These days, street food is all the rage. And while Denver has fewer food trucks than other cities, the 16th Street Mall still has plenty of vendors that dish up the goods (think Biker Jim on Arapahoe, the Thai Food Cart on Stout, or the gyro stand on Market). Now, there’s a newcomer to seek out: The almost three-week-old Gastro Cart, which sits on the corner of 18th and Curtis streets.

Run by Bryan Hume and Mike Winston, former cooks at Table 6, this is a chef’s approach to street food: killer veggie tacos with a caramelized cabbage roll, whole grain rice, and smoked jalapeño aïoli; pulled pork sandwiches with smoked curry sauce, Granny Smith apples, and cabbage on a sesame roll; roast lamb gyros with tzatziki sauce, tomato guajillo, mint foam, and cabbage on grilled naan; and spicy chicken tacos with homemade kimchi and Thousand Island dressing on a caraway-corn tortilla.

Bonus: Street food is such a hot trend, look out for other local restaurateurs to get in on the act. To wit, Frank Bonanno is considering a food truck that’ll serve steamed buns and noodle bowls à la Bones.

Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In the heart of a Highlands Ranch strip mall lies an authentic slice of France. Pierre Michel–Organic French Bakery Cafe twinkles with French music and owners Eric and Isabelle’s singsong as they banter behind the counter.

The duo bakes up flaky croissants and buttery pastries each morning (get there early for the best selection), as well as fresh quiche, cozy soup, and classic sandwiches for lunch. I’m a sucker for the croque monsieur: Each bite of the melty, grilled ham-and-Swiss sandwich takes me back to the Parisian cafe where I had my first croque.

Bonus: Pierre Michel does pizza (baked up on their baguette dough) on Fridays. I’ve got my eye on the Alpine, which is topped with potatoes, bacon, cream sauce, and cheese.

3624 E. Highlands Ranch Pkwy., Ste. 205, Highlands Ranch, 303-471-4828

I’m already a fan of Park Burger, Jean-Philippe Failyau’s eatery in Platt Park. And while I’m completely partial to the Croque burger (a one-third-pound patty of Harris Ranch beef, ham, fried egg, and Swiss cheese), I’ve also been known to put down an El Chilango, which comes topped with cheddar, jalapeños, and guacamole.

So, when Failyau e-mailed me that Park Burger is now serving breakfast sandwiches (8 to 11 a.m. daily), I checked out the menu and headed down. Aside from the classics—ham or bacon, fried egg, and American cheese—there’s also a breakfast version of El Chilango (the egg replaces the burger, and there’s ham) and the Royal, with two eggs, caramelized onions, bacon, and American cheese.

These are breakfast sandwiches made with care. They take a little time to arrive, but when they do, the egg is cooked to your liking, the cheese is perfectly melted, and the bun is soft enough to keep the whole mess glued together.

1890 S. Pearl St., 720-242-9951

Opus‘ fall menu is in full swing, and one of the best dishes sits squarely on the appetizer menu. As he’s known to do, executive chef Michael Long takes a typical combination (in this case, scallops and bacon) and elevates the dish to his standards.

Here, he wraps Maine-caught diver scallops with uncured pancetta, seasons them with salt and pepper, and sears them until just hot. Then, he plates the scallops with Brussels sprouts braised with dried cranberries, pancetta (plus pan drippings), capers, broth, and wine.

The final effect is both rich and light, autumnal and fresh, in each bite. Paired with a glass of Emeritus Pinot Noir, the dish could stand in as a light meal or simply set the stage for greater things to come (namely, the Colorado lamb rack with brown-butter-whipped potatoes, mint-apple marmalade, and a mustard-herb crust).

2575 W. Main St., Littleton, 303-703-6787

At Belemonti’s Pizzeria, owner Tammy Maleckas tosses Chicago’s “other” style of pizza: thin, crackery-crusted pies. And she comes by the profession naturally (her parents opened a pizza joint on Chicago’s South Side, and her grandmother immigrated from Calabria, Italy).

Belemonti’s sits between Sixth and Seventh avenues on Santa Fe Drive, specializing in carryout and delivery pizza, though you can gobble a slice right on the spot. One great bet is the Windy City, a well-rounded combo of Italian sausage, roasted red and yellow peppers, Spanish green olives, and cayenne pepper. (We went light on the cayenne, and the pie was still plenty spicy.)

Bonus: Check out the cannoli, which can be ordered in both traditional (chocolate chip) and seasonal (cranberry) flavors.

644 Santa Fe Drive, 303-952-9879

The latest offering to show up on my cheese board is the Sunset Chipotle Cheddar from Buena Vista’s Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy. Made from goat’s milk, this hard cheese has a streak of russet-red chipotle paste running through the middle. Each bite melds nutty cheddar with smoky, spicy chili pepper. (Tip: The closer you get to the chipotle, the spicier the bite.)

I like to serve this robust cheese on Nita Crisps and offset it with the creamy Buttercup cheese (made from goat and cow’s milk) from Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy. I found both at Marczyk Fine Foods in Uptown.

