Starting July 7, Mar Bella Wine Bar inside Clayton Hotel & Members Club will become Tequilería Alteño, a casual Mexican bar pop-up from the Fonda Fina Hospitality team.
“It’s bringing the fun cantina vibes of Mexico to Denver,” said chef Johnny Curiel, founder of the group that includes Mar Bella, Alteño, Alma Fonda Fina, and more. “With the summer being here and the vibes, and how well Mexican food has been received here in the last few years…we have been contemplating it for a while, and it is perfect in that location.”
As for Mar Bella, Curiel shared he isn’t sure it will open again in that spot. Cherry Creek, he said, craves festive energy. In a way, he added, the pop-up will be an extension of Alteño, located right across the lobby from the wine bar.
“We are coming out of this super happy with a lot of knowledge that we have gained, and we now understand the market better,” added the chef. “Alteno is a party, why not give them that cantina vibe too.”
The Tequilería menu features over 80 Mexican spirits meant to highlight the breadth and diversity of agave, from tequila to mezcal to lesser-known regional expressions such as bacanora, raicilla, and sotol. Look for cocktails such as the Tomatillo Paloma; the Cazuelita, a Jaliscan punch-style drink designed for sharing; the Corn Margarita made famous at Curiel’s Cozobi Fonda Fina in Boulder; the Mole Blanco Negroni, and more.
On the food menu nibble on Flautas Bañadas with roasted Chicken, salsa verde, and crema de rancho; Cachetadas De NY, which is a New York strip steak served with guacamole and salsa negra de ceniza; and tacos topped with halibut and habanero mayonnaise, wild mushroom with creamed corn; or a do-it-yourself platter of goodies.
Right now nothing else will change in the Mar Bella spot. There’s still 62 seats in the dining room, and an extensive patio in front of the restaurant. It will maintain the cool Spanish decor and wine bar vibe, for now. Though possibly. mentioned Curiel, the Tequilería will go from pop-up to permanent. As of today, there is not direct end date set.
Check out the concept now as reservations are open for Tequilería Alteño via OpenTable. Hours run Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to midnight.
