Previews

Copita, Complete With 24-Hour Carnitas, Arrives in Sausalito April 28

Joanne Weir and Larry Mindel
Joanne Weir and Larry Mindel Photo: Elizabeth Fall

Last fall we first heard the news that PBS chef and cookbook author Joanne Weir was teaming with restaurateur Larry Mindel (Il Fornaio, Poggio) to open a new tequila bar and restaurant on Sausalito’s main drag. The name of the place is Copita (739 Bridgeway), and the concept comes straight out of one of Weir’s most recent books, Tequila: A Guide to Types, Flights, Cocktails and Bites. The place is now set to softly open on April 28, with a grand opening May 1, and we’ve got a few more menu details for you.

First off, the full name of the place is a bit of a mouthful for non-Spanish speakers: Copita Tequileria y Comida. So, you see, the tequila comes first, even in the name, and this stems from the fact that the inspiration for the restaurant came about when Mindel challenged Weir to a margarita-making contest, which she obviously won. He was so impressed with her knowledge about tequila and food pairings that he decided they should go into business together on a Mexican restaurant. Since then they’ve hired Dilsa Lugo, a native of Cuernavaca, Mexico, who’s been working with Weir (whose title here is Maestra de Cocina) to put together the menu and tend to the restaurant’s garden.* Menu highlights will include tamales with homemade masa, wood-fired rotisserie chicken, and tacos with eight-hour carnitas.

As for the drinks, Weir is curating a menu of eight to ten tequila cocktails, as well as seasonal sangrias and sangrita, tap wines, beer, and agua frescas.

The 47-seat restaurant will feature plenty of bright colors and a design by Anthony Fish, of Arcanum Architecture, who also designed Poggio down the street. There will also be some sidewalk seating, and a ten-person bar.

We’ll be sure and bring you a menu and some preview photos as the opening date nears.


Earlier: Copita, a New Tequila Bar, Coming to Sausalito Next Spring
PBS Host and Cookbook Author Joanne Weir Gets Into the Wine Game

*This posted has been corrected to show that Omar Huerta is no longer the chef hire, and that he has been replaced by Dilsa Lugo.

Copita, Complete With 24-Hour Carnitas, Arrives in Sausalito April 28