Albuquerque The Magazine, February 2021 by Gena Goodson

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

E2 FEB RUA RY 202 1 | ISSU

ï»¿ACTUAL PATIENT

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A perfect smile makes every day feel less everyday.

Dr. Byron Wall | cosmeticdentistryofnewmexico.com | 505.883.4488 FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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FEATURE PAGE 72 The first year of this magazine—way back in the ancient times now known as 2004—we came up with this fun idea to highlight local notables who were unattached. Yes, single. And over the years, our annual list has drawn both fans and detractors. A few times over these past 17 years, we’ve considered retiring Hot Singles of ABQ, just because of the mild controversy. But to be fair, the fans far outweigh the naysayers here. And so, our fascination continues. Here are the 16 local singles who made this year’s list.

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FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

DEPARTMENTS 14 Editor’s Note 32 Tapas

P. 32 P. 98

Some COVID-safe Valentine’s Day suggestions to keep the pandemic from spoiling the romance; Staycation tips for local destinations; ABQ is one step closer to becoming the location of the new U.S. Space Command; National Geographic says New Mexico’s 19 pueblos are a must-see.

38 Beers With...

When running for the state legislature, politicos suggested Derrick Lente trade in his dusty rancher boots for a necktie. He and his boots are now walking into his third term representing District 65.

42 Faces and Places 55 Datebook

93 People

94 Albuquerque the Interview

P.102

YDI is a powerhouse non-profit, providing locals with resources to make ends meet for 50 years. Meet the leadership team powering the organization.

98 Personality

No one in ABQ has rubbed elbows with more famous folks than the lovely Jane Bradley. And the octogenarian still has a few tricks up that sleeve—including a surprising business start-up.

102 Behind the Scenes

Urgent medical care can be a concern for those who live in our state’s rural byways. Med Flight Air Ambulance helps alleviate the crisis.

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PUT YOUR STORY ON DISPLAY! EDITOR IN CHIEF

Taylor Hood editor@abqthemag.com PHOTO DIRECTOR

Don James don@abqthemag.com LEAD DESIGNER

Sheridan Young sheridan@abqthemag.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Candice Callado candice@abqthemag.com FOOD EDITOR

Zane Beal zane@abqthemag.com

Were you featured in this issue? Commemorate your story with a modern, frameless display plaque.

SHOPPING EDITOR

Kelli Trapnell kelli@abqthemag.com DATEBOOK EDITOR

Denise Meyer datebook@abqthemag.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Michael Jacobs michael@abqthemag.com CONTRIBUTORS

Tristen Critchfield Ashley Biggers Mel Minter

Albuquerque The Magazine (ISSN 1936-4350) is published monthly except January by Albuquerque The Media Corporation, 1550 Mercantile Ave. NE, Top Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Periodicals Postage Paid at Albuquerque, NM 87101, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Albuquerque The Magazine, 1550 Mercantile Ave. NE, Top Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87107.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We welcome letters to the Editor. You may e-mail yours to editor@abqthemag.com, or submit it directly from our website, or via snail mail.

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• Ships ready to hang, no framing necessary. • Fade-proof, UV resistant. • Printed in vibrant, archival inks. Scan the QR code to visit our store and order your plaque today. Find us online at abqthemag.com

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Our editorial calendar is available online at www.abqthemag.com/MediaKit.pdf. No phone calls, please. Unsolicited manuscripts require a SASE.

DEPARTMENTS P. 122

P. 116 P. 108

107 Culture 108 Creatives

The fine art of glassblowing is 2,000 years old. In Old Town, Rashan Jones uses the power of the flame to put modern twists on an ancient craft.

110 Shelflife

Eerie New Mexico, by Ray John de Aragon; 1st Generation Rich, by Mark Migliaccio.

112 Tiempo

A monthly check-in with longtime Tiempo editor Mel Minter on the new performers—and familiar faces—making waves in ABQ’s thriving local music scene.

122 From the Vine

P. 120

From distillation, to cocktail shaker, to retail checkout, the latest from ABQ’s bars, breweries and wineries.

115 Dish

116 Eats Review

Authentic Japanese cuisine with a Western twist is 15 years in the making at Uptown eatery Magakoro.

120 Eats, Etc.

The convenience of a walk-up window helps get the pies out at Straight Up Pizza; the flavors of culinary mecca Peru are brought to life at Tio David’s.

128 My Favorite Recipe

Even after the holiday, sweet potato pies are a hit. Here’s the recipe from Theresa Carson, president of the African American Chamber of Commerce.

130 Bites

Info-filled nuggets about the city’s restaurants to take with you on the go.

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FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

DEPARTMENTS 153 Fun

154 ‘Til You Drop

The move to support local business is in full swing with these nifty Valentine’s Day gift ideas made in ABQ; the retro vibe is alive and well at Longhair Records, where vinyl and VHS tapes rule.

158 Paws Button

Love is in the air at the BioPark, as evidenced by the arrival of babies galore: wolves, turtles, otters, hyenas, klipspringers, and others.

161 Pet of the Month This month’s winner: Lady Roxy, the piñon-loving Blue Heeler

162 Passenger Window Crayons and culture come together for a Downtown dance of life on a long wall at Coronado Elementary School.

165 Piece of the Past The Ernie Pyle Library is the city’s oldest, a historically recognized branch that was created within the walls of a residential ABQ home.

P. 162 P. 165

167 Photo Contest

This month’s winner: Humming Along, by Becky O’Neill

168 25 Things You Didn’t Know About Me The dead-of-night arrival of a metal monolith near Interstate 25 put ABQ on the international scene last December. Here’s what our investigators were able to uncover about the mystery.

P. 168 12

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FEBRUARY 2021 Volume 17 Number 9 PUBLISHER

Larryl Lynch larryl@abqthemag.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Gena Goodson gena@abqthemag.com

INSPIRED SPACE S W O R L D - C L A S S C O M P L I M E N TA R Y INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE

SENIOR ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

Philip Kjelland philip@abqthemag.com Megan Life megan@abqthemag.com BUSINESS MANAGER

Renee Martinez business@abqthemag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Scott Davis (1966–2004)

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Albuquerque The Magazine 1550 Mercantile Ave. NE, Top Floor Albuquerque, NM 87107 phone: 505-842-1110 • fax: 505-842-1119 www.abqthemag.com

EDITOR'S NOTE

f you notice some ink smudges on this page, just ignore them. They aren’t from tears. I swear, I’m not crying! Okay, so maybe there are a few tears. Why? This is a bittersweet issue of Albuquerque The Magazine for me. (But more on that at the end of this note.) First, let’s dwell on the bright side: it’s no longer 2020! I’m pretty sure we can all agree that the whole ‘out with the old, in with the new’ saying will take on extra meaning as we welcome 2021. Changes will surely abound (let’s hope). One thing to look forward to in this new year is our annual list of Hot Singles of Albuquerque. For the 17th year, we’re putting together our list of locals who are amazing, smart, funny, educated, beautiful and, yes, single. The batch of more than 200 nominees was impressive, and turned into quite the chore to pare down to the final group. Another challenge was proximity, which has been turned into an area of caution by the pandemic. Not to worry: in doing our part, the photo shoots were done safely, with each session having only the subject and ATM photo director Don James in the room. His photos, and the stories of 16 sizzling singles, begin on page 72. (And for those who wonder if the pandemic might render such a list unnecessary, wonder no more. Coronavirus or not, humans still need life’s basic necessities: food, water, shelter, and love. In fact, on page 82, read an expert’s take on why the matchmaking business actually increased during 2020’s days of quarantine and social distancing.) This issue is also filled with people who are singularly excellent in their fields (see what I did there?). For instance, go to page 94 to catch up with Dr. Diego Gallegos and Robert Chavez, the leaders of Youth Development, Inc., the storied non-profit celebrating a half-century of lending a hand to ABQ. And then splash some wine in a glass and flip to page 98 to see what everyone means when they say ‘the cool kids.‘ They’re talking about Jane Bradley, an entrepreneur, mentor and world-conqueror who loves to connect business owners to success. And at 82, she’s in the throes of fine-tuning a start-up business of her own. Cool, indeed. Also, don’t forget to check out the last page for our monthly list of 25 Things You Didn’t Know. This issue, we unravel some of the mysteries of the eerie, towering metal monolith that suddenly appeared in our city on December 7, 2020. How do we

