At Delicia, informality takes a turn

Delicia, an upscale restaurant that opened a year ago at 52nd Street and College Avenue, is starting a second restaurant within the same building. It'll be called La Mulita and could be open for business as early as next Wednesday.

The food would come out of Delicia's kitchen, but would be lighter and less expensive, said Stephen Greiner, Delicia's general manager. Entrees at Delicia (salmon, short ribs) cost about $20. At La Mulita the fare will be tacos, sandwiches, soup, salad and be in the $7 range, Greiner said.

It's a similar arrangement to Recess and its adjoining Room Four, three blocks south on College.

There'll be televisions at La Mulita, and the TVs will be turned to ballgames and in the sight lines of each of La Mulita's 40 dining chairs. Greiner insisted, however, that the place would not be a sports bar. "It's a cantina," he said, "it'll be very food-centered. But we expect lots of guests to be interested in whatever game is going on."

Diners are encouraged to dress like it's a sports bar. At Delicia the custom is business-casual, but at La Mulita baseball hats will be welcome, Greiner said.

Greiner said business at Delicia has been brisk but that March is a traditionally slow time for fine dining. Two reasons: People take their spring vacations; and the high volume of basketball games, which drives people into sports bars.

Contact Star reporter Will Higgins at (317) 444-6043. Follow him on Twitter at WillRHiggins.