La Parrilla has been a local staple since 1994, and in 2018, the team brought a new concept to the Atlanta market. Casi Cielo brought a fresh take on Mexican cuisine to Sandy Springs when it opened its doors in 2018. Now, the team is preparing a second Casi Cielo location, with plans to open along the Beltline at 405 North Angier Avenue NE, Suite 120. Juan Henao, vice president of La Parrilla restaurants, told What Now Atlanta that they hope to open the spot in the second week of January.
Casi Cielo offers an upscale take on Mexican cuisine, focusing on flavors from Oaxaca. When they initially crafted the concept, the Casi Cielo team traveled to Mexico and met with various chefs to gather inspiration.
“We understood that Mexican food was not just only about burritos and enchiladas, which create their comfort food, but Mexican food also is so diverse and it can be very sophisticated as well,” Henao said. “That’s what we wanted to do with Cassie Cielo — to bring those flavors.”
Chef Juan Pablo heads up the menu. In addition to usual Casi Cielo offerings such as duck carnitas and mahi-mahi tempura tacos, Pablo will be introducing some new dishes to the menu at the Beltline location. Expect to see items such as ceviches, sashimis and tiraditos.
The restaurant will be 5,800 square feet and will feature a 3,800-square-foot pavilion. Henao emphasizes that the design is thoughtfully crafted and will offer unique elements, including a rammed earth wall that took three months to build.
“This restaurant is not going to need any paintings or any art. That wall will be art itself,” Henao said. “It’s an architectural masterpiece. And when people walk by or run by the Beltline, we’re going to showcase a beautiful pavilion with a bar outside.”
This location will also offer a chef’s table for six people inside the kitchen, which will offer a tasting menu.
Eventually, the team hopes to grow the brand to different cities. Henao said they will likely stop at two Casi Cielo locations within Atlanta and then shift their sights to other markets such as Nashville and Charleston.
“After being in Sandy Springs for eight years and putting out a new option for Mexican food, we decided we were ready for something bigger, something that will showcase not only Casi Cielo, but also our experience as restauranteurs here in Atlanta,” Henao said. “I think it was a great opportunity to showcase to the people of Atlanta and all the people who travel to Atlanta that we can have an amazing restaurant.”
