A Michelin-recognized hospitality group is opening up a restaurant in Austin this summer. Denver-based Fonda Fina Hospitality, led by husband-and-wife team Johnny and Kasie Curiel, will bring their restaurant Alteño to 1 Hotel Austin this summer, taking a group floor space in the Waterline tower at 96 Red River St., as reported by the Austin Business Journal. What Now Austin confirmed the news in a phone call with Kasie.
Fonda Fina Hospitality focuses on bringing Mexican flavors to their concepts, with the team describing the hospitality group as “a love letter to Mexico” on their website. Alteño, which currently has a location in Denver that received a Michelin recommendation last year, offers menu items such as tuna tartare, Costra De Ribeye (with corn tortilla, queso, charred onions and fresh lime), Enmolada De Queso (mole with seared brie, esquites de huitlacoche and pickled radishes) and Pollo A Las Brasas (fire-roasted chicken with herbed French fries, garlic aioli and salsa verde). The beverage program features Mexican-inspired cocktails, mezcal, tequila, wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages.
This restaurant will mark the first expansion to Texas for the restaurant group, which currently operates concepts in Colorado. Other concepts in its portfolio include Cozobi Fonda Fina, Alma Fonda Fina, Mezcaleria Alma and Milpero. Alma Fonda Fina and Mezcaleria Alma each snagged a Michelin star last year.
Alteño appears to be the only restaurant that the hospitality group is currently expanding beyond Colorado. They also plan to open a location for the brand in Charleston this year.
