Dallas “Paul” Mauk

New Canaan’s Tequila Mockingbird Honored with Prestigious Tequila Accreditation. Among only 20 restaurants in the United States to earn selective accreditation and the only in New England, Tequila Mockingbird’s commitment to tequila goes beyond its signature cocktail. Dallas “Paul” Mauk, chef-owner of Tequila Mockingbird, involved his entire staff in the mission of earning the CRT Award T certification. Created by the Tequila Regulatory Council (Consejo Regulador del Tequila in Spanish, or CRT), the Award T recognizes establishments interested in the true culture of tequila. Undertaking the certification involved staff traveling to Mexico, in-house training and testing. Mauk elaborated, “We carry one of the largest selections of Tequila on the East Coast — more than 250 kinds of tequila. Just as a sommelier helps with wine selection, we think it’s important for our bartenders and servers to educate and guide our customers in choosing the best tequila that matches their tastes. Surprising to many people, selecting and drinking tequila is a complex and refined process.”