On Tuesday we attended the the 21st Annual Uptown Sampler.  We spend a lot of time on 17th in Uptown and have seen signs for it but this was the first year we bought tickets.  We started at Strings and moved our way down 17th.  At each participating restaurant there were “samples” of cuisine that were included with your ticket price and you could then buy wine or cocktails etc. 

Some restaurants had a lot more to offer but overall it was fun walking from place to place and checking everything out.  One huge standout for us was one of the newest eateries on 17th - D Bar Desserts.  Located at 1475 E. 17th Avenue, D Bar Desserts opened in the spring of this year.  Our sample there was an awesome chocolate mousse parfait dessert that was topped with crumbles of chocolate shortbread.  The space itself is very well designed - clean lines, modern, calming and very elegant.  Center stage is the pastry case where you can buy confections a la carte and next to that is a large open display kitchen where we saw desserts being made.  They also have a great patio right on 17th.

What was special about our visit was that the owner and chef, Keegan Gerhard, himself was on the patio serving patrons.  Up until now I had only seen him on Food Network when he was competing in all of those ultimate pastry championship competitions.  If our sample was any indication we are going back as soon as we can to try their food - they serve lunch and dinner as well.  I am so excited to see the culinary scene in Denver taken up to another level!