It certainly looks the part thanks to the vibrant Aztec inspired graffiti adorning the walls inside and out "thrown up" by local artists with spray cans.
The clientele is a typical south Liverpool mix of bohemian students and thirsty older gentlemen sharing tables and banter over the sound of a jukebox pumping out classics from artists as diverse as The Beatles, Bob Marley and The Police.
For the uninitiated pulque is a popular Mexican drink made by the spontaneous fermentation of cactus milk in large wooden barrels. At Las Duelistas they've negotiated a deal to milk the cacti grown in the nearby Sefton Park Palm House and mature the sap in a tinacal that has been errected in the back yard of Keith's Wine Bar. Once it reaches about 6% ABV it's ready to be served, via traditional plastic bucket and jug, to the drinking public.
To start I chose a glass of "plain", a very reasonable 50p. And the taste? Aloe vera, fizzy sour yoghurt, wet wood and disprin. Textbook. Most pleasingly of all they've nailed that classic pulque texture: equal parts wallpaper paste and shower gel; so good it'll leave a snail trail from glass to lip with every sip and clog your mustache for days.
From there we branched out into the wide selection of flavoured pulques: Kate opted for pineapple ("thick, sour, fizzy pineapple juice") while I braved oatmeal and nutmeg ("thick, sour, fizzy porridge with nutmeg grated over the top").
And to finish we ordered the special of the day - celery. Served with a wedge of lime and a salt rim it was sumptuous: a bit like I would imagine an Activia with pineapple, celery and cactus would taste after it had been left for a few weeks in a wet wooden barrel.
Unfortunately Kate and had to leave a couple of hours before the 9pm last orders in order to make our reservations at the new branch of "Very Young Kids" on Aigburth Road but we'll certainly be back as soon as we can. Overall I would give this exciting new addition to "the Lane" a hot and spicy 8/10. Arriba!
Las Dualistas, 76 Lark Lane, Liverpool. 9am - 9pm every day.
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I came across your blog when I was asked to do an image search for "frito pie" by my employer—and yes, as I am sure you have already guessed, I am a neuroscientist.
ReplyDeleteI found the photo you took of the menu at the old Woolworth's in Santa Fe and immediately recognized the image. I blog about living in Santa Fe and am glad that you seemed to have enjoyed your visit.
I think your posts are hilarious—I hope you don't mind a new follower.
It does seem strange to me to see that there is a pulqueria in Liverpool—and you're right the decor is quite vivid. Perhaps even authentic. You know that's just how we roll here in the southwest—garish, over-the-top and in-your-face is our regional aesthetic. :)
I really look forward to reading future posts.
Have a great weekend.