Aldea, a contemporary Californian restaurant with a Mexican twist, is now open in La Jolla Village. Founded by La Jolla native Steve Horowitz, Aldea is not just a restaurant. It’s dedicated to fostering a sense of community, creating cherished memories and embracing every guest as a family member.
Named after the Spanish word for “village,” Aldea signifies a commitment to providing a warm and inviting atmosphere. The 3,200-sq.-ft. space aims to redefine La Jolla’s culinary scene, taking over the former Mermaids and Cowboys restaurant space.
“Aldea isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a testament to my love for La Jolla,” says founder Horowitz in a recent press release. “My deep-rooted connection to this community has shaped and inspired me in so many ways. La Jolla is more than a place; it’s the beating heart of my fondest memories, and Aldea is my way of giving back. My vision was to create a space where future generations would experience the same profound inspiration – a restaurant where the warmth of hospitality intertwines seamlessly with delicious flavors and great food.”
To create a unique menu that reflects the vibrant flavors of California’s West Coast and draws inspiration from various regions in Mexico, Horowitz enlisted the expertise of Las Vegas chef, Alex Reznick, and Executive Chef John Villalba. Reznick is known for his appearances on Bravo’s “Top Chef” Season 7 and Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay,” while Villalba is renowned for his global culinary expertise.
The menu at Aldea La Jolla features a wide array of seafood dishes, including ceviche, local red snapper, aguachile, line-caught mahi mahi, as well as meat entrees such as bone-in ribeye, birria bone-in short rib, pollo a la plancha and crispy pork belly. The cocktail menu has a variety of unique and enticing options that aim to satisfy every palate. The Amiga blends vodka, lavender-truffle syrup, lime citrus and egg white to create a sweet, velvety flavor. For those looking for something rich and complex, try the Vieux cocktail featuring sweet vermouth, cognac, rye, xtabentun, Peychaud’s and angostura.
“Aldea aims to be the cornerstone of our La Jolla community, a place where memories are forged, and connections blossom,” Horowitz says. “Opening our doors to the public is an exhilarating moment for me, an opportunity to unveil my team’s dedication and passion that has gone into bringing Aldea to life.”
Aldea La Jolla is open Tuesday to Thursday, from 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, from 4 to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, from 4 to 9 p.m. Aldea also just extended its offerings to include brunch on the weekends starting at 11 a.m.
For more information, visit aldealajolla.com.
1251 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA 92037