Josefina López, the award-winning playwright and screenwriter, the creator of the pop culture play and film, Real Women Have Curves, and the Founding Artistic Director of CASA 0101 Theater celebrated her 30th Anniversary as a writer with the Grand Opening of CASA FINA Restaurant & Cantina in Boyle Heights, CA on Cinco de Mayo, May 5, 2017 by hosting a Free Fiesta. Local dignitaries from Mayor
Erik Garcetti's and Councilmember José Huizar's offices, along with members of the Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce, Board Members from CASA 0101 Theater and members of the general public were in attendance to celebrate the occasion.
Now Josefina López has added the title of Restauranteur to Résumé. Although primarily universally known as a writer, Josefina López is also a Culinary Chef who graduated with a Supreme Diploma from the renowned Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. She has also attended the New School of Cooking in Culver City where she studied cuisine with a California touch and making pastries, as well as the Gourmandise Cooking School in Santa Monica, where she studied chocolate making, bread making, pasta making and pastries.
Josefina López has now joined forces with three other business partners and immigrants like herself, Executive Chef Augustin Alvarez, and Restaurant Owners, Alonzo Ricardo and
Emmanuel Deleage, to oversee CASA FINA Restaurant & Cantina, a celebration of color, women and Mexican cuisine!
During the Grand Opening Ceremonies Deputy Mayor Barbara Romero presented a Certificate of Recognition to CASA FINA Restaurant & Cantina on behalf of Mayor Erik Garcetti, as she spoke about how she was so happy to have a new restaurant like Josefina's to dine at. Rocio Hernandez, Area Director for Councilmember José Huizar, presented CASA FINA Restaurant & Cantina with a Certificate of Recognition; she mentioned how nice it was to have CASA FINA within close proximity to Josefina Lopez's CASA 0101 Theater, also located on First Street in Boyle Heights. Alan Sanchez, President of the Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce welcomed CASA FINA Restaurant & Cantina into the neighborhood and wished them much success. Members of CASA 0101 Theater's Board were also in attendance including: Martín Olvera, Beatrice Ochoa and Gabriela López de Dennis. Noted Actor Johnny Ortiz and Artist Juan Solis were also in attendance. Mariachi Las Colibrí and Guitarist Erik Gavica entertained guests as they enjoyed Complimentary Tacos, Aguas Frescas and Cake.
Josefina López said: "My motto and mantra at CASA FINA Restaurant and Cantina is: Life is a fiesta, so wear bright colors, eat great food and dance the night away! Our mission at CASA FINA will be to provide an excellent experience through exceptional personal service to our patrons by serving them delicious fresh food, with a unique, warm and vibrant atmosphere that leaves them inspired and feeling alive. Our vision at CASA FINA is that we are part of the 'Artistic Renaissance' and a celebration of the best of Boyle Heights: it's people, food and culture."
López continued: "CASA FINA Restaurant & Cantina is located at 1842 E. First Street in Boyle Heights where Serenata De Garibaldi Restaurant used to be. CASA FINA is within walking distance to CASA 0101 Theater located at 2102 E. First Street, at St. Louis Street. I had a lot of beautiful moments at Serenata De Garibaldi when it was a brand new restaurant. It inspired me to open CASA 0101 Theater, giving me confidence that having a theater in close proximity to a fine restaurant would be good for business for all involved. And that's exactly what happened! We plan to continue that synergy between CASA FINA and CASA 0101 Theater, and to provide entertainment as well, at the restaurant, for our customers."
The opening of CASA FINA Restaurant & Cantina also coincides with the 30th Anniversary of Josefina López's beginning as a writer, when as a 17-year-old student at Los Angeles High School for the Arts she wrote her first play, SIMPLY MARIA, Or The American Dream, which launched her successful career as a renowned American playwright and screenwriter. A Pay-What-You-Can production of her play is currently being presented at CASA 0101 Theater through May 14, 2017 supported by a grant from The California Endowment. The production is in collaboration with the Building Healthy Communities initiative in Boyle Heights, "Invest in Youth" campaign, and features 20 youth, primarily from Boyle Heights.
CASA FINA Restaurant and Cantina is located at 1842 E. First Street, Boyle Heights, CA 90033. House Specialties include: Ceviche, Fajitas, Molcajetes and Desserts. There will be art on the walls at the restaurant, including exhibits by artists and painters, such as: Juan Solis, Margaret Garcia and Emilia Garcia. The artwork will be a celebration of women and women painters, including Chicana/o artists, Latinos and women.
Josefina López elaborated by saying: "CASA FINA will be different from Serenata de Garibaldi because although we will be serving Mexican food with a modern twist, we will be a Family Dinning Restaurant where everyone is welcome. We want people in the Boyle Heights community to know that our prices are affordable and within the reach of the residents. We were conscious to not contribute to the gentrification already plaguing Boyle Heights. My goal has always been to make theater accessible and now I want to make this restaurant accessible to the Boyle Heights community and all those outside of Boyle Heights who love authentic and fresh Mexican food. Yes, there are many Mexican restaurants in Boyle Heights already serving delicious Mexican food, but I promise the friendly atmosphere and fiestas will be the best at CASA FINA."
López continued: "Our Daily Specials will be my opportunity to create with Chef Augustin Alvarez special dishes and invent Chicana/o cuisine. I also want to have wine tasting events so the Boyle Heights community can come try our wines and learn about Mexican wines from the Valley of Guadalupe in Baja, CA where our wines will come from. We want to support Mexican wines by serving them in our restaurant. In the future I want to create Special Events like Speed Dating, Stand Up Comedy Nights, Open Mike Nights, Bohemian Nights, Karaoke Nights and create many opportunities for Boyle Heights residents to try their hand at performing in front of a crowd. I even want to have Paint Nights with our featured artists teaching people how to paint as they sip our wine. It's going to be exciting and action packed in our Cantina!"
CASA FINA Restaurant Hours of Operation will be: Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. for both Lunch and Dinner; Friday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.; Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. including Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., including Sunday Brunch from 8:00 a.m. - 12 Noon.
CASA FINA's Cantina will be open from 10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with a limited Happy Hour Menu. The restaurant will feature daily specials. Valet Parking is available in the alley behind CASA FINA. The phone number is
323-604-9592. The E-mail is:
casafinarestaurant@gmail.com
Join the conversation with us at:
www.facebook.com/casafinarestaurantandcantinawww.instagram.com/CasaFinaFiesta
Twitter: @CasaFinaFiesta
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