where to eat
Key to
Prices
Price key reflects one dinner entrée. If a restaurant serves only
lunch, then a lunch entrée price is reflected.
Alcoholic beverages, appetizers, and desserts are not included in these
price keys.
Budget: $ $2—$6
Inexpensive: $$ $6—$12
Moderate: $$$ $12—$16
Expensive to Very
Expensive: $$$$ $16 and up
Call restaurants for hours.
All reviews are based on
opinion and have no
relationship to advertising
| Whet your
appetite with an
ice-cold “Chopin” Gibson, along with thWhet your appetite with a ice-cold “Chopin” Gibson, along with the Ahi tuna, smoked salmon tartare with fresh snap pea and gari salad, and scallion buttermilk pancakes appetizer at e Ahi tuna, smoked salmon tartare with fresh snap pea and gari salad, and scallion buttermilk pancakes appetizer at Geronimo 724 Canyon Road 982-1500 for reservations |
|
Andiamo!
322 Garfield St. 995-9595.
Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoke-free. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$$.
Cuisine: Italian. Atmosphere: Cozy interior with Tuscan yellows and reds.
House specialties: Chicken parmesan, baked risotto with mushroom ragout,
lasagna Bolognese, and any fish special. Comments: Consistently good food
and a sharp wait staff makes Andiamo! the place to eat Italian. The crispy
polenta with Gorgonzola cream sauce is one of the best appetizers in town.
Banana Café
329 W. San Francisco St. 982-3886.
Breakfast Daily
Lunch/Dinner Monday-Sunday
Wine/Beer pending. Smoke-free.
Major credit cards. $$
Cuisine: Thai cuisine. Atmosphere: Bustling and friendly. House specialties:
Phad Thai (rice noodles with prawns, chicken, and bean sprouts), basil
chicken with vegetables in a spicy brown sauce, black pepper beef, and
satay chicken. Comments: Popular for lunch—good service, generous
portions, and reasonable prices.
The Blue Heron
Sunrise Springs Inn & Retreat
242 Los Pinos Rd. (La Cienega). 428-3600.
Breakfast Daily
Lunch/Dinner Wednesday-Sunday
Liquor pending. Smoke-free. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$$
Cuisine: Contemporary American with Asian/New Mexican flavors. Atmosphere:
Zen-inspired, intimate rooms with fireplaces and Japanese-style dining
in upstairs room. Patio overlooks pond. House specialities: Vietnamese
spring rolls with habanero-orange sauce; baked goat cheese relleno with
toasted Quinoa and grilled vegetables in black bean sauce. The perfectly
cooked beef tenderloin with Teriyaki glaze, Shiitake mushrooms, garlic
mashed potatoes and ultra-fresh vegetables is a constant winner. Comments:
Sunday brunch offers such items as Nativo French toast with maple syrup
or green chile and egg quesadillas with housemade salsa or curried lamb
stew and Basmati rice.
315
315 Old Santa Fe Trail. 986-9190.
Lunch/Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoke-free inside. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$$$
Cuisine: French Atmosphere: Three intimate rooms—reminiscent of a
small inn in the French countryside. Patio dining. House specialties:
Earthy French onion soup made with a duck stock; smooth and rich foie
gras terrine with poached cranberries; crispy duck; and one of the most
flavorful steaks in town—the steak frites au poivre with herb butter
or bernaise. Comments: New wine bar and special wine pairing dinners.
Bobcat Bite Restaurant
Old Las Vegas Hwy. South of Santa Fe. 983-5319.
Lunch/Dinner
No alcohol. Smoking.
Cash. $
Cuisine: American. Atmosphere: A neon bobcat sign above a small, low-slung
building, a parking lot full of potholes and four-wheelers, stripped-down
decor with five tables, and nine seats at a counter made out of real logs.
House
specialties: No contest—the huge inch-and-a-half-thick green chile
cheeseburger (juice-down-the-elbow kind) is the top burger in Santa Fe.
A thin 13-ounce ribeye steak is juicy and flavorful. Comments: No dessert,
no fancy-shmancy stuff here. And no one ever leaves Bobcat Bite unhappy
or hungry. This is one road eatery that is forever locked into a 1950s
space/time warp.
Cafe Pasqual’s
121 Don Gaspar. 983-9340.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Sunday Brunch
Beer/Wine. Smoke-free.
Major credit cards. $$$$
Cuisine: American/multi-ethnic. Atmosphere: Small café adorned
with lots of Mexican streamers, Indian maiden posters, rustic wooden furniture,
and a community table. House specialties: Hotcakes get a nod from Gourmet
magazine. Huevos motulenos, a Yucatan breakfast, is one you’ll never
forget. Lunch: grilled chicken breast sandwich with Manchego cheese or
the cilantro pesto quesadilla. Dinner: Plato supremo with shrimp taco
and chicken mole or grilled New Mexico rack of lamb with pomegranate glaze.
