The past few years have seen major changes and development in Richmond’s “Boulnobro” (Boulevard north of Broad) neighborhood. The Bowtie and Criterion Cinemas have been packing in crowds since they opened, and Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar have delighted folks with its Asian fusion and ”Sex on Tap.” 180 apartments are being developed in the Interbake Factory building, many projects are underway in Scott’s Addition, and rumors have been swirling about Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s opening in the hood. All that on top of our Richmond Flying Squirrels.

The two are working with a third partner, Johnson & Wales-educated Eric Stangarone, a chef and restaurant consultant. He has developed the menu for the restaurant and will manage the kitchen activities. It’s a welcome addition for a city that boasts few options for better-than-average Mexican food. The evolving menu looks promising, divided into “small plates,” “street food,” “salads,” “tortas” (sandwiches), “big plates,” “sides,” and “sweets.” Diners will also enjoy complimentary chips with three flavors of salsa as well as pepitas (spicy pumpkin seeds) upon arrival.

The building, like many in RVA, is steeped in history, housing Triangle Bookstore, with its range of adult activities, for almost 30 years. En Su Boca’s adult entertainment will be of a different sort, with an extensive bar menu featuring high-end tequila, specialty drinks, and frozen margaritas. The space itself has been gutted and expanded, with local artisan Josh Kayer providing the woodwork and Ed Trask creating multiple murals and paintings. Other local artists are hand- blowing glass for light fixtures. The restaurant has seating for 120, with 60 inside and 60 on an outside patio—a perfect place to hang out pre- or post-movie or ballgame.Small plate offerings are a distinct departure from typical queso, guacamole, and taquitos. En Su Boca’s menu will include Chesapeake seafood ceviche with mango and jicama; lamb and chorizo chili; and guallijo spiced grilled pork belly with crispy corn cakes, just to name a few. Other standouts are sure to be the house-made jalapeno poppers with ranchera sauce.

Street food options include a Mission-style taco, burrito, or quesadilla suiza with a choice of house-made chorizo, traditional carnitas, sloppy jose, Vera Cruz shrimp, chili-dusted grilled tofu, and more. The inventive menu will boast the likes of a Baja-fried fish sandwich (served with Yucatan slaw and jalapeno tartar sauce) and a sloppy jose torta, featuring cazuela cooked chorizo and beef with poblano rajas, chihuahua cheese and fresh avocado. The Sonoran bacon-wrapped, all-beef hot dog is also anticipated to be a hit with many Richmonders. Big Plates at the highly anticipated restaurant will include grilled skirt steak; mole braised beef short ribs; grilled rockfish served with cucumber salsa; tequila-steamed mussels and clams with chorizo and garlic; cider-brined grilled pork chop, and more. Sides look to be equally tasty, ranging from grilled elote corn with cotija, lime and hot sauce to smoky barbeque black beans with Virginia ham.Sweets, the perfect ending to any meal, are said to include the like of Mexican tiramisu, Mexican chile chocolate cake, churros + salted tequila caramel, and three flavors of palates (popsicles).