know so much? It happened to be right outside our offices, just off the Pan American Freeway. Make sure you look around the room for any alien presence before you gingerly turn to page 168. Okay, back to those tears. Here’s the reason: the time has arrived for my Albuquerque The Magazine journey to come to an end. This will be my final issue of this magazine as its Editor-in-Chief. It’s been a tough year for everyone. I have personally lost several family members. And while my ATM family has been amazing through this venture, it’s time for me to do some self-care. Not to fear, I’m sure my work and byline will turn up in these pages from time to time. After all, I will always love it here. I want to throw out an extra special thank you to my bosses, Larryl Lynch and Gena Goodson, who have been my biggest champions during my time here. I also want to thank the entire staff, with a special note of gratitude to our amazing photo director, Don James. Most of all, I want to thank you, the reader, for supporting me and supporting this publication. In a day and age of shifting media trends, it’s truly heartwarming to see such an amazing publication, centered around my favorite place on Earth, succeed in such a way. And that is all because of you. So, THANK YOU! Now, for the final time: Thank you for reading this issue of Albuquerque The Magazine. Remember, we are all in this together, because we all love it here.

Sincerely,

Taylor Hood Editor-In-Chief

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(505) 856-7477 COUNTYLINE.COM/ALBUQUERQUE_NM 9 6 0 0 T R A M WAY B LV D . N E , A B Q N M 8 7 12 2 HOW TO ORDER: PHONE / WEBSITE / THE COUNTY LINE MOBILE APP / DELIVERY APPS CURBSIDE: COUNTYLINE.COM/ALBUQUERQUE_NM / GRUBHUB / UBEREATS DELIVERY: COUNTYLINE.COM/ALBUQUERQUE_NM / GRUBHUB / UBEREATS / DOORDASH

Take Out Menu

DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP!

T O GO A P P E T I Z E R S

Tuesday

HOMEMADE WHITE BREAD - 1/2 LOAF........................$4.29 CHEESE BITES.........................................................$9.29

5:00pm - 9:00pm

A half loaf of our delicious homemade white bread.

Wednesday & Thursday Lunch 11:30am - 2:00pm Dinner 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Friday

AVAILABLE ON

Lunch 11:30am - 2:00pm Dinner 5:00pm - 9:30pm

Saturday 11:30am - 9:30pm

A full loaf of our delicious homemade white bread.

A 1/2 lb. of our special recipe sausage served with County Line’s custom bar-b-q sauce on the side.

BRISKET TACO........................................................$9.29

1/2 Rack of our tender pork ribs served with our special pork sauce.

lapenos, garlic, red chile and onions. Rolled in mazina tortillas & served with our homemade salsa, cheese & sour cream.

PORK RIB..............................................................$11.79 6 mini tacos. Tender smoked brisket sauteed with ja-

Mushrooms simmered in a special blend of spices, butter and red wine.

11:30am - 9:00pm

Served with our “Hot’n’Spicy” sauce & ranch dressing.

QUESO & SALSA WITH CHIPS....................................$7.99 QUESO FRIES ..........................................................$8.09 heaping helpin’ of fries topped with our homemade SAUSAGE.................................................................$7.79 Aqueso.

SAUTEED MUSHROOMS..............................................$7.79

Sunday

Bite size pieces of Monterey Jack, Swiss & American

HOMEMADE BREAD - WHOLE LOAF..............................$7.29 cheese blended with chopped jalapeno peppers.

GRILLED WINGS - 12 WINGS....................................$14.29 Served up with plenty of ranch dressing & “Hot’n’Spicy” sauce for dippin’.

T O GO P L AT T E R S & S A NDW ICHE S SAUSAGE SANDWICH..........................................$13.99 CHICKEN PLATTER............................................$15.99 Over a quarter pound of sliced sausage.

LT. SAUSAGE .................................................... $11.74 LT. TURKEY........................................................$12.99 PULLED PORK SANDWICH....................................$13.99 Our seasoned and marinated Pulled Pork is piled high on the bun with bar-b-q sauce.

Half a smoked chicken.

CATFISH............................................................$14.99

fried catfish fillets with a crunchy cornmeal BRISKET PLATTER.............................................$19.99 Two tortilla crust served with tartar sauce. Fork-tender slow-smoked Brisket. PORK RIBS - 1/2 RACK......................................$17.99 CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN....................................$14.99 A 1/2 rack of Tender St. Louis pork ribs lightly basted with our legendary “Wild Pork Sauce”.

Four hand battered chicken tenders served with creamy gravy.

PORK RIB PLATTER...........................................$25.99 CHICKEN FRIED STEAK........................................$14.99

SHREDDED BEEF SANDWICH.................................$13.99 A full rack of Tender St. Louis pork ribs lightly basted One hand battered choice USDA steak served with Over a quarter pound of our slow-smoked beef brisket shredded with bar-b-q sauce & spices.

with our legendary “Wild Pork Sauce”.

BEEF RIB PLATTER - 2 RIBS...............................$20.99 Two of our legendary Beef Ribs.

TURKEY SANDWICH............................................$13.99 BEEF RIB PLATTER............................................$27.99 3 of our legendary Beef Ribs.

creamy gravy.

BAR-B-Q EMERGENCY KIT...............PER PERSON - $13.99 Brisket, Sausage, Chicken and Turkey served with Potato Salad, Cole Slaw and Beans. Packed in Bulk.

TAILGATE KIT...................................................$129.99 BIG DADDY BEEF RIBS.......................................$30.99 36 Hot and Spicy jumbo Wings with ranch, 12 BarBRISKET SANDWICH...........................................$13.99 A full rack of our legendary Beef Ribs. Over a quarter pound of sliced lean beef brisket. B-Q Sliders ( 4 Brisket, 4 Turkey & 4 Sausage) with 2 MEAT COMBO.................................................$14.99 Bar-B-Q Sauce and a quart of Queso with Chips. MARBLED 2ND CUT - BRISKET SANDWICH.............$13.99 Choice of 2 different meats. Over a quarter pound of sliced turkey breast.

A quarter pound of sliced marbled 2nd cut Beef Brisket.

BRISKET TACOS..................................................$11.99 3 overstuffed lean tacos. Tender smoked brisket sauteed with jalapeños & onions in mazina tortillas (flour & corn blend) served with our homemade red salsa, cheese & a side of pinto beans.

SAUSAGE PLATTER.............................................$15.99

3 MEAT COMBO.................................................$19.99 Choice of 3 different meats.

T O GO B UR GE R S

5 MEAT SMOKE HOUSE COMBO...........................$28.99 BURGER.............................................................$11.99 A 1/3 lb. burger served on a fresh brioche bun with You get it all - Pork Ribs, Beef Rib, Peppered Turkey, Sausage & Brisket.

lettuce, tomato, red onion and a dill pickle.

1/2 rack of beef ribs & a half rack of St. Louis pork ribs.

A 1/3 lb. burger served on a fresh brioche bun with cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and a dill pickle.

RIB KING PLATTER............................................$30.99 BURGER W/ CHEESE............................................$12.99

Our own special-recipe sausage.

GRILLED SALMON - 6 OZ....................................$16.99

pepper.

Salmon seasoned with lemon pepper and griled to perfection.

BURGER W/ BACON & CHEESE.............................$13.49 TURKEY PLATTER...............................................$18.99 Grilled salmon seasoned with lemon pepper. A 1/3 lb. burger served on served on a fresh briGRILLED SALMON 12 OZ...................................$22.99 Tender turkey breast seasoned with coarse black oche bun with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion and a dill pickle.

