Table Talk
Table Talk: April 6–12
Short Description: This week: RISE debuts cocktails, coffee tonics take over and a new food truck opens in Springfield.
By Megan Dollar
Apr 06 2021 at 8 a.m.
Photo by Christopher PereiraNew cocktails at RISE: Apricot Blossom, Early Harvest Punch and Lillet Spritz.
RISE Introduces Cocktails
As if RISE, the sunny little breakfast haven on Park Central Square, couldn’t get any better, they’re now serving cocktails. This weekend, the team debuted the new menu additions. Here are the one's we're eyeballing: the Rise Gin & Tonic, which features cardamom infused gin, lemon juice, tonic and fresh mint and the Lillet Spritz with Lillet blanc, vermouth, fresh orange, pear and strawberry slices and sparkling water. Of course, there are many more cocktails (and mimosas) to be discovered. We just can’t express how much we’ve been loving weekend brunch at RISE since they opened their doors earlier this year, now we're just going to keep going back for more.
Coffee Tonics Take Off
The first time I was served cold brew with a slice of lemon, I was skeptical. Turns out it was really good. Later, I was introduced to a more advanced version of the combination: cold brew, lemon, lavender and tonic. The caffeinated elixir made my tastebuds dance in a way I had never experienced and gave me the energy I needed to start my day. This is my message to coffee tonic skeptics: just give it a try, you'll most likely be surprised. Luckily, Springfield's coffee scene seems to be slinging tonics left and right this season. Last week, The Coffee Ethic debuted their spring menu which features the Harmonic Tonic: a blend of Askinosie chocolate syrup, coconut milk and cold brew topped with tonic water. European Cafe and Architect Coffee Company fell in line with the trend, too, by debuting a Matcha Tonic and a Rose Cardamom Tonic.
Pickles & Buns Debuts at Hold Fast Brewing
Brewery season is upon us. As warm, sunny days turn into cool, but not too cool, nights, there’s no better way to pass the time than around a picnic table topped with beer and surrounded by friends. The only thing that could make the setting better is some good food. Pickles & Buns, a new slider food truck, made its debut this past weekend at Hold Fast Brewing, where it will continue to serve brunch and sliders on Saturdays and Sundays. The slider menu includes creative takes like surf & turf and mushroom & swiss while the brunch menu includes mouth-watering classics like chicken and biscuits and spam and eggs.
Queen City Soda and Sweets Spring Fling
I don’t know about you, but this sunshiney weather has me in the mood to twirl around an old fashioned, pastel colored candy shop. Luckily, Queen City Soda and Sweets is just that. On Friday, the downtown candy shop and soda bar is hosting a spring fling event. Head down to Park Central West from 3 to 7 p.m. this Friday to shop the store and grab some free candy and craft soda samples.
