I travel a lot for work. It usually involves trekking back and forth between Albuquerque and Las Cruces in search of good eats. Recently I headed to Taos and Arroyo Seco to work on a story that had nothing to do with food (see this week's feature, "A Road Less Traveled"). But, as with everything else I do, food came to play a significant role in my trip.

Slate Street Cafe serves up killer food and even better drinks, with a wine selection that makes most people's heads spin. With all that culinary creativity flowing in the back of house, Slate Street proudly presents the Wine and Chocolate Experience. Not content to offer just wine and chocolate, they curate an experience with a five-course hand-crafted menu featuring the food of the gods paired with vino. On Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 6:30pm, attendees with reservations are in for a treat, with a new menu upping the ante from last year. The highlight of last year's menu was Cocoa-dusted Pork Shanks with an Horchata White Chocolate Drizzle. So, expect quality, high-end dining and a unique culinary experience. Tickets are $69 and the event is 21-plus because of, y’know, the wine. To book your seat, call 243-2210 ASAP.

Get Out There

It’s summer in Burque and myriad patios await your presence. Snap the kids out of their bought air-and-video game trance for an outing that culminates in the joyful consumption of healthful and delicious paletas—no, really!—or invite some colleagues and comrades out to smash the swanky local rooftop bar scene with you. If you’re looking for a more pastoral vibe, get your farm-to-table on in Albuquerque’s resplendent North Valley. Here are a handful of our favorite patios in The Duke City. Don’t neglect to slather on some sunscreen and install a rideshare app (such as Uber, Lyft or zTrip) on your smartphone ... in case you over-hydrate.

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