Enhance Your Online Marketing Presence With LocalVox 
Everything You Need to Know About Casa Ventura, Coming to the Barrio/ MIX Space
Friday, March 2, 2025 at 12:00AM 
First, there was Barrio. Then there was Barrio Plates, which soon morphed into MIX, whose sign started peeling off two days after it was glued on. But now, less than two weeks after MIX's humiliating failure, the northwest corner of Seventh Avenue and Third Street has a new owner and a new game plan.
As first reported here last week, the restaurant's new name is Casa Ventura, and it'll draw influence from all over Latin America. According to their Facebook page, the restaurant's menu "will consist of many of the delicious traditional dishes from Puerto Rico, such as mofongo, pasteles, frituras and asopao. It will also include other Latin signature dishes — arepas con bacalao from Colombia, tacos and quesadillas from Mexico, black beans from Cuba, ceviche from Peru and arroz moro from Santo Domingo."
Avi Kravitz, a rep from the restaurant, reached out to HPS yesterday to offer some details about what we can expect. Thankfully, they seem to be making a concerted effort to gather input from the community; they've also met with owners of successful local eateries (like Zito's) to make sure they get it right.
HPS: What are your plans for the space?
Avi: We are doing a complete but modest renovation. It's important to us to re-use materials. All 1,000 square feet of wood used in the buildout, including the sign, is reclaimed and locally purchased. The floor will remain the same. The plan is to have a warm and inviting atmosphere, featuring a lot of woodwork and artwork by Latin artists.
HPS: What other restaurants has your team been involved with?
Avi: Our Executive Chef, Giovanni Ventura, has worked in Calle Ocho, Patria, Pipa, and Santos, and worked alongside acclaimed chef Douglas Rodriguez. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. General Mangers and partners Jose Ventura and Devonna Middeleer have 23 combined years in the industry. This will be Jose's fourth restaurant as GM. Courtney Ebner and I come to the table with a combined 29 years of marketing, art direction and design. Giovanni and Jose are brothers, and the rest of us have lived in Park Slope for years.
HPS: What's the general philosophy behind your menu?
Avi: In line with how we live, the food will be simple, fresh, and local whenever possible. The cuisine is Latin-inspired, with a main focus on the chef's homeland of Puerto Rico. While the space will aesthetically be more sophisticated looking than its predecessors, we still want to have a light and enjoyable environment. Creative cocktails including frozen margaritas and mojitos will definitely be on the menu.
HPS: How will the prices be?
Avi: Appetizers from $6-12. Main courses from $10-$18. We'll also be offering a weekly lunch special for locals and employees on their lunch breaks.
HPS: When do you plan on opening?
Avi also wanted to stress that they're not involved in any way with Spencer Rothchild and the Barrio/MIX team, and that they can't wait to take down the peeling decal and wipe the slate clean. "This venture is a very local endeavor to bring a permanent home to our corner," he added.
Coming Soon, What to Expect
Reader Comments (24)
Okay, then. I consider that reassuring news. A breath of new life from excited new owners. That bar was way too small, as well, so I like that they've extended it...a good sign.
Avi Kravitz, now there's a real Borinquen.
He's not behind the burners...just the rep.
Thank you, Anon. This should be about as authentic as......Cubana Cafe. I'll stick to Bogota.
Hi all.
We are excited to see your comments. We also hope that you have the opportunity to come by and experience the food first hand.
We understand your concerns, but I can assure you that I won't be the one to cook your food! Jose and Giovanni are the real deal.
Thanks again -- we look forward to our communities' continued support.
General managers...partners...industry...combined experience...simple..fresh...local...sophisticated
Like a glossary of buzzwords in the restaurant business, this is anything but a family-run operation.
But, I get ahead of myself. Let's give this place a fair shake. I really like some of the menu items, items which, previously, have only been available in authentic Latin restaurants.
Thank you anon.
I won't make it a habit to defend every post, but I'd love to set the record straight here.
We are two married couples that have been friends and residents in Park Slope for over 4 years. We have lived here for many more than that.
We both live very close to the space and over many long, late night discussions, thought that we could bring something simple, but exciting and new to our neighborhood.
We are a family and dear friends. It's authentic as it gets, and our greatest hope is that the community that we love and support helps us by giving us an opportunity to succeed.
We really look forward to seeing you.
Avi
This sounds great. Excited for April!
