Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos Recs
I just booked a trip to New Mexico and leave Tuesday for a week. I would appreciate any dining recommendations especially excellent local places not in the guidebooks. Also I am really interested in restaurants/cafes that concentrate on local, seasonal food. I will be traveling with my mom and we are both open to trying lots of different things. If you have suggestions on things to do that would be great too!
Thanks,
Jenny
buechs
Apr 25, 2008 04:43PM
Don't miss Cafe Pasqual for brunch in Santa Fe or Maria's for the most heavenly sopapillas around (and the margaritas aren't bad either.) The Coyote Cafe's rooftop bar can't be beat for a great snack and hot pink cactus margarita as you explore the area around santa fe's square. On Canyon Road, avoid Geranimo's (rotten service, over rated food) but enjoy the funky spanish bar with tapas further up the road--the murals were painted by local artists in liu of paying their bar bills and the live music is great later at night. In Taos, it's hard to beat Taos Pizza's green chile pie or Orlando's for some of the best authentic new mexican food. Why hasn't this great regional cuisine spread to other parts of the US?
A great source for info is Gil's Thrilling Website: http://www.nmgastronome.com/ Hope that you and your Mom have a great trip!
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I put this together FYI. These are all places I have eaten at and consider my favorites. I have not included any national chains. I hope you can use this info. I probably missed some;
$$ means expensive; type of food is indicated if title of restaurant isn't clear; general location given. All are in ABQ proper unless otherwise noted.
Local chains with mulitple locations:
Garcia's Kitchen - New Mexican
Little Anita's - New Mexican
Flying Star - coffee, desserts, good food; eclectic
Dions - pizza [best chain]
Papa Johns - pizza
Garduno's - mexican [pretty run of the mill]
Weck's -breakfast
Souper Salad
[Don't bother with seafood, chinese as these just aren't worth it here]
Abuelita's New Mexican Kitchen [about 25 minutes north of ABQ] on the way to Santa Fe
621 S CAMINO DEL PUEBLO
BERNALILLO, NM
(505)867-9988
Artichoke Cafe $$- eclectic, contemporary American
(505) 243-0200
424 Central Ave SE
Barelas Coffee House - New Mexican Food
(505) 843-7577
1502 4th St SW
Casa de benavidez New Mexican - north valley [ 20 minutes ]
505/898-3311
8032 4th St. NW,
Cervantes - New Mexican Food
(505) 262-2253
5801 Gibson Blvd Se [near airport]
THIS ONE IS GREAT!!!
Duran's Central Pharmacy New Mexican/SW
[old Town; don't let name fool you]
505/247-4141
1815 Central Ave. NW
El Patio New Mexican/SW [Univ area]
505/268-4245
142 Harvard St. NE
El Modelo Mexican Foods
(505) 242-1843
1715 2nd St Sw
El Pinto New Mexican [20 minutes north of ABQ; on way to santa Fe]
(505) 898-1771
10500 4th St NW
Gold Street Cafe - american [downtown]
505/765-1633
218 Gold Ave. SW
Frontier - new mexican, across from Univ. of NM
(505) 266-0550
2400 Central Ave SE
Great American Land & Cattle $$ steak
505-292-1510
1550 Tramway Blvd NE
Il Vicino Wood Oven pizza - Nob hill/University area
[also various locations]
(505) 266-7855
3403 Central Ave NE
La Crepe Michelle - french, in Old Town
(505) 242-1251
400 San Felipe St Nw
Los Cuates New Mexican
(505) 255-5079
4901 Lomas Blvd NE
The Melting Pot - fondue; in Old Town
(505) 843-6358
2011 Mountain Rd Nw
Mykonos
5900 Eubank Blvd NE # E18
Albuquerque, NM 87111
(505) 291-1116
Pars - mediterranean
(505) 345-5156
4320 25 Way NE [near movie complex at Jefferson & I 25]
Powdrells BBQ
(505) 298-6766
11301 Central Ave Ne
and
(505) 345-8086
5209 4th St Nw
Quarters - BBQ [near Airport]
505/843-7505
801 Yale Blvd. SE
[also on Westside near Cottonwood Mall @ Ellsion and Alameda]
Ranchers Club $$
ABQ Hilton
505/889-8071
1901 University Blvd. NE
