WILMINGTON — It’s been three months since Jennifer Rigard opened the doors to her first restaurant, Bonita Latin Fusion & Cocktails, located at 5 Brunswick Street in downtown Wilmington. But this week she is celebrating its official grand opening.
Multiple days of events are planned (scroll to the bottom to see them), including a ribbon-cutting that took place Wednesday. Located at Pier 33 Apartments, Bonita is along the Cape Fear River with a patio overlooking the marina and the capacity to seat over 150 guests.
“We were very busy when we opened,” Rigard said of the October launch. “In general, it’s been really good.”
To allow staff to acclimate to the operations and get through the holidays, the down season seemed like a better time to host the grand opening.
Fusing multiple Latin cultures under one roof, the Bonita menu highlights dishes from Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and more, featuring arepas, ceviches, and tacos. They even have sushi, using Latin ingredients to enhance similar flavors.
The fusion cuisine is a current trend, Rigard said, noting the Volcano Roll has been particularly popular because of the crushed takis sprinkled in with the tempura shrimp roll, stuffed with cream cheese, cucumber and avocado.
Bonita also features Columbian flavors, such as the bandeja paisa and ajiaco soup; the former is a traditional dish of meat, beans, rice, and other ingredients served on a large platter, while the latter consists of potatoes, spices, chicken, corn, the Colombian herb guascas and served with capers and cream.
“When you miss your food and you want to try something that reminds you more of your culture, I have to go to either Charlotte or Raleigh,” Rigard said.
The closest Colombian restaurant is in Jacksonville.
In opening Bonita — meaning beautiful — her goal was to provide an option for those wanting a connection to home.
“Diversity is beautiful,” she said. “Being open to different cultures, different food, different experiences is a beautiful thing.”
Rigard doesn’t have previous restaurateur experience; she was a radio journalist in Columbia who moved to the U.S. to learn English when she met her Pennsylvanian husband. Rigard opened a marketing firm, FreshCo., for Spanish-speaking clients and works with various restaurants. That inspired her to begin toying with opening an eatery in Wilmington.
When Rigard stumbled upon the open space at Pier 33 Apartments, she reached out to one of her clients: Antonia Ayala, who owned a chain of Mexican restaurants across South Carolina and Georgia. Rigard said he would be the perfect business partner, with his vast knowledge of the business.
Rigard’s concept of fusing together different Latin flavors excited Ayala, she said. Some dishes from Ayala’s chain, La Hacienda, helped inform Bonita’s menu; however, Ayala passed away unexpectedly in February 2024.
“He was very excited about trying [the fusion of Latin foods] out,” Rigard said. “Unfortunately, he didn’t get to see the restaurant open.”
Committed to following through on his dream, Ayala’s wife, Yesenia Leon, stepped up in his stead as co-owner.
In addition to offering upward of 50 or more menu items, the restaurant has an extensive bar program, featuring beers and wines from across Latin America as well. Uniquely, Bonita is the only restaurant in Wilmington to serve Pisco Sours, a one-of-a-kind Peruvian cocktail mixing grape brandy Pisco with lime and an egg white.
The Pisco Sour dates back to the early 20th century and is Peru’s national cocktail. Its origins have varied theories, some believing it came from Chile rather than Peru. Others note the rink was first mentioned in writing a 1903 cookbook, while another notes it was created by an American bartender that operated Morris’ Bar in Lima in 1916.
It has a sweet and tart herbal flavor and is at first frothy drink before its textures turns icy.
Rigard said her goal in Bonita’s aesthetics was to implement a tropical and vibrant vibe, similar to that of many Latin countries. Plants and colorful murals cover the walls, creating a tropical feel as guests indulge.
“When you come to Bonita, you’re on vacation,” she said. “That’s the ambiance we want to recreate here.”
Bonita’s Grand Opening Fiesta Week will last through Feb. 9 with prizes:
- Wednesday, Feb. 5, 4 p.m.: Ribbon-cutting ceremony accompanied by a low flow strength show featuring pole dancing.
- Thursday, Feb. 6: Free salsa dance class along with a performance by Wilmington Latin Dance
- Friday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m.: performance by Tango Wilmington, a local Argentine Tango group
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