Ahh… the weekend! Few things are as anticipated and cherished as the three-day segment of time at the end of a long, hectic work week. For me, no weekend is complete without the winning trio of entertainment, food and drinks.
While strolling along Massachusetts Avenue downtown, I passed quite a few hipster-style watering holes, but none stuck out to me as much as Bakersfield. The signage alone, which read “Tacos, Tequila, Whiskey” (another winning trio I might add), was enough to draw me right in. As soon as I opened the door to the Mexican cuisine inspired restaurant bar, I was greeted warmly by the general manager and friendly hostess.
I grabbed a spot up near the bartender where I enjoyed a Kentucky Swing. The cocktail, made with rye based whiskey and a basil-infused simple syrup, was topped off with lemon peel and cracked black pepper. Fantastic, is a grave understatement.
For the meal, I munched on warm tortilla chips with their homemade guacamole while watching “The Road to Fort Bravo” on the flat screen. Guac seems to be a simple enough dish, but you wouldn’t believe how many people get it wrong. Luckily for me, Bakersfield kept it simple with fresh avocado and cilantro with a few radish slices added on for good measure.
The pièce de résistance however, came in the form of the Pollo Rojo taco. The Pollo Rojo featured tomatillo braised shredded chicken, a smoky chili salsa and a chipotle lime crema topping.
All in all, Bakersfield was a great time and despite the usual Friday evening rush of patrons on every corner on Mass Ave., I was well taken care of and thoroughly enjoyed my visit. This taco bar has become an instant favorite of mine.
For more information about Bakersfield on Mass Ave. visit bakersfieldmassave.com.