It's a little problematic when owners and chefs comment on blog posts on their own restaurants. Some sites, like Chowhound, prohibit it. All kidding aside, I wish you luck and will certainly be there soon after you open with an open mind. With a few exceptions, Park Slope lacks a place for imaginative Latin-influenced food. And, the fact that some partners in your venture live in the neighborhood is a very positive thing. We certainly like to see our neighbors be successful. In that spirit, I hope you will hire some qualified, hard-working young people who live in the neighborhood.
Well said, Avi. Don't let the doubters here get you down. It sounds like a well thought out and noble effort. I, for one, am excited about it.
Are you kidding, anon? Because you're attitude is pretty miserable. I don't see how Avi stopping by to say hello and clarify his intentions with a warm hearted, neighborly attitude is problematic.
Sheesh...some of you people.
Good Luck, Avi. I'll be sure to check the place out when you're open.
I think it sounds terrific and while I was always turned off by Barrio, I can tell you that I WILL try Casa Ventura.
Is there any hope for having the building fixed up next door? I know it has no bearing on your new establishment directly, but having a rotting place next door does give some people the creeps.
Now if only something great would take the old Sette spot across the corner and we could almost forget that Cheeburger is there.
Local folks that are responsive to the neighborhood trying their hand at authentic cuisine-how could anyone not support that? And I have no problem with restaurants speaking up on blogs as long as they identify themselves-I know few places that are willing to reach out to the neighborhood this way. How much rumor did we have to deal with around the Barrio/Mix space because the former owners didnt care to reach out to the community at all?
Good luck. My only comment is that theyll have to give me a reason why I should go to their place as compared to one of the really good and inexpensive places in the hood like El Gran Castillo on Flatbush or El Viejo Yayo on 5th
A commenter who goes by Anon complaining about someone who fully IDs himself as affiliated with the restaurant in question. You can't make this stuff up.
The concept of Casa Ventura sounds great. The proof will be on the plates, but I look forward to the opening.
Yes, all kidding aside, I do appreciate Avi's coming on here for sure. I think it's an excellent first step for any business to interact with the neighborhood around it.
My hope is that what comes to this space is a restaurant that makes an honest attempt at fresh, authentic food, and one that offers an alternative to what are already popular restaurants in the same vein in this neighborhood and isn't just trying to create a carbon copy. You have a juggernaut of a Pan-Latin restaurant already in Park Slope packing tables in seven nights a week and running 1 1/2-2 hour waits on weekends. What will you offer which will be an alternative to that? Not necessarily a challenge but something that, as a neighborhood restaurant-goer, I will want to know.
Best of luck. What every space with a lot of past turnover needs is a solid business that will stop the bleeding and bring something to the neighborhood. I hope your restaurant is able to accomplish that.
Thanks for stopping by Avi. Good luck with the restaurant - looking forward to giving it a try.
Say what you really mean Anon.
You really mean to say that someone with the last name Kravitz is ethnically incapable of cooking this kind of food.
That's really fucking rude of you.
Black people can cook anything.
I loved Calle Ocho, Pipa and anything Douglas Rodriguez has been associated with. So I am happy to hear of Giovanni's experience with Latin American flavors. As a long time Park Sloper and someone who works from home this neighborhood is lacking in Lunch restaurants. Please open for lunch at the time of your Grand Opening. If I can not get into my local restaurant for dinner, I would like to experience the food at Lunch.
Looking forward to something new that will stay on the corner of 3rd and 7th.
Pasteles! These are sacred to Puerto Ricans, you had better get them right.
Is this where we are in the gentrification process? After pushing the Puerto Ricans out of the neighborhood we are now making their food?
I really am looking forward to a real Puerto Rican restaurant. I wish you all the best.
i call bullshit.
there's no way that spencer found someone else to take over the space in a matter of days. there were no for lease signs, nothing at all of that nature. he's got to still be involved. plus, spencer seems to have a thing for latin/spanish food. i'm not convinced.
Avi, one request:
Please please please make an excellent Margarita. One with fresh lime juice and a decent triple sec. No mix. Do that and you'll pet a lot more runway on the food (from me at least).
Good luck.
Margaritas? Jeez. If they're going to do upscale Puerto Rican, then let's do upscale Puerto Rican. I want to see 20 different times of rum up in there.
Sounds good and one place I'm looking forward to trying. Also, thanks for posting. Some of the intelligent among us appreciate your comments and being kept up to date on the restaurant. Best of luck to you.
Hi everyone.
Thank you for all of the kind words and well wishes.
We look forward to meeting all of you.
And thank you again to Here's Park Slope for the article.
Avi
P.S. You can follow the buildout on facebook.com/casaventurarestaurant