Obituary: Tomas Estes

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tomas Estes, a pioneering restaurant owner who greatly influenced Mexican cuisine and cocktails in Europe. Estes died on April 25 at age 75. Estes opened his first Mexican restaurant in Amsterdam in 1976, and soon attracted customers -- including many famous entertainers, from Debbie Harry of Blondie to the Jackson Five to members of the rock group Queen -- from around Europe. He eventually opened 18 Mexican restaurants throughout Europe. Along the way he introduced Europe to tequila, and launched the brand Tequila Ocho in 2008. Click here to read a 2017 interview with Estes by el Restaurante publisher Ed Avis. And click here to read the New York Times obituary.