Monse and Tim Hines have opened Monse’s Sweet Kitchen, the newest addition to the couple’s growing restaurant group.

The address, 15 S. 25th St., might look familiar. It’s the same building as their flagship restaurant, Monse’s Taste of El Salvador. The sweet shop occupies a small space at the front of the building.

As of this writing, it’s easy to miss from the corner. The exterior has been refreshed with a minimalist look, while the official signage is still on the way. For now, look for a sandwich board on the sidewalk announcing the day’s specials.

“We had leased the space to a couple of women who were making baked goods, and Monse had also used it as a smoothie shop with a few pastries,” Tim said during a recent sneak peek and tasting.

The space has been redesigned with a clean, open layout. Instead of a glass display case dominating the center of the room, the service and drink station sits to the right as you walk in, along with an automated kiosk for placing orders. A handful of tables and chairs fill the small dining area, while one wall features banquette seating. The main attraction is a large, refrigerated case on the left showcasing cakes and empanadas.

Monse is already well-known for her pupusas and her commitment to gluten-free cooking. Everything served at the pupuseria and the new bakery is organic and 100% gluten-free.

“Monse has been creating and perfecting gluten-free cakes for a long time and wanted a place to offer a larger menu of them,” Tim said. “The smoothies have been popular, too. As for the empanadas, they’re Colombian. One of our employees makes them, and we sell them here for takeout or to enjoy in the shop.”

Having sampled several of the gluten-free offerings at Monse’s Sweet Kitchen, we can vouch for the quality, flavor and texture. These sweets are far more satisfying than many gluten-free baked goods that fall flat. No cardboard duds here.

Several items also cater to other dietary preferences, including vegan and dairy-free options. The menu changes frequently.

Cake flavors we enjoyed included carrot, pineapple upside-down and banana, along with a chocolate cake inspired by Dubai chocolate layered with pistachio cream.

Even if gluten-free eating isn’t on your radar, you’d be hard-pressed to miss the milk, eggs and wheat flour typically found in traditional baked goods.

Save room for one of the shop’s Latin-influenced smoothies. Flavors include strawberry, horchata, hibiscus tea, taro, lemonade and mango-pineapple. Customers can add traditional boba, passion fruit popping pearls or strawberry popping pearls. And for a playful finish, top your drink with a bear-shaped frozen juice cube that slowly melts into the smoothie. There also is a full espresso drink menu.

This year, the Hineses with business partners also opened The Best Coffee & Lounge downtown in the former Wild Goose Meeting House space. Meanwhile, independently the couple is preparing to debut a newly imagined sister restaurant to Monse’s Taste of El Salvador downtown, which will be called Monse’s Pupuseria & Salvadoran Kitchen (formerly Saigon Café), along with a refreshed update to the Mountain Shadows location in Old Colorado City. Both projects are expected to open later this spring and summer.

Joseph’s Easter buffet

Hop on down the bunny trail to Joseph’s Fine Dining, 1603 S. 8th St., for an Easter buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5.

For $59, guests can enjoy an assortment of 10 starters and salads along with five house specialty entrées served with fresh vegetables and mashed potatoes. Finish the meal with a sweet finale featuring an array of decadent desserts.

Details: 719-630-3631, facebook.com/JosephsFineDining.