Not only is August National Peach Month, it’s also the height of the Palisade crop. Eat the golden orbs straight (and over the sink) but also celebrate summer’s bounty with these dishes, desserts, and cocktails.

The Avenue Grill
Chef Andrew Lubatty showcases Colorado peaches two ways at the Avenue Grill: Palisade peach chutney compliments the grilled pork chop and the fruit stars in the peach cobbler with a baked biscuit topping and vanilla gelato. 630 E. 17th Ave., 303-861-2820, avenuegrill.com

Sugarmill
At Sugarmill, Noah French’s dessert bar, we discovered the Palisade peach shortcake with vanilla chiffon cake, chantilly cream, peaches, and cinnamon crumbles. You’ll find the treat on Sugarmill’s Denver Restaurant Week menu. 2461 Larimer St., 303-297-3540, sugarmilldesserts.com

Edge Restaurant & Bar
Peaches star in three items at Edge: Start your day with a peach smoothie made with honey, fat-free yogurt, and milk. For a sweeter, more substantial serving of peaches, enjoy French toast with slices of the fruit and chocolate-maple syrup. If you like a drink that’s strong with a little sweet, order the Western Slope cocktail—a crafted concoction of Leopold Bros Small Batch Whiskey, peach liqueur, honey-water, and marinated Palisade peaches. 1111 14th St., 303-389-3343, edgerestaurantdenver.com

Spruce
This brand-new Boulder restaurant serves grilled peaches quartered with a prosciutto tuile, chèvre basil croquette, and a balsamic reduction of black pepper and honey. The sophisticated dish hits all the right notes without overwhelming the beauty of the fruit itself. 2115 13th St., Boulder, 303-442-4344, spruceboulderado.com

The Nickel
You can find Palisade peaches as a side dish on the Nickel’s locally-focused menu. Wood roasted and finished with goat cheese, a fig balsamic, and crunchy basil, the sweetness of warm peaches melds with the creamy tang of ColoRouge cheese. 1100 14th St., 720-889-2128, hotelteatro.com

Session Kitchen
Session Kitchen’s Palisade peach jam—which accompanies the restaurant’s piping hot biscuits—is only available during brunch Friday, Saturday, and Sunday but it’s well worth the wait. Tip: You can also get your fill of the coveted preserves by visiting Session’s biscuit booth at the Old South Pearl Farmer’s Market every Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 1518 S. Pearl St., 720-763-3387, sessionkitchen.com

Lola Mexican Fish House
Palisade peaches have worked their way onto Lola’s dinner, brunch, and dessert menus. The pork belly tacos, topped with smoked cheddar, red onion, and cilantro, are served with peach salsa for a spicy and sweet accent. Satiate your brunch-time sweet tooth by ordering the peach pancakes with dreamy crème anglaise. Dessert lovers should save room for the almond cake with blueberry compote drizzle, blueberry goat cheese, Marcona almonds, and slices of grilled peach. 1575 Boulder St., 720-570-8686, loladenver.com

Elway’s
Start your meal off on a sweet note with Elway’s simple grilled Palisade peach salad. At the Cherry Creek location, chef Aniedra Nichols wraps peach slices with prosciutto then grills them until slightly crispy and serves them with a salad of arugula, Marcona almonds, burrata cheese, and a balsamic glaze. 2500 E. First Ave., 303-399-5353, elways.com

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