Zocalo, a modern Mexican eatery, is the creation of Emmanuel Ibarra and Alejandro Hernandez. The relatives grew up in the restaurant business as the children of the owners of El Cerro Grande.
 
“We always knew that we wanted to do our own thing one day,” Hernandez said. “And the opportunity to open a restaurant here was perfect timing.”
 
The partners say that Zocalo, set to open mid-June in The Pointe at Barclay in midtown Wilmington, will be a departure from El Cerro Grande in that it will be a more modern approach to traditional Mexican fare. Everything will be prepared in-house, from 12 varieties of salsa to handmade tortillas flavored with ingredients such as red peppers, cilantro and blue corn.
 
Hernandez and Ibarra say the dishes are designed to be fresher and healthier than some of the heavier Mexican dishes diners might be accustomed to. They say that while everything is satisfying, customers should feel good after eating, not full and lethargic.
 
“I think that people’s palates are becoming more adventurous and they are gravitating toward a lighter, fresher approach to Mexican food,” Hernandez said.
 
Zocalo will serve many familiar Mexican dishes such as burritos, quesadillas and chimichangas, but also a variety of sopes, tacos and appetizers such as fried calamari breaded in masa and served with a cilantro chipotle aioli.  The menu will include plenty of seafood and vegetarian options, as well as salads.
 
The bar will feature 11 beers on tap, as well as draft Margaritas prepared with fresh squeezed juices. There will also be a variety of premium tequila and mezcal cocktails.
 
Located just across from the entrance to The Pointe 14 movie theater, Zocalo will seat 220 inside and an additional 50 or so on an outdoor patio. The patio will also include a fire pit and lounge area.
 
The dining room, which is in the final stages of construction, was designed with help from Wilmington-based interior designer Nicole Massimino of Designs By Nicole. The dining room will offer several types of seating, and can easily accommodate large parties.  All of the restaurant’s décor and materials were purchased in North Carolina.
 
“This is another departure from El Cerro, where all of the furnishings were brought in from Mexico,” said Emmanuel Ibarra. “We wanted to help support the state’s economy but purchasing materials sold or made nearby.”
 
One full wall of the dining room features a series of photos of Zocalo Plaza, one of the largest plazas in Mexico City. Hernandez and Ibarra said "zocalo" is the Aztec word for a place of gatherings or a place of celebrations.
 
“That’s exactly what we want this to be,” Hernandez said, “a place to gather, to share a meal, to enjoy great food and great company.”
 
Check Zocalo's Facebook page for updates.
 
Zocalo is located at 1474 Barclay Pointe Blvd., Suite 206, and will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
 
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