A new cafe and bakery concept called Santa Canela is set to Highland Park soon at the intersection of Figueroa Street and Avenue 56.
This is the latest from Grupo Apapacho, the umbrella group behind Maizano/Entre Nos, La Cha Cha Chá, Loreto, and Mariscos Za Za Zá, according to Eater Los Angeles. Santa Canela will serve coffee and showcase pastries prepared by the team’s longtime pastry chef, Ellen Ramos, the creator of the restaurant group’s signature “LA” churro. This is a massive achievement for the second-generation immigrant whose parents hail from El Salvador and Mexico. Santa Canela will open on February 24.
Ramos plans to create a menu inspired by her Los Angeles roots and the city’s multicultural flavors. Coffee drinks accompany seasonal ingredient-filled pan dulce, cookies, churros, and more. Ramos brings extensive baking experience from Patina Restaurant Group, Redbird, and 71Above. Other key players in Grupo Apapacho, established in 2015, include Javier Hernandez Pons, Jorge Salim Vilches, Alejandro Marin, Emilio Morayta, and Jaime Garmilla.
“Apapacho” is derived from the word “apapachar,” a term that signifies “embracing or caressing with the soul.” Grupo Apapacho embodies this concept by bringing Mexican culture to the forefront through ingredients and traditions and celebrating the “barrio” culture – a unique blend of fun, irreverence, and passion. They create urban oases with thoughtful architecture and style, setting an irresistible ambiance in all of their venues. Their intentional cuisine bridges Mexican and American palates, delivering traditional Mexican dishes with a modern, relatable twist that’s garnered success on both sides of the border.
