When D Bar Desserts opened its doors along 17th Avenue a few weeks ago, pastry chef and Food Network star Keegan Gerhard put sugar front and center. The sleek dessert bar’s sit-down menu tempts with nostalgic goodies like “Cake and Shake” (excellent chocolate cake paired with a heavenly vanilla milkshake) and more out-of-the-box treats like delicious roasted pineapple and Gerhard’s take on the sundae.

My favorite goodie thus far is the fresh-tasting tropical pavlova, starring ethereal meringue, exotic fruit, and refreshing granita. If this sounds a little humdrum, take note that Health Magazine just recognized the dessert for its superb flavor profile and its low calorie quotient (just 178 calories per serving).

Trend Alert: Could pavlova be the dessert du jour? Both Bon Appétit and Food & Wine have recently run recipes for the treat. Bon Appétit’s pink peppercorn pavlova with strawberries, vanilla cream, and basil syrup ran in May, as did Food & Wine’s recipe for coconut pavlovas with tropical fruit.

1475 E. 17th Ave.

Amanda M. Faison
Amanda M. Faison
Freelance writer Amanda M. Faison spent 20 years at 5280 Magazine, 12 of those as Food Editor.