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

An evening at Cracovia, an upscale Polish restaurant located just off Wadsworth Parkway in Westminster, should begin with an authentic, herbaceous sip of the Polish Cocktail (Bison Grass vodka, honey liqueur, and apple juice).

From there, move to the house-made kielbasa sausage or a plate of pierogi, scalloped half-moon dumplings filled with cheese, meat, cabbage, and mushrooms and topped with caramelized onions. (Order the combination plate for a taste of all nine fillings.) If you’ve never had pierogi, think ravioli—only much heartier and without the sauce.

Don’t miss: The gorgeous beet soup—it’s light, brothy, studded with potato cubes, and swirled with tangy sour cream—or, for dessert, the blueberry pierogi with sweet sour cream.

8121 W. 94th Ave., Westminster, 303-484-9388

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

Mulberries, the adorable cake shop once housed on Old South Pearl Street, is thriving in its new Colfax location. With an uptick in foot traffic and twice the workspace for a fraction of the rent, the Capitol Hill digs have proven to be a sound business decision.

“We love our new location,” says owner Kathleen Karr. “We have enough space to produce all of our customers’ favorite cakes and cupcakes, plus add a new line of vegan baked goods.”

And the icing on the cake? With plenty of elbow room, the cheerful space becomes the ultimate spot for “build-your-own-birthday-cake” theme parties.

Don’t miss: The new vegan chocolate-chip scones or the butter-pecan cupcakes with dark-chocolate frosting.

2027 E. Colfax Ave., 303-282-1044

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

If you’re the kind of person who would rather skip the entrée and make a meal out of small plates, then Tastes Wine Bar & Bistro is your kind of spot.

With a diverse and ever-changing selection of wines by the glass and an extensive menu, Tastes allows you to design your own private tasting menu with accompanying wine pairings.

Recently, I created a three-course, two-wine dinner for just $30. I started with a house favorite: chewy, Brie-stuffed dates wrapped in thick shavings of smoky Serrano ham and drizzled with balsamic glaze. This was followed by a small bowl of slightly sweet and tender butternut-squash ravioli with sage butter. Both dishes pair well with the crisp Ventisquero Reserva Sauvignon Blanc from Chile. (Tastes pours a generous glass.)

For dessert, I opted for the warm apple crisp blended with tart cranberries and topped with a scoop of mellow vanilla gelato. This goes well with the R.L. Buller Tokay from Australia, a smooth, sweet sherry.

Tip: Tastes offers happy-hour specials from 4-6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 3-6 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Selected tapas are $3 and the majority of wines run $5 a glass.

1033 E. 17th Ave., 303-459-2311 and 4267 Tennyson St., 303-952-9590

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

When lunchtime demands a heavy dose of tradition and sophistication, nothing beats the Old World charm of Ellyngton’s in the historic Brown Palace Hotel.

Completing the experience is the menu’s lobster BLT. The decadent sandwich combines toasted brioche, Maine lobster claw, crisp Bibb lettuce, basil aïoli, heirloom tomato, and thick slices of applewood smoked bacon. Served with your choice of side (cottage cheese, coleslaw, fruit, fries, or house-made chips), this dish—plus the gracious service and opulent surroundings—makes lunchtime feel like a special occasion.

321 17th St., 303-297-3111

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

After a harried morning, the MCA Cafe offers a tranquil place to recharge and grab a light lunch. Perched on the top floor of LoDo’s glassy-cool Museum of Contemporary Art, the spot dishes up hearty soups, fresh salads, and made-to-order sandwiches. Don’t miss the generous roast beef, served on chewy ciabatta with tangy horseradish Havarti. Try it with a cup of the sweet tomato-basil soup.

The cafe is sleek and stylish—just what you’d expect inside the MCA. Best of all, two of its walls of windows provide bright, scenic views of lower downtown. The danger, of course, is that with a full bar, wines by the bottle and glass, and all that art downstairs, you may be tempted to linger all afternoon.

Save room for sweets from Icing, Etc., whose selections are sometimes inspired by opening art exhibits. The cafe, for example, featured raspberry French macaroons and tiramisù with red berry glaze in homage to the deep red found in the impressive large-scale canvases by Barnaby Furnas, now on display.

Tidbit: To access the eatery, you must pay the $10 museum admission fee. Or, buy an annual membership ($45) and receive 10 percent off each cafe purchase. Plus, students can visit the museum for free on Fridays.

1485 Delgany St., 303-298-7554

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

Autumn signals the return of comfort food, and some of the city’s best can be found on Rioja’s fall menu. As diners have come to expect from the Larimer Square restaurant, chef and co-owner Jennifer Jasinski infuses her dishes with Mediterranean flair.

Look for seared sea scallops with a silky chamomile beurre blanc and an ever-so-delicate, hazelnut phyllo Napoleon layered with parsnip and carrot purée. Or, order the earthy chestnut soup served in a tiny roasted pumpkin, topped with a foie gras brioche crostini.

Nowhere on the menu are the cozy eats more sophisticated than Jasinski’s Wagyu short ribs, braised overnight and matched with a Don PX sherry reduction, creamy Gorgonzola farro, and a pear-arugula salad with candied walnuts.

Bonus: Keep an eye out for Jasinski’s first cookbook, The Perfect Bite, featuring some of the recipes from her fall menu.

1431 Larimer St., 303-820-2282

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

Looking for a pick-me-up after a day spent shopping in Cherry Creek? Get thee to Houston’s for the lightly spicy, Thai tuna sushi appetizer and a refreshing cucumber Tom Collins.

The starter—which can also be ordered as an entrée— is made with sashimi-grade tuna and is served roll-style with creamy avocado, toasted coconut, and crunchy, diced macadamia nuts. Rice and a silky rémoulade, spiked with serrano and jalapeño, bind the flavors together. For those craving more heat, a zesty Sriracha mayo comes on the side.

Houston’s Tom Collins, made with Hendrick’s Gin, muddled spears of cucumber, lime juice, and Sprite, provides the right amount of cool to offset the dish’s heat.

Tip: Try to nab a table at the bar alongside the kitchen, where you can watch the chefs at work.

303 Josephine St., 303-333-4688

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

Inside Tangier Moroccan Cuisine, a heady aroma of spices combines with colorful tribal carpets and Moroccan details. The scene gives me hope: Not since Mataam Fez operated in Boulder (in 2006) has a restaurant sported such an authentic floor-to-ceiling vibe.

When it comes to cuisine, however, the four-month-old Tangier doesn’t yet stand up to the food once heralded at Boulder’s beloved Fez. Still, there’s promise.

Chef-owner Khalil Ben Mellah delivers delicate chicken bastillas (a savory pie encased in phyllo dough), richly flavored lamb barkouk studded with caramelized prunes and roasted almonds, and tender lemon-saffron chicken m’qualli. What’s missing, on occasion, are consistently cooked vegetables and robust soups.

Even so, reserve a floor-level table (or a higher four-top) for tasteful belly dancing (weekends only), sweet mint tea, and heavenly baklava topped with chocolate sauce.

3070 28th St., Boulder, 720-621-9291

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