T O GO S A L A D S

TO GO ALA CARTE MEATS

SIDE SALAD......................................................$4.99 GARDEN SALAD................................................$9.99 CHICKEN BREAST SALAD SMALL $10.99 LARGE $14.99 TURKEY SALAD SMALL $10.99 LARGE $14.99 SALMON SALAD SMALL $12.99 LARGE $16.99 GREEN CHILE STEW CUP $5.29 PINT $9.00 QUART $18.00 SALAD DRESSING PINT $4.29 QUART $8.00

HOLIDAY WHOLE BRISKET.................................$100.99 HOLIDAY WHOLE TURKEY BREAST.......................$55.99 SMOKED CHICKEN - 1/4 LB..................................$4.20 SMOKED BBQ CHICKEN - 1/2 LB...........................$8.29 TURKEY BREAST 1/4 LB $4.79 1/2 LB $9.79 3/4 LB $13.79 1 LB $19.29 SAUSAGE 1 ALA $1.79 1/4 LB $3.29 1/2 LB $6.29 3/4 LB $9.29 1 LB $12.29 SHREDDED BEEF 1/4 LB $4.79 3/4 LB $13.77 1/2 LB $9.29 1 LB $18.29 PULLED PORK 1/4 LB $4.79 1/2 LB $8.89 3/4 LB $13.05 1 LB $17.29 BRISKET 1/4 LB $5.79 1/2 LB $11.29 3/4 LB $16.79 1 LB $22.29 MARBLED 2ND CUT BRISKET 1/4 LB $5.79 1/2 LB $11.29 3/4 LB $16.79 1 LB $22.29 PORK RIBS 3 RIBS $6.99 1/2 RACK $12.79 FULL RACK $22.25 BEEF RIB.........................................................$7.99 BEEF RIBS - 1/2 RACK....................................$13.25 BIG DADDY BEEF RIBS..................................$28.25 BEEF RIB.......................................................$23.69 GREEN CHILE PORK LOIN 1/3 LB $6.49 1/2 LB $9.79 3/4 LB $14.29 1 LB $18.79 GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST 6 OZ $4.79 12 OZ $3.99 GRILLED SALMON 6 OZ $10.29 12 OZ $17.08 VEGGIE KABOB................................................$3.99

T O GO S P UD S BAKED POTATO.................................................$6.99 BAKED POTATO WITH BRISKET..........................$13.99 Our large baked potato stuffed with Brisket. Served with your choice of butter, cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, and chives.

BAKED POTATO W/ MARBLED 2ND CUT BRISKET......$13.99

BAKED POTATO W/ SMOKED TURKEY.................$13.99

A 1/2 lb. of our special recipe sausage served with County Line’s custom bar-b-q sauce on the side.

BAKED POTATO W/ SAUSAGE............................$13.99 1/2 Rack of our tender pork ribs served with our special pork sauce.

BAKED POTATO W/ SHREDDED BEEF..................$13.99 Mushrooms simmered in a special blend of spices, butter and red wine.

BAKED POTATO PULLED PORK..........................$13.99

Bite size pieces of Monterey Jack, Swiss & American cheese blended with chopped jalapeno peppers. Served with our “Hot’n’Spicy” sauce, ranch dressing and sour cream.

T O GO GR IL L

GRILLED VEGGIE KABOBS..............................$14.99 GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST 6 OZ $14.99 12 OZ $17.99 SIRLION - 12 OZ W/SIDES.............................$24.99 RIBEYE - 12 OZ W/SIDES...............................$28.99 BEEF TENDERLOIN WRANGLER $21.99 COWBOY $29.99 TRAIL BOSS $37.99 GREEN CHILE STUFFED PEPPER PORK LOIN 1/3 LB $13.99 1/2 LB $15.99 3/4 LB $17.99 GRILLED SALMON 6 OZ $19.99 12 OZ $22.99

TO GO ALA CARTE SIDES POTATO SALAD INDIVIDUAL $3.24 PINT $4.29 QUART $8.39 GALLON $28.99 COLE SLAW INDIVIDUAL $3.24 PINT $4.29 QUART $8.39 GALLON $28.99 BEANS INDIVIDUAL $3.24 PINT $4.29 QUART $8.39 GALLON $28.99 MAC & CHEESE INDIVIDUAL $5.04 PINT $6.79 QUART $12.79 GARLIC MASHED POTATOES INDIVIDUAL $5.04 PINT $6.79 QUART $12.79 GALLON $43.49 FRIES 1/2 ORDER $3.04 FULL ORDER $4.99 BBQ SAUCE INDIVIDUAL $2.19 PINT $4.29 QUART $8.39 GALLON $28.99

TO GO KID’S MENU CHICKEN TENDERS............................................$6.99 MIXED BBQ PLATE.............................................$6.99 BEEF RIB PLATE................................................$8.99 PULLED PORK...................................................$6.99 CHICKEN PLATE.................................................$6.79 CORNDOG.........................................................$6.79 MAC & CHEESE PLATE.......................................$6.79 BURGER............................................................$7.49 BRISKET...........................................................$6.99 SHREDDED BEEF PLATE......................................$6.99 PORK RIB PLATE................................................$7.99 SAUSAGE PLATE................................................$6.79 TURKEY PLATE..................................................$6.79

TO GO DESSERTS ICE CREAM........................................................$3.79 PEACH COBBLER.............................................$5.49 BANANA PUDDING...........................................$5.99 BREAD PUDDING..............................................$7.19 CHOCOLATE CHIP BROWNIE................................$6.99 CHEESECAKE...................................................$7.19

FULL MENU AVAILABLE ONLINE AT COUNTYLINE.COM/ALBUQUERQUE_NM

Cinnamon Sugar & Spice Café BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DESSERT

The Shops @ Mountain Run Menu Options Mon-Sat 7am-3pm & Sunday Brunch 8am-2pm BREAKFAST

Huevos Rancheros $9.00 Paseo Pile-Up $9.00 Burqueno Breakfast Burrito $8.00 Buen Dia Quesadilla $8.00 Carne Adovada Omelet $10.00

KID’S MENU ITEMS $6.50

Johnny's Chocolate Chippy Pancakes Breakfast Burrito Little Elvis Kiddie Classic Totally AWEsome Tacos Crazy Quesadilla Chicken Tenders

BURGERS

New Mexican Burger $10.00 GB98 Burger $8.00 Apollo Burger $11.00 Be-Sa-Me Burger $10.00 B&B Burger Patty Melt Burger $11.00 Tortilla Burger $11.00 Black Bean Burger $10.00

•Cinnamon Rolls •Baklava •Biscotti •Biscochitos

LUNCH SPECIALS

Cin-fully Delicious French Toast $9.00 Kalimera Pita $9.00 Giant bowl of Captain Crunch $7.00 Heart Healthy Oats $7.00 Honey Granola & Yogurt Parfait $7.00 Ham Croissant $9.00 B&E $8.00 Greek Omelet $10.00 Biscuits & Gravy $10.00 English Muffin Breakfast $8.00 Avocado Toast $8.00 505 Toast $9.00 Lox-Avocado Toast $12.00 Sunday Morning Pancakes $7.00 Banana Bliss Pancakes $9.00 Blueberry Pancakes $9.00 Lemon-Raspberry Pancakes $9.00 Belgian Waffles $9.00 Chicken n' Waffles $10.00 B.L.T. & E. $10.00

MORNING SPICE

YOUR JUST DESSERTS

Visit our demonstration area at both locations where all our desserts are created daily!

