Hot Taqueria Maïs Unveils Summertime Wine Bar & Restaurant

Buzzy Mile End taco and cocktail den Maïs will transform its back room into a restaurant called Parasol from mid-July to the end of September. Jeff Downs — a cook who is fresh off three-and-a-half years cooking at Belgium's In de Wulf and Paris's Septime — will create and execute the menus in collaboration with Mais' owner William Cody. Dishes will be inspired by summertime beach grilling over a charcoal-fueled fire. "Think lots of fresh fish, seafood, and vegetables from our rooftop garden," says Cody. The food will be flanked by a small drink list comprising mostly white, sparkling, and rosé wines along with several "light and refreshing" cocktails.

Maïs's connection to In de Wulf is no secret and the intimate nature of its private dining room (pictured above) coupled with the ephemeral nature of this restaurant should make these some highly sought after seats through the summer months. Parasol will open to the pubic this coming Tuesday, July 19th. To start, hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.