Comments: There’s always a line outside the screen door, but it’s
well worth
the wait. Try going at an off time—around 3 or 4 pm.
Café San Estevan
428 Agua Fria at Montezuma St. 995-1996.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoke-free. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$.
Cuisine: New Mexican. Atmosphere: Old adobe, rustic wooden tables. House
specialties: Enchiladas de la Casa de Estevan, Anna’s poblano chile,
watercress salad with poached egg and bacon, and probably the best flan
you’ll ever have—it’s more like a crème brûlée.
Comments: Chef and owner Estevan Garcia has taken his favorite New Mexican
foods and given them refinement with French influences.
Carlos’s Gosp’l Cafe
125 Lincoln Ave., in the plaza at the Interstate Bank Building. 983-1841.
Lunch
No alcohol. Smoking. Patio.
Cash. $
Cuisine: American. Atmosphere: Continuously playing gospel music and casual
seating set the stage for this happy-go-lucky café. House specialties:
Carlos’s famous hangover stew, lip-smacking fat sandwiches with sassy
names like the Miles Standish—fresh turkey breast, cranberries, and
cream cheese. Or the Jack Dempsey—roast beef, cheddar, and horseradish.
Have a wedge of the baked-fresh-daily lemon meringue pie. Comments: Boogie
on in for a down-home treat and do what you’re told—say Amen.
Chocolate Maven Bakery
& Café
821 W. San Mateo. 984-1980
Lunch
Smoke-free.
Major credit cards. $$
Cuisine: American. Atmosphere: Industrial chic. House specialties: Flavorful
soups, grilled sandwiches, salads, pizza, freshly baked quiche, and wonderful
desserts—try the Belgian chocolate fudge brownie. Comments: While
you’re
having lunch you can look through the large
window and watch the “chocolate mavens” preparing desserts.
Cloud Cliff Bakery & Artspace
1805 Second St. 983-6254.
Breakfast/Lunch/Brunch/Bakery
Beer/wine. Smoke-free. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$
Cuisine: American/Southwest. Atmosphere: Open rooom with long bar facing
an open grill, a community table, and a bakery with a hearth oven that
fills the room with heady aromas. House specialties: Roasted vegetable
goat cheese sandwich, blue corn chile rellenos, soup, salad and stuffed
croissant. For Sunday brunch, you must try the smoked salmon sandwich.
Comments: Watch for special evening music, film, and performance art events.
The Compound
653 Canyon Rd. 982-4353
Dinner: Mon.-Sat./Lunch:Thurs. & Fri.
Full-bar. Smoke-free. Patio
Major credit cards. $$$$
Cuisine: Contemporary American food. Atmosphere: Beautiful, serene, 150-year-old
adobe with private dining rooms and patio. House specialties: The menu
changes with the seasons. made to order soup of the day; black pepper
muscovy duck steak with creamy grits, figs, and Sangiovese; grilled beef
tenderloin with cepe O'Brian potatoes and foie gras hollandaise, cast
iron skillet veal sirloin, buttermilk roast chicken with foie gras gravy,
and the slow-baked salmon. Other
recommendations: The warm and scrumptious bittersweet liquid chocolate
cake with crème fraîche and cocoa (baked to order). Comments:
Bravo! to Mark Kiffin and Brett Kemmerer for creating a brilliant masterpiece
of world-class, first-class dining. Dinner at the bar can be very social
and a lot of fun.
Counterculture
930 Baca St. 995-1105.
Breakfast/Lunch
No alcohol. Smoke-free. Patio.
Cash. $$
Cuisine: American. Atmosphere: Great informal and fun atmosphere. Chalkboard
menu. House specialties: Breakfast burrito; grilled prosciutto, provolone
cheese, and roasted pepper sandwich; spring rolls with sweet-and-spicy
sauce
are favorites among locals. Comments: Counterculture is the place to go
for a quick, delicious, and inexpensive lunch.
Cowgirl Hall of Fame
319 S. Guadalupe St. 982-2565.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Smoking/nonsmoking. Patio
Major credit cards. $$
Cuisine: American/Barbecue. Atmosphere: Popular patio shaded with big
cottonwoods. Very informal and down-home. The bar is cozy and rustic,
the crowd friendly, and the music can be great. House specialties: Smoked
brisket and ribs, homemade potato salad (with skins), a knockout Texas
onion loaf, buffalo burgers, strawberry shortcake. Comments: Great daily
specials. Wash it all down with anything from a Bud to a Negra Modelo
to one of Santa Fe Brewery’s wheat ales.
