In between all the gelt on Saturday was an interlude of peace in the Golden Triangle in Denver. But like all the best peaces, I had to work for it.

Metropolis Coffee anchors one corner of the Prado, and I went in to check out their baked goods. The biscottis from Spruce Confections in Boulder just weren’t enough to tempt me; I have to be in the right mood for biscottis. So I hiked down to Speer to find Gateaux and remembered that it was a few blocks northwest.

Luckily, I made it in the door before Gateaux closed at 4. And what a sight greeted me. Fanciful cakes, mini-pastries, cookies galore, and this plate of cupcakes. I was restrained: I bought only two heart cookies and a couple of mini-pastries. A snack, I would say. And then I returned to Metropolis Coffee after a nice little walk.

I don’t know what your criteria are for a good latte (or just plain coffee). Mine is smoothness, because my stomach isn’t always happy when espresso drops in.

The latte at Metropolis was exceptionally smooth. The cookie frosted with chocolate icing was crisp but not hard and tasted of butter, giving the sweetness a strong foundation. It was perfect for dipping in coffee and didn’t last long. At that point I looked at my remaining treasures and realized I was about to eat all four. Shouldn’t I save one for Todd?

There was a brief skirmish somewhere near my amygdala, but love and marriage won out (and the looming specter of Valentine’s Day). I saved the pink-frosted cookie for Todd…all’s fair when eating sweets, right? I had to go get them, so I get three, right?

As I was eating the red velvet cake, Lou Reed was playing. Not “Sweet Jane”; I can’t remember the song. But I do remember my hands were finally warm.