Your Choice of 2 (bowl of soup, garden salad, half deli sandwich, tuna salad, chicken walnut salad, turkey & pepper jack, ham & swiss) or avacado & tomato served on wheat bread. $9.00

Fish & Chips $10.00 Grecian Not-chos $10.00 Quiche of the Day $9.00 BURQUENO FAVORITES Chicken Quesadilla $9.00 Frito Bandito Pie $9.00 Big Big Burrito $8.00 Enchiladas $10.00 Taco Plate $9.00 Green Chile Stew $6.00

SALADS Grecian $9.00 Pecan $9.00 Caesar $9.00 Baked Salmon $12.00 Shrimp & Spinach $12.00 Mandarin $9.00 Tuna or Chicken Walnut $9.00 Taco Salad Bowl $10.00 Chef Salad $11.00

SANDWICHES Greek Chicken Pita $9.00 Gyro(GEE-ros) $9.00 Veggie Pita Wrap $8.00 BBQ Roast Beef $10.00 Tuna Melt $10.00 Tuna or Chicken Walnut $9.00 Classic Reuben $10.00 Classic French Dip $10.00 Burque Turkey $10.00 Duke City Dip $11.00 Club Sandwich $11.00 BLT $10.00

•Shortbread Cookies •Brownies •Pies •Bars

L AT TES Cafe Con Canela Dulce de Leche Irish Cream Peanut Butter Cup Hawaiian Sunset White Chocolate Greek Cherry Bomb Almond Joy Toffee Crunch Snickerdoodle

German Choclate Mexican Mocha Mocha Latte Pumpkin Spice Lavender Latte Peppermint Mocha Americano Spiced Chai Latte Hot Chocolate Latte/Cuppuccino

PAPOU'S POPUP KUZINA The O.G.(original Gyros) Spartan Skato Souvlakia Mighty Aphrodite Village Salad Mezethakia Spanokopita Koulouria

CESAR'S GHOST KITCHEN TAQUERIA Tacos De Res Tacos De Carnitas Tacos De Nopaliotas Tacos De Camarones Tacos De Nino Elote Chips/Salsa/Guac Churros Add Taco Add Shrimp Taco

*Menu items & prices at both locations are subject to change without notice. WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

Cinnamon Sugar & Spice Café BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DESSERT

Nob Hill Menu Options

Open Everyday, 8am - 3pm

BREAKFAST Cin-fully Delicious French Toast $9.00 Kalimera Pita $9.00 Giant bowl of Captain Crunch $7.00 Heart Healthy Oats $7.00 Honey Granola & Yogurt Parfait $7.00 Ham Croissant $9.00 B&E $8.00 Greek Omelet $10.00 Biscuits & Gravy $10.00 English Muffin Breakfast $8.00 Avocado Toast $8.00 505 Toast $9.00 Lox-Avocado Toast $12.00 Sunday Morning Pancakes $7.00 Banana Bliss Pancakes $9.00 Blueberry Pancakes $9.00 Lemon-Raspberry Pancakes $9.00 Belgian Waffles $9.00 Chicken n' Waffles $10.00 B.L.T. & E. $10.00 Proino $8.00

MORNING SPICE Huevos Rancheros $9.00 ART Project Pile-Up $9.00 Burqueno Breakfast Burrito $8.00 Buen Dia Quesadilla $8.00 Carne Adovada Omelet $10.00

CREPES Grill Chicken $12.00 Carne Adovada Crepe $12.00 BSMF $12.00 Friend Chicken 'n Crepe $11.00 Con Helado $11.00 Very Berry $11.00 PB & B $11.00

KID’S MENU ITEMS $6.50 Johnny's Chocolate Chippy Pancakes Breakfast Burrito Kiddie Classic Totally AWEsome Tacos Crazy Quesadilla Chicken Tenders

BURGERS New Mexican Burger $10.00 GB 98 Burger $8.00 Apollo Burger $11.00 Be-Sa-Me Burger $10.00 Patty Melt Burger $11.00 Tortilla Burger $11.00

LUNCH SPECIALS

Your Choice of 2 (bowl of soup, garden salad, half deli sandwich, tuna salad, chicken walnut salad, turkey & pepper jack, ham & swiss) or avacado & tomato served on wheat bread. $9.00

Grecian Not-chos $10.00 Hummus Plate Spanakopita $11.00

SALADS Grecian Salad $9.00 Caesar Salad $9.00 Baked Salmon Salad $11.00 Mandarin Salad $9.00 Tuna Salad $9.00 Chicken Walnut Salad $9.00 Taco Salad Bowl $10.00 Chef Salad $11.00

SANDWICHES Greek Chicken Pita $9.00 Gyro(GEE-ros) $9.00 Veggie Pita Wrap $8.00 BBQ Roast Beef $10.00 Tuna Melt $10.00 Tuna or Chicken Walnut $10.00 Classic Reuben $10.00 Classic French Dip $10.00 Burque Turkey $10.00 Duke City Dip $11.00 Club Sandwich $11.00 BLT $10.00 Portobello Mushroom $11.00

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

HOW TO ORDER WEBSITE

cinnamoncafeabq.com PHONE

Mountain Run (505) 492-2119 Nob Hill (505) 588-2860 PICKUP OR CURBSIDE The Shops @ Mountain Run 5809 Juan Tabo Ave NE, 87111 Sweet A

Nob Hill Central Ave SE, 87106 Sweet 1

DELIVERY

Please visit our website to see if we deliver in your area!

BURQUENO FAVORITES Chicken Quesadilla $9.00 Frito Bandito Pie $9.00 Big Big Burrito $8.00 Enchiladas $10.00 Taco Plate $9.00 Green Chile Stew $6.00

L AT TES Con Canela Dulce de Leche Irish Cream Peanut Butter Cup White Cholcolate Greek Frap Mocha Mexican Mocha Peppermint Mocha Americano Spice Chai Dirty Chai Biscochito Latte Pumpkin Spice Latte/Cuppucino Choco/Hot Abuelitas Hot Choco

Hot Tea Hot Tea POT London Fog Lavender Breve Bullet Espresso Doppio Panna Macchi Romano Affogato Briki Cherry Bomb Hawaiian Sunset EXTRA shot EXTRA Flavor

We serve Beer, Wine & Mimosas at both of our locations!

Full Menu & Location Hours available at:

sadiesofnewmexico.com

Menu items vary by location APPETIZERS

4th Street 6230 Fourth Street NW Albuquerque, NM 87107 (505)345-5339 Online Ordering Available East 15 Hotel Circle NE Albuquerque, NM 87123 (505)296-6940 Academy 5400 Academy Road NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505)821-3388 Online Ordering Available

Delivery available through UberEats & Doordash!

Tostadas and Salsa ~ made in house - fresh daily Chile Con Queso ~ a select blend of cheeses, green chile, onions and tomatoes. Guacamole Salad ~ served on a bed of shredded lettuce and topped with fresh tomatoes. Fried Green Chile Strips ~ served with green chile ranch. Sopaipilla Sliders (3) ~ your choice of: shredded chicken, chicharrones, carne adovada, *Billy's spicy beef, shredded beef or refried beans. Served with your choice of chile on the side. Sadie's Nachos ~ Sadie's fresh tostadas topped with refried beans and your choice of shredded chicken or *Billy's spicy ground beef. Topped with aged cheddar cheese, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes and fresh jalapenos. Taquitos ~ Hand rolled corn tortilla grilled with aged cheddar cheese and your choice of shredded chicken, *Billy's spicy beef or refried beans. Served with guacamole or chile con queso. Cheese Quesadilla ~ served with guacamole and sour cream. Quesadilla ~ your choice of shredded beef brisket, shredded chicken, *Billy's spicy beef or carne adovada. Served with guacamole and sour cream. SALADS Sadie's Salad ~ crisp iceberg lettuce, topped with aged cheddar cheese, tomatoes, onions and avocado. Toni's Taco Salad ~ crisp iceberg lettuce served with refried beans, aged cheddar cheese, tomatoes, onions, avocado and *Billy's spicy ground beef or shredded chicken inside a crisp flour or corn tortilla.

