New upscale Mexican restaurant in Sarasota announces opening date

Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Updated ·2 min read

Update: Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill has moved its opening to Wednesday, Sept. 6 due to Tropical Storm Idalia, according to an email sent Monday afternoon to the Herald-Tribune. The restaurant was initially scheduled to open Thursday, Aug. 31.

A new Mexican restaurant in Sarasota, sharing an owner with another popular local Mexican eatery, has announced its debut date.

Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill will open Sept. 6. It is located in Sarasota's Gulf Gate neighborhood at 6644 Gateway Ave., a space that's previously been home to multiple restaurants, most recently Opus. Gino Calleja, proprietor of the Mexican restaurant Reyna's Taqueria with two locations in Sarasota Commons and Sarasota Square Mall, will co-own Kolucan with Jose Rojas, former chef of the since-closed Louies Modern in downtown Sarasota.

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Like Reyna's Taqueria, which is named after his mother Doña Reyna, Kolucan pays tribute to Calleja's family and his roots with its name, which comes from his hometown San Lucas Colucán in Mexico.

"Gino and I share a strong love for our native Mexican roots, and I admire his experience and success in the restaurant business," Rojas said in a statement. "Together, we are proud to introduce modern-day authentic Mexican cuisine to Sarasota."

Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill, a new restaurant in Sarasota offering an "elevated approach to traditional Mexican dishes" such as the Callo de Hacha de Colima (pan-seared sea scallops with street corn huitlachoche risotto) pictured here, will open Thursday, Aug. 31.
Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill, a new restaurant in Sarasota offering an "elevated approach to traditional Mexican dishes" such as the Callo de Hacha de Colima (pan-seared sea scallops with street corn huitlachoche risotto) pictured here, will open Thursday, Aug. 31.

The restaurant describes its cuisine as an "elevated approach to traditional Mexican dishes," with menu offerings including Huachinango a la Veracruzana, a whole red snapper dish from the Mexican region of Veracruz, and Callo de Hacha de Colima, pan-seared sea scallops with street corn huitlachoche risotto. Along with several other entrees, Kolucan will offer a variety of appetizers, salads, sides and desserts.

Kolucan will also have a full-liquor bar, featuring a tequila and mezcal list and a wine list with a number of Mexican wines. There will be a 3-6 p.m. happy hour Monday through Friday, offering cocktails and bites at special prices.

Kolucan Mexican Bar & Grill is at 6644 Gateway Ave. in Sarasota's Gulf Gate neighborhood.
Kolucan Mexican Bar & Grill is at 6644 Gateway Ave. in Sarasota's Gulf Gate neighborhood.

The Frida Lounge, a nod to the late great Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, will feature artwork created by local artist Alexis Fraser, aka Lipstick Lex, and a special menu that varies slightly from that of the main restaurant. Kolucan also plans to offer live entertainment and special events.

Kolucan will open at 5 p.m. Sept. 6, initially opening for dinner service, with plans to later expand to lunch and brunch. For more information, call 941-921-3133 or visit kolucan.com.

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota restaurant Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill reveals opening date