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Favorite Traditional New Mexican Fare
It's all about the chile. Whether you prefer Red or Green (or "Christmas") you'll want to indugle in New Mexico's famous chile over and over again. That's why we're giving you five great restaurants to choose from. Each has a slightly different take on New Mexico family cooking, but all provide excellent food at very reasonable prices, and all have a large local following. Let us know which ones you like best.
Guadalupe Cafe
422 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-982-9762
Maria's New Mexican Kitchen
555 West Cordova Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-983-7929
www.marias-santafe.com
Mission Cafe
239 East DeVargas Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-983-3033
Tia Sophia's
210 West San Francisco Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-983-9880
Tomasita's
500 South Guadalupe
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-983-5721
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Favorite "Old-Time Santa Fe" Restaurant
The Shed
113 1/2 East Palace Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-982-9030
www.sfshed.com |
A true Santa Fe institution, The Shed has been serving old-time Northern New Mexican favorites since 1953. A relaxed atmosphere, excellent service, a great food keep locals and tourists coming back time after time.
Favorite Innovative Southwestern Cuisine
Geronimo
724 Canyon Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-982-1500
www.geronimorestaurant.com
Geronimo recently snagged one of Santa Fe's favorite chefs, Martin Rios. Known for Southwestern dishes with Asian overtones, Rios has developed a variety of signature dishes with original sauces emphasizing local, seasonal ingredients.
The Compound
653 Canyon Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-982-4353
www.compoundrestaurant.com
A revitalized Santa Fe landmark serving contemporary American food in a beautifully restored adobe. Chef Mark Kniffen won the James Beard Foundation's "Best Chef of the Southwest" award for 2005.
Pinon Grill
Hilton of Santa Fe
100 Sandoval
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-988-2811
www.hiltonofsantafe.com
Fresh beef, poultry and seafood grilled over a hardwood fire is the specialty of this classic western restaurant located in an old adobe home.
Santacafe
231 Washington Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-984-1788
www.santacafe.com
A local favorite, this restaurant is a noted for its inventive and sophisticated regional cuisine. Set in an 18th century adobe compound with a minimalist interior and a beautiful zen courtyard.
Favorite Traditional American Cuisine
In this age of exotic specialization, we're grateful that a few restaurants still offer high quality traditional American fare, elegantly presented in beautiful surroundings.
The Club
Hotel St. Francis
210 Don Gaspar
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-983-5700
www.hotelstfrancis.com Las Fuentes
Bishops Lodge Resort and Spa
Bishops Lodge Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-983-6377
www.bishopslodge.com
Favorite Continental Cuisine
Fuego
La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa
330 East Palace Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-986-0000
www.laposada.rockresorts.com
Favorite Native American-inspired Cuisine
Amaya
Hotel Santa Fe
1501 Paseo de Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-982-1200
www.hotelsantafe.com
Hotel Santa Fe and its Amaya Restaurant are owned by the Picuris Pueblo of northern New Mexico. Yes, you can order fry bread and buffalo burgers, but Amaya is a true fine dining experience featuring western wild game and other local ingredients beautifully combined in a fusion-style menu.
Favorite Mexican Restaurant
Mucho Gusto
839 Paseo de Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-955-8402
Original and authentic Chihuahuan fare at affordable prices make this one of our favorite Mexican restaurants anywhere in the US. It's set back from Paseo de Peralta at the far end of the parking lot behind Arte del Mundo and Travel Bug.
Favorite Italian Restaurant
Andiamo!
322 Garfield
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-995-9595
www.andiamoonline.com
This self-described "neighborhood trattoria" serves consistently excellent Italian dishes in a comfortable old bungalow in the Guadalupe district. A good list of wines by the glass and very moderate prices make Andiamo! a favorite of locals, so you'll need to call for reservations.
Favorite French Restaurant
Cafe Paris
31 Burro Alley
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-986-1688
www.cafeparisnm.com
Just one block from the Plaza in historic Burro Alley, this local favorite specializes in the the traditional French classics. Try the Cafe's bakery for a continental breakfast or mid-morning snack: it will make you so happy you'll forget the calories.
Favorite Spanish Restaurant
La Boca
72 West Marcy Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-982-3433
Authentic tapas, paella, and other Mediterranean-inspired dishes are served up by Chef James Campbell Caruso, formerly of El Farol and author of El Farol: Tapas and Spanish Cuisine.
Favorite Steak House
The Bull Ring
150 Washington Avenue #108
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-983-3328
For those who just want a stiff drink and a slab of juicy beef, this is the genuine article--red leather booths and all. The limited menu is strictly a la carte, but the delicious aged steaks will make you forget about the extras, anyway.
Favorite Seafood
Baleen
Inn and Spa at Loretto
211 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-988-5531
www.innatloretto.com
Although Baleen is not a traditional seafood restaurant, its menu is heaviy "ocean inspired" and includes some of the most innovative seafood dishes in town. All of the dishes are inspired by southwestern flavors and the menu changes weekly.
