In late September, Mexico City welcomed a vibrant addition to its gastronomic landscape: Outline. This cocktail bar and restaurant is the brainchild of a collaborative effort involving some of the world’s best in the restaurant industry. The venture's path to fruition was, however, uncertain just a year ago.

Walter Meyenberg, a renowned restaurateur known for establishing Mexico City's finest establishments including Hanky Panky and Brujas, was considering his next venture. His attention turned to Maura and Alex Lawrence Milia, a powerhouse couple who've made notable contributions to the global bar scene. Alex, head of the esteemed Mr Lyan group – known for its establishments in Washington D.C., Amsterdam, and London - and Maura, a veteran of the prestigious two-time World’s Best Bar, The Connaught, were his preferred collaborators.

Commenting on his choice of partners, Meyenberg stated, “Alex is a legend in the industry; he’s a genius. And Maura, she's the master of hospitality. Beyond their exceptional skills, we share a vision and a connection that harmonizes beautifully.”

While the couple was contemplating their future steps in London, an alliance with Meyenberg seemed the perfect new venture. Intrigued by Meyenberg’s food and beverage offerings and impressed by the layout and design of his spaces in Mexico City, the couple agreed to move. Hence, by February 2023, they relocated to the city, making a decisive step 5,548 miles away from London.

Following this, the couple together with Meyenberg embarked on the creation of a new bar group, MWA, originating three distinct concepts. The first establishment, Outline, was inaugurated in Roma Norte in late September. Outline offers an exclusive selection of draft cocktails and delectable small bites, with a capacity to host 150 patrons. The menu succulently combines American and Mexican diner-style dishes with a distinct design aesthetic, realized in collaboration with Mexican fashion designer Tony Delfino.

The team's primary aim was configuring an unparalleled space that offered exceptional cocktails using innovative techniques. Their drinks, which include the Tomato Highball, Clear Colada, and Turin Vegetables, are pre-batched and served fresh from specially designed containers.

Their second venture, Café Arixi, is an homage to Maura's Italian heritage. This all-day Italian haunt blends Mexican ingredients with Italian dishes in a authentic manner. As Alex describes it, Café Arixi aims to personify their personalities, leaning into Italian hospitality, while celebrating the delicious flavors of both Italian and Mexican cuisines. The third concept, planned for a 2025 launch in Oaxaca, promises to be equally distinct and captivating.

“We hope to create a sense of home,” Maura said. “A place where friends can gather to relish great food and drinks.” Each new establishment under the MWA brand not only aims to provide superior service but also celebrate their unique neighborhoods through world-class food and drink offerings, thereby adding an exciting chapter in Mexico City's bar scene.