Meet Julia Fan, the energetic owner of Shanxi Noodles, 5935 Constitution Ave., where she serves as both chef and front-of-house ambassador.

Fan isn’t new to the restaurant world. She also operates two Mugi Ramen & Poke franchise locations, one in Parker and another in Colorado Springs.

“I opened the first Mugi six years ago,” she said. “Shanxi is named for the province I’m from in China.”

Before opening, Fan gave the space a top-to-bottom refresh, adding a new ceiling and fresh paint.

The tightly focused menu draws from her northern Chinese roots, with sections devoted to appetizers, noodle soups, house-made noodles, wok dishes, bao, dumplings, dry noodles, rice and dessert. Noodles are made fresh on site.

Among the standouts are: crisp coconut shrimp, flaky scallion pancakes, chicken in red oil sauce, eggplant dry noodles and pan-fried pork buns.

When ordering, Fan offered a friendly warning: “Do you like spicy? This is a most popular dish in Shanxi—but it is spicy. Very good.”

That dish, the chicken in red oil sauce, arrives at a slightly cool room temperature, a surprise that underscores its layered heat. Sichuan peppercorns deliver a signature tingling, numbing sensation that builds with each bite.

As the eggplant noodles hit the table, Fan demonstrated the finishing touch: “Stir the noodles into the sauce like this and add a little vinegar.” The Shanxi vinegar, sourced online after she couldn’t find it locally, adds a smoky, savory depth that ties the dish together.

For those seeking a taste of regional Chinese cooking beyond the usual standards, Shanxi delivers. Hours are 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Friday and noon-9:30 p.m. Saturday. Details: 719-573-8899, shanxinoodle.com.

From spice to scones

The Margarita at PineCreek will host a festive Mother’s Day Tea on May 9, with reservations available between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The cost is $39 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

The menu is classic and elegant, beginning with an assortment of freshly brewed loose-leaf teas and warm, house-made scones served with clotted cream. Savory bites include house-smoked salmon crostini with dill, capers and pickled onions; Black Forest ham with asparagus and Gruyère en croute; and traditional cucumber tea sandwiches with cream cheese and watercress.

Sweets round out the experience with carrot cake madeleines, citrus curd and berry tartlets, petite chocolate mousse profiteroles, shortbread cookies and white chocolate bark.

Reservations are recommended. Details: 719-598-8667, facebook.com/TheMargaritaAtPineCreek.

Mark Your Calendar

Hotel Polaris is celebrating the expected May opening of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s General Bradley and Zita Hosmer Visitor Center with a full slate of May events and experiences.

Kicking things off on May 2 (1–5 p.m.), the hotel will host a Kentucky Derby party spanning The Aviator and Flatiron Plaza, featuring Sazerac cocktails, Southern-inspired fare, and live race broadcasts.

Mother’s Day, May 10, brings an elegant brunch in Pamela’s, along with a build-your-own bouquet bar hosted by Ascend Spa & Wellness. The Aviator lounge will also offer a refined high-tea service with sweeping views of the Academy and Front Range.

The Polaris Pour series returns May 29 with “Agave Under the Stars,” pairing curated tastings of agave spirits with live entertainment.

During Air Force Academy Graduation Week (May 24–29), Pamela’s terrace will offer prime viewing for Thunderbird flyovers. On graduation day, Flatiron Plaza will feature a limited number of reserved seats with grab-and-go lunch options. The Aviator will host a rooftop viewing lunch with buffet service and panoramic views.

Details: tinyurl.com/yc5j8prh