NEW MEXICAN BREAKFAST

BURGERS

Sadie's Original ~ ground beef patty grilled with onions served with two eggs any style, papitas and your choice of chile on the side.

All Burgers are 8 ounces, cooked to order with grilled onions and served with Sadie’s house made potato chips.

Breakfast Sopaipilla Sliders ~ three sopaipilla sliders filled with scrambled egg, papitas and cheese with your choice of bacon, sausage, ham, chorizo, chicharrones or carne adovada and your choice of chile on the side.

Burger Adds

Breakfast Burrito ~ scrambled egg, papitas and aged cheddar cheese with your choice of bacon, chicharrones, chorizo, carne adovada, ham or sausage. Served with frijoles, your choice of chile and garnished with lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Huevos Rancheros ~ two or three eggs cooked to your style, served on a large corn or flour tortilla with papitas and frijoles, garnished with lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Or try Sadie's original omelette made with onions, tomatoes and aged cheddar cheese. Add bacon, ham, sausage, carne adovada, chicharrones or chorizo. Blue Corn Breakfast Tacos ~ three crispy blue corn tortillas filled with scrambled eggs, papitas, cheese and a side of chile. Get your choice of bacon, sausage, ham, chorizo or carne adovada. New Mexico Avocado Toast ~ Sadie's house made guacamole, chopped green chile and an egg cooked any style atop Sadie's garlic toast. Served with a side of calabacitas.

Home Fries, Hand-Cut Fries, Papitas, Cheese, Chile, Bacon, Egg, Avocado, Guacamole, Chile Con Queso, or a Salad Sadie’s Original Burger ~ burger grilled with onions. Served on a traditional hamburger bun or toasted thick sliced french bread. Garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mustard. The Award Winning Burger ~ our award winning burger is grilled with onions and served on toasted thick sliced French bread. Topped with American cheese, chopped green chile, and Sadie’s special green chile sauce. Garnished with lettuce and tomatoes. Sopaipilla Burger ~ burger grilled with onions, served on a sopaipilla and garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mustard. Tortilla Burger ~ burger grilled with onions, served in a flour tortilla and garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mustard. Taco Burger ~ served on a large corn tortilla with aged cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and red or green chile. Billy Bondo Burger ~ stacked with guacamole, chile con queso, grilled onions and garnished with lettuce and tomatoes on toasted French bread.

IT’S A MEAL Sadie's Chile ~ red or green, served with or without beans and a flour tortilla. Vegetarian and gluten free chile available.

Tamale ~ one, two or three tamales made in house with pork marinated in red chile, cooked inside of corn meal masa.

Posole (side/ cup/ bowl) Limited Quantity ~ house made posole with pork. Served with oregano, onions and your choice of chile.

Green Chile Chicken Tamale ~ our fantastic home-made corn meal masa filled with chopped green chile and Sadie’s shredded chicken.

Green Chile Stew (side/ cup/ bowl) Limited Quantity ~ pork, potatoes, onions and corn slow cooked with Sadie's green chile. (side/ cup/ bowl) Limited Quantity ~ a classic New Mexican favorite. Topped with blue corn tortilla strips. Papitas Con Chile ~ add cheese or chile con queso. Hand Cut Fries Con Chile ~ Sadie’s hand cut french fries smothered in your choice of red or green chile! Add cheese or chile con queso. Home Fries Con Chile ~ sliced potatoes, fried and smothered in chile. Add cheese or chile con queso. New Mexico Grilled Queso ~ large flour tortilla grilled with aged cheddar cheese, served with your choice of chile. Add shredded chicken, *Billy's spicy ground beef, carne adovada or shredded beef brisket. New Mexico Guaco Grilled Queso ~ large flour tortilla grilled with aged cheddar cheese, filled with guacamole and served with your choice of chile. Add shredded chicken, *Billy's spicy ground beef, carne adovada or shredded beef brisket. Papitas Fritas Con Frijoles ~ frijoles and papitas smothered with chile and aged cheddar cheese, garnished with lettuce, tomatoes and onions.

Sadie’s Chalupa ~ one or two crisp bowl-shaped corn tortilla(s) filled with *Billy’s spicy beef, shredded chicken, carne adovada or shredded beef brisket. Sadie’s Carne Adovada ~ Lean tender pork cubes, marinated in red chile and baked slowly to perfection. Shredded Beef Brisket ~ Lean, slow cooked, juicy brisket. FROM THE GRILL Brian’s Favorite Rib Eye Steak - a 12oz. boneless lean trimmed rib eye steak, charbroiled to perfection. This dinner is served with frijoles and papitas and may be smothered with or without chile. Also includes a small Sadie’s salad and your choice of garlic toast, a sopaipilla or a flour tortilla. Add an enchilada, relleno or tamale. SADIE’S ORIGINAL CREATIONS Roberto Special ~ hamburger steak grilled with onions, atop a bed of frijoles and papitas smothered in red or green chile, generously covered with chile con queso.

DINNERS

Vegetarian Burrito ~ large flour tortilla filled with calabacitas, topped with your choice of vegetarian chile. Served with frijoles, garnished with lettuce, tomatoes and onions.

All dinners are smothered with Red or Green Chile or have your chile served on the side. Your dinner comes with papitas, frijoles, and melted aged cheddar cheese. Garnished with lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Served with fresh sopaipillas.

Betty Ranjo Special~8 Ounce burger grilled with onions served on a toasted bun or French bread with papitas and frijoles smothered with red or green chile, topped with melted aged cheddar cheese and garnished with lettuce, tomatoes and onions.

Cheese Enchiladas ~ two or three corn tortillas stacked or rolled with aged cheddar cheese served with frijoles and papitas.

Brian’s Spicy Carne Adovada Ribs ~pork spare ribs marinated in red chile, baked until tender and juicy. Served with frijoles and papitas, topped with onions and melted aged cheddar cheese.

Enchilada Dinner ~ two or three corn tortillas rolled or stacked, with aged cheddar cheese and your choice of shredded chicken or *Billy’s spicy beef. Served with frijoles and papitas. Add shredded beef brisket or carne adovada Sadie’s Taco ~ one, two or three grilled taco shell(s) filled with *Billy’s spicy beef, shredded chicken, carne adovada, shredded beef brisket, guaco, guaco chicken, guaco beef, or refried beans. Burrito ~ one or two large warm flour tortilla(s) filled with: Sadie’s ‘Original’ grilled ground beef pattie, *Billy’s Spicy Beef, Shredded Chicken, Chicharrón and Bean.Filled with Shredded Beef Brisket or Carne Adovada. Stuffed Sopaipilla ~ a large freshly made golden brown sopaipilla generously filled with your choice of *Billy's Spicy Beef, chicharrones and bean, grilled hamburger patty, shredded beef brisket, carne adovada or shredded chicken: served with frijoles & papitas Sadie’s Combination Plate ~ choose two, three or four of the following items: rolled enchilada, tamale, taco, chile relleno, chalupa, carne adovada rib or carne adovada. Chile Relleno ~ one, two or three chile rellenos made with a anaheim green chile pepper beer battered in Ex Novo Brewery Malagueña Dark Mexican Lager ~ Brewed Exclusively for Sadie’s ~ and stuffed with asadero cheese. Get your rellenos stuffed with juicy beef brisket.

KID’S MENU Enchilada ~ rolled enchilada with your choice of either Billy’s spicy ground beef, shredded chicken or cheese. Served with frijoles and papitas and garnished with lettuce and tomato. Taco~ with your choice of Billy’s spicy ground beef, shredded chicken or beans. Served with frijoles and papitas and garnished with lettuce and tomato. Cheesey Crisp~a mini flour tortilla grilled with cheddar cheese. Served with frijoles and papitas. Kids Nachos~with refried beans and cheese. Add Billy’s spicy ground beef or chicken, sour cream, guacamole.

Thank You, Albuquerque, for your continued support!