Coyote Cafe
132 W. Water St. 983-1615.
Dinner
Full bar. Smoke-free dining room.
Major credit cards. $$$$
Cuisine: Southwestern. Atmosphere: Bright, contemporary space and an open
kitchen. Saddle up a barstool covered in, yes, real cowhide. House specialties:
Brazilian daiquiri or Chile-tini to go with Coyote’s famous
red chile onion rings. Do not deny yourself—get the chipotle shrimp
on buttermilk corn cakes for an appetizer. Entrée: try the
22-ounce, bone-in, aged prime rib cowboy steak—enough beef here to
satisfy most armchair buckaroos. Comments: Mark Miller, the high priest
of Southwestern cuisine, has created a restaurant legend.
Dave’s Not Here
1115 Hickox St. 983-7060.
Lunch/Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoke-free.
Cash. $$
Cuisine: American/New Mexican. Atmosphere: One simple room with open kitchen.
Friendly, and casual. Shared tables. House specialties: Thick, perfectly
cooked chile-cheeseburgers, just-the-right-amount-of-fat french fries,
and housemade chile rellenos have kept the locals dropping by for over
ten years. Large portions and low prices. Comments: Without a doubt, one
of the top burgers in Santa Fe.
Downtown Subscription
376 Garcia St. 983-3085.
Breakfast/Lunch
No alcohol. Smoke-free. Patio.
Cash. $
Cuisine: American coffeehouse and newsstand. Atmosphere: Café society.
Over 1,600 magazine titles to buy or peruse. Big room with small tables.
No frills. House specialties: Espresso, cappuccino, lattes, and pastries.
Comments: Local writers are here chatting about their latest screenplays,
novels, or book deals over coffee. A large, lovely patio continues to
attract a major segment of the coffeehouse crowd that likes to enjoy New
Mexico’s 300+ days of glorious sunshine.
El Farol
808 Canyon Rd. 983-9912.
Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Smoking/nonsmoking. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$$
Cuisine: Spanish. Atmosphere: The western-style bar is old and decrepit
with wood plank floors and thick adobe walls. There’s a postage stamp-size
dance floor for cheek-to-cheek dancing. Wall murals painted by Alfred
Morang still exist. Dining rooms are intimate.
House specialties: 35 tapas, fresh garlic soup, and authentic paella.
Comments: El Farol once had the notoriety of being one of the rowdiest
bars this side of the Pecos River. Rumor has it that thirsty cowhands
used to ride their horses right into the bar! Live entertainment nightly
at 9:30 pm. A good place to dance your brains out.
El Mesón
213 Washington Ave. 983-6756.
Lunch/Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoke-free. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$$
Cuisine: Spanish. Atmosphere: Former coffee shop transformed into a Spanish
café. House specialties: 14 tapas including shrimp in garlic sauce,
fried calamari, spicy lamb brochettes, and Manchego cheese in olive oil.
Try the pickled pheasant salad, saffron-infused Spanish paellas, and an
outstanding housemade chorizo. The thick, Spanish hot chocolate you can
drink with a spoon is perfect for dessert or for thawing out winter-frozen
bones. Comments: El Mesón has been recently renovated and added
many new items to their menu.
Felipe’s Tacos
1711 Llano St., in St. Michael’s Village. 473-9397.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
No alcohol. Smoke free. Patio.
Cash. $
Cuisine: Mexican. Atmosphere: Very casual, tiny taqueriá in a strip
mall. House specialties: Soft tacos the way you get ’em in Mexico
with a salsa bar to pick up red/green chile salsas, pico de gallo, limes,
radishes, chopped onions, and cilantro. Comments: Felipe’s is definitely
health-conscious: No lard is used, beans and rice are cooked up fresh,
salsas are prepared daily, and there are lots of vegetarian dishes.
Geronimo
724 Canyon Rd. 982-1500.
Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Smoke-free dining room. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$$$.
Cuisine: Contemporary American/Southwestern. Atmosphere: Two-hundred-year-old
building with fireplaces, thick adobe walls and garden room. House specialties:
Chef Eric Distefano masters a complex union of herbs, spices, and fresh
ingredients in creating aweinspiring meals. New lunch entrées include
a perfectly roasted Alaskan halibut with sauteed potato galette, Mung
bean flour-dusted Parrot fish, and peppery elk tenderloin. Lunch and dinner
entrées get the architectural beauty treatment. Other recommendations:
The brandied lobster bisque with grilled shiitake mushrooms is superbly
presented. Desserts are gorgeous—try the lemon-citrus semifreddo
with ladyfingers and mango-vanilla compote, or the Venezuelan chocolate
mousse pie with carmalized bananas, roasted Macadamia nut crust and Myers
rum ice cream.
