Tequila Rae’s opens in downtown Newmarket
NEWMARKET — A new style of eatery has arrived in town, one that owners Melani Rae and Kevin Taillon say serves an “eclectic mix of different flavors.”
Tequila Rae's recently opened its doors at 106 Main St., offering a tapasstyle food menu and a “curated” list of cocktails. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 3 to 10 p.m.
“It's just somewhere people can come in, relax, (and) have a cocktail,” said Melani Rae Taillon. "Whether they're going to another local restaurant to have dinner, after a show, before a show, date night, friends … whatever the case may be.”
Taking over the 500-square-foot space that formerly housed the Tropical Juice Bar, the Taillons said they spent about four months transforming the space, giving it a “cozy,” “intimate” and “little bit romantic” ambiance.
The interior of the 20-seat restaurant features turquoise-colored walls, and the countertop is made of polished wood. A floor-to-ceiling brick wall acts as a backdrop behind the bar with a “Tequila Rea's” neon sign nailed to it to set the vibe.
The restaurant got its name from coowner Malani Rae Taillon and the couple's love for tequila.
Malani Rae Taillon said they are “tequila connoisseurs” and the restaurant serves 22 types of tequilas, among other liquors.
“There's a gin bar in Portsmouth, there's wine bars … there's cigar bars,” said Melani Rae Taillon. “But we're not fans of those things — you want to represent what you love — so if you love tequila, you're gonna represent it well.”
Along with local and international beers and wines, the restaurant has a curated list of cocktails. So far, its bestseller has been The Winter Margarita (reposado tequila, lime juice, cranberry juice and spiced pear syrup rimmed with a salt and chili mixture), said Kevin Taillon.
“We have to keep buying cranberry juice,” said Melani Rae Taillon.
For those who are not fans of tequila, you've heard of Old Fashioned, but how about New Fashioned? The drink features Knob Creek bourbon, Amaretto, bitters and served with an orange peel. Another unique drink is the Apple Cider Martini (Tito's vodka, apple cider and butterscotch schnapps served with a cinnamon and sugar rim).
Couple also owns Fire and Spice Bistro in Newfields
The Taillons, who also own Fire and Spice Bistro restaurant at 70 NH Route 108 in Newfields, said they're bringing something new to the area.
“(Newmarket) seems to be an upand-coming restaurant town,” said Kevin Taillon. “There's so many different options now that weren't here 20 years ago or even 10 years – you've got a Thai place, a Chinese place, you've got good old-fashioned American cooking two doors down … Savannah's Kitchen for Southern (food) and a couple of pizzerias.”
Manning the restaurant is a two-person team with Kevin Taillon as the executive chef and a bartender. Melani Rae Taillon said they may add additional staff in the future and outdoor dining when the weather warms up.
The Taillons met when they both attended Winnacunnet High School. From there, the high school sweethearts moved around the country before settling back in Newmarket. During that time, Kevin Taillon worked as an executive chef at multiple restaurants and founded Naked Hot Sauces.
What's on the menu at Tequila Rae's
Drawing inspiration from his travels, Kevin Taillon said that the menu will change seasonally, depending on his creativity and what's available at local farms.
“I've cooked all over the country and on all different kinds of food and recipes,” said Kevin Taillon. “Whatever I feel like I can interpret into something smaller versus full-on four-course meals," he added, referring to the menu.
Since opening, Kevin Taillon said the bestseller has been the Tostada (house chorizo, black bean, avocado, queso fundito, cotija, pickled onion, avocado crema, sweet corn, crispy heirloom tortilla).
Melani Rae Taillon suggests one of their “interactive eating” options. They serve Queso Fundito al Tequila (spicy cheese sauce, crispy corn tortilla, green apple) and Chocolate Fondue (melted dark chocolate swirl with rich caramel served with brownie bites, marshmallows, apples and strawberries).
“They're fun because they're interactive,” she said. “You have your fondue and you're dipping and all that kind of stuff… it's just fun … I saw a couple doing it last night and it was just cute to watch.”
Just shy of a week of opening, the couple said Tequila Rae's is already attracting a following. They hope the restaurant will “continue to blossom” and become a new favorite spot downtown.