*Contains Pork

Green Gene Vegan Cafe

ORDER ONLINE

(VARIES DURING DIFFERENT SEASONS)

(505) 933-0435 2300 CENTRAL AVE SE ALBUQUERQUE, NM greengenevegancafe.com

SUNDAY - THURSDAY 10 AM - 8 PM FRIDAY 10 AM - 4 PM SATURDAY 5:30 PM - 10 PM

MAIN

Vegan Mac n’ Cheese 10oz $10 Our very own in-house three cheese mac n’ cheese will have you coming back for more. Topped with steamed brocolli. Served with a corn muffin. Dr. Colin’s Vegan Black Bean Chili 10oz. $10 A Green Gene favorite! Black beans cooked in a delicious medley of minced vegan beef, mushrooms, carrots, cilantro, and special seasonings. Served with a corn muffin. Vegetable Empanadas $8 Vegan chicken & Christmas chiles, $10 Vegan Jamaican Jerk chicken $10 or Vegan beef and cheese $10 Choice of sauce: mango chutney, tamarind, hot pepper, or Malay sambal. Served with a side of fruit. Trinidad Doubles (3) $10 A Green Gene exclusive. An authentic hand-turned favorite from the islands. The ultimate street food, these melt-in-your mouth goodies are sure to please. Pastry filled with curried chickpeas. Garnished with your choice of mango chutney, tamarind or hot pepper sauce. Additional doubles (1) + $2

Vegan Chicago Style Dawg (2) $11 Chicago style hot dog served on a bun. Garnished with tomato wedges, peppers (hot) and topped with mustard. Served with house potato chips. Vegan Chicago Style Italian Sausage $11 Served on a French roll and topped with grilled onions, grilled peppers, and Giardiniera. Served with house potato chips. Vegan Chicken Sandwich $12 Breaded, fried, smothered with our spicy sambal, onion, portobello and cheese. Garnished with lettuce and tomato. Served with house potato chips.

greengenevegancafe.com

BEST OF THE CITY

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2020 WINNER

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BEST VEGAN OPTIONS

Doordash.com Seamless.com

2020 TOP 5

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BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Vegan Basic Burger $10 Garnished with lettuce and tomato. Served with house potato chips. Vegan Bacon Cheese Burger $13 Topped with vegan cheese and vegan bacon slices. Garnished with lettuce and tomato. Served with house potato chips. Portobello Cheese Burger $13 Fresh whole portobello grilled, smothered with spicy sambal onion and cheese. Garnished with lettuce and tomato. Served with house potato chips. Vegan Kim Chi Cheese Burger $13 Topped with vegan cheese, house made vegan kim chi, sweet chili sauce and tempura sweet potato straws. Garnished with lettuce and tomato. Served with house potato chips. Vegan Mac n' Cheese Burger $14 Our number #1 seller! topped with our vegan mac n' cheese, caramelized onions. Garnished with lettuce and tomato. Served with house potato chips. The Green Gene Salad $11 Organic mixed greens, chopped romaine lettuce, red bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, with side of olive oil or raspberry vinaigrette. Served with a corn muffin. Fresh Fruit Bowl $11 Variety of fresh market fruit with Classic Tajin Chili seasoning on side. Served with a corn muffin. House Potato Chips $5 Russet French Fries $5 Sweet Potato Fries $5 Yucca Fries $6

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

WOK NOODLE BOWLS Choice of: Portobello Mushroom, Vegan Chicken, Tempura Cauliflower,Tempura Enoki Mushrooms, Tempura Mushrooms, or Braised Shiitake (+ $2) Singapore Noodles Tofu $10.88 (Rice Vermicelli) garlic, red onion, red bell, spinach, bean sprouts, fried tofu, Malay curry powder, sambal, tamarind, cilantro, sesame oil, fresh herbs, lime. Pad Thai Tofu $10.88 (Thin Rice Noodle) Mee Siam Tofu $10.88 (Rice Vermicelli) garlic, tom yum chile paste, sambal, tamarind, onion, red bell pepper, spinach, bean sprouts, fried tofu, peanut, fresh herbs, lime. Chap Chae Tofu $10.88 garlic, ginger, rice wine, potato starch noodle, onion, red bell, green onion, napa cabbage, shiitake, spinach, bean sprouts, fried tofu, chef's sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, green onion.

RICE BOWLS

All rice bowls are served with Jasmine Rice. Substitute with fried rice (+ $1) Orange Tempura Tofu $10.88 garlic, ginger, orange peel, red onions, red bell pepper, sugar snap pea, chef’s sauce, sesame oil, chile oil, sesame seed, orange slice. General Tso Tempura Tofu $10.88 garlic, ginger, red onions, red bell pepper, sugar snap peas, chef’s spicy sauce, sesame oil, chili oil. Firecracker Tempura Tofu $10.88 garlic, ginger, onion, red bell pepper, sugar snap peas, chef’s firecracker sauce, sesame oil, chili oil, sesame seeds. Crispy Tofu $10.88 garlic, ginger, lemongrass, basil, jalapeno, red onion, red bell, Christmas chiles, salt + pepper, chile oil, sesame oil. Buddha’s Delight Tofu $10.88 garlic, ginger, rice wine, carrot, onion, shiitake, red bell, Shanghai Cai, sugar snap peas, chap chae noodles, napa cabbage, bamboo shoots, sesame oil. Siracha Sriracha Tofu $10.88 garlic, ginger, lemongrass, rice wine, tom yum tamarind paste, sriracha, onion, red bell pepper, sugar snap pea, bamboo shoot, shiitake, Shanghai Cai, chili oil, sesame oil, fresh herbs, lime. Shanghai Cai Tofu $10.88 garlic, ginger, rice wine, chef’s sauce, Shanghai Cai, onions, red bell pepper, shiitake, bamboo shoots, sesame oil. Green Bean Tofu $10.88 garlic, ginger, lemongrass, tom yum chile paste, sambal, tamarind, onion, red bell, shiitake, cashew, fried onion. Kai Lan Broccoli Tofu $10.88 garlic, ginger, rice wine, chef's sauce, Kai Lan broccoli, onions, red bell, shiitake, bamboo shoots MENU IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE, PLEASE REFER TO OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

FRIED RICE BOWLS Green Gene Tofu $10.88 garlic, sweet snap peas, onion, red bell, broccoli, shiitake, spinach, bean sprouts, sesame oil, green onion. Kim Chi Tofu $10.88 garlic, napa cabbage, onion, red bell, shiitake, spinach, bean sprouts, green onion, Korean chili powder, sesame oil, sesame seeds, kim chi. Tom Yum Tofu $10.88 garlic, tom yum chile paste, onion, red bell, green bean, spinach, bean sprouts, cashew, fried onion, basil.

SMALL BITES Tempura Enoki Mushrooms *NEW $10 Lettuce Wraps Tofu $7 Portobello $9 Vegan Chicken $9 Tempura Enoki $9

Dumplings Vegetables $7

Bao Vegetables $7

CUPCAKES Choc. Hazelnut Cupcake $3.75 Choc. Peanut Butter Cupcake $3.75 Earl Grey Coconut Cupcake $3.75 Indian Spice Cupcake $3.75 Lemon Lavender Cupcake $3.75 Red Velvet Cupcake $3.75 Variety Pack x 6 $20

BEVERAGES Ken’s Ice Tea Boba $6 Ken’s Iced Coffee Boba $6 Organic Coconut Water $5 Young Whole Fresh Coconut $7.50 Bill’s World Famous Lemonade $5 Bill’s World Famous Limeade $5

