City of Rochester
News Release
(Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010) – Neighborhood and Business Development Commissioner R. Carlos Carballada and City Councilmember Adam McFadden joined Tala Vera restaurant owners Lisa and Bernard Matthews today to cut a ceremonial ribbon celebrating the grand opening of their new, California – Mexican style restaurant and bar at 155 State St. downtown.
Tala Vera is modeled after Mexican cantinas popular in southern California and the Baja Peninsula. Its decor is reminiscent of a California mission with white rough walls, raw wood trim, and wrought iron accents. Tala Vera offers lunch, dinner and music. Lunch will feature a menu targeting the downtown lunch crowd and the business offers a reduced-menu for delivery to patrons within a one mile radius. Dinner at Tala Vera is authentic Mexican fine dining with an expanded menu featuring full-course meals.
After hours on weekends, Tala Vera will present live jazz and acoustic music patterned after jazz clubs of a bygone area - Birdland of the '50s. Local musicians will perform on Rochester's only “recording stage” with built-in recording capabilities to capture the live performances.
Originally from State College, PA, Lisa Matthews moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1989. There she started a career in the music business working her way up to management in several recording facilities. Bernard Matthews put himself through school working in the restaurant field and has been an independent business man, specializing in music and audio post production for records, films, TV and commercials. Since moving to Rochester with his family in 2007, Bernard continues to work with clients in Los Angeles, New York, and London, as well as producing local bands, through his music production and audio post company, Bernard Matthews Audio Production.
Tala Vera offers fine Cali-Mex dishes in an upscale, So-Cal bistro environment. The menu utilizes fresh, quality ingredients creatively prepared in traditional ways and served with a unique flare. Tala Vera's recipes, salsas and soups raise its Mexican food into the realm of fine dining while maintaining a reasonable price point. The Tala Vera setting is upscale-casual.
Lisa and Bernard have invested more than $60,000 in opening the restaurant/studio, occupying a long-vacant commercial storefront downtown. The City has assisted with its Main St. Program and small business matching grants and the restaurant expects to employ nine full-time employees.
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News Media: For more information, please contact Lisa and Bernard Matthews at 546-3844.