$$$$Price: Very Expensive • Spanish • Coral Way
Juancho's has been a part of my life since I was a teenager. It was one of my late father's favorite haunts -- he brought my mom and I there as a family, and on other nights he met his longtime friends at the bar for drinks and good times. When I think of Casa Juancho, I think of something truly unique -- a visit to old-world Spanish culture and cuisine delivered with style and elegance. It's been that way my whole life, and I can only hope it remains that way.
All that said, this particular visit to Juancho's was different for us because it came after a trip to Spain earlier this year. After a week in Asturias broadening our palates with more exotic dishes and wines, we came to this experience better informed and excited to try dishes off the tapas menu that we wouldn't have even looked at before.
Yes, we still started our evening with cuts of Jamon Iberico, Lomo (pork loin) Iberico, Chorizo, and Manchego Reserva, and bowls of Fabada Asturiana. But then we dove into Polpo a la Gallego (Galician style octopus, sauted in extra virgin olive oil and seasoned with smoked paprika), tortilla (Spanish omelette style eggs with potatoes and onions), and Croquetas de jamon iberico, served in the classic Spanish style rather than the more ubiquitous Cuban croquettas served just about everywhere in Little Havana. Every bite felt authentic and took us back to our trip overseas--we couldn't have been more pleased.
It's our hope to be able to return to Juancho's every year in November around my father's birthday to celebrate our memories of him and our memories of our time in Spain. Casa Juancho is not inexpensive, but it is worth every bit spent for the experience it offers.
