Expanding Mex: Salsa Fiesta Plans #2, Lime Fresh Grill Celebrates #7

Salsa Fiesta's salsa sampler

​It's been just one year since Salsa Fiesta, opened its doors, but Cesar Olivo, CEO, chef, and founder, is ready for store number two in Pembroke Pines. The new 80-seat space will be located in Cobblestone Plaza (itself new) at 14914 Pines Blvd. Opening is set for around mid-to-late March.

"We're very excited to open our second US location as we begin our South Florida expansion," says Cesar, who brought Salsa Fiesta from Venezuela with wife Adrianna Perez Benatar and Samuel Perez. They've got five Salsa Fiestas down there already, so this is actually location number seven that will be opening. "We look forward to treating Broward residents to our fresh, homemade approach to Mexican cooking."

Cesar and Adriana are actively scouting other Miami locations as they pursue their plans to open two to three restaurants per year, before embarking on a more aggressive national expansion.

Meanwhile, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill has opened its seventh South Florida location (9 altogether) in Downtown Miami (7 West Flagler St.) and is celebrating with an event tonight to benefit Friends of Gusman, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the historic Olympia Theatre at the Gusman Center for Performing Arts. The event, open to the public, runs from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. it will include free food, drinks, music by DJ Cardi and Lime's famous PuckerFace photo booth.

Lime will present a $5,000 donation to Friends of Gusman and guests will have an opportunity to bid on two pairs of tickets to the February 6 Miami Heat Basketball game -- which might just cost more than that $5,000 donation.