Blog Entries
How to Celebrate Summer, Fiesta Style
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We admit, we’re spoiled living in San Diego. The sun shines year-round, there’s plenty to do, see and – most importantly – eat! That doesn’t mean, that we don’t get a little happier when summer rolls around. Spending a warm summer evening with family and friends on our luscious outdoor patio is the perfect way to celebrate the season. To experience all of the fiesta flair Casa de Pico has to offer, we recommend the following:
- Step 1: Order one of our famous birdbath margaritas. Frosty and delicious, there’s a reason they’re so popular! And for those under 21, we offer mocktail (or virgin) versions of our refreshing blended drinks to help keep cool.
- Step 2: Enjoy your favorite meal, or try something new! The Grilled Salmon Salad, romaine lettuce, grapes, oranges and avocado, all topped with mango dressing and a generous portion of salmon, is a summer favorite.
- Step 3: Request a song from our strolling mariachis and sing along. Nothing says fiesta like live music! Click HERE to see our entertainment schedule.
- Step 4: Relax and have a great evening!
Luckily, San Diego summers stretch on way past September 22, so let the celebrations continue!
Genuine Latin American Folk Art, Mata Ortiz Pottery and More – July 31 to Aug. 2
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Bazaar del Mundo Shops’ annual Latin American Festival and Mata Ortiz Pottery Market returns to Old Town, July 31 – Aug. 2, to showcase one of the most extensive collections of genuine Latin American folk art, traditional clothing and textiles, colorful collectibles and dazzling jewelry this side of the border.
Mata Ortiz pottery, based on a centuries-old art form renowned for its detailed process and hand-painted geometric and ancestral symbols, will be the highlight of the event with several skilled potters showcasing their wares, including returning artist Jorge Quintana – a principal Mata Ortiz artist whose work has been displayed in museums all over the world.
Live demonstrations will be performed for eager festival-goers, as artists hack away at wooden stumps to reveal life-like animal figures, weave hand-pulled wool into intricate textiles and skillfully paint delicate designs onto hand-formed clay pots.
Other traditional crafts and sought-after handmade goods include: San Antonino embroidery, tinwork, Talavera pottery, Oaxacan wooden animal carvings, Guatemalan weaving, various colorful and symbolic wall art and sculptures, Huichol yarn and bead paintings and one-of-a-kind pottery from the farthest regions of Mexico.
TINKU, a Latin American folk band, will perform over 19 musical rhythms from throughout Latin America on authentic native instruments. Mouth-watering Mexican cuisine from neighboring Casa Guadalajara restaurant will be for sale, completing the cultural aesthetic, making visitors feel as though they’ve stepped into one of Mexico’s rural markets.
The event runs 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Happy Birthday, Casa Guadalajara!
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Our sister restaurant Casa Guadalajara is celebrating its 20th anniversary next week! While many San Diegan’s have come to call the restaurant their favorite Old Town dining destination, we bet few remember how Casa Guadalajara came to be. In honor of the milestone, here’s a little history behind the restaurant:
Casa Guadalajara was once known as Romaine’s Guadalajara Grill. Upon discovering that Romaine’s former owner intended to cut down a majestic, 250-year-old California Pepper tree on the property to make way for a parking lot, Diane Powers purchased the land and transformed the restaurant into Casa Guadalajara – saving the tree and making it the focal point of the restaurant’s festive courtyard. Casa Guadalajara officially re-opened for business on June 12, 1995.
To celebrate the occasion, Powers and Casa Guadalajara will be throwing a week-long fiesta, with special entertainment including Folklorico dancers, strolling troubadours and mariachis, and special promotions. Starting Monday through Thursday, June 22 to 25, from 4 to 7 p.m., a special “Happier Hour” will take place in the Garden Room with tequila vendors on hand to present a special seminar. Thursday and Friday, June 25 and 26, will feature a special “throwback” menu with five favorite dishes that date back to the original menu, each with a 20 percent discount, and a commemorative T-shirt giveaway provided by Casamigos Tequila.
Come join the party and see why Casa Guadalajara has been a San Diego favorite for the last 20 years!
Tropical Dishes for a Sunny San Diego Day
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Casa de Pico is undoubtedly La Mesa’s most colorful and enjoyable Mexican restaurant! Our luscious outdoor patio is the perfect place to gather with family and friends and enjoy the nearly year-round San Diego sunshine.
