Josefina López is opening a new restaurant at the site of an iconic Boyle Heights restaurant that closed earlier this year.
The playwright best known for “Real Women Have Curves” and founder of Boyle Heights’ Casa 0101 theater is now hiring waiters, cooks, and dishwashers for Casa Fina Restaurant & Cantina on First Street.
The site of the former La Serenata de Garibaldi is now painted “passion purple” and hangs a banner that reads “opening soon.” In a Facebook post by Lopez she says “My dream of owning and running a restaurant is coming true! Can’t wait to host tons of parties, celebrations and form more Conga Lines!”
A post published by the official Facebook page for Casa Fina reads “It makes me sad that Serenata closed after 30 years.” The post goes on to say, “I especially want to celebrate women at my new restaurant.”
The restaurant will host a fundraiser event in support of Wendy Carillo, one of 23 candidates running for the 34th Congressional district, which includes Boyle Heights and other parts of Los Angeles. That April 1 event is being billed as a Casa Fina preview. It costs $75 to attend and tickets must be bought in advance.
According to the Facebook page, Casa Fina will open in May.
