Popular dim sum and dumpling chain opens in Colorado Springs | Table Talk
Teresa Farney, The Gazette
The much-anticipated Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings, 1895 Democracy Point, is having a soft opening until July 29, when there will be a grand opening celebration.
The rapidly growing Denver-based chain occupies the former Longboard Tacos, in the FO4R North restaurant and bar complex. While the dim-sum owners have also acquired the upstairs of the building (formerly Ultra Lounge and Sushi), they have not locked in on how the space will be reimagined.
“The owners may use the space for private parties or possibly a sushi lounge,” Kylie Baker, Nana’s Dim Sum and Dumplings social media manager, said. “They are thinking about options since sushi is not part of their core concept.”
Feilin Jiang, an owner and partner of Nana’s and an owner of The Juicy Seafood in Colorado Springs, is open to the possibility of sushi.
He mentioned as we were leaving a sneak peek, “I’m a master sushi chef with more than 20 years of experience and would like to maybe do sushi on weekends.”
Regardless of whether there is sushi available at Colorado Springs Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings, the menu being served is spot on and should be on your must-try list.
The restaurant interior is as exciting as the dishes that hit the table. Front and center as you enter the eatery there’s a culinary team of dim sum artists busy making the tasty dumplings behind a glass windowed area.
The elegantly decorated dining area has plenty to keep your eyes dancing around to catch all the design elements. Most impressive is a giant dragon sculpture hanging from the ceiling, which circles the massive room.
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As for the food, it is consistently well-prepared, beautifully plated and delicious. Plan to bring friends to enjoy a wide selection of many shareable items on the menu. Trust us, it’s hard to zero in on only a couple of dishes.
Our table of five enjoyed spicy cucumber salad, jumbo crab rangoons, sweet and sour pork ribs, mapo tofu, beef pancake rolls and stir-fried green beans. The rangoons ($12.95) barely won out as a favorite over the rest of the dishes. After all, there was a whole scoop of silky crab meat on the side in addition to the seafood folded inside the wontons. What’s not to love?
The hot and sour dumpling soup ($14.95) was another standout, with a mildly spicy, rich beefy broth with four fat pork and shrimp dumplings floating on top. Another table pleaser was the honey chicken feet ($6.95), which may not ring everyone’s chime, but for us they were a surprisingly welcome choice, seldom seen on Colorado menus.
Save room for dessert, especially the salted egg custard buns. Each of the three soft dough buns are eye-popping when cut, with an unexpected burst of runny poached egg oozing out. The eggy custard is full of sweet vanilla pudding flavored with a hint of salt. Have your phone ready for a photo.
Hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Details: 720-908-7732, tinyurl.com/4em95ptc.
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Sandwich expansion
Stephon Black, an owner of the Samich Shack, has moved the sandwich shop into a brick-and-mortar location.
Stephon Black, an owner of the Samich Shack, has moved and expanded from his cute drive-thru kiosk in the parking lot at 5830 Omaha Blvd. The new location is in a much larger space in the Powers Center, 5867 Palmer Park Blvd., just a few doors south of VASA Fitness.
Now there is plenty of indoor seating as well as counterspace at a bar. The same outstanding sandwich menu is being served made of Boar’s Head deli meats on buns made by Denver-based Vie De France.
We picked up the Pikes Peak ($14), which boasts layers of sliced turkey, ham, roast beef, salami, pepperoni, bacon, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, shack sauce and garlic aioli. Yes, it’s a mouthful to say and to eat. But amazingly the feast is constructed in such a way on the soft bread that it is possible to eat without it falling apart.
There’s an espresso coffee machine, which Black is planning to put into operation. Hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Details: 719-313-7887, facebook.com/SamichShack.
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Black is also an owner of Lazy Susan’s, 5859 Palmer Park Blvd., which is in the same shopping center as the above-mentioned sandwich shop. Black has expanded the cocktail lounge space too with the addition of a private space in the back for spillover guests or private parties. The ultra girlie girl decorated cocktail lounge is a fun space to enjoy drinks and light snacks.
Hours are 11 a.m-10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Details: 719-244-2274, tinyurl.com/37ssdz8f.
New farmers market
Josh Snyder, the chef at Till in the Homestead Collective, served barbecue meals at the opening of the Farmers Market at the Homestead Collective Yard.
The Homestead Collective, 9633 Prominent Point, introduced a farmers’ market July 12 in the patio and game area in front of the restaurant collection, referred to as “The Yard.” The market will run 9 a.m.-1 p.m. through Sept. 27.
Unfortunately, the kickoff morning was chilly and only a few vendors opened for business. Of note was the table featuring barbecue rib dinners prepared by Josh Snyder, the chef for Till, one of the five food outlets in the collective.
“Each week one of the other eaters will be featured as well as other local vendors,” Snyder said. “This week, since it’s summer barbecue season, we are serving smoked ribs and Mexican-style street corn on the cob.”
Other eateries of Homestead Collective open for service on Saturday mornings are Dad’s Donuts, Red Leaf Organic Coffee, Campfire Pizza and Garden of the Gods Market & Café.
Details: 719-282-8004, facebook.com/thehomesteadcollective.
contact the writer: 636-0271.
