Inside the El Catrin launch: 15 shots of a stylish fiesta at Toronto’s newest Mexican restaurant

by Paige Dzenis July 30, 2013

El Catrin Toronto launch party — Photography by Ryan Emberley

Last week, Toronto launched its newest dining hotspot with a margartia-fuelled patio party. El Catrin, named for the dapper Mexican skeleton-in-a-suit icon, is a mix of family-friendly dining and stylish fiesta, located in an expansive space in the Distillery District.

Aside from its name, the decor at El Catrin features many takes on Day of the Dead imagery, from miniature shadowboxes to an impressive multi-dimensional mural. Created by Mexican street artist Oscar Flores, the vibrant work was photographed by party-goers throughout the night just as frequently as the food. (We were so enamoured with the mural we wanted to take it home with us!) Equally impressive was the rest of the restaurant’s design: oversized, laser-cut lampshades, rustic tiling and fluoro-bright tables and chairs make El Catrin stand out from the rest.

As for the food, there was much to be sampled: the entire El Catrin menu is tapas-style, mixing traditional Mexican recipes with modern favourites. The guacamole takes a nod from Mad Men-era Caesar salads—servers prepare each order tableside—while delish tacos and ceviche go hand-in-hand with the extensive cocktail list. And while the inside has both large party tables and private rooms, we suspect that the expansive outdoor patio and fire pit will be a popular celeb-sighting spot during TIFF.