March 2026 Issue

"Every dish we serve at Sweet Rice Flour is more than just food; it’s my family memoir. Each dish is an opportunity for me to showcase Laotian people, culture, cuisines and desserts. "

In the bustling landscape of Denver’s specialty coffee scene, Tí Cafe stands as a vibrant anomaly. Located on South Broadway, the shop is more than a caffeine pitstop. At the helm are three sisters—Sashaline, Shominic, and Shasitie Nguyen—who have successfully translated their Vietnamese-American heritage into one of the city’s most influential community hubs. A Shared Vision Rooted in Identity The genesis of Tí Cafe was not a sudden pivot but a slow-brewing realization. Growing up as the daughters of Vietnamese immigrants, the sisters were raised in a household where entrepreneurship was the primary language of survival and success. By 2006, after relocating to Denver, they noticed a stark lack of cultural visibility for Asian Americans in the mile high area. “Tí Cafe began as a shared dream rooted in representation and identity,” the sisters explained. “As Vietnamese-American sisters raised by entrepreneurial parents, we always imagined creating something purposeful together. The idea of separating at adulthood felt almost alien.” Before the cafe, the three were building distinct careers. Sashaline, 36, was navigating the high-stakes world of craft cocktails as a lead bartender at Welton Room. Shominic, 31, was established as a Creative Director for a Breckenridge-based brand studio, and Shasitie, 27, was honing her expertise in networking and brand experience as a personal stylist. Despite their individual successes, the pull of a unified legacy was stronger. They chose to consolidate their diverse skill sets into a single, formidable vision. The Power of Three: Roles and Realities The sisters have categorized their roles into three essential pillars: the Dreamer, the Organizer, and the Fixer. The Dreamer (Shominic): Serving as the Creative and Brand Content Director, Shominic is the architect of the “vibe.” Her background in UI/UX and design allows her to conceptualize menu themes and visual storytelling inspired by art and anime. She ensures that the customer experience is not just transactional, but imaginative. The Organizer (Shasitie): Every visionary needs a pragmatist. Shasitie is the operational backbone. She creates the systems, manages logistics, and oversees the scheduling that allows a small, family-run business to function with the efficiency of a major corporation. The Fixer (Sashaline): Occupying the “eldest sister” role both literally and figuratively, Sashaline is the primary problem-solver. Whether it’s a technical hiccup behind the bar or a complex business negotiation, her adaptability and level-headedness keep the ship steady during the inevitable storms of small business ownership. “Even though we’re sisters, we’re three very different people,” they noted. “That dynamic of creativity, structure, and adaptability is the reason we can carry such heavy workloads and still stay motivated.”

Metro Pie Pizza is a new fast casual brick oven pizza concept inspired by the nostalgic energy of Old School Hong Kong metro culture. Founded by husband and wife team Ricky and Anna Choi, alongside their daughter Alice Choi (owner of the newly opened Red Bus Coffee), Metro Pie Pizza brings a thoughtful and unexpected take on a familiar favorite. Designed as a neighborhood pizza spot where guests can grab a quick bite or settle in and stay awhile, the concept fills a noticeable gap in Lakewood, offering something approachable, culturally inspired, and community driven.  The menu at Metro Pie Pizza is built for repeat visits and everyday dining. Guests can choose from build your own pizzas, to a curated lineup of signature pies, and rotating specialty pizzas inspired by Asian flavors.

Ma’s Kitchen, the new dim sum house that helped usher in a new era of soulful, handmade Chinese comfort food in Denver, is expanding next door with the opening of Ma’s Kitchen: Dim Sum, Noodles & Bar ! An elevated, moodier dining experience designed for lingering, date nights, and shared plates. The new concept sits directly beside the original location and builds on everything diners have come to love about Ma’s Kitchen: handmade dumplings, thoughtful flavors, and deeply rooted hospitality. This new space leans darker and more refined, offering an expanded dim sum and Asian-fusion menu alongside a full bar and cocktail program. At the same time, the original Ma’s Kitchen will transition into Ma’s Kitchen | Next Door, a streamlined, casual model focused on quick bites, takeout, and grab-and-go favorites. Together, the two concepts create a one-of-a-kind dining corridor on East Colfax, offering guests the freedom to choose their experience, whether that’s a quick weekday meal or an intentional night out.

As someone who cared for a parent while looking after my own children, know that you are not alone. According to an AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving report, more than one million Coloradans are caregivers for a friend or family member with a complex medical condition or disability. This legion of caregivers is holding up our state’s health care system and is being paid little, if anything. Make no mistake: caregiving is a real job, regardless of how many hours per week you put in helping a friend or family member. Fifty-six percent of Colorado’s family caregivers report having to go into work late, leave work early, or take time off to provide care. For those just beginning their caregiving journey, remember that caregiving requires a team, as well as a strong understanding of the services available to you through many organizations. Work to have a support system, which can include other caregivers, family, friends, and health care providers. One of the things that I wish I had realized and understood when I became a caregiver is that my role was not that of a savior.