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When one door closes, another one literally opens. That’s the case for Argentine chef Mariano Araya, who shuttered his long-running Doral restaurant due to the pandemic and this week gears up to open its successor, Casa Mariano.
With two decades of experience and posts at restaurants such as steakhouse Olivios and Marfil Bistro, Araya has plenty to draw from for this new menu, which he’s billing as a collection of his greatest hits and favorites across Argentine and Mediterranean cuisines. The menu will run the gamut from cold and hot appetizers to salads and several kinds of pasta. Seafood and meat categories will be well represented across the menu—think lobster thermidor, black ink seafood risotto, grilled veal chop and a 14-ounce prime ribeye. All steaks will include the option of a house-made sauce, including chimichurri, peppercorn, truffle, bearnaise or bordelaise.
“This concept is a labor of love,” says chef Mariano. “From the moment guests step inside, I want them to feel like they are walking into my own home. Every detail, from the décor to the menu and the wine selection, was carefully considered and refined. I’m thrilled to finally welcome everyone to my casa!” To that end, Casa Mariano was designed to resemble someone’s inviting—and very well-appointed—home. A covered patio greets guests as they walk inside the dining room, which features three separate sitting areas: a living room, a private dining space and a wine library with a built-in cellar. That’s where you’ll find sommelier Victor Tapia’s bounty of handpicked bottles sourced from around the world.
Casa Mariano opens for lunch, brunch and dinner on Saturday, September 18, at 8200 NW 27th Street. Follow the restaurant online for the latest information.
