We are sitting upstairs on a freezing day in January above the Del Ray Pizzeria (DRP) with manager Laurel Fisher in her recently transformed cocktail space known as Dreamt. Laurel was happy to chat with us to share some happy news and plans ahead for the restaurant.

Greet Del Ray: How many years have you been here?

Laurel Fisher: I started my DRP journey as assistant manager in February 2016. Believe it or not, I was encouraged to apply for the position by the person that was leaving it.

GDR: Why do you like it/ why are you still here?

LF: Del Ray is such a fun place to be! I have often described it as a “small town in a big city.” In many ways it reminds me of my hometown in New Mexico, a place where folk festivals and parades for anything from holidays to homecoming games were the norm. 

As much as I love the charm, the main reason I’m still here is the connection I've forged with DRP’s soul — the people. In an industry known for its turnover, the pride I feel for the incredible team I lead is immeasurable. Whether someone is with us for a short time or for years, there's an undeniable camaraderie and a genuine care that permeates all our collective efforts. 

 

We don't take ourselves too seriously, but our commitment to each other and our guests is unwavering … and our guests are "The Best." I know I’m not the first or the last to note how lucky we are as a restaurant to be located within such a generous and resilient community. I’ll never forget the way this neighborhood all reached out to help and support each other throughout the pandemic. But even before that ordeal, and now after, there are just so many fantastic people I have had the pleasure of getting to know here.

 

GDR: I believe you have some big news for us?

LF: Absolutely! I'm thrilled to announce that I am now the sole owner of this establishment! It is absolutely a dream come true, and I am so grateful to both the previous owners of the business and the landlords for making it come true. The feeling of being able to call this place I’ve been putting my heart into for so long, to call it “mine” now is an indescribable mix of pride and gratitude. 

GDR: What are your plans for the future?

LF: While we are going to make some aesthetic changes, the essence of DRP will be very much the same. Being a spot where locals can gather in comfort and enjoy the good things in life is still the top priority. Giving back to the community means a lot to us so we want to amplify our impact with more fundraisers and partnerships with local nonprofits, aiming for at least one or two monthly events.

 

You can also expect a lot more themed events from us, like our Wing Fests in partnership with Bradshaw Sauce Co (the best hot sauce in town, founded by our former bar manager, Dexter Bradshaw). We’re definitely planning a lot of nostalgia/retro nights and also talking about getting some really fun beer dinners lined up.  

 

The team is currently working on the next iteration of our Dreampt concept upstairs. Dreampt: El Otro Lado is an intimate, upscale dining experience that features a delectable New Mexican and Latin American inspired menu combined with experimental cocktails, uncommon wine varietals, and some interesting beers. The chef and I are so excited to elevate the menu again to the level that we were operating as Reserve 2216 up there. We’re even more excited that this time we are offering Del Ray our take on some of our favorite meals from our hometowns. Reservations will finally be a thing again up there and we are booking private events. 

However, Otro Lado will only be around for a limited time. The vision for upstairs is for it to be a space to dream up and try out new concepts that may one day find their way to become new locations themselves, fostering a perpetual cycle of creativity and growth. The hope is that this approach will give us the chance to keep talented people with us for a long time while simultaneously opening new paths for them to venture.