Searching for a refreshing dish to go along with a warm, sunny afternoon? Try something tropical! We have a number of dishes with authentic, Mexican flavors. Here are just a few:
- Grilled Chicken & Mango Quesadilla: A tasty blend of flavors wrapped in our handmade flour tortillas. Served with mango chipotle sauce.
- Coconut Shrimp: Crispy coconut fried shrimp atop a tangy mango chipotle salsa. Served with savory arroz amarillo.
- Grilled Shrimp & Mango Salad: Shrimp sautéed with tequila, lime, butter, mango, garlic and cilantro on a bed of crisp spring mix salad garnished with fresh avocado and mango. Served with spicy chipotle-mango dressing.
- Ensalada Fiesta Tropical: Salad greens with morsels of grilled chicken, chunks of avocado and oranges, slices of grapes and black olives, tiny sweet peppers and crispy, chipotle tortilla chips. All tossed with our own spicy, mango chipotle lime dressing. Served in a crispy concha shell.
See our full menu for more festive options. And of course, our famous birdbath margaritas are a great way to stay cool in the San Diego sun.
Making Mother’s Day Memories
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Mother’s Day is just around the corner! Why not show mom a little shopping-spree lovin’ to make her feel extra special this year? Diane Powers invites all mothers to come spoil themselves, while dads and kids shop for the perfect present, at the Bazaar del Mundo Shops in Old Town for a “Mother Lovin’ Shopping Spree,” May 9, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Whether she’s a fashionista, foodie, free spirit, or a little bit of it all, this Mother’s Day shopping party will host artists creating special gifts fitting the taste of all kinds of mothers. From themed cookbooks to handcrafted necklaces, there is sure to be the perfect gift for every mom.
And to say “Thank you!” for all those delicious home-cooked meals, treat mom to Mother’s Day brunch at Casa de Pico on Sunday, May 10. Between the gifts and a well-deserved birdbath margarita, she’ll be smiling for weeks to come!
Spending an Afternoon in Grossmont Center is Easy to Do!
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Grossmont Center Fountain. Image from SanDiegan.com.
It’s almost the weekend, and we’ll bet that you’ve got a ton of errands to run. With Grossmont Center being home to dozens of shops and services, it’s a convenient location to get several things crossed off your list at once. With proper planning, you can be in and out in an hour or two and still have time for a little fun!
First, run into Anna’s Linens and return those bed sheets you decided were the wrong color (darn!). As you finish putting away your receipt, stroll across the way to Barnes & Noble and grab that magazine you’ve been eyeing all week and a book on trains for your nephew’s birthday. Head down a little further and check out movie times. That new action flick would be perfect for date night tonight!
You’re desperately in need of some new jeans, so you’ll have to try on a few pairs at Macy’s to get the best fit. Might as well try on a few tops while you’re at it, right? Once your new outfit is complete, head to the fragrance counter for a new bottle of your favorite scent.
Drop off your watch to get the battery replaced at Time Zone, then go freshen up your toes with a pedicure (this is the perfect time to read that magazine, ladies!) or take a few moments to relax with a well-deserved massage. You’ve been busy today!
Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, it’s time to meet up with your special someone for an early dinner at Casa de Pico. With a satisfying selection of appetizers and entrées, we’re sure to have the right flavors to fit your mood. Enjoy your favorite dish with our famous birdbath margarita as you relish in the San Diego sun on our beautiful outdoor patio. After finishing up that fried ice cream you’ve been craving all week, it’s movie time!
It’s been a fun and productive day at Grossmont Center. With so many things to do, Casa de Pico is proud to call La Mesa’s favorite shopping mall home. We hope to see you again soon!
Casa de Pico is Now on Instagram!
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Casa de Pico is on Instagram! Follow us to get the latest on specials, events and ever-so-savory food photos. Make sure to tag #CasadePico on your pictures so we can like and share our favorites.
Download Casa de Pico’s Mobile App!
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Have you downloaded the Casa de Pico restaurant app? You can quickly give us a call, calculate your tip, view our Happy Hour specials AND take great photos marked with our logo! This app conveniently places our menu, specials and entertainment schedule in the palm of your hands.
Any information you might need to plan your Casa de Pico Mexican dining experience can now be on the home screen of your smart phone. Pick a date, grab a friend and document your fiesta with our Casa de Pico Funpix! Don’t forget to share your photos with us by tagging #CasadePico.
