Local trend du jour: How to make friends in this day and age? Join them at a communal dining table.

At Phat Thai in Carbondale, the long, silver table runs right through the restaurant so you can walk in, sit down anywhere and see and be seen. Now, Chef Mark Fischer of Phat Thai has taken communal dining to the next level at his other Carbondale restaurant, Six89. The eatery hosts Sunday Suppers: communal dining with a chef's-choice meal, where food is served on platters and shared by the table. Sunday supper is $26.89 per person. Info and reservations, Six89.com and phatthai.com.

Colorado choo-choo

All aboard the Colorado Winemakers' Dinner Train, which combines sipping, supping and views of the Royal Gorge. Executive chef Jeff McGlothin of the Royal Gorge Route Railroad teams with Canyon Wind Cellars on Aug. 18 and Boulder Creek Winery on Sept. 15. Both chef and winemaker will be riding the rails to explain the wine and dinner pairings. Seating is limited. Information: 1-888-724-5748 or royalgorge route.com.

The Simpsons' fridge

Marge Simpson gives Rachael Ray a peek into her refrigerator in the August issue of Every Day With Rachael Ray. Marge's favorite supper as a busy mom? "Macaroni and cheese, boiled in its own box. It's fast, and the cardboard adds fiber."