Arriving at a restaurant right before closing can often feel rushed, but our experience at Juana La…read moreLoca was the complete opposite, thanks entirely to the incredible Guille!
He welcomed us with the warmest, most attentive energy and guided us with stellar recommendations so we could order on the spot. Because of his amazing hospitality, we relaxed and enjoyed the absolute best of this vibrant kitchen.
Here is how our culinary journey unfolded:
The Savory Starters & Tapas
Pincho de Tortilla con Cebolla Confitada
Widely celebrated as one of the absolute favorites in the entire capital, and it completely lives up to the hype! It was beautifully moist, runny, and melted on the inside, luxuriously creamy and bursting with rich flavor.
Croquetas de Espinacas y Queso Cheddar
These golden bites were spectacular. Each mouthful revealed a velvety, rich texture that perfectly combined the earthy notes of spinach with the sharp, comforting melt of cheddar.
Carpaccio de Alcachofas
Simply outstanding. Easily one of the best artichoke dishes I have ever tasted! The delicate arranged layers of artichoke were incredibly tender, offering a distinguished, refined flavor in every single bite.
Raviolis de Setas y Trufa
Baked to a perfect golden-brown under a decadent, bubbling cream sauce. Earthy, savory, and incredibly comforting.
The Mains & A Tiny Suggestion
The Classic Katsu Sando
A luxurious delight! Made with thin-sliced, buttery bread, it featured a perfectly tender center and was topped with what looked like a glistening, crown of orange caviar (roe) that added a wonderful pop of texture.
Sándwich de Cangrejo de Concha Blanda
This soft-shell crab sandwich was crunchy and undeniably interesting. However, with so many other mind-blowing options on the table, I think next time I would opt to order a double portion of another plate instead of this one.
We did notice that a few of our savory dishes, specifically the Pincho de Tortilla and the Katsu, initially arrived a bit on the cooler side. Thankfully, when we mentioned it, Guille was an absolute star and immediately had them warmed up for us on the spot!
While his quick fix saved the day, it would be a fantastic improvement for future guests if these dishes already came out warm from the start. Having that famous tortilla served warm over beautifully toasted bread, and the katsu with that same comforting warmth, would elevate these already incredible flavors to absolute perfection!
Volcán de Dulce de Leche con Helado de Coco
The undisputed gem of our night! Instead of the usual chocolate, this warm, oozing volcano cake is filled with rich, decadent dulce de leche. Paired with a cold, refreshing scoop of coconut ice cream, it was pure magic.
We are already looking forward to our next visit, where trying their highly anticipated Arroz Negro is at the very top of our list!
Beyond the plate, this spot is packed with amazing energy. Tucked away in the back is an intimate, hidden area dedicated to live music alongside a chill bar area where you can sit back and enjoy the great notes of the musicians.
The decor is effortlessly hip and modern, plastering the walls with vintage vinyl records and iconic emblems of star musicians (like The Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana) that give the entire space a magnetic personality and rock-and-roll attitude.
Juana La Loca is a phenomenal spot to bring someone special to enjoy world-class food, a lively, stylish environment, and, above all, exceptionally friendly attention. Thank you again to Guille for going above and beyond for us! We will definitely be back!