Range Cafe - new mexican and american [good]
multiple locations
(505) 293-2633
4200 Wyoming Blvd Ne B2
{Also in Bernalillo}
Rudy's BBQ
(505) 884-4000
2321 Carlisle Blvd Ne
Sadies -New Mexican
(505) 345-5339
6230 4th St NW
Scalo - northern Italian $$ [Nob Hill]
505/255-8781
3500 Central Ave. SE
Seasons Rotisserie & Grill $$ [Old Town]
505/766-5100
2031 Mountain Rd. NW,
Yanni's - mediterranean/greek [Nob Hill/Univ area]
(505) 268-9250
3109 Central Ave Ne
Zinc Wine Bar $$ contemporary [Nob Hill]
505/254-9462
3009 Central Ave. NE
Rt. 66 Diner [not my favorite, but has it's fans] [west of Univ. area]
505/247-1421
1405 Central Ave. NE
Enjoy!
Debi
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The Melting Pot is a national chain, Debit. It's everywhere.
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Sorry, I didn't realize that is was a chain.
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Papa John's is also a national chain as is Souper Salad.
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Great list of restaurants Debi!
You are such a cherished poster on this forum & others..
Can't wait to go back to T.Cooks..
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I agree. She put together a terrific list of eateries!
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Again, I apologize. When I first moved to ABQ in 2001 I had never seen these places [Souper Salad and Papa Johns].
I guess since I didn't go to them in ABQ or seek them out when I travel, I just never realized that they were not local chains. Mea cupea.
Glad you like the list; it needs to be update it a bit. Soon, I promise!
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No apologies needed. Everything in the hospitality industry changes at the drop of a hat. Heck, even as I post things are changing in hotels or restaurants. Nature of the beast.
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Aqua Santa in Santa Fe and Joseph's Table in Taos focus on local, seasonal ingredients. Chef Damon's in Taos is another --- I have seen Damon at the farmer's market, so I know he is serious! You might consider the restaurant at the Galisteo Inn (outside Santa Fe) as well, although that is a bit of a drive.
The Treehouse Cafe is just that-- a cafe, not a restaurant with a wide selection of dishes. However, it is a nice spot for breakfast, a snack, or a light lunch. They are very devoted to serving organic food, local when possible. It is located on the grounds of Plants of the Southwest; the nursery carries some interesting books.
Pick up a copy of Edible Santa Fe magazine for info on the sustainable food scene.
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In Taos, I highly recommend:
Orlando's for great Mexican
1.8 miles North of Taos Plaza Taos, NM 87571 Phone: 505-751-1450
Dragonfly Cafe for breakfast and lunch;
http://dragonflytaos.com/
Sheva Cafe for veggie/Israeli;
812 Pase del Pueblo Norte
Michael's Kitchen for homecooking for any meal but especially for breakfast;
Located three blocks north of the Historic Taos Plaza. 304 C N Pueblo Rd.
http://michaelskitchen.com/
Deb
Apple Tree Cafe; Bent St Deli [near the plaza, on Bent Street] are good too.
North of Town , on the way to ski valley is the Old Blinking Light [OBL
]Rellenos Cafe . 135 Paseo del Pueblo Sur
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Thanks for the recs...keep them coming. I leave tomorrow. I have heard good things about coyote cafe...anyone been there recently? Also are there any little grocery stores that have great things that we should stop at?
Jenny
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Mary & Tito's, Padilla's, and Perea's in Albuquerque and La Choza in Santa Fe are my favorite places for New Mexican food. Been too long since I've been to Taos for me to make a recommendation there.
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