{"id":40125,"date":"2020-02-11T13:12:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-11T13:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=40125"},"modified":"2020-02-11T13:12:00","modified_gmt":"2020-02-11T13:12:00","slug":"inside-cardiffs-first-mexican-themed-bar-and-cantina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2020\/02\/11\/inside-cardiffs-first-mexican-themed-bar-and-cantina\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Cardiff\u2019s first Mexican-themed bar and cantina"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>La Pantera opens for business tomorrow, hoping tequila is the new gin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/joebar-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/joebar-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/joebar.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Co-owner and bartender Joe Rapson is excited for tomorrow&#8217;s launch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>CARDIFF\u2019S first Mexican-themed bar and cantina is opening its doors to the public for the first time tomorrow evening.<br \/><br \/>La Pantera, situated above Sully\u2019s Caf\u00e9 on Quay Street in the city centre, has been five months in the making, and will finally open for business at 5pm after successful soft launches last week.<br \/><br \/>\u201cWe are all really excited for Wednesday,\u201d said co-owner and bartender Joe Rapson, 26. \u201cIf it\u2019s anything like last week we\u2019ll be chuffed.<br \/><br \/>\u201cWe had our industry and press launches on the Thursday and Friday, before inviting friends and family for free tacos at the weekend.<br \/><br \/>\u201cI don\u2019t think we could have asked for the week to have gone any better \u2013 we got great feedback and those that came really bought into what we\u2019re trying to do here.\u201d<br \/><br \/>The independent business aims to provide an authentic cultural drinking and dining experience through a dedication to tequila, mezcal and traditional Mexican street food.<br \/><br \/>\u201cWe\u2019re the first of our kind in the city \u2013 there\u2019s no other specialist Mexican bar in Cardiff,\u201d Joe continued.<br \/><br \/>\u201cThe closest thing you have is Wahaca, but that is much more of a restaurant and is also a reasonably big chain.\u201dL<br \/>Having worked in sister bar The Dead Canary on Charles Street for the past two years, Joe became adept in mixing intricate cocktails, but wanted to pursue his passion for Mexican spirits.<br \/><br \/>What he had long seen as just a pipe dream started to become a reality in October last year, as he and fellow co-owner Mark Holmes, 31, began to develop ideas for La Pantera.<br \/><br \/>\u201cI never thought it would actually happen,\u201d said Joe. \u201cBut then Mark came back from a holiday and said, \u2018Let\u2019s do it\u2019.<br \/><br \/>\u201cWe were so busy in Dead Canary throughout December that it wasn\u2019t until the start of January that we began work here \u2013 this was just a shell then, no back bar, no shelving, no art or decorations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/mural1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-770x1027.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-500x667.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-293x391.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-1400x1867.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/mural1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-770x1027.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-500x667.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-293x391.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1-1400x1867.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural1.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>One of the striking murals painted by Richard Gaskell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve been here constantly for a month now,\u201d said Richard Gaskell, 29, the bar\u2019s third co-owner. \u201cDaytimes here, then nights in Dead Canary, and any nights off we\u2019ve been here doing whatever needs doing.\u201d<br \/><br \/>La Pantera has set up shop in an increasingly buzzing part of town, joining The City Arms and Asador 44, as well as Sully\u2019s on Quay Street, while the clubs and pubs of Womanby Street are just around the corner. <br \/><br \/>Developments on Church Street have also seen increased footfall at the northern end of the High Street, something which will likely prove good news for La Pantera.<br \/><br \/>\u201cThis end of town seems to be where a lot of independents are going,\u201d said Joe.<br \/><br \/>\u201cObviously that works out well for us, some of those that came last week said we\u2019d been recommended to them by other bars \u2013 I know the guys at Penny Royal sent a few over.\u201d<br \/><br \/>The bar at La Pantera is stocked with over 100 different tequilas and mezcals sourced from specialist suppliers, and Joe says that this selection is destined to grow.<br \/><br \/>\u201cI think we can quite convincingly say that we\u2019ve got more Mexican spirits than anyone else in Wales, if not Wales and the South West,\u201d he said.<br \/><br \/>\u201cYou can have such a massive variation in taste based on different types of agave, different regions etcetera \u2013 many families make it in different ways and have done for generations, so you want to hit every base.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/drinks-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/drinks-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/drinks.