‘Taste Of Mexico’ Opens In West Haven

WEST HAVEN, CT — City officials celebrated the grand opening of a new Mexican restaurant in West Haven with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, pictured at center cutting the ceremonial ribbon with city leaders, joined the owners of La Catrina Restaurant and Cantina at 240 Captain Thomas Blvd.

Marking the event are, from left, Councilman William X. Conlon, D-2; owners Karen Sanchez Benitez and brothers Nicolas and Alberto Altamirano Escobedo; Councilman Gary Donovan, D-at large; City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath; city Treasurer Michael P. Last; and owner Carlos Perez, the brother-in-law of Nicolas and Alberto Altamirano Escobedo.

Nicolas Altamirano Escobedo said La Catrina proudly serves the taste of Mexico, specializing in such authentic dishes as tacos, burritos, tortas, quesadillas and enchiladas made from his mother’s time-honored recipes, along with savory fish, chicken, steak and pork entrees. The fusion of traditional Mexican cuisine is complemented by creative concoctions of citrusy-flavored margaritas and other zesty cocktails.

Nicolas Altamirano Escobedo and Sanchez Benitez, who hail from Puebla, Mexico, and now live together in Hamden, chose the West Haven location, housed in the Savin Rock Plaza near the beach, because they “love the city.”

The newly remodeled restaurant and bar is decorated with Spanish furnishings, knickknacks and murals and is accentuated by bright hues of the owners’ native Mexico.

The striking theme of La Catrina is “Dia de los Muertos,” or “Day of the Dead,” the popular Mexican holiday that commemorates loved ones who have died.

“La Catrina,” a female skeleton donning a dress hat with feathers, is the referential image of death in Mexico and is the symbol of Dia de los Muertos, observed Nov. 1-2.

As a tribute to the culture and people of Mexico, the restaurant’s festive and spacious dining room and barroom are enlivened by vivid pink and yellow stucco walls that showcase Day of the Dead-themed murals with skeleton faces painted by West Haven artist Cruz Manuel.

La Catrina is open for lunch and dinner daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.