There’s rarely anything good about a Monday, but today, which marks the opening of Crave Dessert Bar & Lounge, is the exception. This sleek downtown space (located between Organic Pizza Company and Row 14 Bistro & Wine Bar in the Spire) dishes out not only cakes and pastries, but a coffee bar sometimes manned by Ami Cusack, the lovely barista and Top of the Town winner.

After previewing some of Crave’s treats last week, I’m willing to bet the puffy vanilla-dusted doughnuts with pomegranate compote, the white berry cake (pictured), and the 20-layer cake (stacked with flourless chocolate cake with peanut butter mousse) become instant hits.

Pair any dessert with one of the six signature hot cocoas (Mexican hot chocolate with cinnamon marshmallow and vanilla whipped cream, I’m looking at you), a Novo Coffee, a glass of wine, or one of the cocktails.

Of course, Denver already has D Bar Desserts in Uptown, but my sweet tooth says there’s room for another dessert spot—especially because the destinations are so different. Where D Bar is a jewel box of a space filled with fanciful, Willy Wonka-style treats, Crave’s tempting sweets are more suited to everyday indulgence.

891 14th St., Ste. 110, 303-586-4199

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