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

TINY BITES OF EVERYTHING TO SEE, DO AND BUY IN ALBUQUERQUE

WORSHIP THE CHIP It seems like an exaggeration, but there really might just be a holiday for everything. Some of them are silly and indulgent (National Dog Biscuit Day, anyone?), but others are solemn commemorations of cultural treasures. Take National Tortilla Chip Day, for instance. Set annually on February 24, the origins of this holiday are mysterious—shrouded in enigma and rumor. Regardless of how it got started, National Tortilla Chip Day sets out an opportunity to celebrate one of America—and the Duke City’s—favorite snacks. Of course, it’s worth mentioning that the precise origins of the tortilla chip itself are obscure. Some FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

posit a San Antonio man named Jose Martinez invented them when he cut up some extra masa into chips, while others claim Rebecca Webb Carranza kicked off the idea at the El Zarpape Tortilla Factory in Los Angeles, sometime during the 1940s. As a complimentary appetizer, the tortilla chip is virtually a staple of New Mexican and Mexicanstyle dining. But the apogee of tortilla chips must surely be their pivotal role in nachos, something plenty of Albuquerque restaurants turn into a high art. At Mariscos Atlamar, for example, you can get them piled with ceviche, and Toltec Brewing serves a version layered with rich pork belly.—ZB

ABQ

START

t n ine’s e l a V at a Distance

BR A GGING

Like a lot of modern holidays, Valentine’s Day seems to have sprung from a zesty blend of pagan and Christian tradition. Centuries ago, it had more to do with sacrifices in honor of Romulus and Remus and imprisoned priests than candy hearts and flowery cards. Fortunately, that’s all behind us, and today we can concentrate on the romance of exchanging shiny rocks and colorful plant parts.

ABQ

Unfortunately, there’s an infectious pathogen afoot in 2021. This makes all the standard trappings of Valentine’s Day rather more complicated than usual—which is why we decided to lend a hand with some ideas for keeping the date both romantic and safe.

Move things outside: Depending on the precise details of what you’re up to, catching COVID-19 while outdoors is pretty unlikely. Grab some hot drinks to share with your significant other while strolling through the Bosque or taking in the view from Sandia Crest. Move things online: We’re not talking here about just setting up a Zoom call with your paramour. No, you can spice things up a lot more than that. Try playing a lively game on a streaming service like Steam or Google Stadia (especially good for group dates). Dinner at a distance: Pick a meal you both feel comfortable cooking and would like to eat (hint: check out local eatery frenchish for weekly DIY dinners that include all the ingredients and instructions you need to make a meal for two people). From there, cook and eat a romantic meal with your partner over your favorite video streaming platform. Send a gift: You don’t have to be present to give someone special a token of your affection. Albuquerque is home to around a dozen excellent florists, if flowers are your thing, and plenty of first-rate jewelry shops as well, if you and your partner prefer compressed carbon. Send something in time for the date in question and watch your partner light up as they open it on a video call. Communicate: At the risk of sounding like some trite and sugary self-help book, we highly recommend you communicate with your partner. Understand what they’re comfortable with and act accordingly. The kind of date you design is going to depend on who you’re dating and where you’re at in your relationship. The best way to get it right is to talk about it in advance —ZB

Adolph Dominguez

General Services Administration Senior Project Manager

Vivian Rojas

New Mexico National Guard Equal Employment Office Specialist “My wife and I just moved to Albuquerque six months ago and we love the endless amount of trails and beautiful scenic areas here in New Mexico. Our favorite camping site is Cosmic Campground and our favorite trail is Jemez Falls Trail.” Start Bragging ABQ is a campaign to tell everyone what you love about our city. Got a brag about ABQ? Send it to us at editor@abqthemag.com.

Some historians believe that Saint Valentine’s Feast day was placed in the middle of February to “Christianize” the Pagan fertility festival of Lupercalia. Whatever the case, romance and the feast of St. Valentine seem to have been linked from the beginning. WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Albuquerque

Space News New Mexico is a science state. Between Sandia Labs and Los Alamos, White Sands and Kirtland—along with any number of independent labs—the Land of Enchantment is a place for exploring the unknown. With that in mind, here are a few pieces of space-related news that Albuquerque can be proud of. —TH

AFRL’s New Lab: The Air Force Research Laboratory recently completed the construction of a $4 million lab. The new research center, the Deployable Structures Laboratory, will be home to testing and constructing component parts for spacecraft. One of AFRL’s structures, known as ROSA, is already collecting solar energy aboard the International Space Station. Dr. Crumpler and Mars: Dr. Larry Crumpler has long been an analyst studying images sent back from the Mars Rover. As a scientist at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Dr. Crumpler is a sought after geologist and volcanologist and he has just been named by NASA to the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover project. Albuquerque Space Command? Albuquerque is now one of only six cities being considered for the location of the new U.S. Space Command. The list originally began with 31 cities. The Department of Defense says it will make its final decision in early 2021.

ATM DEFINITION OF THE MONTH 32

Huggle (v. - to huggle)

a cross between a hug and a cuddle. It lasts longer than a hug but doesn’t require the commitment of a full-on cuddle. Usage: My partner was pretty sad today, so I got them a Frontier sweet roll and gave them a good huggle on the couch.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

NatGeo and the Pueblos of New Mexico The Pueblo peoples and their ancestors have been living in New Mexico for centuries, building along the way diverse, sophisticated, and resilient cultures. Spanning a long, wide corridor along the Middle Rio Grande Valley, they are familiar and essential features of New Mexico’s cultural landscape. Now, National Geographic Traveler has recognized the Pueblo Nations of New Mexico as some of the most indispensable cultural destinations on the planet. Bestowed by National Geographic’s travel editors, the distinction comes as part of the outlet’s Best of the World 2021 project. Exploring the complete culture and heritage of New Mexico’s 19 Pueblo’s would be a matter of multiple books and several lifetimes, but the NatGeo authors point specifically to the Taos Pueblo—listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site— and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center as key points of interest.

“In more normal times, when the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is open, we offer an immersive journey through a variety of experiences in order to serve our mission of preserving and perpetuating Pueblo culture,” says IPCC VP of Corporate Strategy Emily K. Howard, noting the IPCC’s interactive museum exhibits, Native American dances and events, library, and a store brimming with Native American-made jewelry, pottery, books, and art. Naturally, the citizens of Albuquerque are ideally positioned to explore the rich cultural tapestry—both ancient and living—of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico. Take the time to do precisely that and trust us, you won’t regret it. To check out the full list, read Best of the World: eight unmissable cultural experiences for 2021 and beyond at nationalgeographic.co.uk. For more information about New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos, visit indianpueblo.org. —ZB

The 19 Pueblos of New Mexico

• Acoma • Cochiti • Isleta • Jemez • Laguna • Nambé • Ohkay Owingeh • Picuris • Pojoaque

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

• Sandia • San Felipe • San Ildefonso • Santa Ana • Santa Clara • Santo Domingo • Taos • Tesuque • Zia • Zuni

WORD ON THE

Street BELLAMAH AVE

Stitched by increments east to west across Albuquerque, Bellamah Avenue is a different street to different people. In Uptown, between Constitution and Indian School, it’s a residential street. Farther west, it shoots off Rio Grande Boulevard, feeding folks into the Sawmill District. Between 4th and 12th, it exhausts its length as both a residential and commercial thoroughfare. The street is named for Dale Bellamah, an early Albuquerque developer and entrepreneur. The son of Lebonese immigrants, Bellamah’s father moved to Barelas and opened his own grocery store. But Bellamah wasn’t content to simply take

over his father’s store (in any case, Bellamah’s mother died when he was 12 and his father became unable to work and lost his store by the time Dale was grown). Before becoming a developer, Bellamah served in the military during WWII, got a degree from UNM, opened his own liquor store, sold it for a big profit, and married the love of his life, Jeanne. Jeanne also has a street named after her, Princess Jeanne (the subject of ATM’s very first “Word on the Street”). Eventually, Bellamah found his footing in real estate development. He was one of the first in the nation to approach neighborhoods as entire communities, rather

than just individual houses. Developers from all over the country came to the Duke City to study his designs. Bellamah passed away in 1972, exactly two years and one day after his wife. He left his estate and all of his wealth to a charity that supports the poor in Albuquerque. His hand is still seen throughout Albuquerque, not just in the names of streets and parks, but in the very ground where he built his vision. The sidewalks in Bellamah’s neighborhoods still sport a distinctive bell-shaped imprint at intervals, Dale Bellamah’s calling card. —TH

