubling the space, and got a full liquor license. His first bottles of tequila were, shall we say, lacking in quality 100% agave offerings. I uninvitedly gave him my totally not so humble opinion about how he should feature high-end tequila. I first suggested Herradura, El Tesoro, Don Julio and a couple others. Maybe Patron.

Long story short, Paul started on a tequila quest that continues to this day. ChiliHead has one of the best tequila bars in Massachusetts, currently stocking over 50 different bottles. He has even been to Mexico to tour the distilleries. In addition to great tequilas and margaritas, the restaurant offers great BBQ and great live music four nights a week.

As Paul likes to tell me and everyone else he talks to, his addiction to high-end tequila is "all MY fault!"

ChiliHead Music on MySpace