770 E. 17th Ave., 303-894-9499

My two-year-old is crazy about hummus. She’s particular, too; the blend has to be just smooth enough, garlicky (but not too much), with a hint of lemon.

Over the weekend, my husband and I took her to  Saj Mediterranean Grill at the Streets at SouthGlenn Mall to give the hummus—and few other dishes—a try. We ordered the chicken shawarma saj wrap (saj is a chewy, tortilla-like bread), a beef-chicken-falafel combo plate, and a saj mana-keesh (a tasty quesadilla-like sandwich with melted mozzarella and nutty-tasting akawi cheese).

My little connoisseur immediately took to the hummus, as well as the other dishes. The tabbouleh is bright, with lemon and mint, and the baba ghanoush is pleasingly smokey (both come with the combo platter); both complement the tender chicken, savory beef, and crispy falafel. The wrap—a get-up of chicken, hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles—disappeared quickly.

The eats taste fresh and clean, and the prices are right, too. Our meal, which could have easily fed another adult, came to just $20.

Bonus: The fast-casual eatery, which is set up like a Chipotle, bakes their pita and saj breads daily. Kids love watching the bakers work.

The Streets at SouthGlenn Mall, 6955 S. York St., #423, Centennial, 303-797-8000

This week, if your server at Vesta Dipping Grill or Steuben’s seems more bright-eyed than usual, you can thank Josh Wolkon. Six years ago, in response to the restaurant business’ pervasive bar culture, the owner of Vesta (and now Steuben’s) challenged his staff to forgo alcohol for a week. As Wolkon says, “Sober Week is an opportunity for you to focus on your health, your rest, and ultimately yourself.”

But it’s more than just refraining from the bar after a shift: Wolkon arranges for free classes at various yoga studios and athletic clubs around town, picks up the tab for bike rentals during organized rides, and ensures that staff meals are healthier than usual.

Vesta Dipping Grill, 1822 Blake St., 303-296-1970;

Steuben’s, 523 E. 17th Ave., 303-830-1001.

If pizza can be healthy, Sazza, a sustainably minded eatery in Greenwood Village, has found the formula. Portion control is managed by the small (personal) and large (feeds two) sizes, and the thin-crusted pies can hold only so many organic toppings before drooping.

There are menu staples, but specials make creative use of what’s in season. Right now, that means a roasted-pumpkin pizza made with local organic pumpkin from Stewart Farms, garlic oil, Gruyère, mozzarella, organic caramelized onions, bacon, fresh Colorado organic sage, and toasted pumpkin seeds.

Bonus: The mismatched styling further reflects Sazza’s green mantra: Glasses are recycled wine bottles, and customers donate the silverware and employee’s T-shirts.

2500 E. Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, 303-797-2992

At the sushi bar, I usually forgo decadent rolls for simple nigiri sushi and sashimi. But last week, I couldn’t resist trying Sushi Den’s tempting Red Dragon roll.

The deviation paid off with a creamy, crunchy mix of spicy tuna, avocado, and cucumber on the inside and sushi rice and garlic butter tuna tataki on the outside. “Dragon roll” sauce—a closely guarded secret recipe—gives the dish fire and zip. No soy sauce needed.

Bonus: Across the street, construction continues on Den Deli, the Kizaki brothers’ much-anticipated noodle bar and seafood market. There’s talk the eatery will open in mid-November.

1487 S. Pearl St., 303-777-0826

In our eternal quest for the city’s best breakfast sandwich, I ordered the “Shannon” on whole wheat at Under the Umbrella Cafe and Bakery in Congress Park. What arrived was a buttery scramble of eggs and cheese, stirred with diced onion, spinach, and tomato. The coffeeshop’s satisfying sandwich is made all the better with the addition of a foamy cappuccino.

Bonus: Grab one of the muffins (baked daily) to go. Favorites include the blueberry or pumpkin, both of which make a tasty afternoon snack.

3504 E. 12th Ave., 303-256-0797

It’s hard to imagine improving upon the root-beer float. The childhood favorite masters the balance of comfort and fizz with each creamy sip.

And yet, the Lobby American Grille, the month-old bar and grill in the former Buenos Aires space, one-ups the dessert by adding a shot of Stranahans Colorado Whiskey.

The result is a deep, oaky, grown-up treat worthy of the bar.

2191 Arapahoe St., 303-997-9911

There are plenty of reasons to visit Carbondale, not the least of which are picturesque Mount Sopris, the quaint downtown, or breakfast at the Village Smithy.

In operation since 1975, the blacksmith-shop-turned-restaurant dishes out the usual morning staples but excels with creative eats such as McGurk’s, a skillet-like dish of hash browns layered with mushrooms, green onion, tomatoes, and cheddar. Perhaps best of all are the Santa Fe Cakes, three hearty cornmeal pancakes with bacon, green chiles, and cheddar tucked inside. Doused in syrup, these hit all the right notes of salty, sweet, and savory.

Bonus: Carbondale’s main drag has been dubbed Restaurant Row for its abundance of top-notch spots. Don’t miss Russets, Ella, Six89, Phat Thai, White House Pizza, or Swiss Gourmet Market.

