Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Margaritas to Be Served in Tequila Bottles at New Myrtle Ave. Restaurant

By Janet Upadhye | March 13, 2014 6:25pm
 El Patron opened during the first week of March at 474 Myrtle Ave. in Clinton Hill.
El Patron opened during the first week of March at 474 Myrtle Ave. in Clinton Hill.
View Full Caption
El Patron

CLINTON HILL — This restaurant vows to live up to its name.

Leonardo Soler, owner of new Latin cuisine restaurant El Patron located at 474 Myrtle Ave., plans to skip the salt-rimmed glasses and serve his margaritas straight from Patron tequila bottles.

These specialty margaritas were such a hit at Soler's first location  — El Patron Mexican Grill in Flushing — that he plans to continue the tradition in Clinton Hill.

"It is a big attraction for us," he said. "I have no idea how I thought of it but people really seem to love the idea."

And the margaritas are not as boozy as they sound. Soler said each drink is equal to one-and-a-half and he always cuts customers off at two cocktails.

"I want to make sure my restaurants are very family-oriented," he said noting that his Queens location — open since 2008 — is a place where families celebrate birthdays, wedding showers and baptisms. 

He also said his customers love the fresh, authentic food served in large portions at affordable prices.

So while the Colombian-born restaurateur waits for the State Liquor Authority to approve his license, he hopes customers will focus on his dishes inspired by Colombian, Mexican, Cuban and Spanish cuisine.

Soler said the restaurant's specialty is mango chicken served with rice, beans and sweet plantains, but he also highlighted the bandeja paisa (red beans cooked with pork and rice).

Community Board 2 approved El Patron's liquor license on Feb. 5.