Spill the tea
Monument to get a romance bookshop/tea house; BrewCha tea joins the lineup at COATI; Liège Waffles at Reception; Atrevida Beer Co. to close + more food & drink news & events
Here’s a great tagline for a romantic bookstore and tea room: “a cozy space where every tea cup tells a story, and every story has the tea!”
The line stems from Between the Sips, which aims to be open in Monument — just off W. Hwy 105, near Serranos Coffee — sometime in August.
“We’ll be the first trope bookstore in the Colorado Springs area,” owner Sheena LaBadie tells Side Dish, citing a blossoming industry that’s inspired Denver’s Spicy Librarian, Boulder’s Sugar and Spice Books and Fort Collins’ Cherry on Top.
But what those lack that Between the Sips will offer is the teahouse component. “My daughter and I are big into tea rooms, says LaBadie, who’s a military spouse, homesteader in the Peyton area and healthcare management and small business development professional.
“And I’m an avid romance reader — especially fantasy. So I thought why not combine the two passions and create a tearoom focus around romance books?” That’s something that will distinguish Between the Sips from existing Springs-area tea rooms, like Toodles Tearoom, Tea & Tidbits, The British Pantry and Tea Room, Miramont Castle, BrewCha, Yellow Mountain Tea House and Glen Eyrie.
See how I just worked in a name-drop for all the spots that make up our tea scene? Yeah, amazing. And notice none are in the Monument area, which gives Between the Sips the leg up in a new area. (“Leg up is my intended pun for a romance bookshop, in case you missed it.)
As the bookstore goes, LaBadie says she’ll stock a wide range of romance styles, including contemporary, Harlequin, historical and LGBTQ. “There’s so many genres in romance,” she says. “People like different things, from hard core to soft and sweet.”
I ask if she’s concerned about pushback from the local community, which it’s fair to say is buttoned up (read: conservative) in many regards.
“Education will be a challenge,” she says. “There might be pushback against a romance bookstore because of its spicier side. Romance books can be like reading porn versus watching it. I’ll need to explain to people that’s just a small piece of it, though. It’s the story, the plot that’s important. It’s about romance and love: sometimes between friends and lovers, or enemies and lovers.”
LaBadie says she plans to host book-themed tea parties, and she’s already had local authors reach out asking to do events. The tea room will initially serve black, green, white, and oolong teas with matcha coming later. She aims to be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays, largely by reservation as the tea service goes.
As you can see from the digital renderings above, the tea room will have a more modern style, with feminine, floral touches but no stuffy Victorian vibe. “It’s going to be cozy, with Colorado colors,” she says. “It won’t scream ‘smut.’”
BrewCha Tea Lounge opens a kiosk at COATI
I first met BrewCha owner Fatima Concepcion at the Sober Soiree event in mid 2024, running into her again that fall at a food truck rally. I was highly impressed by her creative and diverse tea drinks, spanning from Thai to English and Japanese flavors. As I wrote at the time, she takes a cocktail-making approach to building alluring sippers with healthful ingredients.
Earlier this week, Concepcion held a friends and family soft opening at her new COATI food hall kiosk, ahead of an official opening on Tuesday, June 9. Regular hours for the time being are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the menu expanding as she gets settled in the new space and some breakfast foods planned to join the menu later this month.
At the preview event, BrewCha offered a two-page “Pick Me Up Matcha” menu to highlight 10 matcha drinks, including items not previously available on the truck. Choices included a strawberry or maple-blueberry matcha — both of which I relished — a maple-lavender; black sesame; hojicha; and brown sugar-cinnamon. All are made with dairy-free alternatives like oat and coconut milks.
What’s super cool is an option to choose your matcha origin from one of four Japanese growing regions. BrewCha explains that they use 4 grams of matcha per drink, which Concepcion tells me is roughly equivalent to a double-shot of espresso. Patrons can up-charge to 6 grams for a triple-shot equivalent; she says Thai people tend to drink 7 grams in a 16-ounce volume for a stronger ratio than many Americans will prefer.