Guadalajara Grill
3877 Cerrillos Rd. 424-3544.
Lunch/Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoking.
Major credit cards. $$
Cuisine: Mexican. Atmosphere: Funky storefront in a strip mall with simple
booths and tables. House specialties: Birria estila (kid goat), camaron
al mojo de ajo, shrimp cocktail, and chilaquiles. Comments: The cheese
enchiladas and tacos are excellent and the free salsa and chips are addictive.You
will find some of the best service in town here.
Harry’s Roadhouse
Old Las Vegas Highway.
989-4629.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Beer/wine. Smoke-free. Patio.
Visa/MasterCard. $$
Cuisine: American. Atmosphere: Roadhouse charm. Small, front room with
the counter and bar stools is way cool. House specialties: Hearty breakfasts,
a darn good burger with fries. Try the meat loaf or a smoky chicken
quesadilla. Daily specials can be spectacular. Comments: Generous portions
and budget prices make this a popular eatery.
The Hidden Garden
715 Canyon Rd.
315-5660 or 989-3670.
Lunch
Major credit cards. $
Cuisine: Sandwiches, salads, and yummy sweets. Atmosphere: A lovely garden
with outdoor seating. House specialties: Albacore tuna salad with celery,
sweet onion, hard-cooked egg, avocado, Muenster cheese, lettuce and tomato
wrapped in a vegetarian tortilla; desserts include a selection of Kit’s
cookies, brownies, lemon bars, and muffins. Comments: Great coffee, friendly
folds, a mellow environment, and they deliver.
Il Piatto
95 W. Marcy St. 984-1091.
Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Smoke-free.
Major credit cards. $$$
Cuisine: Italian. Atmosphere: Intimate but informal Italian bistro has
customers practically hanging out the door in summer. House specialties:
Fresh arugula salad with pine nuts, raisins, and Parmesan; rigatoni
with eggplant, olives, tomatoes, and goat cheese; pumpkin
ravioli with browned butter and sage; baked salmon with fennel; roast
chicken peppernato. Comments: The Pannetone bread pudding is blissful
and the tiramisú irresistible. Sin a little. You deserve it.
Jinja
510 North Guadalupe St. 982-4321.
Lunch/Dinner
Beer/Wine. Smoke-free.
Major credit cards. $$
Cuisine: Pan-Asian. Atmosphere: Casual
contemporary noodle house with simple menu. House specialties: Tokyo
crispy tofu; Vietnamese spring rolls, imperial lettuce wraps; Singapore
noodles, jungle green curry; grilled salmon teriyaki; shaking beef with
udon noodles; and stir-fried beef with lime-garlic sauce. Comments:
Order one bowl at a time or several bowls, and share with your friends.
Julian’s
221 Shelby St. 988-2355.
Dinner
Full bar. Smoke-free. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$$
Cuisine: Italian. Atmosphere: Soft, piped-in jazz, Art Deco stained
glass, twinkling lights, enormous mirrors, glowing ochre walls, and
several fireplaces make this one of the most romantic restaurants in
Santa Fe. House specialties: Eggplant grilled with olive oil, roasted
red peppers and balsamic vinegar; boneless breast of chicken sautéed
with raisins, shallots, and capers in a sweet-and-sour wine sauce are
addictive. The sea bass in broth is wonderful. Comments: Tiramisú
for dessert. Espresso, cappuccino, and an extensive list of Italian
and California wines.
kasasoba
544 Agua Fria. 984-1969.
Lunch (Mon.-Fri.) Dinner (Mon.-Sat.)
Beer/Wine. Smoke-free. Patio.
Visa & Mastercard (for bills over $25). $$
Cuisine: Japanese Noodle House. Atmosphere:
Casual. Subdued colors with movie posters on walls. House specialties:
Miso soup with tofu skins and daikon, yellow fin sashimi, Zara Soba
(cold buckwheat noodles with nori, wasabi, spring onion, and dashi),
Curry Noodle (pan fried rice stick with yellow curry, shrimp, roasted
pork, edamame, cabbage, poblano, egg, and beansprouts). Comments: Good
service and reasonable prices.
La Casa Sena
125 E. Palace Ave.
988-9232.
Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Smoke-free. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$$$
Cuisine: Call it Regional Southwestern. Atmosphere: A stunning example
of 19th century Territorial-style adobe architecture. Ceilings soar
to 15 feet with enormous vigas, columns, and four magnificent tin chandeliers.
