Wining and dining comes to downtown Mesa

Omar de la Cruz, 42, is a little nervous about his latest business venture.

"But I'm also very excited," he said.

Despite the dismal economy, de la Cruz and his wife, Silda, next month will open a new bistro across the street from the Mesa Arts Center at 10 W. Main St.

The de la Cruz Bistro will offer upscale meals as well as an assortment of red and white wines and champagne.

"Yes, we'll be the first upscale bistro on West Main Street in downtown Mesa to offer wine," said de la Cruz, who also owns Mangos Mexican Caféand Bakery several doors away at 44 W. Main St.

He and his wife opened the café 12 years ago. His family also owns and operates five other Mexican restaurants in east Mesa, Gold Canyon, Apache Junction and Chandler.

"I know we're taking a chance with the economy, but we've got a lot of reaction from people who are looking for a good restaurant, especially near the Mesa Arts Center," de la Cruz said.

He said he began planning to expand about two years ago.

"Customers came into our Mangos Mexican Café and asked for beer, wine or margaritas, but we had no liquor license," de la Cruz said."We also didn't have much space for them to sit down." Mangos has several outdoor tables and chairs.

He said visitors to the Mesa Arts Center will be offered special show packages for meals and drinks at his new restaurant near the northwest corner of Main and Center streets. The restaurant will include Peruvian meals prepared by his wife, a native of that country. De la Cruz is of Mexican heritage and was born in San Antonio.

"Our meals will have an Hispanic touch but will also include contemporary American fare," he said, adding the menu will offer salmon, steaks and lobster and about a dozen wine selections.

The Mesa Arts Center last year began offering its show/restaurant packages to many local eateries, including S'Bistro at 124 W. Main St.

S'Bistro owner and chef Brian Banasek said the deals have increased business since the economy dropped. Banasek said he will purchase a liquor license to sell beer and wine when crowds begin gathering at the center this fall.

As for the addition of another bistro to downtown Mesa, Banasek said: "It's friendly competition and, frankly, it's good for business, especially with the city encouraging downtown development."

The de la Cruz bistro will be in the former Posh Nosh restaurant, which closed in December after operating for a year. The former owner sold his liquor license to de la Cruz, who is remodeling the space.