4-minute read
It looks like a Coca-Cola vending machine inside a corner store at 2810 Lakeland Highlands Rd, but it’s actually the gateway to one of the newest hotspots in Lakeland — a speakeasy called La Gran Muralla.
The fun, disguised entrance is a nod to the secret bars or “speakeasies” that proliferated in the U.S. when alcohol was illegal during Prohibition from 1920 to 1933.
Owner Jian Zhang, 36, of Lakeland, said the bar in Highlands Plaza near Edgewood Drive has been in a “soft opening” phase since June 26, perfecting its menu and working out the kinks.
But that phase ends today at 4 p.m. when Lakeland Chamber of Commerce officials bring out their big scissors and cut a ribbon for its grand opening.
How it works: Reservations are encouraged for the speakeasy, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. In the reservation, the host gives a password to the customers that they use to enter the speakeasy. They simply put the code into the keypad on the Coke machine. The host provides the code to people without a reservation.
What to expect: La Gran Muralla is the combination of a healthy poke bowl-oriented takeout restaurant and a fine dining speakeasy, according to Zhang, who goes by Jay. The takeout portion is still under construction and not fully open yet.
The speakeasy is password-controlled and accessed by entering through a Coca-Cola machine. Inside, diners experience Asian-Latin fusion fine dining with meals ranging from $20 to $30 apiece, and a full bar.
“I wanted to do something different,” Zhang said. “My mixologist makes everything from scratch. Simple syrup, lime juice, everything is made from scratch … Some of the (food) items are a bit more exotic.”
There’s also a 2,000-gallon saltwater fish tank and coming soon, a waiting area for people to take pictures with a dragon portrait that transitions into the Great Wall of China. The artwork reflects the name, La Gran Muralla, which means the great wall in Spanish. Zhang was born in China.
The venue can house up to 162 people between the bar and restaurant.
Slideshow: La Gran Muralla (5 photos)
La Gran Muralla is on the corner of Highlands Plaza. | Stephanie Claytor, LkldNow 
The entrance to the speakeasy looks like a Coca-Cola vending machine. | Stephanie Claytor 
Behind an unassuming vending machine entrance, La Gran Muralla is a restaurant and bar with elevated Asian-Latin fusion cuisine. | Stephanie Claytor, LkldNow 
The initial entrance is a corner store with Asian and Latin products. | Stephanie Claytor 
The store in progress | Stephanie Claytor, LkidNow
What’s on the menu: Zhang said the menu has exotic items like jellyfish sashimi and Wagyu grass-fed beef from Japan. There are tapas such as ceviche and duck wings and entrees that include a teriyaki guava-glazed octopus and pollo or chicken tempura. Zhang’s top three favorite items on the speakeasy menu are:
- Muralla Chop: 32 oz. Kan Kan pork chop that is a famous entree in Puerto Rico. The chef pairs it with a sriracha aioli and egg fried rice. Zhang said it “tastes amazing and has lots of flavor.”
- Citrus Seabass: Seabass with yuca mash, stir fry veggies and a five spice hoisin sauce
- La Gran Pluma: Iberico pork with a cherry-infused Asian BBQ puree, with garlic mojo tostones or fried plantains and Tajin mixed fruit.
The inspiration: Zhang was inspired to create a speakeasy after visiting The Basement, in Manhattan, where he lived for six years before moving to Lakeland in 2002. He said the Highlands Plaza owner had already asked him if he would open a restaurant there, and the trip in 2023 motivated him to act on it.
“I believe places like New York City, Los Angeles and Miami, they always have things that are ahead of places like Lakeland. I wanted to be the first person to do it (here),” Zhang said. “I have pretty high hopes for it.”
Hours: La Gran Muralla is currently open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 4 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. It is closed on Mondays. Zhang said he plans to offer discounts to the military, college students and first responders.
The challenge of opening: Zhang said it took him eight months to build out the speakeasy. The space was previously an Indian restaurant and, before that, a dry cleaner. He said there were construction delays because local contractors were overbooked with the many construction projects happening around town. But he said Lakeland’s building and permitting staff were very responsive.
“As far as the city, permitting and inspections, it was very smooth. Very helpful. They did a lot to improve their staff,” Zhang said.
Zhang hopes to start offering takeout in a few months with simple, healthy and affordable poke bowls. He’s hoping that will appeal to the numerous college students in the area.
Not his first rodeo: Zhang is also the owner of two other establishments in the Highlands Plaza: China 1 and Jade Fox Lounge. He said he began working at China 1 when he turned 13, helping out his parents in the kitchen. His parents semi-retired and passed the business to him. He called it his “bread and butter” and said it’s doing so well he doesn’t spend a dime on advertising due to his loyal customers.
“I’m at the plaza 24/7,” Zhang said.
While opening Jade Fox Lounge in 2018, Zhang recalled working in the construction industry for a few years during the day, specializing in epoxy and concrete flooring. He did it to save money so he could invest his savings into his businesses. Zhang said leaving the club late at night and waking up early in the morning for his construction job however, wasn’t working out.
“A long time ago, I decided I don’t want to work for anybody,” said Zhang, who graduated from Lakeland High School in 2005. “I don’t want to spend money to go to college and work for someone.”
Zhang also opened Buddha’s Pub in the plaza in May of 2018. It served craft beer. The space was previously occupied by Beer Revolution. Zhang said Beer Revolution sent tons of customers to his China 1, which was a few doors down. When Beer Revolution left, he said he did some research on Google and decided to open Buddha’s Pub in an attempt to keep the foot traffic coming to China 1.
In October 2019, he sold Buddha’s Pub to Swan Brewing. They closed it for remodeling and reopened shortly before the pandemic, and then closed again. That space now houses an ice cream shop.
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