After a quiet closure, this Mexican kitchen is heating back up — this time under the guidance of two friends-turned-business-partners who bring with them a combined more than 40 years of hospitality experience.
Costa Del Sol Cantina, formerly La Terraza, is preparing to host a soft opening Friday, Feb. 20, and its grand opening Monday, March 2, under owners Joe Ryan and Jeremy Miller.
“We always talked about (opening a restaurant); everyone always talks about it,” Ryan said with a laugh. “It’s the one industry that everyone thinks they can just buy one and be great at it, which unfortunately, it’s an industry that’s unlike any other … That’s why a lot of restaurants fail.”
Luckily for this duo, the restaurant world is one they understand well.
New owners have worked together for years
While Ryan’s roots began behind the bar at 24 in Key West, he’s become locally known for his former role as general manager at Chases on the Beach over the last six years — a title that only hints at the many hats he’s worn at the restaurant after navigating the pandemic and multiple hurricanes.
Miller is the CEO and founder of Awake Late, specializing in “marketing, branding and management for hotels, restaurants, bars and events,” according to its Facebook.
Together, the duo runs a restaurant consulting business, Stir Hospitality, which currently services half a dozen restaurants across the U.S., according to Ryan.
They’ve also spent the last year and a half hosting the Somewhat Tipsy Podcast, highlighting the realities of the hospitality industry. It covers a mix of business-rooted and light-hearted topics, from the detrimental effects of rising food costs to recent restaurant interactions during their popular segment “Come on, Karen.”
“The nice thing with Jeremy and I working together is everyone has strengths and weaknesses … but where my weaknesses are, those are his strengths and vice versa,” Ryan said. “… That’s why our partnership works out so well, because we’re good at what the other is not great at.”
New menu, familiar favorites at Costa Del Sol Cantina
Described as “coastal cantina,” the new eatery will keep its menu rooted in fresh ingredients and the same Mexican flavors previously tied to the space, Ryan said.
“People really liked coming here, so I said, ‘You know, the food cost for Mexican restaurants is a bit better than say, seafood and stuff like that,” he explained. “ … So, with my operational background and (Miller’s) marketing, we could knock this out of the park. It already has a very loyal fanbase, and they had really good food.”
Costa Del Sol Cantina will keep several of the former restaurant’s most popular items — including its house chips, sizzling fajitas and soup — while introducing a more “chef-driven menu,” according to the restaurateur.
In addition to house-made queso, the restaurant will offer a tableside guac and margarita option — each prepared right at the table to customers’ liking — as well as “secret menu items” for those in the know and dining deals, like $2 street tacos on Tuesdays and a 3-5 p.m. happy hour Monday-Thursday with $4 margaritas.
“I want the chef to feel like it’s his, too. So, we’re going to highlight some of the chef’s specialties — what his passions are, what he likes,” Ryan said. “I think if you’re chef-driven and let them kind of takes the reins on some stuff, you’re going to have much better quality, because that’s their passion; that’s what they love.”
The eatery’s full bar will feature at least 20 different margaritas, created with fresh fruits and house-made purees, as well as various “beach drinks,” eight-to-10 frozen cocktails and ice spheres for whiskey drinkers.
“It’s gonna be fun. You’re going to come in during the day and have that beach vibe where you can have a margarita and get a couple tacos. Then at night, you can come in and have a nice dinner,” Ryan said, with lights dimming around 7:30 p.m. to embrace a more lounge-esque environment.
Costa Del Sol Cantina takes new approach to service industry
The restaurant plans to create roughly 40-50 jobs, immersing employees in a way Ryan says he’s yet to see, locally.
“For our staff, were taking 10% of our profit and every quarter, we’re going to give it to them. I want our staff to be bought in; I want them to feel like they’re part of something … And I’m going to have optional monthly financial meetings,” he said, hoping to provide staff with a clear understanding of the business’ inner workings.
“Your team is the most important thing, and I think being upfront and honest with them, letting them feel a part of it and actually be rewarded for being a part of it … I think it’ll revolutionize the industry,” Ryan said.
Costa Del Sol Cantina is located at at 1414 S. Atlantic Ave. in New Smyrna Beach and plans to be open daily from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. during the week and 11 a.m.–midnight on weekends. For information, visit costansb.com.
(This story was updated with new information.)
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Beachside Mexican restaurant to open at former La Terraza in NSB
Reporting by Helena Perray, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
