Business & Tech

BelAir Cantina Patio Opens to Authentic Baja Heat

Heat wave sets in just as outdoor seating opens up at new North Avenue Mexican dining spot – and that's A-OK with some lovers of Tosa's brief searing spell.

If you're going to open a Mexi-Cali restaurant in Wisconsin, what better way than in heat wave?

Actually, when BelAir Cantina, the dining spot in question, opened in late June, just in time for the East Tosa Grand Prix, the weather had just started to turn patio perfect – race day was the first of a luscious two weeks of the weather we live for, with blue skies and 76 degrees of mercury.

Unfortunately, BelAir's patio wasn't quite ready for its star turn during that stellar spell of perfect comfort.

It is now, with outdoor seating opening up Monday, but darn it if BelAir could control the mid-day thermostat.

"We keep trying to open the patio," said manager Betsy Gilmore, "but then it gets so hot out, nobody wants to sit out there! We have this beautiful fountain and this beautiful space, hopefully we'll be able to actually have people come in and enjoy it."

Monday's opening was delayed until early evening hours, and with Tuesday's temps even higher – hitting 96 or above, depending on where you stood – the BelAir patio was opened only at 3 p.m. – with no takers at first.

But, at about 4, a table was taken by friends Leah Forlenza of South Milwaukee and Jaime Werner of Wauwatosa, and within 30 minutes three more tables filled.

Forlenza works at St. Joseph's Hospital and hangs with Werner often enough to know the Tosa scene.

Werner had been watching and waiting for BelAir and couldn't wait to bring her friend – plus, her cousin works at BelAir.

"We decided to come and check this place out and give the family some support," Werner said.

And the heat?

"No, I don't mind the heat today," Werner said. "Leah loves it."

Indeed.

"I love the heat," Forlenza said. "This might be the only week in Wisconsin it's like this, this whole year. You have to get out and enjoy it. It's a lot like Jamaica, so I'm all for it."

Or, Baja California.

"Which is what our food is, so – perfect!" said manager Gilmore.

"I think as the sun goes down, it's going to get much nicer out and much more enjoyable," said Gilmore. "I'm hoping that we'll have a full house out there tonight."


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