🌾 iTZCALi Tapas & Tequila Opening (very) Soon

November 8, 2023 | Sign Up | Support Us

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Wichita!

Every year when daylight savings ends, I feel blindsided by how early it gets dark.

At least we've had this glorious 70 degree weather.

In today's Wichita Life Update

iTZCALi
Interview with the owner
Opening Day?!

Let's get to it!

- Landon Huslig

TOGETHER WITH MARGARET MCHENRY MAIDS

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One of the hottest and most asked-about restaurants in Wichita is opening very, very soon.

iTZCALi Tapas & Tequila, which is located at 2819 E Central, has been under construction for some time and many have wondered if it would ever open.

I could give you the opening date now, but where is the fun in that?

Let me tell you firsthand, it will be worth the wait. It is a work of art.

iTZCALi is even the Aztec word for “house of beauty”.

Every inch of the building, both inside and out, has been designed so that each time you come, you will notice something new.

From the light fixtures to the art on the walls to the various angles and more, this was truly a passion project.

But who is behind it?

Wichita - meet Navid Haeri. Not only are Navid and his wife Veronica the owners of iTZCALi, but they also designed it from scratch.

I reached out to the man himself to hear firsthand about the inspiration for such a unique restaurant and here is what he had to say:

What is your background?

My wife Veronica was born in Wichita and spent her early childhood being raised by her grandmother, aunts, and great-grandmother on a Mexican ranch making miniature cheeses and tending to farm animals while eating authentic foods made in La Luguna Grande, Zacatecas Mexico. Veronica also grew up on the north side of wichita attending Pleasant Valley, North High and Wichita State. She also has a great sense and taste for fashion, beauty, and quality.

I was born in Mashhad, Iran to a Mexican-American mother and Iranian Father. I grew up in a trailer park in south Wichita where I attended Jardine, South High and Wichita State. I obtained a degree in auto-cad/drafting, art education with an emphasis on ceramics, and later obtained a GC License during my last 18 years as an entrepreneur and real estate developer.

What is iTZCALi Tapas & Tequila?

First, it’s an art brand… based on Mexican, Spanish & American upscale casual cuisine with a touch of Middle Eastern influence.

What makes it stand out from other tapa or tequila places?

Our tequila selection and personal collection is unmatched by most. Our menu is personally picked from the meals and flavors we enjoy most as well as the the custom art, ambiance, and vibe. Every seat has a different view and a different tequila to match.

What makes you passionate about it?

It’s given us an opportunity and a place to gather and share our family stories, cultures, and art and most importantly, it’s about the relatives who have impacted us most and the legacy we can leave for our ancestors, ourselves, and our generations.

What makes iTZCALi special?

iTZCALi is developed based on diverse histories, stories, and present experiences with a regard to the future. Also as an artist, it’s about being able to artistically and creatively blend my wife’s Mexican culture and my Mexican/Iranian culture to create a living personality and vibe as a brand and restaurant to create a one-of-a-kind vibe ambiance. Also, iTZCALi is based on the principles of the Haeri family.

H = Hospitality A = Aesthete E = Equality R = Respect I = Imagination

There is so much detail in the small things and artwork, why is this important to you?

They say “The devil is in the details” and every door I open, opens to another door and when I get to do something, I don’t go back for 2 reasons…

If I do it right, then I don’t have to redo it.
If I’m not going to redo it, then I should do it right.

Also, my main purpose as an artist is to inspire anyone to open their own doors of creativity about what they have, what they can be or who they are.

Everything we touch can either be worse, the same or better.

Why should people be excited?

It’s a combined cultured experience designed by a couple who are dedicated to creating a “H.A.E.R.I.” environment that is bold, vibrant, rich, sophisticated, modern, symmetric, geometric, balanced, uniform, unified, harmonized, linear, engaging, and an inspiring experience in hopes to promote creativity.

Although I can’t give you an official opening date this second, I can tell you it is very, very soon and you can almost taste the specialty cocktails.

Want to see the full transformation? Check out our video on Instagram.

If you want to be one of the first to check it out, make sure you’re following Wichita Life and iTZCALi on both Instagram and Facebook for insight on opening day announcement.

Who else is excited for a hot, new restaurant in Wichita?!

TOGETHER WITH THE ORPHEUM

STAND CLEAR…

Nurse Blake brings his Shock Advised comedy tour to Wichita’s historic Orpheum Theatre on November 15!

Bring out your friends, family, and coworkers for an EPIC night as Nurse Blake shares new stories with a comedic twist of the ins and outs of being a nurse.

Healthcare workers are going to pack the theaters so it’s sure to be the safest place and most fun place to be. Don’t miss out and bring an AED ‘cause this is going to get WILD!

Limited tickets remain, order yours today!

GET TICKETS TODAY