At the Gaslamp Grill, 9199 W. Alameda Parkway, Lakewood, an herb-crusted pork chop with braised shiitake mushrooms, rapini and porcini demi glace ($16); at The Peck House, 83 Sunny Ave., Empire, Mrs. Peck's beef and oyster pie, with mushrooms under puff pastry ($22); at Flowerwraps Cafe, 1313 S. Clarkson St., Patty's Exit 117 with Taylor Pork Roll, cheddar cheese and eggs ($5); at Amuse by Michel at 5 Degrees, 1475 Lawrence St., white asparagus soup with salmon caviar ($6); at Chi Bistro, 1066 S. Gaylord St., pomegranate-glazed braised duck with linguini Alfredo and carrot paint ($19); and at Cora Faye's Cafe, 2861 Colorado Blvd., Southern- style fried chicken with classic potato salad ($7).Culinary calender

Stag's Leap wine is featured at a six-course meal Sept. 6 at Lone Tree's California Cafe. 303-649-1111 . . . Legendary Chada Thai chef Nita Chittivej teaches hands-on classes in classic Thai cookery Sept. 11 and Oct. 2 at The Seasoned Chef. Information: 303-377-3222

Reader mail

"I'm new to Denver and looking for a good Indian eatery. We will travel for good curry."

Dear reader: India's in Tamarac Square is generally my pick as Denver's top Indian restaurant. However, I'm also a huge fan of Masala, the vegetarian Indian place in Aurora and Boulder, and recommend the tandoori meats at LoDo's India House and the lunch buffet at Little India. Many readers have high praise for the fare at Boulder's Royal Peacock and Castle Rock's Chutney's.