Hall High School Grads Open Bolivian Restaurant - We-Ha

Mariela and Barrett St. Onge, who both graduated from West Hartford’s Hall High School, have opened La Familia Bolivian Restaurant in Canton.

By John Fitts, West Hartford Press Editor

Editor’s Note: This article appears courtesy of a partnership with The West Hartford Press where it first appeared. To request a copy of the town’s weekly newspaper of record, visit turleyct.com.

For the owners of La Familia Bolivian Restaurant, the name is quite fitting. Not only do they want the locale to become a local gathering place, but the effort is truly a family affair.

La Familia opened April 14 at 144 Albany Tpk. in Canton.

At the helm of the new venture is Mariela St. Onge, but as a true family-oriented affair, her mother Ana Sarah Ortiz will oversee the culinary creations. Also crucial to the day to day operations in the kitchen and elsewhere will be St. Onge’s father, Carmelo Nelson Ortiz, and husband Barrett.

“The goal is to open as soon as possible so people can come and experience the great food of Bolivia,” said Mariela St. Onge, who has extensive experience in the restaurant world, including management and supervisory roles at places such as Bertucci’s, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, PF Chang’s, and Chili’s Grill and Bar. In fact, she and her husband met at Bertucci’s, while both were working in the West Hartford location.

Mariela St. Onge came from Bolivia with her parents approximately 18 years ago. Like her husband, she graduated from Hall High School in West Hartford – she in 2003 and he in 1999.

They moved to Canton a few years ago after living for several years in Missouri.

Mariela St. Onge’s parents also have experience with food production, although less in the restaurant setting. This will be the first family-owned restaurant.

The restaurant is opening in a spot that has been vacant for approximately two years since Tacos Dorados closed its doors. Prior to that, it was home to Char Koon 1800, a name that alluded to the age of the structure, which in recent history was most known as Margaritas, a restaurant which operated for nearly 30 years before closing in 2009.

Mariela St. Onge is keenly aware that the restaurants since Margaritas have been fairly short lived, but the family is optimistic. She said the family is fully dedicated to the business, good customer service and welcoming everybody.

“I think dedication will be the key and I’m open for feedback I think working in the restaurant business for so long has given me the knowledge that you have to listen to your guests because they’re the ones that are coming to your door,” she said.

The culinary palette will be Bolivian, which Mariela St. Onge said is similar to Peruvian food.

There’s some mild spices in some dishes, but it’s not overly so, she said.

“We do have a little kick to it, but not in all our dishes,” she said. “I think curiosity will be the first thing to bring people in.”

The restaurant has adjusted that a little for the kids menu, which includes grilled cheese, chicken tenders and corn dogs.

Initially, La Familia, will utilize the first floor of the 4,500-square foot building for day-to-day dining.

The second floor of the establishment will be used for special events, while the family hopes to eventually utilize that space more fully and is open to ideas.

La Familia Bolivian Restaurant will be open Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.