House
specialties: Pan-seared molasses duck breast with blackberry Port wine
sauce and grilled corn-fed American rack of lamb chops with habanero-papaya
fruit salsa and crispy root vegetable chips. Comments: The cantina features
Broadway music sung by the waitstaff.
Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen
555 W. Cordova Rd. 983-7929.
Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Smoking/nonsmoking. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$$
Cuisine: New Mexican. Atmosphere: Rough wooden floors, hand-carved chairs
and tables, low ceilings, three kiva fireplaces, and used bricks on
the walls from the old New Mexico State Penitentiary set the historical
tone here. House specialties: Freshly made tortillas, green chile stew.
Pork spareribs in a mild red chile barbecue sauce are a 50-year-old
tradition. Flan with real burnt-sugar caramel sauce pooled around a
creamy smooth custard is the perfect ending. Comments: Dozens of Margaritas
to choose from, but the Margarita del Jóven Estéban wins,
hands down for smooth, great taste.
Mariscos La Playa
537 Cordova Rd. 982-2790.
2875 Cerrillos Rd. 473-4594
Lunch/Dinner
Beer. Smoke-free.
Visa/Mastercard. $$
Cuisine: Mexican. Atmosphere: The original Mariscos is a funny little
joint that looks out over a parking lot. The decor is turquoise Formica
and the room is simple and small. Don’t expect any frills or fuss
here. House specialties: Shrimp rolled with bacon and Mexican cheese;
“come-back-to-life” seafood soup is served in a large mixing
bowl; avocado-cream-jalapeño-tomato-onion sauce/ dip is remarkable;
shrimp cocktail is served in a large, old-fashioned ice cream sundae
dish. Comments: An authentic south-of-the-border seafood eatery.
Mu Du Noodles
1494 Cerrillos Rd. 983-1411.
Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoke-free.
Major credit cards. $$
Cuisine: Noodle House Atmosphere: Casual and friendly. House specialties:
Try the salmon dumplings—steamed and drizzled with oyster sauce;
the Pad Thai; the beef jantaboon; or the Malaysian Laksa—wild rice
noodles in a red coconut curry sauce with baby bok choy. Comments: Daily
specials are excellent and vegan preparation is available.
The Old House
309 W. San Francisco St.,
at the Eldorado Hotel. 988-4455.
Dinner
Full bar. Smoke-free.
Major credit cards. $$$$
Cuisine: New Southwestern. Atmosphere: Clubby and comfortable. House
specialties: Sweetwood Farm goat cheese ravioli; pan seared Alaskan
halibut with Yukon gold potato and lobster cake and pepper-tomato jam,and
the grilled veal chop. The warm liquid center chocolate cake with crème
anglaise is the only way to end your meal. Comments: Service is very
professional and knowledgable and the wine list offers nearly 30 wines
by the glass.
Old Mexico Grill
2434 Cerrillos Rd., in the College Plaza South Shopping Center. 473-0338.
Lunch/Dinner
Full Bar. Smoking/nonsmoking.
Major credit cards. $$$
Cuisine: Mexican. Atmosphere: Shopping mall location. Comfy booths in
the bar and dining room. There’s an open grill in the main dining
room so you can watch the flames leaping high as your fajitas sizzle.
House specialties: Addictive spicy peanuts at the bar, the Caldo tlalpeño,
a Mexican chicken soup with chipotle chiles and vegetables, is full
of flavor. Tacos with shredded leg of lamb, ancho chile, and mint barbecue
sauce at lunch or dinner. Comments: Custard rice pudding with raisins,
cinnamon, nutmeg, and rum is first-rate.
The Pink Adobe
406 Old Santa Fe Trail. 983-7712.
Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Smoke-free dining rooms.
Major credit cards. $$$
Cuisine: American/Creole New Mexican. Atmosphere: Housed in a 300-year-old
former military barracks with 36-inch-thick walls, and six fireplaces.
The Dragon Room bar is one of the most popular watering holes in Santa
Fe. House specialties: Creole Mary—a Bloody Mary made with Stoli
and a garden-sink skewer of celery, olives, and pickled okra. Gypsy
or green chile stew at lunch. Steak Dunigan, a New York cut smothered
with green chile and sautéed mushrooms at dinner. French apple
pie served up warm with hot brandy sauce for dessert. Comments: You’re
in the presence of a time-honored tradition.
Pizzeria Espiritu
1722-A St. Michael’s Dr. 424-8000.
Lunch/Dinner
Beer/Wine. Smoke-free. Delivery available.
Major credit cards. $$
Cuisine: Italian Atmosphere: A shoe-box of a restaurant with a knock-off
painting on the ceiling of Michelangelo’s God creating Adam, only
it’s pizza He’s creating this time. House specialties: House
salad, made-to-order deep-dish and pizzas with crispy crust. Comments:
A little bit of heaven because God created pizza!
