If you've got a sweet tooth, like me, head over to Après Dessert Bar [2]. The eatery is part of Highland's Generous Servings [3] cooking school, and it's located in the space previously occupied by Happy Cakes Bakeshop [4], before the bakery moved down the street.

The name is a bit of a misnomer since Après also offers a decent selection of small plates (we hear the potato samosas with tamarind and cilantro-mint chutneys are especially noteworthy). But we went for dessert. Of the eight offerings, we ordered three: Meyer lemon budino, Dutch doughnuts with caramel sauce, and a flourless chocolate torte with kumquat purée.

While the budino (essentially a baked pudding) is low on citrus zing, and the fresh-from-the-fryer doughnuts are serviceable, the torte is the showstopper. Fudgy and dense, the texture is almost mousse-like. The richness—this is a dessert to share—was cut by the piquant and gorgeous kumquat sauce (how I'd love to drizzle this over vanilla ice cream). Don't let the garnish—a sugared kumquat—go to waste; eat it whole, rind and all, and enjoy the sweet-sour tangerine notes.

Tip: We found the brewed coffee thin and weak. A better option is a shot of espresso.

3801 W. 32nd Ave., 303-455-9730