The $25 million Paseo restaurant, Centrico courtyard bar and Tiendita takeout stand now open in Downtown Disney celebrates the Mexican flavors, heritage and family of celebrity chef Carlos Gaytan with a menu of small plates, seafood, tacos, ceviches and tequila-based cocktails.
The Patina Restaurant Group invested millions in the renovation of Paseo, Centrico and Tiendita formerly occupied by Catal restaurant, Uva bar and Sprinkles cupcake bakery.
“The total costs were north of $25 million,” Patina Restaurant Group President John “JK” Kolaski said.
Patina’s trio of new Mexican cuisine eateries held grand opening ceremonies this week at Downtown Disney.
“We’re a family-owned company and they believe in the partnership with Disney,” Kolaski said during an interview in Paseo after the grand opening ceremony. “We want to be Disney’s best partner worldwide. This is a great example of the family, Delaware North and Patina Restaurant Group really committing to the future vision of Disney.”
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Gaytan’s signature style combines Mexican flavors with a French haute cuisine culinary style. The Michelin-starred chef was the first Mexican-born chef to earn the coveted honor. He’s appeared as a contestant on Bravo’s “Top Chef” reality competition show.
Paseo and Centrico seek to maintain an authentic Mexican look and feel amid vacationing tourists streaming through Downtown Disney.
The contemporary Paseo dining room is filled with woods, leather, greenery and custom native accents celebrating Mexico’s culture.
With an open and airy design, the sociable Centrico outdoor bar is intended to capture the spirit of a Mexican hacienda with a 360-degree people-watching perch in the middle of the Downtown Disney promenade.
Award-winning Mexican architect Jorge Gracia, founder of Tijuana-based GraciaStudio, designed the interiors of Paseo and Centrico.
Mexico City-based design and carpentry company La Metropolitana created the custom restaurant furnishings.
Dinner reservations start June 1 for Paseo and Centrico. Centrico is also open for lunch with daily lunch and weekend brunch service coming soon for Paseo.
