Johnny and Kasie Curiel, founders of Fonda Fina Hospitality, announced that their previously revealed Charleston restaurant will be called Alteño and is expected to debut this summer. The Curiels opened the original Alteño in Denver in 2025.
Located on the ground floor of The Charlee on Cannon, Alteño will bring the flavors of Mexico’s Jaliscan Highlands to downtown Charleston, expressed through chef Johnny Curiel’s heritage-driven approach.
Alteño is a tribute to the culinary traditions passed down by Curiel’s father, a chef and restaurateur. His spirit, the original Alteño, or “highlander,” influences every detail of the campestre-style restaurant, from cevichería-inspired raw dishes to vegetables and proteins cooked in the kitchen’s expansive hearth.
The Curiels
“We’ve always been inspired by Charleston’s vibrant restaurant community and strong sense of place,” Curiel said. “Much of my cooking draws from Mexico’s coastal traditions, so it feels natural to connect that with Charleston’s own deep coastal identity. We’re excited to highlight the region’s 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.”
Alteño Denver is Michelin-recommended and was named one of Esquire Magazine’s Best New Restaurants of the Year in 2025. Beyond Alteño, the Curiels are known for Alma Fonda Fina and Mezcaleria Alma in Denver, both of which have earned one Michelin star.
Shortly after opening his first solo restaurant, Curiel was named Michelin Colorado’s Young Chef of the Year in 2024. This year, he is a finalist for Best Chef: Mountain at the James Beard Awards.
See below for images of Alteño Denver's offerings, which will closely resemble the Charleston menu.