Pranzo
Italian Grill
540 Montezuma St. (Sanbusco Ctr.). 984-2645.
Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Smoke-free dining room
Major credit cards. $$$
Cuisine: Italian. Atmosphere: Stylish gray booths, snazzy bar, and rooftop
patio. House specialties: Spaghettini with baby shrimp, shaved garlic,
sun-dried tomatoes, peas, provolone, and red pepper flakes, the rosemary
beef sandwich with caramelized onions on grilled focaccia, pan-roasted
salmon with olive tapenade, sautéed
fennel and grilled polenta. Great pizzas and fab desserts. Comments: Generous
portions and fast, friendly service. Sit at the bar for lunch and try
the oven-roasted mussels with fresh herbs, garlic butter, and gremolada.
Ask for a “finger” of parmesan cheese to accompany your double
espresso and dessert. They’ll understand.
Pyramid Cafe
505 W. Cordova Rd. 989-1378.
Lunch/Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoke-free.
Major credit cards. $$
Cuisine: Greek. Atmosphere: Nondescript storefront in a mall parking lot.
Call it Formica casual. House specialties: Gyro plates or sandwiches—lamb
or chicken, falafels, moussaka, and the Pyramid Pinnacle Platter. Comments:
Generous portions and fast service.
Ristra
548 Agua Fria St. 982-8608.
Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoke-free.
Major credit cards. $$$$
Cuisine: Southwestern/French. Atmosphere: Small dining rooms in old cottage.
with a lovely tented patio. House specialties: The black Mediterranean
mussels in aromatic chipotle and mint broth, crispy salmon with hazelnut
infused couscous, sautéed baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, and lobster
sauce, Alaskan halibut in a brothy white wine stock; rack of lamb in a
lavender au jus; frozen nougat creme in a blood orange-mango sauce, mesquite
grilled filet mignon, and roasted rack of lamb . Comments: Ristra offers
over 70 wines from California, France, and Chile—21 of which are
under $40 a bottle. Ristra is one of the bright jewels in Santa Fe’s
restaurant crown.
Rociada
304 Johnson Street. 983-3800.
Dinner
Full bar. Smoke-free dining rooms.
Major credit cards. $$$$.
Cuisine: French country bistro. Atmosphere: Renovated 1857 adobe with
a great bar and a
nice “buzz” in the rooms. House specialities: For a starter
try the delicious red endive and bite-size micro green salad (beet greens,
arugula, maché, watercress, and mustard greens. Entrées:
the chicken à la moutarde with crispy skin is perfectly cooked;
the chèvre blanc homemade ravioli is a delight; and the char-grilled
hanger steak from the kitchen of Nelli Maltezos remains a favorite. To
top off your meal, order the French cheese plate or the chocolate cake
with chantilly cream with a glass of the superb 1977 Gould Campbell port.
Comments: Well-balanced flavors make using salt and pepper a joke. Watch
for the new summer menu in late May or early June.
Santacafé
231 Washington Ave. 984-1788.
Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Smoking/non-smoking. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$$$
Cuisine: Contemporary Southwest. Atmosphere: Minimal, subdued, and elegant.
House specialties: For starters, try the crispy calamari w/ lime dipping
sauce or the grilled shrimp satay. Favorite entrées: grilled rack
of lamb w/ almond cous-cous; pan seared salmon w/ olive oil crushed new
potatoes and creamed sorrell; miso marinated halibut w/ baby leeks and
lemongrass; and the almost over-the-top pan seared black angus filet w/
foie gras
and tarragon butter. Comments: Righteous cocktails and a super appetizers.
High praise from important food magazines.
Saveur
204 Montezuma St. 989-4200.
Breakfast/Lunch
No alcohol. Smoke-free. Patio.
Visa/MasterCard. $$
Cuisine: French/American. Atmosphere: Cafeteria service for salad bar
and soups. Deli case with meats and desserts. Sit down at small tables
in very casual rooms, elbow to elbow. Bustling with locals every day.
House specialties: Excellent salad bar with celeriac root, asparagus,
pasta, potato, shredded carrot, cabbage, tomato with basil and mozzarella;
custom-made sandwiches—try the smoked turkey with pesto. Comments:
The setup can be confusing the first time here, but once you get the hang
of it, voilà!
The Shed
1131/2 E. Palace Ave. 982-9030.
Lunch/Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoke-free. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$
Cuisine: New Mexican. Atmosphere: The Shed is housed in a 17th-century
adobe
hacienda—a local institution. House specialties: Legendary, stacked,
red or green chile cheese enchiladas using blue corn tortillas. Try the
posole. Comments: If you want to avoid the tourist crowds and long lines
during the summer, drive over to The Shed’s sister restaurant, La
Choza, where you can stretch out and get the same classic New Mexican
food.
