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Cantina Hospitality Group assumes ownership of NE Heights pizzeria
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Farina Alto Pizzeria & Wine Bar is changing hands, a move that will make it the latest restaurant to join Cantina Hospitality Group.
The local restaurant group, which owns and operates many of New Mexico鈥檚 well-known restaurant brands, announced it is acquiring the popular Northeast Heights pizzeria on Monday.
鈥淔arina Alto has earned its place in Albuquerque鈥檚 culinary scene through a commitment to quality and community,鈥� said the group鈥檚 co-owner and CEO, Lee Caperton, in a statement. 鈥淲e鈥檙e honored to carry that tradition forward 鈥� preserving what makes it special while bringing new life and support to help it thrive.鈥�
Farina Alto Pizzeria & Wine Bar opened at 10721 Montgomery NE in 2013. Restaurateurs Pat and Terry Keene started the restaurant, known for its oven baked and delicately charred thin crust pizza, house-made pastas and carefully assembled wine list.
The pair also opened Farina Alto鈥檚 sibling restaurant, Farina Pizzeria & Wine Bar at 510 Central SE, in Downtown Albuquerque in 2008. The Northeast Heights location, Farina Alto, is the only restaurant with a new owner.
The Keenes still own the Downtown Farina location, according to an employee of the location. The Keenes were the most recent owners of the Northeast Heights Farina Alto location before the switch to Cantina Hospitality Group, according to a manager of the location.
The restaurant group wasn鈥檛 available for comment on the reasons for the change in ownership.
But the shift to new ownership will elicit updates and enhancements to select menu offerings, service flow and guest experience, a news release said. The drink menu will also grow to include craft beers and ciders from Cantina Craftworks, a local brewery also owned by Cantina Hospitality Group.
The group owns and operates several restaurant brands, including Tamashi, Sushi King, Poki Poki Cevicheria and Brekki Brekki. The group oversees nearly 200 employees and serves more than 100,000 guests throughout the Southwest every year.
Farina Alto will stay open through the transition, the release said.
鈥淥ur job isn鈥檛 to change Farina Alto 鈥� it鈥檚 to strengthen it,鈥� said Robert Punya, the group鈥檚 co-owner and director of operations, in a statement. 鈥淲e鈥檙e bringing in the resources and hospitality standards that power our other concepts, while staying true to what longtime guests already love. We鈥檙e here to build on its legacy, not replace it.鈥�
