| 10/13/2009 4:56:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | New restaurant captures authentic Mexican taste
Valerie Clarke
Cinco de Mayo has opened its doors to Rockford, offering taste and ambience from a region south of Mexico City known as Guanajuato. With liquor license not yet in hand and murals not quite finished, this much anticipated venue has decided to move ahead and tantalize local tastebuds with its authentic Mexican cuisine.
The restaurant, located at 123 Courtland St., opened on Oct. 5. The grand opening will not occur until the liquor license comes in. They expect it within six weeks but noted it was up to the State of Michigan whether or not to grant them the license.
The 4,800-square-foot restaurant features interior seating for 100 diners, outdoor seating, a large bar and high ceilings.
The owner, Mariano Coronado, moved here from the Mexican state of Guanajuato in 2005. All of his employees, including the artist, are from the same state. The food, art and furniture are all authentic to their culture.
"This is the first restaurant I've opened on my own, instead of partnering with other family members," Coronado said. "The Rockford community is very nice and I'm excited to bring a new family restaurant to the area."
Although artist Rolando Mancera was not professionally trained in the arts, his murals throughout the restaurant beautifully capture the history of Guanajuato.
"I always considered my talent a gift from God," said Mancera, who just began using his talents as an artist about five years ago.
Cinco de Mayo, which means "5th of May" in Spanish, is a holiday commemorating the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In spite of the fact that Cinco de Mayo is not an obligatory federal holiday, it is celebrated in the U.S. as a show of Mexican heritage and pride.
According to a press release, Cinco de Mayo's murals feature historical figures that embody the spirit of Mexico's culture and strong character, as well as murals showing Guanajuato, Mexico (where both Coronado and Mancera were born), silver mine workers, mummies and the Alley of the Kiss.
"I stood in Cinco de Mayo recently and fully realized the beautiful transformation of this location," said Tom Cronkright, owner of Cronkright Ventures LLC and property developer for the Cinco de Mayo project. "Mariano's restaurant is a wonderful addition to Rockford."
The owners of the company are beginning a small local chain of authentic Mexican restaurants with a full Mexican experience to go with it. The menu offers a simply delicious array of fine Mexican dishes, including two that are really spicy.
"Everyone is enjoying the food," said Mariano Coronado. "We are very happy with the customers and are looking forward to our grand opening when our (liquor) license comes through."
Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
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