PHOTOS: A tour of Casa Del Barco’s new 8,400-square-foot restaurant at Short Pump Town Center

HOUSEpitality Group, the local company behind The Boathouse and Casa Del Barco, will open their second Casa location, bringing the Mexican flavors of their Canal Walk restaurant downtown–and the Oaxaca region of Mexico–to Short Pump Town Center beginning with dinner service on Friday, December 22nd. We had the opportunity to tour the new 8,400-square-foot space this morning.

The restaurant is far more open than its previous use, as Tara Thai. The entire space has been opened to expose the building’s steel beams, creating a two story space that allows in ample natural lighting.

The new Casa features a private dining area and an open-air rooftop tequileria where patrons can choose from a menu of 200 tequilas and mezcals. Plus, a second story bar allows patrons to relax and unwind with plush, sofa-style seating.

The second location will offer a similar menu to the original, featuring Mexican cuisine made with fresh, local ingredients and inventive cocktails. To that point, the company sent Casa del Barco chefs to Oaxaca region of Mexico to study the authentic cuisine of the region to add to the flavor and uniqueness of the menu last November.

Because the restaurant is opening during the holidays, Casa Del Barco’s initial schedule will vary. Dinner service will begin December 22nd and also be offered on the 23rd. Christmas Eve Dinner reservations are available from 3:00 – 8:30 PM on the 24th. Beginning Monday the 26th, the restaurant will be open at 3:00 PM with happy hour, daily specials, and the standard dinner menu. Lunch service begins January 1st, 2018; Saturday and Sunday brunch service begins Saturday, January 6th at 11:00 AM.

The new venture will create approximately 85 jobs.