Copyright Westword
Johnny and Kasie Curiel continue to be the people to watch in the local food scene. After opening four restaurants in less than two years, all of which are included in Colorado’s Michelin Guide, they now have another local project in the works — along with their first out-of-state venture. Mar Bella Boqueria is set to open this winter at the Clayton Hotel & Members Club in Cherry Creek, which is where the couple’s most recent addition, Alteño, is located. The Curiels’ run started with their first eatery, Alma Fonda Fina, which debuted in LoHi in 2023 and earned its Michelin star less than a year later. Cozobi Fonda Fina in Boulder and Mezcaleria Alma, which is right next door to Alma Fonda Fina and got its star this year, soon followed. While all of those spots focus on Mexican cuisine through different lenses, Mar Bella Moqueria will be a departure. It’s described as “a Spanish neo-bistro and wine bar, complete with a jamoneria-style chef’s counter and conserva bar.” Like the couple’s other restaurants, this project is deeply personal. “Spain was the first country Johnny visited in Europe, traveling alongside his wife and partner, Kasie. There, amid the warmth of the Basque coast and the convivial rhythm of pintxos culture, the idea for Mar Bella Boqueria was born,” says an announcement for the new eatery. The menu will include “seafood-forward tapas, in-house conservas, pâtés, terrines and a dry-aged fish program, while the jamoneria features hand-cut Jamón Ibérico, Serrano displays, and curated tablas of meats and cheeses.” On the beverage side, expect a Spanish-driven wine list and a cocktail program that includes a roving gin and tonic cart. The Curiels recently announced plans to open yet another Mexican eatery next summer, but this one will take the Michelin darlings out of state — to Charleston, South Carolina. “Much of my cooking draws from Mexico’s coastal traditions, so it feels natural to connect that with Charleston’s own deep coastal identity,” Johnny told Eater Carolina about the project. “We’re excited to highlight the region’s beautiful local ingredients through our cultural lens. For us, choosing Charleston was a deeply personal decision. The warmth and welcome we’ve already felt from this community make our family excited to call it our home away from home.” Will Mar Bella Moqueria be another Michelin win for the Alma Fonda Fina team? If their track record continues as it has, they’re sure to have another hit in Charleston.
