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Mexican restaurant and Montrose mainstay Cuchara officially welcomed a new member to its hospitality family on October 15. Cucharita, located at 315 Fairview (formerly occupied by Pepper Twins), is just a stone’s-throw away from its older sister in a building with both personality and charm. Much like Cuchara, Cucharita has adopted the same lively and authentic characteristics, but with a more feminine feel. The dining room is intimate and provides a welcoming space where guests can order to-go, or relax and enjoy a full sit-down experience.

Cucharita’s all-day breakfast and lunch menu features traditional sweet breads, coffee and egg dishes. As a whole, the menu speaks to the culture in Mexico City and the belief that every day should begin with a full heart and a full stomach — but first, coffee. The menu offers an array of cafés (coffees) which appeal to the aficionado, the sweet-tooth and everyone in between. Each item features Cucharita’s own brand of coffee, which may be purchased by the bag to enjoy in the comfort of your home or office.

The Lechero, consisting of steamed milk poured over a velvety espresso shot, is served tableside and accompanied by a mini chocolate chip muffin that makes you feel right at home. For those “out of office” days, Cucharita offers breakfast and coffee cocktails as well. One alluring option is the Café a la Mexicana, which is a decadent beverage made with robust black coffee, Kahlua coffee liqueur and whipped cream topped with chocolate and cinnamon powder.

For my fellow Cuchara brunch enthusiasts, Cucharita’s Chilaquiles de Semana can be enjoyed daily and with weekly surprise updates. Currently, the chilaquiles are offered with a rich mole sauce topped with Mexican crema and cotija cheese. This dish offers the comforts of a homemade meal while introducing Cucharita’s flair. It’s no surprise that it is a Cuchara family top-seller.

The Waffle con Cinco Leches is an ode to a traditional Mexican dessert, tres leches, as it’s also made with three different kinds of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk and whole milk or cream. Cucharita took it up two notches by adding coconut and freshly whipped cream to this hearty waffle.

Off the menu are an assortment of sweet breads made in-house daily. These beautifully eye-catching pastries are displayed in such a way that they instantly transport guests to a panadería (bakery) in the heart of Mexico City. Cucharita’s take on a cronut (a croissant-like pastry that resembles a donut) caught my attention because of the vivid red fresh strawberry perched on top. The sweet bread itself was flakey, buttery and the perfect vessel for a fluffy cream cheese filling. 

A mural painted by Cecilia Beaven, sister to co-owner Ana Beaven, adornes the main wall inside the café and appropriately captures the essence and elegance of Cucharita. The touches of soft pink and seafoam green make for the perfect escape for guests to enjoy breakfast at their leisure.

Cucharita is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Danielle Lomeli