Exciting News for Foodies in the Heights
The popular restaurant, Jūn, is expanding its services to include daytime coffee and cafe options. This new venture, called Third Place, is set to launch on Monday, April 14, and will offer a unique experience for customers.
What to Expect from Third Place
Third Place will serve as a coffee shop and cafe, offering a variety of coffees, pastries, and lunch items. The Jūn kitchen will provide four specialty pastries, including a Passion Fruit Tart with Torched Meringue, Chinese Sausage & Cheese Kolache, Cafe de Olla Cream Donut, and Cream Cheese, Thai Basil and Heirloom Tomato Empanada. These pastries will be inspired by Jūn’s signature blend of Mexican, Salvadoran, and Chinese flavors.
Rotating Chef Residency Program
One of the most exciting aspects of Third Place is its rotating chef residency program. This program will feature different up-and-coming chefs, each serving a couple of lunch items. The first chef to participate in the program will be Jūn’s sous chef, Julio Mendez, who will serve shakshuka with Mexican chorizo, farm egg, and baguette, along with hash browns with sous vide egg, foam cheese, and ham. Following Mendez will be Suu Khin, a Masterchef finalist and winner of the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Best Pop-up.
Upcoming Chefs
Other chefs scheduled to participate in the program include Tristen Epps, a Top Chef contestant, Raffi Nasr, owner of Craft Pita, Nina Fonte of Aleng Nina’s, and Gabe Medina, whose Subo pop-up has been gaining attention for its creative Filipino fare. This program is a great opportunity for these chefs to showcase their talents and gain exposure.
Giving Back to the Community
The owners of Jūn, Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu, are using Third Place as a way to give back to the community that has supported them. They are providing a space for up-and-coming chefs to grow and build their own communities, which is a testament to the kindness and support they received during Jūn’s evolution from a pop-up to a successful restaurant.
Amenities and Hours
Third Place will offer free wifi, making it an ideal spot for remote workers to complete their daily tasks while enjoying a coffee or snack. The coffee shop and cafe will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm, providing a convenient and delicious option for breakfast and lunch.
Conclusion
The launch of Third Place is an exciting development for foodies in the Heights. With its unique pastries, rotating chef residency program, and commitment to giving back to the community, Third Place is sure to become a popular destination. Whether you’re a coffee lover, a foodie, or just looking for a new spot to work or meet with friends, Third Place is definitely worth checking out.