Concepcion says she will still take the food truck out and will participate in the Acacia Park farmers markets on Sundays this season as one regular stop. Once she staffs up, appearances elsewhere will expand.
Related, while on the topic of COATI: Look for a Piglatin Cocina express kiosk to open soon in the kiosk next to BrewCha. A food hall representative tells me it should be there for at least the summer months, with potential to stick around and anchor on site. (On a personal note: I think that’s a terrific idea. I’ve told owner Andres Velez for years that he should expand the food-truck-launched brand into COATI, where he had opened an arepa stall and healthier concept named Green Freak back in 2024.)
Reception launches a Hold Fast Coffee Club
Reception, who introduced C. Springs to the build-your-own espresso martini menu last October, has now introduced the Hold Fast Coffee Club.
To be clear: It’s not an actual club, requiring sign ups, membership fees, etc. Rather, it’s a special service from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays-Sundays, featuring newly introduced Belgian Liége waffles alongside seasonal and flagship espresso drinks. “‘Club’ in this case just means being part of our community,” says owner Grace Harrison.
The waffles are inspired by Harrison’s family ski trips. After bombing down icy hills all day, her kids love hitting the Waffle Cabin in Winter Park. She’d had the idea to bring waffles to Hold Fast, before Reception was born, but it hasn’t made sense until now, as both businesses have shifted recently to help Reception find its footing.
Turns out a lot of loyal customers wanted more quick-service-style Hold Fast offerings inside Reception, and the staff quickly grew tired of saying no. Linking the branding was clunky so Harrison found it “time to pivot” by bringing Hold Fast favorites into Reception while allowing it to still focus on manual coffee methods to highlight their roasters and barista talent. By night, Thursdays-Saturdays, 4-9 p.m., it’s still a cocktail bar with a coffee habit.
Harrison tasked her culinary lead Audra Pearce to create Reception’s take on Belgian Liége waffles, which are doughier by design (and $6-$8). They’re made with a yeast dough that proofs, lending “a bread-y, almost brioche texture” in Harrison words. (I agree. And before anyone asks: No they’re not gluten-free.)
One seasonal savory option they’ve launched with is a sun-dried tomato, herb, garlic, Parmesan and pesto waffle —vegetal, with light zesty notes. Then there’s a classic pearl sugar waffle, a universal option to pair with any coffee drink. And a seasonal sweet option, currently a wild blueberry, lemon-poppyseed waffle with lemon glaze which is definitely a sweet treat, particularly if you ask your barista to pair with a traditional coffee drink made with any fruitier varietal.
While we were on site for the inaugural waffle service, we also tasted through Reception’s current seasonal drink menu. A cardamom rose latte leads with huge floral aromatics and tastes true to the flower, not soapy or synthetic like lesser attempts. The banana bread latte, a mainstay at Hold Fast, is so on-point that it will convince your brain that you’ve just swallowed a slice of the real thing. An oat milk base adds body and richness.
If you’re looking for more of a dessert drink, get the tiramisu latte (we had it iced by recommendation), which allows you to dip a garnishing ladyfinger into vanilla cold foam dusted with cocoa powder — super yum!
And if you wish to skip espresso for some reason, get the cascara yuzu soda, which places the light, delicate coffee cherry skin (in syrup form) with a mildly sweet, commercial yuzu soda to create an effervescent sipper with mild citrus bite and faint earthy elements. Coffee lead Josh Slama says the drink “encapsulates how cascara can contribute to something bright and refreshing,” complementing how its inherent taste brings out and plays off of the yuzu in the soda.
These drinks will be available until the summer seasonal menu flip, on June 20 tentatively, so get in before then to try them. You can also still take part in monthly cuppings at Reception, which are only $10 and include $5 back toward a full espresso drink. And Hold Fast offers rotating specials on third Saturdays, such as pancake days, affogatos on the patio or a cappuccino and cookie combo. Follow both businesses social media pages for days, hours, times and updates.
