New Ole Group concept, La Bodeguita de Mima, expected to open early April in NuLu

La Bodeguita de Mima is expected to open the second week of April. (Photos courtesy of Fernando Martinez/Ole Restaurant Group.)

Get ready, NuLu, because La Bodeguita de Mima is coming in early April.

The new concept by Fernando Martinez and the Ole Restaurant Group was announced last fall. The restaurant and bar will occupy the brightly colored building at 725 E. Market, between Hotel AC and the forthcoming karaoke bar. Creation Gardens had previously occupied the building.

Martinez said on his personal Facebook this week the business will open during the second week in April.

La Bodeguita will be be a Cuban restaurant along with a cigar and rum bar. One of the managers, Armando Risotto, is a cigar roller and sommelier, and will be in charge of the cigar program. La Bodeguita will feature a special cigar deck for smokers.

Martinez said last year in a news release that, “La Bodeguita de Mima is really a tribute to my Mima, my mother, Yolanda, the unofficial mom of our entire company. It will be a very casual place where Yani and I get to serve up family recipes like my grandmother’s black beans and our aunt’s flan.”

Expect Cuban comfort food, in other words. A few of the dishes listed on the restaurant’s Facebook page include tostones rellenos, stews and soups, a Cuban sandwich and plenty more. You can bet mojitos will be a big part of the equation as well.

Also announced last October was a companion concept, Senor Arepa, which was described as a Venezuelan fast casual. Let’s just say we’re excited about both.

Other restaurants under the independently operated Olé Restaurant Group include the El Taco Luchardor eateries, Guaca Mole Cocina, Steak & Bourbon and Joe’s Older Than Dirt.