Veladora

«Veladora» on Pokrovka welcomes guests with Mexican cuisine in an interior free of unnecessary details: two rooms, one red and one white, an open kitchen, and a simple bar counter. The place is located near the Lubyanka and Kitay-Gorod metro stations, with an average check of 1,000 to 3,000 rubles. The main drinks here are mezcal and tequila, strong and distinctive in taste. They're served in short glasses with ridged sides and a cross at the bottom — these glasses are called veladoras, and candlesticks in Catholic cathedrals are modeled on the same shape. It's from glasses like these that Mexicans traditionally drink mezcal in one shot. The bar menu is short and clear: four kinds of tacos, aguachile, guacamole, and grilled corn — a perfect snack to go with strong drinks. The almond flour brownie with chili pepper deserves special attention: it's served with a sour cream and tamarind sauce and a spoonful of thick smoked caramel on top. This dessert is worth trying together with mezcal — the unusual combination of flavors opens up in a new way.