TIJUANA.-Plaza Fiesta: that dangerous plaza that we all remember from years ago is now just a memory. The annoying corrido music has now been switched to rock and pop music, at a volume that allows you to actually engage in conversation with your friends.

This transformation came about as a result of an innovative group of young entrepreneurs that decided to slowly transform this space into a place for people with various preferences to visit. One of the more recent additions is La Catalana, a restaurant and bar with a Spanish theme and a very affordable menu.

The project was developed by José Luis Lepe with the help of his partner Guillermo Fierro, inspired by bars they visited during an exchange student trip to Spain where they spent many years. Their time in this country is perfectly reflected in the menu options, under the guide of Chef Nestor Piña Nevarez.

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Owner Jose Luis tells us what he envisions for La Catalana is similar to what he loved about Spain, " I love the concept of eating tapas, and the concept of what the Spanish call "tapear" which in English would translate to 'bar hopping', going from one bar to another to try different things paired with a beverage in such a way that you don't get too full. You arrive in a tapas bar and try different things: Serrano ham, octopus, chorizo, etc. "

By day, La Catalana also serves typical breakfast options from the Iberian Peninsula with just a touch of Mexican too. By night, they offer a selection of tapas and appetizers, such as their patatas bravas, which would translate to "fierce potatoes."

The house drink is the classic sangria made of red wine, but Jose Luis says he is planning on having La Catalana become a place to try all types of sangria, such as those made out of vodka, white wine, and even energy drinks. They will also include local and Spanish craft beer.

In terms of feedback they have received, Lepe tells us "the first thing we hear is how surprised people are with the plaza. They didn't expect to find so many bars that are so different from the plaza's former concept. They expected to find places like La Cantina, El Pancho Villa, or other corrido or Mexican band music. They see a place like this and their opinion changes. Most people have no idea that there are so many places to hear rock, pop, and whatever else that is not typical Mexican music."

How much should you expect to spend here? About 100 to 200 pesos (less than 20 dlls) in a visit of about an hour and a half, to enjoy tapas and beer.

The tapas sampler costs 100 pesos and national beer costs 30 pesos, but on Thursday sangria is free for ladies as part of a coordinated effort of all bar owners in the plaza to promote visits on this day of the week.

Find La Catalana online and in Plaza Fiesta and tell us what you think

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