Bites & Bits
• On its 21st anniversary this past weekend Rizuto’s Ice Cream expanded from its original location at 4785 Barnes Road to a second location at 2050 Jet Wing Drive on the Southeast side.
• Atrevida Beer Co. announced on June 1 that it would cease operations on June 28, after eight years in business. “Obviously this decision doesn’t come lightly, but more on that later,” they wrote on Facebook, celebrating the community they created and many accomplishments, including being the first Latina-owned brewery in the state. The brewery plans to extend taproom hours and host events all month, include a June 20 “Atrevida Adios Party” from 3-9, to include a mariachi band, DJ and more.
• Gather Food Studio announced last weekend that it would be moving the business to Minnesota later this year, but continuing to offer online classes and online spice ordering to stay connected to C. Springs. Classes and events will continue as scheduled through July’s end. “This decision was not made because Gather failed or because our business wasn’t surviving,” wrote owners Dave Cook and Cortney Smith in their newsletter. “… This move is about choosing a different path for our family and carrying Gather with us into the next season of life.”
• The Sportsbook Bar & Grill will grand-open its new C. Springs location at 402 S. Tejon St. at 4 p.m., June 5. Catch happy hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• “Polis vetoes bill that would have ended credit card fees on sales tax,” reports Colorado Public Radio. Our Governor, explaining his action, said “it is questionable whether this bill is fully implementable or operationally feasible.” In response, the Colorado Restaurant Association’s Sonia Riggs was quoted as saying: “We’re devastated that the Governor chose to believe the falsehoods spread by the credit card lobby over the painful reality currently facing our local restaurants and retailers.”
• “Atomic Cowboy to pay over $800K in settlement with employees” Denverite reported last week. A class action lawsuit argued that wage violations had occurred, including “failing to pay employees for overtime work and wrongly paying the tipped minimum wage for employees who were not actually getting tips.” The company denied the allegations, but settled out of court.
• The Brit Pub will screen every World Cup soccer game, June 11 through July 19. They’ll be offering food and drink specials during matches, plus a giveaway for two tickets to one of the games in Kansas City in June.
• Here’s 7 new Denver and Boulder restaurants & bars you should know about, via New Denizen. One is a “dreamy Basque date night spot in RiNo; another is a bakery where you can find Portuguese-style pastel de nata treats. (I last wrote about those in late 2024 after my return from Portugal.)
Side Dish Dozen happenings
T-Byrd’s Tacos & Tequila: We’re celebrating 10 years in business on June 6! Starting at 1 p.m. we’ll have live beats from DJ HotBoii plus some other fun surprises. Be there.
Blackhat Distillery: Experience Blackhat Distillery, where American Agave Spirits meet disciplined craft and elevated Colorado hospitality. Come sample and sip in our tasting room, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays-Saturdays. Take a guided tour with our intimate Distiller’s Vault experience. Advance resos required.
Bristol Brewing Company: Catch Music in the Yard every Friday during June and July in the Schoolyard. This week it’s Funkology, and next Friday local favorite SOAPDISH rocks the yard. Shows run from 6-8pm.
Red Gravy: For June’s Pastarama battle, the May winner, Lamb Ragu, will face off against Rigatoni alla Vodka, made with Italian fennel sausage, spinach, tomato cream sauce with vodka and Parmesan. Come try ’em both and upvote your favorite.
Four by Brother Luck: Come see us for happy hour, 3-6 p.m., Tuesdays-Sundays. And sample from the current spring menu, which includes dishes like rabbit empanadas, juniper-smoked trout, anasazi bean consommé, Colorado lamb, and vegan oyster mushroom asada.
Elephant Thai & Chaang Thai: Our house specialties include traditional Thai-style pad ga prow, Thai Boat Noodles, Pad Thai Woonsen with soft shell crab, and red curry duck with pineapple. We also served dedicated gluten-free, kids and vegan menus to accommodate all eaters.
