El Sitio Officially Back in Business Thursday Morning

South American cuisine lovers, rejoice.

Because at 11:30 a.m. today—Thursday, March 10—El Sitio Grill & Cafe will open doors for diners once again.

The hiatus' end comes after a weeklong process in which hardwood flooring had to be completely refinished. And El Sitio Owner Cecilia Jaramillo said closing the restaurant for a week was not an ideal plan.

"There was some work going on outside our restaurant, on the street, and that work caused some problems in the restaurant," said Jaramilla, citing infrastructure problems. "The damage was by no fault of ours, but it still needed to be fixed."

And so it was.

It's like when people say, "Everything happens for a reason." Now, walking into El Sitio, the entire mood of the restaurant has become more romantic, more inviting and more enjoyable.

Who knew refinished floors could be such an intensely satisfying mood lifter? Jaramillo did. She said that, while being forced to close for the refinishing was a hassle, the finished product was worth the wait.

"After it's done, we'll reopen a better restaurant," Jaramillo said Wednesday, the day before El Sitio opened again to the public. "Our reopening will offer the same great cuisine, but will add a better atmosphere, and a nicer look."

And the benefits outweigh the setbacks even more, thanks to El Sitio's client base.

"We're especially thankful to our customers, who've been so understanding during this process," said Jaramillo.

And if the weeklong closing had to be done, it couldn't have come at a better time.

"We wanted to be ready (to open) in time for restaurant week," said Jaramillo.

Collingswood's Restaurant Week runs Sunday, March 20 through Sunday, March 27.

"It was important to us, especially because of restaurant week. We wanted to be ready to give our customers the best food in Collingswood," said Jaramillo, with an ear-to-ear grin.

And ethnic food-lovers should be very excited for what El Sitio is offering during the special week.

"Customers can expect our signature Peruvian, Ecuadorian and Argentinian dishes—which revolve around great steaks, great seafood, ceviche, and other traditional cuisines of South America," said Jaramillo.

According to Jaramillo, El Sitio's weeklong renovations were limited only to refinishing the restaurant's hardwood floors.

"Our floors have been sanded and coated, which really highlights the restaurant's original hardwood flooring," said Jaramillo.

So when you wake up this morning, start making plans—and whether they be lunch or dinner arrangements, make sure you get over to see the beautiful new look El Sitio is offering. It only adds to the restaurant's already-delicious cuisine.

It's a new-and-improved dining experience Jaramillo says can't be missed.

"In the restaurant business, it's not just about the food," she said. "It's also about the service and the atmosphere. You want to feel like you're eating in your own home. And that's exactly what you'll get at El Sitio."