Table Talk for June 7

Moving right along…The Denver Post’s longtime respected restaurant critic Kyle Wagner has traded in her fork for a new title: Travel Editor. The Post is advertising for a new critic on Media Bistro.

Eat, drink, and be merry…The 23rd annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen kicks off Friday, June 10. Each summer, die-hard food and wine lovers gather in the shadow of Aspen Mountain to taste and rub elbows during the three-day event. As usual, the premier event is sold out thanks to the gluttonous grand tastings and excellent seminars put on by chefs such as Mario Batali and Bobby Flay. This year’s must-attend classes include Artisanal American Cheeses by Laura Werlin and Andrea Immer, José Andrés’ Taste of Spain, and Emeril’s Big Easy Potluck. We’ll report on our findings and the hot trends in next week’s Table Talk. www.foodandwine.com.

Bon appetit…a recent stroll by A La Tomate, a bistro and tarterie, revealed a packed patio and a line out the door. The Uptown restaurant has built its reputation on baking flaky tomato tarts and buttery chocolate-chip cookies (this year’s Top of the Town winner for best cookie). Now A La Tomate is bringing in the crowds with a rotating pre-fixe menu on Friday and Saturday evenings. This weekend, choose from pork ribs with spices and cherries or leg of lamb stuffed with olives and almonds-better yet, bring a date and try both. Entrées are served with soup du jour, mixed green salad, a glass of wine, and dessert for $29.95 per person. Call for reservations. 1618 E. 17th Ave., 303-333-9555.

Get your grill on…You’ve seen him on the Food Network’s BBQ Bootcamp, and now celebrity barbecue chef Steve Raichlin is heating things up at Solera. On Wednesday, June 8, Raichlin teams up with Goose Sorenson, Solera’s owner and chef, for an evening of barbecue tips, tricks, and recipes. A mere $40 will get you the class, a gourmet barbecue dinner, tax, tip, and wine. Call for reservations. 5410 E. Colfax Ave., 303-388-8429, www.solerarestaurant.com.

Nothing to wine about… On Wednesday, June 8 at 7 p.m., raise your glasses to the new Jills Restaurant in Boulder’s St. Julien Hotel. The restaurant kicks off its inaugural wine dinner with a six-course meal paired with Stags Leaps wines. Dinner is prepared by the restaurant’s nationally acclaimed chef Marco Cavuoto. The evening’s menu includes a goat cheese, fig, and pomegranate reduction pizza appetizer and Colorado mountain meadow rack of lamb with saffron Arborio risotto, sautéed seasonal asparagus, crispy breaded grapes, and natural lamb juices. The event costs $55 per person (not including tax or gratuity)—a downright deal, considering many of Stag’s Leap vintages retail for more than $75 a bottle. 900 Walnut St., Boulder, 720-406-9696.