A new SoCal-style Mexican rooftop restaurant and bar will be opening in the spring atop the VyStar building at 100 W. Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville.
Called Estrella Cocina, it will have 3,500 square feet of indoor rooftop space with an additional 4,500 square feet of outdoor seating and rentable event space.
Local restaurateurs Jonathan Cobbs and Dwayne Beliakoff, founders of The Bread & Board, and partners are working on the venture.
“Inspiration for Estrella Cocina really stems from my travels and the time I was able to spend in Baja California and a number of beautiful western Mexico coastal towns like Vallarta, Sayulita, Zihuatanejo and Escondido over the last two decades,” said Beliakoff in an email to WJCT News. “My grandmother was Mexican and I was born and lived in southern California until my early teens so I’m very passionate about the area.”
The menu will feature tastes of Baja coastal Mexican, Baja Mediterranean and SoCal-Mexican cuisines.
“We love the synergy of what’s going on Downtown and are thrilled to be a part of the revitalization of the urban core,” said Cobbs. “This rooftop space will offer one-of-a-kind food and be a great hang out spot to grab a cocktail or even host an event with panoramic views of the river and cityscape.”
The 3,500-square-foot indoor space will seat up to 75 guests at regular capacity. Additional table and lounge seating on the rooftop patio will allow for an additional 150 diners, with more outdoor standing room available for up to 500 people for reception-style events.
Large retractable windows along the perimeter of the indoor space will open to the patio to allow for an indoor/outdoor feel year-round. Other design elements include wood, rustic tile, greenery, nighttime lighting displays and accent colors aimed at bringing a beachy, airy and modern Baja feel to the space.