26 S. Third St., Carbondale, 970-963-9990

From Korean BBQ Sae Jong Kwan and Nile Ethiopian to Pho 79 and Maandeeq East African Cafe, Havana Street enjoys one of the metro area’s most varied restaurant offerings. The second annual International Restaurant Week (through Sunday, October 25) celebrates that diversity with 24 eateries offering special menus and discounts.

The event doubles as a food drive for the Food Bank of the Rockies. Diners are asked to bring a nonperishable item (canned tuna, ham, beef stew, chili, baked beans, soup, canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, and pasta are in high demand) to donate.

Bonus: Up your trend quotient by checking out one of the Korean spots, such as Korean BBQ Sae Jong Kwan, where $45.95 feeds up to four diners with a bean pancake or fried dumplings, sim-chung-yi combo, beef bulgogi, and Korean whiskey.

Guess work is part of the fun at Living the Sweet Life, a one-and-a-half-month-old artisan-treats shop in Lower Highland that bakes in small batches to ensure freshness and ever-changing variety.

My favorite item to date has been the dangerously delicious pecan-caramel bar, which owner Erika Cunha perks up with lemon and orange zest. A close second is the nutty, powdered-sugar-dusted Mexican wedding cake. But, you can hardly go wrong with buttery chocolate-chip cookies, vanilla cupcakes (topped with a perfectly salty buttercream frosting), fudge-y brownies, or raspberry linzer bars.

I’ve also got my eye on Cunha’s pies, which are her favorite desserts to bake. Her apple comes swathed in a layer of caramel, while her pumpkin raises the Thanksgiving bar with sweetened cream cheese on the bottom and candied walnuts and homemade English toffee on top. Come Christmastime, she’ll bake up a limited number of huckleberry pies—with fruit she handpicked in Idaho. (Tip: She’s already taking orders for holiday pies.)

1535 Central St., 303-477-8088

This week, Mangiamo Pronto!, a fast-casual Italian bistro imported from Santa Fe, quietly opened on the corner of 17th and Wazee streets. The bright downtown space (the home of Common Grounds before it moved across the street) serves salads, paninis, and pizzas that are fresh, quick, and well priced ($6 to $9.50).

Best bets include the il diavolo pizza with cracker-thin crust, pancetta, mozzarella, red chiles, and tomatoes, and the pollame panino, a massive, grilled sandwich stuffed with pulled chicken breast, baby arugula, black currants, and house vinaigrette. For a side, choose the lemony chickpea-celery salad.

Bonus: The spot also serves a small breakfast menu with the likes of veggie frittata and an Italian version of French toast, with Nutella, bananas, and toasted almonds.

1601 Wazee St., 303-297-1229

There’s simply no better way to start the morning than with a flaky ham-and-cheese-filled croissant from Trompeau Bakery. Layer after layer of buttery puff pastry are spun around nutty cheese and smoky meat for the ideal savory bite. The crescent-shaped treats—plain, filled, and otherwise—are so delightful, it’s rumored that Brasserie Felix, a French eatery in northwest Denver, serves them at their weekend brunch.

Of course, there’s more to this DU-area boulangerie than just croissants. Stop in for chaussons (turnover-like goodies) and fresh-from-the-oven quiche, or pick up a baguette or bâtarde for later in the day.

1729 E. Evans Ave., 303-777-7222

Winter, it seems, is coming early this year. Which is reason enough to head to Capital Tea on South Broadway for a cozy, leisurely lunch. Visit on a Friday or Saturday for fluffy quiche with a buttery, flaky crust. The entrée—ingredients of which change each week—is baked individually and comes with organic greens tossed with a bright, mustardy vinaigrette.

Pair lunch with one of the 60-plus loose-leaf teas or a C Tea Fizz, a tea soda made from black tea, Perrier, and flavored syrup (try blackberry).

Bonus: The space is reminiscent of a British tea room, complete with dainty—and delicious—pastries and baked goods. Save room.

1450 S. Broadway, 303-777-2255

At my house, rarely a night goes by when my husband and I don’t kick off the dinner hour with a glass of wine and a cheese plate. We’re constantly picking up new and interesting selections, and we log our favorites on the inside front cover of Laura Werlin’s Cheese Essentials.

A recent discovery—and a new staple—is the garlic-and-chive Sunburst, a spreadable sheep’s milk cheese from Craig-based Sunny Breeze Farm. The fresh herbs, which are mixed throughout, give the creamy and smooth cheese just enough bite and plenty of interest. I serve it with crackers from Denver-based 34° Crispbread.

In addition to serving a New American menu (think duck confit cassoulet and a coffee-rubbed Kurobuta pork chop), 1515 Restaurant offers an impressive selection of Colorado wines by the glass. The vinos include Sutcliffe Vineyards‘ Viognier, Woody Creek Cellars‘ Colorado Merlot, Guy Drew Vineyards’ Syrah, Denver’s own Infinite Monkey Theorem Gewurztraminer, and more.

Bonus: The downtown restaurant has a long history—nine years—of earning Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence,” and it received the “Award of Distinction” by Wine Enthusiast from 2005 to 2009.

1515 Market St., 303-571-0011