Vanessie: Classic Santa Fe Landmark Offers Contemporary Edge

Classic Santa Fe Landmark Offers Contemporary Edge

By Kelly Skeen窶ケhotos Carolyn Wright

This year, Vanessie of Santa Fe celebrates 32 years of providing fine continental cuisine and live music in a grand, yet cozy and romantic atmosphere. With a boutique inn just steps away from the restaurant and piano bar, it has become a Santa Fe landmark where you can eat, play and stay.

Above: Branden James and James Clark

Bartenders Rich and Lisa, who have been with Vanessie for close to 10 years, offer specialty cocktails named after regular guests, performers and staff. Chef Tino is another long-time member of this Cheers-like group; he’s created Vanessie’s classic and contemporary cuisine for more than 10 years. In recent years, the menu has shifted to add more creative offerings in addition to traditional dishes.

You can now order anything from shrimp and scallop tapas to kobe sliders. Starters and fresh salads add variety to the menu, with the roasted beet and goat cheese salad standing out as a staff favorite.

Come for the food, stay for the music, and never pay a cover charge. Vanessie’s most celebrated pianist and vocalist is Doug Montgomery, a Juilliard graduate trained in classical style who performs anything from Frank Sinatra to Billy Joel.

Montgomery has been with Vanessie since day one and plays up to five nights a week, which is more than enough to make him worthy of his own cocktail – the Montgomery Manhattan. “He’s definitely the star of Vanessie,” says Amasaki.

“People connect Doug Montgomery and Vanessie together.”

Creatively mixing classical and pop tunes while honoring requests, Montgomery provides an inviting and upbeat dining experience for his captive audience. Loyal guests plan their Santa Fe vacations around Montgomery’s schedule, which has now increased from seasonal to a year round shows.

T

he Vanessie compound is tucked away between San Francisco and Water Street, conveniently located in its own private and serene setting.

With just 18 rooms, the Inn of Vanessie provides the intimacy of a bed and breakfast with the amenities of a five star hotel.

Guests are given individual attention from an innkeeper, and stay in rooms decorated in traditional Santa Fe and contemporary Native American décor, original local art and artifacts.

The restaurant and lounge located on the same property welcomes you with high ceilings, cozy fireplaces and lively piano melodies. The atmosphere is one of familiarity with regular performers, guests and a close-knit staff. General manager Hideko Amasaki has been with the restaurant for 21 years. “We’re very lucky to have great locals and returning tourists who support us,” she notes.

Season eight finalist on America’s Got Talent, Branden James has paired up with James Clark as a vocal, piano and cello duo; they are regular performers who attract younger guests. And if you want to sing a long to your favorite 60s and 70s pop songs, keep an eye on the schedule for Bob Finnie, a pianist and vocalist known for getting people out of their chairs to dance to familiar tunes.

Current music and creative cooking has allowed Vanessie of Santa Fe to upgrade their image, accommodating music lovers and foodies of all generations while maintaining it’s reputation as a timeless Santa Fe classic.

Vanessie 434 W. San Francisco St. 505.982.9966 www.vanessiesantafe.com