Business Notes: Celia's Mexican restaurant to open in Menlo Park Business Notes: Celia's Mexican restaurant to open in Menlo Park (April 30, 2003)

Promising favorites such as mole enchiladas, fajitas, calupa and chile verde, Celia's Mexican restaurant will open in mid-June at 1850 El Camino Real in Menlo Park, former site of Fontana's Italian restaurant.

Celia's, a family-owned business since 1968, has 11 restaurants throughout the Bay Area. The closest, located at 3740 El Camino Real in Palo Alto, is managed by Adriana Rodriguez, who will be coming to Menlo Park to work a few days a week along with her sister, Claudia Robles.

Claudia's husband, Jaime Robles, will operate the Menlo Park site, as well as another Celia's in San Bruno. The original Celia was Adriana's great-aunt, Celia Lopez.

Celia's dinner menu will range from fajitas suprema (steak, chicken and shrimp) at $16.85, to carne asada at $13.35. Two chiles rellenos with rice and beans will set you back $10.75.

Among lunch choices will be an expresso burrito ($7.15), one enchilada with beans ($6.30), or a tostada salad ($6.50).

Celia's will be open seven days a week. It will have a full bar with happy hour specials Monday through Friday. A live Mariachi band will entertain one night a week.

There will be daily specials, and a senior discount will apply from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Home-buying seminar

A home-buying seminar will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday May 3, at the Washington Mutual office, 1134 Crane St. in Menlo Park. Ahmad Ghavi of Washington Mutual will discuss "Creative Financing." Marge Draper and Elke Muller of Coldwell Banker will discuss "Buying Strategies" in today's market. For more information and reservations, call 752-0823.

High-tech teeth

A new dental office, Menlo Park Dental Excellence, has opened its doors at 724 Oak Grove Ave., Suite 120. The office held an open house on April 17 that included a glimpse of the latest in dentistry equipment and the chance to win an electronic toothbrush.