Cielo Rojo, the new restaurant from the family behind Mariscos Playa Hermosa, has closed temporarily following a "small, unexpected fire," according to a post on social media.
Emmanuell Maldonado, who with his sister Yesica and parents Jose and Maria run the two restaurants, further explained that the closure is anticipated to last 30 to 45 days.
“Thankfully, no one was harmed and damage was minimal, all things considered,” the post on social media said.
Maldonado shared via email that the incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Monday when no one was in the building. A good Samaritan and Cielo Rojo’s alarm alerted the fire department, Maldonado said, adding the cause was a faulty water heater.
“We thank our first responders for coming out so quickly and being so helpful,” he shared.
The fire affected a storage area, but not the kitchen or dining room, the owner said. While repairs are made, the family is crafting new items for their menu and preparing for reopening, Maldonado added.
The family opened Cielo Rojo in March. The restaurant, located along Phoenix’s Calle 16, is their first follow-up to the colorful, coastal Mariscos Playa Hermosa, which has been a Phoenix mainstay since opening in 2002. For Cielo Rojo, the family draws on their roots and recipes from Guanajuato and Oaxaca, Mexico, focusing on beef, pork and mole served in a sleek, modern space.
During Cielo Rojo’s closure, the family is encouraging diners to visit Mariscos Playa Hermosa and to follow Cielo Rojo’s social media for updates on reopening.
Emmanuell Maldonado, who with his sister Yesica and parents Jose and Maria run the two restaurants, further explained that the closure is anticipated to last 30 to 45 days.
“Thankfully, no one was harmed and damage was minimal, all things considered,” the post on social media said.
Maldonado shared via email that the incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Monday when no one was in the building. A good Samaritan and Cielo Rojo’s alarm alerted the fire department, Maldonado said, adding the cause was a faulty water heater.
“We thank our first responders for coming out so quickly and being so helpful,” he shared.
The fire affected a storage area, but not the kitchen or dining room, the owner said. While repairs are made, the family is crafting new items for their menu and preparing for reopening, Maldonado added.
Cielo Rojo opened in March. The Maldonados pivoted from coastal fare to land-based central and southern Mexican dishes such as El Chamorro, a roasted pork shank.
Natasha Yee
During Cielo Rojo’s closure, the family is encouraging diners to visit Mariscos Playa Hermosa and to follow Cielo Rojo’s social media for updates on reopening.