Hoppenings of the week
Beer Events
Southpark Brewing Second Anniversary Party. June 6, noon. Get $5, 21-ounce beers and enjoy small-batch new releases and giveaways.
Bayou & Bluegrass Fest at Whistle Pig Brewing. June 6, 1:30 p.m. A full day festival featuring a crawfish boil, three live bands and dog- and family-friendly space.
Makers Market at Red Leg Brewing Co. June 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feature a rotating selection of local artists, bakers, makers and farmers.
Beer Releases
Hill Climb Hero International Lager at Mash Mechanix. Clean, crisp lager built for race season. Official craft beer of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Redcoat Amber at Nano 108 Brewery. A smooth and approachable English Draught Beer featuring notes of toasted biscuit, caramel malt and earthy hop character.
New Shore IPA at Storybook Brewing. A bitter IPA with light tropical front and hoppy finish.
For full listings of events and releases download the free Hoppenings app on Apple on Google.
Upcoming events
Through June 12: Pilgrimage of Pints 2026. A self-paced brewery crawl to earn perks and rewards, leading up to the Feast of Saint Arnold beer festival on June 13.
June 5: Prism’s Pride Kickoff Party at Avenue 19. 5-8 p.m. Free; drag show, drag bingo, music, performers and more.
June 6: Summer Music Series kickoff at Kangaroo Coffee Hillside. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring Lookee Here. Next shows June 13, 20 and 27 from 1-4 p.m.
June 6: Manitou Springs Wine Festival. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Memorial Park. $65-$100.
June 6-7: Donut Day at Pikes Peak. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free with toll gate admission.
June 11: Local Relic’s 10th anniversary Party at The Carter Payne. 6-8 p.m. Meet the brewery’s new owner Andrew Mueller and see a new art display by Robert Anderson.
June 13: Feast of Saint Arnold beer festival at Chapel of Our Saviour Episcopal Church. Noon to 4:30 p.m. Family-friendly, live music, food trucks, beer, wine and spirits tastings. $55.20 to $108.55 (VIP).
June 13-14: Pikes Peak Pride in downtown. Includes food trucks, beer garden and vendor booths.
June 15: Absolut Heat Streak bartending competition at Avenue 19. 1-4 p.m. Come spectate as bartenders compete for prizes in a timed competition, mixing drinks with Absolut Tabasco Vodka. The battle is meant to mimic service on a busy brunch shift. (Bartenders, register at the link to compete for free.) I’ll be co-judging. Free food, drinks and swag!
June 17: Colorado Springs Western Street Breakfast in downtown. 5:30-9 a.m. at Pikes Peak and Tejon streets.
June 18: Bar Mom’s Birthday Bar Crawl Fundraiser. 6 p.m. to midnight. $25 tickets benefit Care & Share. Includes VIP menu pricing at stops and commemorative challenge coin.
July 9: Taste of Pikes Peak at Hillside Gardens & Event Center.
Parting shot(s)
Earlier this week I met up with my pal Cole at Side Dish sponsor Goat Patch Brewing to do a fun sampling with items from Grazing Goat Kitchen at the Northgate location. Our objective was to find optimal food pairings for the newly released Citrus Summer Drink, which is brewed with limes and calamansi fruit from the Philippines — a kumquat and mandarin orange hybrid.
The brew sips light at 5.5 percent ABV and has a body similar to wheat beer, but with a clean, smooth, citrusy finish. Don’t think juicy like some IPAs or bitter-finishing like some other IPAs that are fruited, and taste pithy at times. This drinks with lower acidity, but just enough to still dance nicely with ingredients on our pizzas, like floral basil and earthy vegetables, plus hot Calabrian pepper honey. At its heart, it’s just refreshing and optimal for the season we’re in. Watch the short video for further elaboration on all that via our spontaneous thoughts as we live-taste. Cheers!