La Punta Expendio de Agave

"So, can you tell us a little bit about this place? Arguably Italy’s biggest tequila and mezcal bar, La Punta Expendio de Agave con Cocina is designed to give you a serious case of wanderlust. You can feel it when you walk into the dimly lit space and toward the bar, which is made from bright, Mexican-style tiles, or when you take a seat on the bar stools, which are stitched with colorful embroidered prints. It’s even truer when you reach for the bar menu, designed as a passport, with drinks in the form of stamps—in Spanish, of course. (Fear not, there are English and Italian dictionaries on the table). Look for the bathroom, and you might end up wandering downstairs and into La Punta’s smaller, impossibly cool subterranean drinking den, which is decked out in bright Mexican knick-knacks and a carefully curated selection of tequilas. Who else is there? Fans of The Jerry Thomas Speakeasy and Freni e Frizioni (also run by the team here) and foreigners wanting a break from Negronis and carbonara. Give us the lowdown on the libations. Drinks are tequila and mezcal based, so if you’re not a fan of Mexican spirits, La Punta isn’t for you. But if you stick around, know that owner Cristian has spent the past few years living between Rome and Oaxaca, perfecting his list of Mexican cocktails. For something zingy and frothy, ask bartender Valentina for the Maleducation, made with mezcal, grapefruit, rhubarb liqueur, and egg white. Worth ordering something to eat, too? In addition to the free appetizers—tortilla chips, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa—there’s a small menu of beautifully presented Mexican hits, such as grilled octopus tacos, salt cod tamale, and carne asada. How'd you find the service? The staff are invested; this is their baby, and they want you to love it as much as they do. Wrap it up: what are we coming here for? Take the pal who’s tired of eating pasta and pizza every day." - Maresa Manara