Xelas Owners Near Opening of Nativo in Highland Park

Planned Mexican-Italian eatery Nativo will soon open its Highland Park doors. Owners Paredes and Corrissa Hernandez, who are also behind Xelas in Boyle Heights, are looking to debut Nativo in late-September, early-October at the latest, Eater LA Tuesday first reported. Reps for the restaurant confirmed the timeline in an email to What Now Los Angeles.

Navito replaces Sonny’s Hideaway, at 5137 York Blvd, and was first announced in February. Nativo was targeting an opening in May but was delayed due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. The concept has been in the works for nearly a decade, according to L.A. Taco, and would have been the owners’ third business—they closed Eagle Rock’s Craft Beer Cellar last year at the expiration of its lease.

Heading the kitchen will be Chef Danielle Duran-Zecca, previously of Union in Pasadena, which later this year will get an adjacent sister concept serving pizza. Duran-Zecca’s creations can also be found at Xelas.