
14

"I note that Bang Bang Cafe in Belltown reopened in late November after an extended pandemic hiatus, and sisters Miki and Yuki Sodos used the downtime to renovate and revamp the space — adding a new bar, HVAC, a new chef, and in-house baked goods. With chef Derek Castro (recently from the now-closed Cafe Pettirosso) overseeing an expanded menu, longtime favorites like meaty or vegan burritos smothered in “Xmas” (red and green chile sauces) now sit alongside further New Mexican dishes such as posole, tortas, and queso, plus house-baked treats including biscochito shortbread cookies, conchas, and green chile cheddar scones. The cafe is currently open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with plans to expand hours, and it also serves wine, beer, cocktails, and Lighthouse Roasters coffee." - Adam H. Callaghan