It's not a stretch to say that since opening in 2009, Crema Coffee House on 29th and Larimer has elevated Denver's java scene. Denverites are becoming more mindful of the coffee they sip and the artistry behind the process (scroll to the bottom of this page and watch the "I'll make you a drink" video). As of two weeks ago, there's a new hub: Happy Coffee in the Baker District. You probably won't...

When I fall for a particular cheese, I fall hard. Currently, I'm stuck on the heavenly Shepherd's Halo from Larkspur-based Fruition Farms Dairy. The creamy, soft-rind, sheep's-milk cheese is elegant and perfectly balanced. It has enough pungency to attract, not repel. It's buttery, not cloying. And inside the tang, there's a hint of sweetness (due to the molasses and corn eaten by the sheep). The...

If anyone knows the meaning of farm-to-table, it’s Eric Skokan, the chef-owner-farmer of Black Cat Bistro and Black Cat Farm in Boulder. Night after night, Skokan turns his exquisite farm-raised meats and organic produce into imaginative entrées at Black Cat. And, soon, there will be more to love: At the end of the month, Skokan will open Bramble and Hare at 1970 13th St., right next door to the...

I love to cook and I try my best to feed my family with healthy, from-scratch meals. But there are times when I punt—like a couple weeks ago when I arrived home from work at 5:30 p.m. and had to leave for a school meeting at 5:40 p.m. Those are the nights when I'm grateful for ready-made products like In the Soup. (FYI: The Facebook page doesn't do the company justice; a website is pending.) The...