Crafting cocktails

Tijuana Speakeasy uses Beverage-Air to create an upscale bar

Despite conjuring up images of gangsters and bootleg gin in 1920s Chicago, a new 21^st century speakeasy is lighting up the entertainment scene in Tijuana, Mexico, with some help from Beverage Air.

THE PROJECT – THE PERFECT SERVE
Upscale food and drink is the hallmark of the 90-cover Oryx Capital restaurant in Tijuana, where Chef Ruffo Ibarra creates “Cali-Baja comfort food, driven by produce from local beaches, ranches and farms”.  But what makes Oryx Capital truly unusual is Nortico, a modern take on the classic speakeasy.

Hidden away at the end of a dark hall, with reservations made only by text message, the stylish and cosy bar decorated with photos of gangsters and bootleggers, seats just 34 people and specialises in craft cocktails. Fuelled by the cocktail culture, it serves drinks from the past, like the Ramos gin fizz and inspiring new creations using artisanal ingredients and spirits.
To keep the ingredients at the perfect temperature, both Oryx Capital and Nortico rely on equipment from Beverage-Air. A Beverage-Air direct draw beer refrigerator in the Oryx Capital bar ensures perfectly chilled beer and the back bar glass door refrigerators provide convenient storage for the vast range of chilled product. The restaurant kitchen also houses a Beverage-Air refrigerated cook stand, a prep table and several reach-in refrigerators and freezers. 
The compact footprint of the undercounter and back bar refrigerators from Beverage-Air has enabled the Oryx project to maximise the limited space caused by the building’s structural columns.

THE RESULTS – COMMITTED TO QUALITY
Ibarra says of the equipment, “I couldn’t be happier with the selection.” 
Oryx Capital and Nortico are at the forefront of the culinary scene in Tijuana. Javier Esparza of Cocinas Institucionales, S.A. de C.V. in Tijuana was instrumental in selecting the equipment said, “Chef Ruffo’s commitment to quality is what’s drawing more and more customers into the restaurant and bar.  He’s always serving the best and the results are amazing.”

www.beverage-air.com