Staff Shout Out: Casa Molina Welcomes General Manager Maria Lizalde

The Goods from Casa Molina

Vancouver, BC | Casa Molina is built on comfort, care and the kind of Spanish cooking that comes from tradition. Inside a converted heritage home in Mount Pleasant, the restaurant serves Escalivada, Carrilleras de Res, Salmorejo, and a range of paellas including their award-winning Valenciana. The room feels warm and familiar, with a Spanish wine list and low-waste cocktails that keep the focus on good ingredients and simple hospitality. It is a place shaped by the Paella Guys and chef Javier Blanc.

We are very happy to introduce the person now leading the front of house: General Manager Maria Lizalde.

Maria arrived in Vancouver in 2012 with a curiosity for hospitality and a desire to learn every part of the craft. She began in the kitchen, where she learned discipline, timing and the value of creating experiences from scratch. Later, she moved into specialty coffee, discovering the rhythm and human connection that comes with service. “From there, I stepped into front-of-house leadership, where I found my voice — guiding teams, supporting service, and shaping environments where guests feel genuinely cared for. Today, my passion is people: mentoring teams, elevating guest experience, and leading with empathy, intention, and a commitment to excellence.”

Maria’s focus has always been people. She mentors teams, builds environments where guests feel cared for and leads with intention, clarity and empathy. At Casa Molina she brings a steady presence and a commitment to the warm atmosphere the restaurant is known for.

We are grateful to have her here.