Farolito Healdsburg

128 Plaza Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448

512 Would you recommend this business?

About

Press Democrat -

"There's a popular saying in Oaxaca, Mexico, that anyone who tastes the traditional chapulines colorados they will someday return. Perhaps that's why customers keep coming back to Farolito Healdsburg, the Healdsburg restaurant where Pedro Di­az serves the Oaxacan favorites.

Business has grown so steadily that Diaz recently expanded, celebrating his good fortune by inviting the entire town to a grand opening party in November. "We had a big party with music and food," said Di­az. "Our county supervisor came as well as members of the Town Council."Farolito Healdsburg, which means The Lighthouse, now has a full bar and an outdoor patio, room to hold 150 guests and a revamped menu that includes more specialty dishes.

Not every dish includes the tasty chapulines (fried grasshoppers), of course, but the menu pulls heavily in other ways from Di­az's Oaxacan heritage.

Diaz grew up in Oaxaca, [and came to the United States when he was 16. After spending six months in San Diego with family, he joined his older brother in Rohnert Park and at 18 went to work for Hot Tomato's, a Mexican restaurant in Windsor. That's where Di­az learned the ropes of the restaurant business, working five years as a greeter and server. In 2003 he bought El Farolito in Healdsburg, a restaurant that had been in business since 1979. Although Di­az never had formal training as a chef, his knack for cooking comes from within, from his family. "Growing up, my dad was always cooking," he said. "I was always right behind him, watching him. Now, all four of my brothers are cooks and even help me out in the restaurant sometimes. It's in our blood somehow." His mother contributed the Oaxacan recipes, most notably the mole, a sauce made from chili peppers and chocolate that typically is served over meat. " Oaxaca is famous for its moles," said Di­az." If you want to try it, you're not going to get better than my mom's home recipe."

Other popular dishes on the new menu include ahi tuna fish tacos, chile colorado with lamb and molcajete, which features grilled steak, chicken and prawns in a roasted tomato and chipotle sauce. "I have a good idea of what will be popular among our guests because I've owned Farolito Healdsburg for many years.

When he's at work, Diaz does any job that needs doing. His two favorite tasks, though, are training the cooks and talking with guests, who are mostly locals.

Diaz's approach seems to be working. Despite lean economic times, business has been good. "We've been doing really well. Business is steady throughout the day. We feel happy to have a nice restaurant that people enjoy." And if you're looking for that special Oaxacan flavor, you can season your Farolito Healdsburg dish with chile salt, a unique seasoning blend with one special ingredient: ground grasshoppers. " They add a very distinctive flavor to the salt," said Di­az. "People who've tasted chapulines will recognize it immediately. It's very good. Just ask for a taste."

El Farolito Enterprise, dedicated to a quality dining experience.

Visit all our family businesses: - Farolito Healdsburg - Casa del Mole - Healdsburg - El Gallo Negro - Windsor - Tu Mole Madre - Windsor - Agave Healdsburg - Agave Uptown - Oakland

And try: Mole Diaz Brothers

Amenities

  • Delivery
  • Takeout

Rewards Offer

All rewards require a GO LOCAL Rewards Card.
You must present your GO LOCAL Rewards Card at the time of purchase.

  • Get $5 OFF when you spend $50 or more every visit.

Location

Gallery

Hours

Monday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.