Favorite Restaurant for BBQ Ribs
Cowgirl Barbeque and Western Grill
319 South Guadalupe
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-982-2565
Great western style barbeque: mesquite pit smoked, a little spicy, not too smoky, and not too sweet. As for atmosphere, there's plenty. Somehow, this place manages to be campy and down-home at the same time. Despite the tavern atmosphere, it's very kid friendly with an enclosed, outdoor play area where the young ones can run while you enjoy the nightly live music.
Favorite Pizza Restaurant
Upper Crust Pizza
329 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-982-0000
www.uppercrustpizza.com
High-class pizza, but of the traditional type--not "designer pizza.". Located in a funky old adobe house next to "The Oldest Church," it's a great place to eat in but you also can call for free delivery to your hotel room or casita.
Favorite Restaurant Wine List
O'Keeffe Cafe
217 Johnson Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-946-1065
www.okeeffemuseum.org
The small but top notch wine list (including ultra-premium wines by the glass) is carefully chosen to complement the excellent southwest-inspired menu. O'Keeffe Cafe also hosts wine tastings, wine maker dinners, and other events throughout the year.
Favorite Breakfast
Plaza Cafe
54 Lincoln Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-982-1664
This diner-style restaurant features tasty New Mexican and Anglo dishes served up in generous portions. Get there early for the fantastic blueberry muffins. The Cafe is kid-friendly and conveniently located on the west end of the Santa Fe Plaza. Expect a wait at peak meal times.
Favorite Brunch
Cafe Pasqual's
121 Don Gaspar
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-983-9340
www.pasquals.com
Named for the patron saint of Hispanic cooks and kitchens, Pasqual's offers a free-wheeling mix of Old and New Mexico with an emphasis on local, organic ingredients. They even make their own sausage and chorizo for their hearty brunch dishes. Despite of our vote as a Sunday morning hang-out, dinner at Pasqual's is even more unusual and inventive with fresh takes on meat, seafood and traditional Southwestern dishes.
Favorite Sandwich on the Run
Café des Artistes
223B Canyon Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-820-2535
Proprietor Jean-Jacques delivers up a wide selection of tasty sandwiches, salads, and baked goods as well as the obligatory espresso drinks. This tiny place near the foot of Canyon Road is almost literally a hole in the wall with just 4 small tables inside and patio seating in a shady courtyard in front.
Favorite Coffee Shop
Backroom Coffee Bar at Cruz Gallery
616 Canyon Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-986-0644
Quirky, unassuming and local. Most any day, you'll see a steady parade of gallery owners and staff wandering in for morning coffee. The Backroom Coffee Bar is conviently located in the middle of the gallery district, so stop in to give your eyes a rest and your energy a lift.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Restaurant
San Francisco Street Bar & Grill
50 East San Francisco Street (second floor)
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-982-2044
www.sanfranbargrill.com
The words "casual' and "affordable" are not generally associated with downtown restaurants, but here's a good one, just off the Plaza. Featuring grilled sandwiches and inventive salads, plus fish, meat and pasta entrees at dinner, there are lots of choices here to satisfy both kid and adult tastes.
Favorite Patio Dining
La Casa Sena
125 East Palace Avenue #20
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-988-9232
Located just a block off the Plaza, Casa Sena's historic courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely lunch. A gigantic cottonwood tree provides welcome relief from the New Mexico sun as you enjoy light, refreshing dishes that blend Southwestern and Asian flavors.
Favorite Piano Bar
Vanessie of Santa Fe
434 West San Francisco Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-982-9966
Vanessie is another local favorite because of its sociable but relaxing atmosphere, top quality musicians, and tasty bar food every night of the week..
Favorite Late-Night Music, Food, and Drinks
El Farol
808 Canyon Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-983-9912
www.elfarolsf.com
Billed as "the oldest restaurant and bar in Santa Fe," El Farol (The Lantern) has been a favorite local hangout for decades. Located in a circa 1835 adobe farmhouse, the place screams "old-time Santa Fe" even down to the murals painted years ago by local artists (probably in exchange for drinks.) Enjoy a full meal in the intimate dining rooms or sample tapas while listening to live music in the bar. In addition to nightly entertainment which ranges from rock to blues to jazz to latin, El Farol offers occasional Flamenco dinners.
Favorite Bars where Tourists Mix with Locals
Dragon Room Bar at Pink Adobe
406 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-983-7712
www.thepinkadobe.com
The Bar at Rio Chama Steakhouse
414 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-955-0765
www.riochamasteakhouse.com
These watering holes are almost next door to each other, but offer very different experiences of Santa Fe night life. The much celebrated Dragon Room is gaudy, loud, fun, and a little rough around the edges. Despite it's tourist attraction status, it's a local favorite and a good taste of old-time Santa Fe. On the other hand, the Bar at Rio Chama is the epitome of modern Santa Fe Chic. Located next door to the Capitol, it's a good place to spot the Governor holding the occasional "private meeting," or hang with local professional types on Thursday and Friday evenings. Only bankers, lawyers and lobbyists wear suits in Santa Fe, so they're easy to spot.
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