On Thursday, visitors to the Henderson Center Farmers Market got a sneak preview of Manzanilla, the
Spanish and Mediterranean spot opening in Le Monde's former spot. Starting this week, the restaurant will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. for takeout and outdoor dining. So far the lunch menu is brief and the restaurant is temporarily cash only, but chef David Velasco-Guzman and partner and sous chef Walter Rubke expect to expand gradually.
click to enlarge - Photo by Mark McKenna
- Manzanilla co-owner and sous chef Walter Rubke cuts house made pita for the mezze platter in the kitchen of the newly opened restaurant in Henderson Center.
With city approval, Manzanilla set up tables in the adjacent parking lot on Saturday, where, among others, chef Josh Wiley of Five Eleven and his girlfriend Cheyanne Samson took in sunshine and "amazing" empanadas.
click to enlarge - Photo by Mark McKenna
- Head chef of Five Eleven Josh Wiley and his girlfriend Cheyanne Samson enjoyed empanadas int the ersatz parking lot cafe.
The menu makes use of the kitchen's woodfire oven with pizzas, including a Moroccan lamb pizza, as well as the pita for the mezze plate. Other options include a blackened chicken sandwich with harissa and a Moroccan burger with feta and pickled onions.