GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic Renato Rodriguez paints the front of the new El Mirador restaurant on Wednesday. The restaurant will occupy the building which formerly housed Fredrick's on the Green and will open in the next two or three months. Links   E-mail                         Print Advertisement

YAKIMA -- One of Yakima's more festive Mexican restaurants is opening a second location this summer.

El Mirador, now at 418 W. Walnut St., will operate at the former Fredrick's on the Green restaurant in the next two or three months, said co-owner Abraham Brambila. But before that happens, he needs to get his liquor license and remodel the building to look more Spanish, he said.

The new restaurant is along the Yakima Greenway at 1601 E. Yakima Ave. It was formerly owned by Kathy Bertram, who closed Fredrick's on the Green in April 2007 for financial reasons. It had operated for nine months.

Before that, the building had been empty since 2001, when Josephine and Joe Mahoni closed Marti's after 14 years in operation.

Brambila said he was attracted to the site because of its prime location and ample parking. It will be run by his wife, Cecilia Brambila. Brambila said he's been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years.

He owned Taqueria Jolasco since 1996, which changed names to El Mirador in 2000. The restaurant features festive decor -- including a Spanish-style clay roof, rustic brick work, bright murals and cactus chandeliers. Similar features will be found at the new site, Brambila said, adding that the menus will be the same at each location.