Standard Market
Garfield and Sandoval Streets. 983-3777.
Take-out: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Wine/beer/liquor. Rooftop patio
Major credit cards. $$$
Atmosphere: A unique and intimate grocery store with several outdoor tables,
a four-seat bar inside., and a rooftop patio. House specialties: Indulge
in sticky buns, chocolate brioche, crossiants, and espresso anytime. For
lunch, there is a selection of tasty sandwiches (the hot BBQ pork and
the chicken sandwiches on the Standard'’s own brioche buns are a
miracle); salads; and four hot soups—two of our favorites are the
Hungarian mushroom and the green chile stew. Other recommendations: Take-outdinner
is delicious and easy: chicken pot pies, quiches, meat loaf, macaroni
and cheese, lasagne, grilled bok choy, and pot stickers. Check out the
dazzling array of baked goods—baked in-house by a baker who really
knows his stuff. Comments: Brian Knox has created an old-fashioned market
with customized service throughout the store—including a real butcher
shop featuring aged beef, fresh fish, smoked hams, and apple-smoked bacon.
Steaksmith at El Gancho
Old Las Vegas Highway. 988-3333
Dinner
Full bar. Smoke-free dining room.
Major credit cards $$$
Cuisine: American. Atmosphere: Family restaurant with full bar and lounge.
House specialties: Choice aged steaks and lobster. Try the pepper steak
with dijon cream sauce—it’s a real winner!. Comments: After
23 years of serving steaks in Santa Fe, one thing is certain—they
know their business at the Steaksmith.
Swig
135 W Palace Ave. 955-0400.
Bar Menu
Full bar.
Major credit cards $$$$
Cuisine: Appetizers. Atmosphere: Very, very sexy futuristic/retro decor.
House specialties: Delicious black sesame honey tempura shrimp with bird
chili sweet and Thai basil mustard sauce; perfect panko fried calamari
with hot sambai plum sauce and Asian “tartare” sauce; sushi;
and port and shittake mushroom spring rolls from the kitchen of Eric DiStefano
and Chef de Cuisine Jose Rodriquez. Comments: Top-of-the-line liquor;
wine, sake,
grappa, port, and cognacs are offered, along with a wildly imaginative
selection of mixed drinks. Add to that three wonderfully decorated bars/lounges—each
with its own ambience, a well-dressed clientale, the most outrageous restrooms
in town, and you have an amazing bar.
Tamale Molly
323 Aztec St. 989-4500.
Breakfast/Lunch
No alcohol. Smoke-free. Patio.
Visa/MasterCard/Amex. $$
Cuisine: Gourmet, hand-tied, vegetarian tamales. Atmosphere: Cute-as-a-button
interior with eight tables and seating on the patio. House specialties:
Two, three, and four ultra-fresh tamale meals with two sides (they change
daily), sauce, and a drink. We adore the squash with tomato and fresh
oregano and the vegan red chile with peppers and olives. Comments: Amazingly
good people here—all profits go to the Food Depot. And takeout tamales
are always available, of course.
Tia Sophia’s
210 W. San Francisco St. 983-9880.
Breakfast/Lunch
No alcohol. Smoking/nonsmoking.
Major credit cards. $
Cuisine: New Mexican. Atmosphere: This place is such a local favorite
you will almost always have a short wait to be seated at one of the old
wooden booths or tables. House specialties: Green chile stew (known to
cure the common cold). Enormous breakfast burritos stuffed with bacon,
potatoes, chile, and cheese (they say they were invented here). Sopaipillas
are heavenly. Comments: Tia Sophia’s is definitely a must for New
Mexican authenticity.
Tulips
222 N. Guadalupe. 989-7340
Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoke-free
Major credit cards $$$$
Cuisine: American/Southwest. Atmosphere: Three refined dining rooms in
an almost Zen-like contemporary cottage setting. House specialties: Lobster
spring rolls with a mango dipping sauce and marinated jicama; aged beef
strip steak with onion marmalade and rosemary feta mashed potatoes; achiote
pork tenderloin medallions with smoked tomato sauce, roasted vegetables,
and penne pasta. Comments: Chef/owners Steven and Kirstin Jarrett have
created a calm and delightful restaurant that is well worth your attention.
Vanessie of Santa Fe
434 W. San Francisco St. 982-9966.
Dinner
Full bar. Smoke-free dining room.
Major credit cards. $$$$.