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>The bar at La Pantera is stocked with over 100 tequilas and mezcals<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>\u201cA lot of people have a bad history with tequila, but that\u2019s because they\u2019ve been drinking the wrong tequila the wrong way \u2013 if we can drip feed them a bit of history and the culture of it then hopefully they\u2019ll come to enjoy it.\u201d<br \/><br \/>While Joe maintains that these traditional spirits are unlike anything else on the market, however, issues have been raised within the industry over the sustainability of their production.<br \/><br \/>Tequila and mezcal are both made from the agave plant, which Joe says \u201clooks like a big aloe vera, but is more similar to an artichoke\u201d.<br \/><br \/>The leaves are removed from the plant, with the pina (or heart) chopped in half, roasted and mashed, with the collected juice then fermented.<br \/><br \/>Pinas used for tequila are roasted in brick ovens, while those used for mezcal are roasted in underground pits, using wood to give the spirt a smokier flavour.<br \/><br \/>However, wild agave plants take anywhere between eight and 30 years to grow, and the long-term impact of the recent mezcal boom on the natural environment is still unknown. <br \/><br \/>\u201cThere are a lot of brands that are trying their best to be sustainable and lessen the impact, but that has seen the cost of Mezcal go up \u2013 a decent bottle costs \u00a340 now, and it goes up to \u00a3100, \u00a3200 a bottle, \u201d said Joe.<br \/><br \/>\u201cAt the end of the day, for example, we\u2019re using limes that are being flown halfway across the world \u2013 by definition it\u2019s not very sustainable.<br \/><br \/>\u201cBut anything we can do to help, we will \u2013 whether that\u2019s using paper and metal straws, or reusing our lime husks to make syrups for drinks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/menu-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/menu-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/menu.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>The authentic menu will change weekly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Organic produce and authentic Mexican flavour is also at the heart of La Pantera\u2019s menu, which will change weekly.<br \/><br \/>\u201cWe\u2019ll be using a lot of local suppliers, including Cardiff Market, and we\u2019ve stayed as true to traditional Mexican food as we could, using corn tacos \u2013 which are also vegan and gluten free,\u201d said Richard.<br \/><br \/>\u201cWe wanted to avoid Tex-Mex and just let the flavours talk for themselves,\u201d Joe added.<br \/><br \/>Aside from a laden drinks shelf and varied menu, the most striking thing about La Pantera is its vibrant interior.<br \/><br \/>The 35-people capacity room is full of themed decorations and ornaments, while its walls are adorned with colourful Aztec murals painted by Richard himself.<br \/><br \/>Richard, who has worked on art projects in Cardiff, Bristol and at Glastonbury Festival, took inspiration for the walls from the story of Mayahuel, the goddess of fertility and agave.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-293x220.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1-1400x1050.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/02\/mural2-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Richard took inspiration from the Aztec myth of Mayahuel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>According to the legend, Mayahuel was banished to the far corner of the universe by her evil grandmother, who did not want her to find love with Ehecatl, the serpent god of the wind.<br \/><br \/>Ehecatl finds her and hides her away inside an agave plant \u2013 however, her grandmother finds the lovers and chops Mayahuel up, with one piece falling to earth to be buried by Ehecatl, and to grow into the original agave.<br \/><br \/>Meanwhile, Mayahuel\u2019s 400 children, who took on the form of drunk rabbit gods are also individually depicted partying in the stairway leading up to the bar.<br \/><br \/>\u201cIt\u2019s a bit mad,\u201d said Richard. \u201cBut it\u2019s cool to have such rich history of mythology on our walls, particularly when they were completely blank at the start of last month.\u201d<br \/><br \/>\u201cIt took a long time, probably day and night for about a week to do it all, though you should have seen this place before.<br \/><br \/>\u201cBut yeah, I never want to paint another bunny ever again.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>La Pantera opens for business tomorrow, hoping tequila is the new gin CARDIFF\u2019S first Mexican-themed bar and cantina is opening its doors to the public for the first time tomorrow evening. La Pantera, situated above Sully\u2019s Caf\u00e9 on Quay Street in the city centre, has been five months in the making, and will finally open for business at 5pm after successful soft launches last week. \u201cWe are all really excited for Wednesday,\u201d said co-owner and bartender Joe Rapson, 26. \u201cIf [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":40128,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[111,14],"tags":[513,399,514,515,516,517,518,519],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-40125","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food-and-drink","category-longer-reads","tag-food-and-drink-2","tag-independent-business","tag-la-pantera","tag-mexican","tag-mezcal","tag-quay-street","tag-street-food","tag-tequila"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - 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