Soft opening: The Veil's in-house cocktail bar, La Cantina
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La Cantina is inside The Veil Brewing's Forest Hill location on the second floor. Photo: Karri Peifer/Axios
I finally got to try the tequila and mezcal cocktail bar inside my friendly neighborhood brewery, The Veil on Forest Hill Avenue.
Why it matters: It's a great addition for annoying folks like me who want to drink anything but beer at a brewery.
The big picture: The Veil Brewing opened La Cantina in late July, soon after their (and in-house restaurant Y Tu Mamá's) Mosto Tequila arrived from Mexico.
- La Cantina is basically a cocktail bar pop-up that takes over The Veil's second floor on Fridays and Saturdays only (for now).
- The menu includes a handful of cocktails (draft margarita or paloma, ranch water and a Mexico Mule), 11 tequilas or mezcals available by the shot or as a margarita, plus seven bourbons/old fashioneds ($6-$15).
Zoom in: I popped over on a recent Friday and ordered the draft margarita, while my high-maintenance friend rejected the menu outright and was accommodated by a patient bartender with an off-menu whiskey sour.
- Both drinks were fantastic and a pleasant departure from my typical order at The Veil: wine.
- The margarita would pair exceptionally well with anything from Y Tu Mamá's menu and in my case specifically with the insanely good The Chesterfield burrito ($11).
Yes, but: There's a slight flaw in The Veil's system — ordering and pickup from the in-house Mexican restaurant is only available on the first floor, so one has to schlep downstairs and back for food.
But, but, but: Likely sick of my whining, the bartender let us bend the rules and order food online for pickup at the takeout window. And my boyfriend, though long since immune to my whining, went down to pick it up, so I saved myself a schlep.
The bottom line: La Cantina is a fabulous addition to the South Richmond food and drink scene and a terrific option for anti-beer brewery lovers. Plus, a visit for dinner comes with some light cardio free of charge — for non-whiners.