Holiday Home Décor Inspired by Casa de Bandini and Bazaar del Mundo
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If you’ve visited Casa de Bandini lately, you may have noticed our restaurant is alive with the holiday spirit. But did you know that much of our décor comes from the same artists and vendors found at Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town?
Throughout the Shops, you’ll find a large collection of wonderfully dressed Christmas trees adorned with hand-crafted ornaments, Mexican paper flowers, colorful ribbons, and – for something a little out of the ordinary – creative folk art masks, dolls and gourd ornaments. These pieces of art are stunning on a tree or as gifts!
If you’re searching for holiday pieces to decorate your mantel or dining room table, Bazaar del Mundo has a wide selection of hand-carved nativities and festive poinsettia table runners that will add holiday cheer to your home.
The holidays will be here before you know it! Visit Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town to find unique décor items from all over the world that will help turn your home into a holiday oasis. And, if you’re looking to host a holiday party at home, consider Casa de Bandini for your catering needs. We can bring the holiday fiesta to you! Visit our website or call 760-634-3443 for more information.
Honoring Día de los Muertos at Casa de Bandini
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Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a Mexican celebration to remember past family and loved ones. Despite its title, the celebration is a vibrant and colorful tribute to the lives of those who have passed.
Celebrated annually on November 1 and 2, Casa de Bandini will continue the tradition of paying homage to the deceased with an elaborately decorated alter, and offer traditional Day of the Dead dishes such as Chicken Mole Enchiladas.
The festivities will also continue down at Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town. As part of the annual “Tour of Altars,” produced by the Old Town Chamber of Commerce, the Bazaar del Mundo shops will be transformed into a walkable trail of altars, complete with traditional sugar skulls, handmade papier-mâché decorations and guest artists selling Day of the Dead-themed jewelry, handbags, accessories, prints and cards to promote the holiday. Exotic sounds will be provided by Latin American folk group Tinku.
Children and families can enjoy a sugar-skull decorating class on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and face painting both days. Hot chocolate, mini churros and coloring sheets will be available for the children, while historical handouts will be provided to adults.
The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Monday, Nov. 2, the Bazaar del Mundo Shops will highlight its alters and offer treats and children’s crafts through closing at 5:30 p.m.
The event is in conjunction with Old Town’s Día de Los Muertos three-day event, from 2 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, which includes “Tour of Altars,” a candlelight procession, face painting and mask decorating throughout Old Town at participating sites.
Parking tips: park for free across the street at Caltrans all day Saturday and Sunday, or take the trolley.
How to Celebrate Summer, Fiesta Style
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We admit, we’re spoiled living in San Diego. The sun shines year-round, there’s plenty to do, see and – most importantly – eat! That doesn’t mean, that we don’t get a little happier when summer rolls around. Spending a warm summer evening with family and friends on our luscious outdoor patio is the perfect way to celebrate the season. To experience all of the fiesta flair Casa de Bandini has to offer, we recommend the following:
- Step 1: Order one of our famous birdbath margaritas. Frosty and delicious, there’s a reason they’re so popular! And for those under 21, we offer mocktail (or virgin) versions of our refreshing blended drinks to help keep cool.
- Step 2: Enjoy your favorite meal, or try something new! The Seafood Tostada, two crispy tortillas topped with a colorful salad of shrimp, crab and guacamole, and accented with bits of tomatoes, cheese, sour cream and avocado slices, is a summer favorite.
- Step 3: Request a song from our strolling mariachis and sing along. Nothing says fiesta like live music! Click HERE to see our entertainment schedule.
- Step 4: Relax and have a great evening!
Luckily, San Diego summers stretch on way past September 22, so let the celebrations continue!
Genuine Latin American Folk Art, Mata Ortiz Pottery and More – July 31 to Aug. 2
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Bazaar del Mundo Shops’ annual Latin American Festival and Mata Ortiz Pottery Market returns to Old Town, July 31 – Aug. 2, to showcase one of the most extensive collections of genuine Latin American folk art, traditional clothing and textiles, colorful collectibles and dazzling jewelry this side of the border.
Mata Ortiz pottery, based on a centuries-old art form renowned for its detailed process and hand-painted geometric and ancestral symbols, will be the highlight of the event with several skilled potters showcasing their wares, including returning artist Jorge Quintana – a principal Mata Ortiz artist whose work has been displayed in museums all over the world.
Live demonstrations will be performed for eager festival-goers, as artists hack away at wooden stumps to reveal life-like animal figures, weave hand-pulled wool into intricate textiles and skillfully paint delicate designs onto hand-formed clay pots.
Other traditional crafts and sought-after handmade goods include: San Antonino embroidery, tinwork, Talavera pottery, Oaxacan wooden animal carvings, Guatemalan weaving, various colorful and symbolic wall art and sculptures, Huichol yarn and bead paintings and one-of-a-kind pottery from the farthest regions of Mexico.
TINKU, a Latin American folk band, will perform over 19 musical rhythms from throughout Latin America on authentic native instruments. Mouth-watering Mexican cuisine from neighboring Casa Guadalajara restaurant will be for sale, completing the cultural aesthetic, making visitors feel as though they’ve stepped into one of Mexico’s rural markets.
The event runs 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Happy Birthday, Casa Guadalajara!
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Our sister restaurant Casa Guadalajara is celebrating its 20th anniversary next week! While many San Diegan’s have come to call the restaurant their favorite Old Town dining destination, we bet few remember how Casa Guadalajara came to be. In honor of the milestone, here’s a little history behind the restaurant:
Casa Guadalajara was once known as Romaine’s Guadalajara Grill. Upon discovering that Romaine’s former owner intended to cut down a majestic, 250-year-old California Pepper tree on the property to make way for a parking lot, Diane Powers purchased the land and transformed the restaurant into Casa Guadalajara – saving the tree and making it the focal point of the restaurant’s festive courtyard. Casa Guadalajara officially re-opened for business on June 12, 1995.
To celebrate the occasion, Powers and Casa Guadalajara will be throwing a week-long fiesta, with special entertainment including Folklorico dancers, strolling troubadours and mariachis, and special promotions. Starting Monday through Thursday, June 22 to 25, from 4 to 7 p.m., a special “Happier Hour” will take place in the Garden Room with tequila vendors on hand to present a special seminar. Thursday and Friday, June 25 and 26, will feature a special “throwback” menu with five favorite dishes that date back to the original menu, each with a 20 percent discount, and a commemorative T-shirt giveaway provided by Casamigos Tequila.
Come join the party and see why Casa Guadalajara has been a San Diego favorite for the last 20 years!
Help Us Celebrate Margarita Month!
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Join us for Margarita Month! Throughout the month of May, visit Casa de Bandini and try our “Milagro Mexican Belini” margarita – a refreshing blend of Milagro Tequila Silver, Cointreau, white peach syrup, sweet and sour mix, and organic sliced white peaches, shaken and served on the rocks.
Help our delicious drink become #1! Upload a photo of your “Milagro Mexican Belini” on Instagram using the hashtags #MargaritaMonth and #CasadeBandini. You can also rate our drink HERE. Cast your vote for a chance to win $1,000 in gift certificates from participating venues!
