A COMMUNAL SESSION WITH FRIENDS
030126 — OTRÁ
a night of stillness, where the space transforms into a restaurant –
a thoughtful curation of local chefs, alongside our in-house team.
Cesar Velasco — OTRÁ
Born in California and raised in Arizona, his relationship with food came into focus as a teenager. In high school, he enrolled in culinary classes and competed in the Careers Through Culinary Arts Program competition for a postsecondary scholarship. Through that experience, he reconnected with a friend who helped arrange a job interview that would change everything.
He walked into Christopher’s, the restaurant of James Beard Award–winning chef Christopher Gross, and got the job.
He trained there for more than three years, helping the team transition to Wrigley Mansion along the way. That chapter shaped him not only as a cook, but as a person — pushing him to work harder, stay curious, and remain a sponge.
He continued sharpening his craft at Chula Seafood, Fat Ox, and in a private country club setting before landing at The Pemberton, where he managed the pizzeria concept.
Though he always loved baking and breadmaking, it was there that pizza became his focus. Studying the nuances of dough, fire, and fermentation, he fell in love with the craft — and knew he wanted to bring his own perspective to it.
When people ask about the name Otra Pizzeria, “Otra” means “another” in Spanish. Throughout his time in fine dining, he has believed there is always another experience, another bite, another flavor to discover. That philosophy is what he brings to the table for every guest.
A COMMUNAL SESSION WITH FRIENDS EDICION OTRÁ
Sunday March 01, 2026 at 7pm
PALABRA 909 N 1st ST
RSVP for night service
A COMMUNAL SESSION WITH FRIENDS
030126 — OTRÁ
a night of stillness, where the space transforms into a restaurant –
a thoughtful curation of local chefs, alongside our in-house team.
Cesar Velasco — OTRÁ
Born in California and raised in Arizona, his relationship with food came into focus as a teenager. In high school, he enrolled in culinary classes and competed in the Careers Through Culinary Arts Program competition for a postsecondary scholarship. Through that experience, he reconnected with a friend who helped arrange a job interview that would change everything.
He walked into Christopher’s, the restaurant of James Beard Award–winning chef Christopher Gross, and got the job.
He trained there for more than three years, helping the team transition to Wrigley Mansion along the way. That chapter shaped him not only as a cook, but as a person — pushing him to work harder, stay curious, and remain a sponge.
He continued sharpening his craft at Chula Seafood, Fat Ox, and in a private country club setting before landing at The Pemberton, where he managed the pizzeria concept.
Though he always loved baking and breadmaking, it was there that pizza became his focus. Studying the nuances of dough, fire, and fermentation, he fell in love with the craft — and knew he wanted to bring his own perspective to it.
When people ask about the name Otra Pizzeria, “Otra” means “another” in Spanish. Throughout his time in fine dining, he has believed there is always another experience, another bite, another flavor to discover. That philosophy is what he brings to the table for every guest.
A COMMUNAL SESSION WITH FRIENDS EDICION OTRÁ
Sunday March 01, 2026 at 7pm
PALABRA 909 N 1st ST
RSVP for night service
