The Hermosillo

Time Out says

Thu Feb 28 2013

On Highland Park's ever-changing York Boulevard, where repair and consignment shops comingle with gastropubs and pizzerias serving burrata-topped, wood oven-baked pies, The Hermosillo serves local craft beer and dozens of small-production wines by the glass. The neighborhood's newest watering hole was once known as Hermosillo Club—the original sign still glows outside—but the dive has been polished by the Bar Covell team, while paying homage to its roots: Walls sport old Mexican movie posters and a selection of reds and whites hail from Baja, as in Central Coast and, surprisingly, South of the Border.

Vitals

Good for: With a dozen, mostly local, craft brews on tap—the rotating selection is projected behind the bar—and an eclectic list of wines from Argentina, Austria, California, and, yes, Mexico ($8-$15/glass), oenophiles and beer nerds can partake in a night of pure drinking.

The scene: Groups sink into any of the three comfy banquettes, while seasoned bar-goers, some sporting sunglasses in the thick of night, spread out among tables and huddle around the bar. There’s a shuffleboard for low-profile competitive fun.

The playlist: A couple doors down, the beloved Wombleton drops in for Vinyl Nights (Wednesdays at 9pm) when guest DJs spin everything from Motown soul to underground techno.

The bartender says: Don’t miss tasty bites like Fried Pickles ($5) and Steamed Pork Buns ($9) filled with pickled red onions, hoisin, radish, cilantro and spicy yuzu mayo.

Drink this: Hard to find picks like 2008 Malaga "Equaa" Grenache/Petite Syrah from Baja, Mexico ($12) that shows oak, vanilla and bright cherry fruit. On the brew front, local brews like Stone Brewery’s Hoptonic IPA ($6) is a good bet on tap.

By Jonathan Cristaldi