Chef Ishmael Giles prepares the first meal in the new kitchen on the day of their soft opening. Photos by Dean Sullivan
Before opening their doors for business, the newest restaurant in Baywood Park had a list of locals wanting to book reservations.
Mirazur Restaurant, 1365 2nd Street, held a soft opening last weekend serving up what owner Alejandro Flores says is “American-European food with a French twist in an upscale casual setting. I don’t want to scare anybody by saying fine dining.”
The building is the former home of the Blue Heron and a few other eateries but has been empty for some time.
“We’ve heard from a lot of the locals,” said the Texas born and raised Flores. “They started noticing that we were in here working in January, and they just popped in to see what was going on. We didn’t know that this spot meant so much to all the locals. We’re just so excited to open the doors and say, ‘Welcome.’”
Flores, who handles the front of house, is one of three owner/operators behind the team that also includes Marco Lucatero, a partner at Lunada Garden Bistrro in Cayucos, and Chef Ismael Giles.
The Kitchen
The menu promises a farm-to-table dining experience featuring seafood, meat, and pasta dishes made in the open style kitchen.
To start, appetizers include grilled octopus, oysters Rockefeller, oysters on the half shell, roasted artichokes, and Brussels sprouts.
On the main menu are filet mignon, French duck, mushroom risotto, Colorado rack of lamb, grilled pork chops, chicken picatta, pesto penne, surf and turf, and more. Soup and salad are also available with clam chowder available every day.
No meal is complete without dessert. Mirazur partnered with Michelin-Star pastry chef Florencia Breda, who’s delectable chocolates and desserts created a following at Mistura Restaurant in SLO. Look for tiramisu, pot de crème and pistachio cream brulee among others.
The weekday lunch menu offers burgers, sandwiches, soup, salad and “fried goodies” such as fish and chips.
Bruch is available on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Yes, mimosas are part of the menu as well as omelets, eggs benedict and selections from the lunch menu.
One of their appeitzers,
Oysters rockerfellers with bacon, sambuca, spinach
and parmigia
The eatery has a wine and beer bar. Beers are on tap or by the bottle and wine is available by the glass or a bottle for the table. Wine cocktails, such as the pineapple-basil margarita and other wine-spirits add to the selection.
“Everybody asks,” Flores said, “‘Are you going to have full liquor bar?’ Some of the feedback that we’ve gotten so far is that the cocktails don’t need it [hard liquor],” Alejandro said adding that they also have non-alcoholic beer and can leave the alcohol out for a fun mocktail.
Ambiance
The restaurant has an open airy feel promoting a relaxed and comfortable experience. Copper and bamboo touches give the space a modern touch.
Mirazur, Spanish for “look at the blue,” lives up to its name in the eleven-table outdoor seating area with heat lamps for those cooler evenings.
Owners Alejandro Flores, Ishmael Giles, Marco Lucatero
“The way the sun sets over there,” Flores said, “its’s just perfect. It’s such a great spot. We just got lucky.”
Patrons can also take a beverage outside as long as they remain in the spacious lawn area designated as the restaurant’s space. There is an additional outside spot with three fire elements and succulent landscaping.
Alejandro says whether it is lunch, brunch or dinner he wants, “I want everybody to have a memorable experience with great service. I want them to walk away and, be able to say, ‘I can’t wait to be back to celebrate whatever occasion or just have lunch.”
Los Osos residents Jeff Wedell and Marianne McKeon-Wedell were on their nightly walk when they stopped to peek in the window of the new restaurant. Flores invited the couple in where they injoyed a glass of wine at the bar, and were the very first people to be seated.
“We are so excited to see a new restaurant, not only in Baywood but also in Los Osos. What a great experience we had and wonderful food,” said Wedell. “We will definitely be back with our friends.”
Mirazur’s official grand opening is expected later this month. Reservations are encouraged, especially for dinner, but are not required. They are open for lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner hours are 4:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. They are closed on Mondays. They can be reached at 805-439-0058 or info@mirasurrestaurant.com. A website is in the works and will be live soon. Follow them on Instagram under Mirazur Restaurant, for updates.
