Villa Catrina — Restaurant in Arcadia

This is a review from a private event that occurred on Sat 8/10. We hosted a 50th birthday party here for my dad. We reserved the entire bar seating area plus the outside patio for around 85 people. My family is very known to this restaurant, including the manager. We have hosted multiple parties here with zero problems at all. We love the food and workers here. This review is not about the service or the food, as the servers provided great service including the bartender Chuy. This is strictly about how the manager handled the unfortunate situation that resulted in the shutdown of my dad's party before the contracted time of 11pm. First off, the restaurant decided to hired armed security. Not sure if it was because of the amount of people at the party. There was also another party going on at the other side of the restaurant. Totally understandable, however it was the security guards that caused all the problems. Like I said before, my family has hosted multiple parties here WITHOUT any security and there has never been a problem. They were hovering only our party inside the restaurant, rather than staying put outside by the entrance. The security, specifically the head one with the gun, continually harassed our guests throughout the entire night, which included putting his hands on one of my cousin's thinking she was not party of the party even though we had previously told them that everyone in the bar area and patio are part of the party. They also racially profiled my cousin's husband also thinking he was not part of the party even though my dad told him he was. The head security was rude, unprofessional, and confrontational, even threatening to fight my dad and other male guests. He even had his hand on his GUN. The manager did absolutely nothing to mellow out the situation. He let security call Arcadia PD, and even when they got there did not see the point of being there and left shortly after. They were not the ones who shutdown the party, the security did by yelling at everyone to get out, which the manager allowed. Our family was NOT acting belligerent or out of hand. Most were dancing on the dance floor. Even the servers and bartender were confused on what was happening and were even apologizing to US for how everything was handled. It is so unfortunate how this all played out because we love this restaurant and have supported this place since they opened. We wish the manager handled the situation differently by telling the security to stand down. He knew our family! I hope the owners come forward and apologize to my dad because we would like to keep coming here, but won't if there is no action taken. His 50th birthday party was ruined because of these security guards. Villa Catrina, I hope you...

My family celebrated my father’s 50th birthday at Villa Catrina this past Saturday. We booked the entire bar area and outside patio area for the celebration. The owner/manager hired security guards for that night, which is totally fine. However, they were hovering over our guests the entire time, standing in the doorway, glaring at our family. We made it extremely clear that everyone in the patio area was part of the party. First, one security guard grabbed my cousin from behind without even speaking to her, & tried escorting her out. She explained that she is part of the party. Then later that night, by the SAME security guard, another member of my family was confronted & grabbed, for no reason! The security guard assumed he wasn’t apart of the party… we strongly believe he was racially profiled. There was no reason the security had to physically touch my family. There was no reason for them to be hovering the entry way. They called Arcadia PD, for supposed “back up.” But when they arrived, they were confused as to why they were called. The police explained we were able to stay there until 11pm, which is what we agreed on in the contract, as they could see we did not cause any havoc as the security guards stated we did. But security did not allow it. We were RUSHED and PHYSICALLY PUSHED out of the restaurant.

Management failed to protect us. We have been going to this restaurant for YEARS. We had many many birthday celebrations there, but sadly we cannot return until something is done. The servers are amazing, they were the ones that made the night pleasant. However, the manager failed to take control of the situation, but instead let their security intimidate and physically ASSULT my family.

Once we exited the restaurant, security continued to FOLLOW us out to the parking lot, challenging to fight our male guests. One security guard, in his 60s with brown to gray hair was challenging to fight my dad & other family members while having his hand on his GUN. There was no reason for the security to be armed & absolutely no reason for them to be threatening to fight us. Those men were on a serious power trip. The same security guard also told my godfather that he was apart of a gang, which is completely inappropriate & showed us just how unprofessional and dangerous this ARMED security was! Fortunately, my family was able to remove themselves from the situation.

I still cannot fathom the inappropriate behavior displayed by the security guards that were hired & how Villa Catrina’s management handled the situation. No call, no apologies were made. Lots of loyal customers will be lost...

Every once in awhile while on an weekend out a restaurant will totally surprise you and make a trip into an eventful and amazing moment, Case in point this evening on a last minute food choice I came across Villa Catrina in Arcadia Ca. Upon arrival we were warmly greeted and seated, in what we believe was the main dining area, all we knew in advance was that food was listed a good , generous and affordable. While the tables and seating were sparse the food was anything but. We ( being my Daughter and myself) Began with chips and salsa and one of the best Ceviche we both have ever had it was amazingly fresh, and was served in a huge bowl with avocado on top in a beautiful fan. Our waiter Jose Vargas was an excellent host in explaining a few of the best choices of the evening. I ordered a House Margarita that was excellent and the Mole Poblano with flour tortillas while my Daughter was inspired and had the Mole Poblano Enchiladas. When the food arrived we were amazed... There are no skinny portions at Villa Catrina ( see pictures ). My Mole Poblano was at least 3 Full sized chicken breasts lightly shredded and smothered in the best slow cooked Mole sauce I have ever tasted..and I know Mole ! The plate was also served with a very moist and flavorful spanish rice and some great refried beans and 2 huge flour tortillas. Hands down an Incredible plate of food. My Daughters Mole Enchilada plate was along same lines as mine, 2 Huge Mole Poblano Enchiladas with a nice crema drizzled over top and a heathy side of rice and beans. The dinner was so Satisfying that we are already making plans for our next visit and cant wait to see what they suggest next.... Though The Chile Verde at a close table will probably be just what hits the spot. A definite 10/10 ...... Thank you for a...