It’s February, and that means it’s National Cherry Month. This middle-of-winter month is not exactly cherry season, but in a handful of weeks, it will be cherry blossom season and then America’s superfruit will be in full bloom. It’s probably not coincidental that Valentine’s Day and George Washington’s birthday are also in February. Honest George’s legendary story about chopping down a cherry tree will forever link him to the stone fruit. To celebrate both holidays, check out these eateries and stores that have cherries on the menu.

Colorado Cherry Company
1024 W. Highway 34
Loveland, CO 80537
(970) 587-8889
www.coloradocherrycompany.com

This family-based company is everything a cherry shop should be, cheery and bright. The Colorado Cherry Company is all about the cherry – cherry cider, cherry jams and preserves, pie fillings, syrups, butters and condiments. The company has a second location in Lyons and is a frequent vendor at summer farmer’s markets in Highlands Ranch, Cherry Creek and Southwest Plaza. Colorado Cherry Company products are also available at Denver’s Whole Foods stores.

If you long for the days of the old-fashioned general store, Mary’s Market & Deli is your kind of place. From the first step inside on its wood floors, you will be greeted with a friendly smile. Once inside, you will find local groceries, natural meats, baked goods and pies. Owner Mary Magdalena loves to bake. Her gluten-free sweet and savory pies are like no other. If you call ahead to order, she will bake up a cherry pie for you to take home to bake fresh from your oven.

This classic Rat Pack restaurant on Colfax is all about a perfectly stirred martini, an iceberg wedge salad, good thick steak and, of course, dessert. Save room for the latter if you like cherries. Bastien’s makes a fried cherry pie that might even leave ol’ George Washington speechless. The restaurant fills up on weekend evenings with locals and Bastien’s loyal fans, so call ahead or book online for reservations.

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A beer company might seem like an odd place for cherries. Strange Brewing’s Cherry Kreik is definitely novel and worth trying. It’s so full of cherries that even the foamy head is red. The beer is a dark Belgian wheat recipe with Montmorency tart cherries aged in oak. The brewery also makes Cherry Bomb Belgian Stout. It happened by accident when the wrong malt was added to a batch of Belgian Wheat. From here, the brewers added Montmorency cherries for a warmly roasted and sour cherry tart beer. Look for Strange Brewing company beers at Alehouse at Amato’s, Denver Bicycle Café, Hops and Pie and other locations.

Kayla Langley and Fred Langley, a father-and-daughter super scoop team, are one of Denver’s most welcome sights at sporting events, corporate parties, farmer’s markets, Civic Center Park and private parties. They scoop up creamy ice creams, fruity sorbets and Italian ices. Two must-try flavors for February includes cherry chip ice cream and cherry Italian ice. Check the website to track down the Coaches Scoop.

Bonnie Brae Ice Cream

If life is a bowl of cherries, Bonnie Brae is the cherry on top. This Denver ice cream parlour is chock-full of cherry ice creams, including cherry vanilla, cherry cheesecake, cherry mash and pineapple cherry cake. Bonnie Brae also makes ice cream cakes in cherry and any other flavor for Valentine’s Day or even George Washington’s birthday (if you need a reason to celebrate).

Mermaids is pie-licious, with baby-size, five-inch pies and grown-up size, nine-inch pies. The cherry pies include a tart filling, robed in an organic flaky crust. Mermaids New York cherry cheesecake is a thick circle of creamy cheesecake with a ring of cherries on top. Mermaids will also garnish any dessert with chocolate-covered cherries for an additional charge.

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