Cuisine: American. Atmosphere: Grand piano bar and oversize everything
thanks to architect Ron Robles. House specialties: Black Angus New York
steak, Australian rock lobster tail, and mountain-sized crispy onion ring
loaf. Comments: A new owner and a new chef (Eduardo Rios) are offering
many new daily specials ranging from ultra-fresh seafood dishes to abby
back pork ribs.
Wall Street West
919 West Alameda. 988-2933
Lunch (Tues.-Fri.). Dinner (Tues.-Sat.)
Wine and Beer Pending. Smoke-free
Visa/MasterCard. $$$$.
Cuisine: Contemporary American food. Atmosphere: Very civilized—tablecloths
for lunch and dinner. House specialities: For an appetizer select the
smoked Porcini mushroom soup with a crisp potato garlic spring roll and
lemon cream or the Caribbean “Sticky” Gulf shrimp with a tamarind
glaze. Entrees of choice are the roasted swordfish and wild mushroom potatoes
or the caramel and cognac roasted lamb shank. For dessert we recommend
the white chocolate mousse with fresh berries and chocolate skewer. Other
recommendations: The lemongrass and molasses roasted chicken breast served
with whipped and crisped potatoes is perfect. Comments: This is a fairly
new restaurant, well worth watching. Beer and wine license is pending.
Whistling Moon Café
402 N. Guadalupe St. 983-3093.
Lunch/Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoke-free.
Major credit cards. $$$
Cuisine: Mediterranean. Atmosphere: A small, unpretentious, down-to-earth,
tight, table-to-table café. Locals are fiercely loyal and it’s
usually crowded. House specialties: Daily chef’s specials,
vegetarian grape leaves; fresh tuna Niçoise Salad that’s talked
about as the best in town; pitas filled with grilled lamb or lemon marinated
chicken; roasted lamb with prunes and olives, a side order of the
irresistible spicy coriander-cumin fries. Order the bittersweet chocolate
soufflé cake. Comments: Some of the food here is very spicy.
Zen World Cuisine
7 Avenida Vista Grande at the Agora Shopping Center in Eldorado. 466-3700.
Lunch/Dinner
Beer/wine. Smoke-free.
Major credit cards. $$.
Cuisine: Thai/global fusion. Atmosphere: Calm and balanced with Zen-style
wall art and menus. House specialties: Sansho and orange baby back ribs,
sha he fen noodle with spicy lobster broth, Basil Tenkatzu fried chicken
with mashed potatoes and coconut gravy; Thai vegetable spring roll, and
organic greens with mango tamarind dressing. Comments: Chef Peter Zimmer,
former chef at the Inn of the Anasazi, has transformed what was a small
storefront into a casual but delightful restaurant. Be prepared for very
spicy food...but if you like it mild, ask.
Zia Diner
326 S. Guadalupe St. 988-7008.
Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Smoking/nonsmoking. Patio.
Major credit cards. $$$
Cuisine: American. Atmosphere: Down home—a curvy ’50s bar, booths,
and simple tables. House specialties: The Zia’s meatloaf, embedded
with green chile and pine nuts, served with lumpy, real mashed potatoes
and gravy, chicken fried chicken. Blue-
plate specials daily. Their hot-fudge
sundae features dark, bittersweet, housemade fudge sauce slathered with
whipped cream and capped with a bright red cherry. Comments: The fish
and chips are among the best in town.
The Cowgirl Hall of Fame. Always fun! Great bar with a huge selection of beers—domestic and imported. Burgers, brisket, and ribs are their specialties. 319 South Guadalupe Street.
OUT THERE
Mercedes Restaurant de EpoCa
Darwin 113 Col. Anzures
Mexico City, Mexico. 5254-5000.
Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Smoking.
Major credit cards. $$.
Cuisine: Authentic Mexican. Atmosphere: Old World with lots of local families
dining here. Waiters in formal wear. Classic service. House specialties:
Squash blossom and cuitlacoche (huitlacoche)—purple-black, sweet
and earthy corn fungus quesidillas; escamoles (ant eggs); and gusanos
de Maguey ( deep fried Maguey worms. Other recommendations: The side salsas
are exotic and intriguing. A deep, dark bread pudding is a hands-down
winner for dessert. Comments: Just a short stroll from the Hotel Camino
Real,.
Roy’s
Scottsdale, Arizona and Maui
Lunch/Dinner
Full bar. Smoke-free
Major credit cards $$$$
Cuisine: Fish, fish, fish. Atmosphere: The
interior of Roy's Kihei on Maui and in Scottsdale couldn't be more sophisticated
and contemporary. House specialties: Fresh fish from Hawaii is the big
deal here, even though there are a lot of other irresistible items on
the menu. Roy's original blackened ahi in a generous pool of spicy hot
soy mustard butter—appetizer or entreé—is still the
one