Developer Welcomes New Restaurant Downtown

Look up "Itzayana" and you may find references to a Mayan rainbow deity. The meaning Orlando Espana prefers is "gift from God," an apt one for his new family-run restaurant on Park Avenue.

"It was like a dream come true," Espana said.

With his sister Mildred as manager and his wife Blanca helping out, Espana said the restaurant will be open seven days a week, offering a wide range of Latin American specialties. All the food, including baked goods, is made on the premises, he said.

Mario Camino, Orlando Espana

Itzayana Restaurant occupies a ground floor portion of a former bank building that is the downtown pride of developer Mario Camino. Getting to the restaurant's grand opening Wednesday took only six months, Camino said. His company, Arkad Group, is based in the building and on Wednesday Camino brought his team down to the restaurant for lunch after a grand opening attended by Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and other well-wishers.

Arkad Group team

Espana said the restaurant will be open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and longer on the weekends.

Items on the menu include traditional yellow and white rice, empanadas, chicharrones, chiles rellenos, chorizos, tacos and various combinations of beef, chicken and vegetables. The restaurant is located at 117 Park Avenue and the phone number is (908) 462-1778.

Espana said the restaurant grew out of his desire to "start something of my own." 

Camino said the building is about 85 percent occupied, with a pediatrician due to open offices on March 15 and a martial arts and mentoring organization expected to open on March 1. Camino's interest in Plainfield even led him to purchase a home in the Queen City and he said he expects to move in by Sunday.

--Bernice