Roja Mexican Grill + Margarita Bar

Old Market location will mark the occasion with fire-roasted Hatch chile specials, drink specials and DJ

In honor of the annual Hatch chile harvest in Hatch, NM, Roja Mexican Grill will celebrate the green chile this Saturday, August 28 at its Old Market location, 1212 Harney St. The famed green chiles from Hatch will be front and center at the event.

“Hatch chile festivals are huge this time of year in the southwest, especially in Texas and New Mexico. We want to bring a bit of that enthusiasm to Omaha. It’s going to be a party,” says Anthony Hitchcock, director of operations for Flagship Restaurant Group.

Hitchcock says the staff is eagerly awaiting the Thursday arrival of 300 pounds of fresh chiles, direct from Hatch. The green chile is grown in varying degrees of heat; Roja will feature mild and hot. In preparation for the celebration, a propane-powered roaster sits ready on the patio and beginning Saturday, the fiery aroma of chiles will fill the air. A special menu featuring the chiles will be available at the event and continue through September. Specialty fare will include Fire-Roasted Hatch Chile Soup, Chicken Tinga Chalupas, Hatch Chile Fritters and more.

Guests can sample freshly-roasted chiles at Saturday’s event. They will also be available for purchase at $3 per pound. The fiery-flavor of the chiles will add a kick to just about anything, from salsa and crab cakes to ice cream, and will keep in the freezer for up to six months. Roja will also mark the occasion with $2 Pacificos, $3 house lime margaritas, and will feature DJ Kethro on the patio from 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Hatch chile festivals center around the harvest, which occurs late July through the fall.

What: Hatch Chile Fest 2010

When: Saturday, August 28, 2010, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.

Where: Roja Mexican Grill + Margarita Bar Old Market, 1212 Harney St., Omaha, NE 68102, (402) 346-9190

Roja Mexican Grill + Margarita Bar is now open at 1212 Harney St. in the Old Market. Roja fills a longtime vacancy at the corner of 12th & Harney streets.

Roja’s Old Market location is the second for the restaurant, featuring the same Tex-Mex menu, extensive drink menu and specials as the original location, 17010 Wright Plaza.

The new Old Market location, which previously housed two restaurants, has been completely redone. Wood and tiled floors, stone and metal accents, bold black and white canvas art and Roja’s signature red paneling bring unique textures to the space and make for a visually-appealing, polished atmosphere. The state-of the-art kitchen features a mesquite wood-burning grill, which gives a wood-flavored kick to steak, chicken and shrimp dishes.

Five garage doors open to an outdoor patio with seating for 60. Three large torches line the patio perimeter along with three fire pits within the patio. The restaurant has an indoor capacity for 250.

Roja will celebrate its Old Market debut with drink specials Wednesday and Thursday this week from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. both days. Regular happy hour food and drink specials will also be available in the bar from 4-6:30 p.m.

Roja’s 7,600 square-foot space created 70 jobs, not including the crew who constructed Roja from April until it opened on July 22.

More on Roja Old Market’s opening celebration:

What: Roja Mexican Grill Old Market opening celebration. Specials include $2 house margaritas and $2 Pacifico bottles. A mariachi band will play from 6-8 p.m. both nights.

When: Wednesday, July 28 and Thursday, July 29, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Where: Roja Mexican Grill + Margarita Bar Old Market, 1212 Harney St., Omaha, NE 68102, (402) 346-9190

Blue Sushi Sake Grill and Roja Mexican Grill to donate percentage of lunch sales to American Red Cross

January 20, 2010 (OMAHA, NE) – Four local restaurants will join the effort to raise relief money for the devastation suffered from Haiti’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake. On January 28, Blue Sushi Sake Grill’s three locations and Roja Mexican Grill will hold “Dine for Haiti” during lunch. The restaurants will donate 20 percent of each lunch check to the American Red Cross. Flagship Restaurant Group will match the 20 percent.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti. We have been touched and inspired by the widespread efforts to aid in Haiti’s recovery. We hope the community will take action and join us,” said Anthony Hitchcock, director of operations for Flagship Restaurant Group.

What: “Dine for Haiti”: Blue Sushi Sake Grill and Roja Mexican Grill will donate 20 percent of lunch sales to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development fund.

When: Thursday, January 28, 2010, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Where:

• Blue Sushi Sake Grill (144th/Maple) – 14450 Eagle Run Dr.
• Baby Blue Sushi Sake Grill (168th/Center) – 16939 Wright Plaza
• Blue Sushi Old Market (12th/Howard) – 416 S. 12th St.
• Roja Mexican Grill (168th/Center) – 17010 Wright Plaza