(Another) Mexican Restaurant Planned for Media

Mexican food lovers, you might want to sit down. After years and years without a good Mexican food joint in town, Media is about to get its second Mexican restaurant this year.

Loic Barnieu—chef and owner of and —will open his new Mexican restaurant, , in January or February at the Coffee Club's former location on State Street.

In the vein of Picasso Bar & Restaurant, Diego's is named after Diego Rivera, the famous Mexican muralist.

"It's early, so the menu is not yet set, but there will be a big selection and we will be serving traditional Mexican food, like enchiladas," Barnieu said.

The French chef will not be preparing the food at Diego's, where the focus will be on authentic Mexican cuisine.

"I have enough knowledge, and I know how I want it to be prepared, ... but I will hire a Mexican chef," he said.

It's been three years since Barnieu decided he wanted to open a Mexican restaurant in town.

"Three years ago, there was no Mexican restaurant in Media and what people really wanted to see here was a Mexican restaurant," he explained.

Barnieu decided he wanted to open one, and since then, has been waiting on a location. So when Coffee Club , Barnieu made plans to move in. 

"We have all the plans, so now we're waiting on the building permits, which should come [soon]," he said. "We have already started the demolition and the cleaning."

Diego's will feature a large open kitchen and will seat about 65 to 75 people.

Since Mexican Kitchen , Diego's will have some pretty direct competition.

"Well, yes and no," Barnieu said. "I think I have a bigger kitchen… so I'll be able to do [some things that are harder in a smaller space]. I'm sure the menu will be very different."

Diego's will open at 214 W. State St. sometime this winter. Check back with Media Patch for more information on Diego's—such as pricing, menu items and an opening date—later this fall.