Former Frasca chefs open Casa Juani, and Boulder is lining up
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The arroz con sepia at Casa Juani. Photo: Mitchell Byars/Axios
Casa Juani, a new Spanish restaurant from former Frasca chefs, is fresh on the Pearl Street scene and already booked like a Boulder staple.
State of play: Husband-and-wife duo Eduardo Valle Lobo and Kelly Jeun are betting their shared roots, travels and fine-dining chops can establish a new foodie hot spot in downtown Boulder.
Driving the news: Casa Juani — named after Valle Lobo's 98-year-old mother — opened its doors this month at 901 Pearl St., with 100 seats, and an 18-seat patio.
Dig in: The menu leans Spanish, starting with tapas and raw seafood.
- Standouts include crispy croquetas, battered cod and a rotating selection of crudo.
- Larger plates highlight seafood, like arroz con sepia — a rich cuttlefish rice dish — alongside vegetable-forward options and meats like pork cheek and New York strip steak.
- Oh, and there is a $180 dry-aged ribeye if you really want to treat yo self.
- Save room for dessert, including their already-popular cheesecake.
What to expect: The menu is designed for sharing, with a family-style approach that nods to the restaurant's namesake.
- Spanish wines and cocktails lead the beverage menu, with local beers in the mix.
What they're saying: "What Juani says goes," Jeun said of the restaurant's guiding philosophy.
- "Returning to my heritage is deeply personal," Valle Lobo said. "The most rewarding part is honoring my mother, Juani, who is my north star."
My thought bubble: As a noted scallop fan, I found that their raw offering stole the show along with the flavorful and flaky cod — at least until dessert.
- The flan was the real star, thanks to its delicate, caramelly goodness.
Zoom out: Casa Juani's early buzz comes at a pivotal moment for Pearl Street.
- Boulder is gearing up for a high-profile 2026, with the pending arrival of Sundance Film Festival and a push to bring workers back downtown as vacancy rates hover around 30%.
The bottom line: If Valle Lobo and Jeun can replicate Frasca's success, Casa Juani could help anchor Pearl Street's next chapter as a local staple and a draw for visitors.
- "Pearl Street's West End has long been known for its high-caliber dining experiences, and Casa Juani is a fantastic addition," Downtown Boulder Partnership's Terri Takata-Smith told us.
If you go: Open Wednesday-Sunday, 5-10pm. Reservations can be made on the restaurant's site or OpenTable.