Natasha Kwan and Rick Roloff, the husband-and-wife team behind the popular vegetarian restaurant Frida’s, have announced a new concept, Diego’s, in the former Momo’s Ouzaria Taverna space (630 North and South). Momo’s closed in June, after the unexpected passing of owner Charles (Chuck) Pener III.
The couple had wanted to open a Mexican restaurant for a long time, and the location—just two doors north of Frida’s—was perfect. Roloff grew up in the border town of Laguna Vista, Texas, and he's looking forward to sharing some of the favorite dishes of his youth, including such traditional items as tacos and enchiladas, as well as lesser-known items, such as huaraches (pictured below), fried masa, and bean flatbreads.
No, Diego’s will not be strictly vegetarian, but it will focus on the same locally sourced, high-quality, fresh ingredients as Frida’s. Kwan says there will be meat and fish options, “but you can rest assured our beans and rice—and a lot of other items—will be vegetarian.” Latin-inspired items (such as arepas and ceviche) and some Latin-American fusion might creep onto the menu as well.
After demolition is complete, Kwan and Roloff will be raising the bar (literally), where guests can experience a wide selection of tequilas and mezcals (including flights to help taste the difference between the two), signature margaritas, and a Bloody Maria with a colorful rim of salt, black pepper, and turmeric.
The interior will be modern rustic (think: stuccos and white tones), rather than the colorful but meretricious Mexican adornments of old. "We'd rather the plates stand out," says Kwan. "We want our food to be the hero."
In 2012, Kwan opened Frida’s Deli, cleverly positioning it as “a vegetarian deli,” the only in the city. (In addition to Frida’s, Kwan and Roloff own and operate the neighboring businesses Pedal Pedal indoor cycling studio and Stretch yoga.) The 30-seat fast-casual restaurant immediately became a hit. A year later, the harvest-to-table interior garden was scrapped in favor of more seating ("that was some expensive rent," Kwan notes), along with a transition to full service and a shortening of the name to simply Frida's. Kwan's attention to detail includes the single-stem flowers, the peek-a boo–style cubbies that separate the rooms, and the salt shakers containing Himalayan pink salt.
Frida’s was named after Kwan’s cat and is an homage to painter Frida Kahlo, who married fellow painter Diego Rivera in 1929. Nearly 90 years later, another Frida/Diego marriage begins.
Ready the cocktail shakers, and tune up the vihuelas. Diego's is expected to open in the spring.
