Chef Alexis Samayoa to Open Tocolo Cantina 12/3 at The Gallery at Westbury

Long Island is about to turn up the heat! Tocolo Cantina www.tocolocantina.com, an authentic Mexican restaurant with an innovative twist will open in The Gallery at Westbury Plaza (920 Old Country Rd, Garden City) on Wednesday December 3rd, 2014. With it comes renowned chef Alexis Samayoa, a Brooklyn native with a stellar career. Tocolo Cantina will serve refined, modern Mexican and Oaxacan cuisine in a casual and fun atmosphere with a strong focus on service. The 98-seat restaurant merges elements of a modern California eatery with those of a Mexican Cantina. Fit with copper walls, encaustic tile, and a hydraulic garage door, Tocolo Cantina is anchored by a lively bar in the center of the room.

Chef Alexis Samayoa's menu is influenced by his upbringing and a career that spans over a decade through renowned kitchens like El Vez, La Esquina (with Chef Akhtar Nawab), Txikito (with Chef Alex Raij), WD-50 (with Chef Wiley Dufresne) and Empellon. His approach at Tocolo Cantina reflects a deep love of food - smells, textures, seasonings and freshness, as well as a devoted skill set most inspired by Empellon's Chef Alex Stupak and his creativity.

Samayoa incorporates both traditional Mexican fare and his own modern interpretations of customary Mexican dishes into the menu. The Guacamole Classico (diced onion, jalapenos, cilantro), Snapper Ceviche (with salsa verde) and Lamb Barbacoa Taco balance traditional ingredients with perfection. Samayoa's talent working with traditional Mexican techniques and flavors is perhaps most apparent in the Pollo Asado (with mole mancha mantele) large plate. In contrast, the Guacamole Yucateco (mango, habanero chile, red onion, red bell pepper), Shrimp Ceviche (with Salsa Xni Pec) and Chicken Taco burst with flavor and capture Alexis's creative talent and modern skills. The menu's mix of small and large plates, as well as its two large communal dining tables, hopes to inspire long celebrations over food.

Since no great cantina is complete without a lively bar and lofty cocktail program, Tocolo Cantina promises to deliver the best margaritas and sangrias around. The cocktail menu will offer a large selection of specialty drinks, as well as traditional Mexican tequilas, mezcals and beers. Signature cocktails include the "Grilled Lime Margarita", made with Lunazul Silver tequila, muddled grilled limes, agave and Grand Marnier in a mezcal rinsed glass and the "Autumn Margarita", featuring Herradura Reposado, cranberry jam, pomegranate, fresh lime in an allspice rimmed glass.

Tocolo Cantina will be open for lunch and dinner daily.

Hours are:

Sunday - Thursday, Dinner 3pm-10pm

Friday & Saturday, Dinner 3pm-11pm

Tocolo Cantina is located at 920 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530. Phone: 516 222 0060 | www.tocolocantina.com | Take Out Soon to Come. Square Feet: 3,000; Dining Room: 98; Bar Capacity: 25.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tocolocantina

Instagram: @tocolocantina

Twitter: @tocolocantina