2020 Nursing Excellence Awards

Though everyone already knows how hardworking, dedicated, and selfless nurses are, the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us all just how much these frontline heroes give to their communities. And there is an organization in the Land of Enchantment that has made it their mission to let those nurses know they are appreciated with an annual awards ceremony. Advanced Practice Nursing: Olivia Dearholt – UNMH Ambulatory Nursing: Melody Simpkin – Presbyterian Behavioral Health Nursing: Regina Prairie – UNMH Case, Quality Management, Managed Care & Informatics Nursing: Chelsea Dahl – Presbyterian Critical Care Nursing: Linda Smith – Presbyterian Education, Research, & Academia: Courtney Issa – UNMH Emergency Nursing: Roger Tannen – UNM Sandoval

On November 14, the New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence (NMCNE) announced the winners of the 2020 Nursing Excellence Awards. In a virtual event—the first in the ceremony’s 16-year history—the NMCNE honored 22 New Mexico nurses and healthcare advocates (of 250 nominees).

Home Health & Hospice Nursing: Sharon Perriliat-Drewes – VA Long Term Care & Rehabilitation Nursing: Juliana Barreras-Apodaca – VA Maternal-Child & Women’s Health Nursing: Tamara Rendon – Presbyterian Medical & Surgical Nursing: David Withey – UNMH Perioperative Nursing: Alma Porras-Monje – UNMH Public Health, Community, & School Nursing: LuAnn Lind – APS Rural Practice: Kristen Winder – Socorro General Emerging Nurse Leader: Maria Paiz – UNMH

, Nurse Leadership: Beth Jones – UNMH Nurse Executive Leadership: Pamela Demarest – UNM Sandoval Friend of Nursing: Jon Marinaro Community Service Award: Laura Shaffer – CSI Aviation Nightingale Award: Fallon Moody – Lovelace “Touch a Life” Award: Debbie Chrissinger – UNMH Distinguished Nurse of the Year: Carolyn Montoya – UNM School of Nursing

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

START BR A GGING

ABQ

BB FAB We can powdercoat your world! Patio Furniture

505.771.7751 BBfabABQ@gmail.com

Alanna Phillips

Administrative & Finance Coordinator, Albuquerque Economic Development “Albuquerque offers diverse opportunities to build roots and cultivate a community that serves each unique visitor or new resident. Landscapes are abundant and I love to gear up with my roller skates then head down the Bosque trail for some serene views.” Start Bragging ABQ is a campaign to tell everyone what you love about our city. Got a brag about ABQ? Send it to us at editor@abqthemag.com.

Last year was a leap lear and everyone knows a leap year comes every four years. BUT, not everyone knows that there is a “Leap Year Capital of the World”, or that it’s in Anthony, New Mexico (a small town on the New Mexico/Texas border). Anthony gave itself the title in 1988 and it was soon proclaimed by the governors of Texas and New Mexico to be official.

423 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 | (505) 242-4549 | inspiresalon.net

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

The Hotel IS the Experience

START

The pandemic has taken a lot from all of us, so it’s important to remember what we have to look forward to. For those interested in a staycation, one that gets you out of the house and offers a fun and unique experience, there are plenty of amazing resorts, hotels, inns, and even motels that can give you that much-needed vacation feel without leaving the Duke City. —TH

ABQ

Touring with Hotel Chaco Hotel Chaco and Heritage Inspirations recently announced the opening of two new storefronts, one at the Inn & Spa at Loretto, and the other at Hotel Chaco in the resurging Sawmill District. The stores feature expert info on custom tours of destinations like Chaco Canyon and Chimayó, as well as e-bike (electronic bike) rentals and expert-guided tours of the city. Shopping and Beer at El Vado Motel Route 66 nostalgia abounds at the newly-renovated El Vado Motel. Guests have access to a wide array of in-house activities, including shopping, dining, and even craft beer at El Vado Taproom, an arm of Ponderosa Brewing Co. Among the shops in the motel’s public courtyard are Southwest Cactus, Jerrica Nicole Designs, and High Vibe Crystals. Lavender Class at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm Visitors who elect to stay at Los Poblanos likely already know about this historic location's offerings, but for everyone else, here’s how it works. Guests get access to the Inn’s award-winning restaurant, El Campo, where Chef Jonathan Perno prepares meals with local roots and very local ingredients (often from the Los Poblanos farm). The Farm Store offers local products and coffee, plus lavender distillation and extraction classes. Tablao at Hotel Albuquerque Hotel Chaco’s sister establishment, Hotel Albuquerque, offers plenty in the way of amazing onsite experiences. Alongside the restaurants (the tequila selection at Garduños is second to none), the property is also home to Tablao Flamenco. A partnership between Heritage Hotels and Resorts and the nonprofit National Institute of Flamenco, Tablao features world class Flamenco performances, and a traditional Spanish tapas experience, created by world-renowned Chef Mark Miller.

BR A GGING

Rachel Gupton

Electrical Engineer, Sandia National Laboratories “My husband and I went on a breakfast burrito quest during quarantine and Albuquerque’s breakfast burritos are something to brag about! You can get them folded, like at Burrito Lady or Golden Pride, or you can get them completely stuffed and bigger than your head, like at NM Beef Jerky Company or Blake’s. But, let’s be real, you really can’t go wrong with a breakfast burrito from ABQ as long as it has NM red or green chile! Start Bragging ABQ is a campaign to tell everyone what you love about our city. Got a brag about ABQ? Send it to us at editor@abqthemag.com.

70 years ago this month, N.M. recorded it’s lowest temperature: -50 degrees at Gavilan, a community near Cimarron.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

TWEET BEAT What the Twittersphere is saying about Albuquerque, 280 characters at a time.

WE ARE A LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS HELPING OTHER COMPANIES LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY TO BOOST WORKER PRODUCTIVITY AND MINIMIZE COST. ALBUQUERQUE 1311 CUESTA ABAJO CT NE UNIT A ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87113 Mark Herman @MarkHermanAbq Another beautiful morning in #abq #startbragging #blueskies

LOS ALAMOS 1789 CENTRAL AVE #4 LOS ALAMOS, NM 87544

PHONE: (888) 784-3494 | WWW.SOS-NM.COM

Jonathan Wolfe @FractalMan Sunet silhouettes and a sliver of new moon. Such a beautiful evening in #abq. Did you catch this one @LauraPaskus?

Manzano Day School @Manzano Day Thank you to our students and their families for helping keep our community safe.

What do you have to say about #abq? Follow us at twitter.com/abqthemag

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Beers With…

Derrick Lente

OWNER, LENTE FARMS AND N.M. STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 65

alking in two worlds is actually quite comforting for Derrick Lente. He was raised in two Pueblo cultures (his mom is Sandia; his dad is Isleta), and his occupation as an alfalfa farmer and cattle rancher have roots in his youth, when he would work his father’s farm on weekends. But he’s also an articu-

late leader with a law degree, a former college professor, and an entrepreneur who sold his multi-million-dollar company while still in his 30s. He then bought into the farm business, settled with his wife and kids, and could easily have lived the leisurely life of a young retiree. And so, when he vied for a seat in New Mexico’s legislature in 2016, it would be an understatement to say he was new to politics. “I went to drop off my paperwork with the Secretary of State, and I didn’t even know the number of my district,” says Lente, who happened to bump into his opponent in the elevator. “I literally had no name recognition, no political I.D., and no political background.” Lente, 41, is now in his third term representing District 65, which has a 65 percent Native American population that spans across several pueblo and Navajo communities. His political clout has also spread; Lente was instrumental in getting New Mexico to become the fifth state to officially replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People’s Day in 2019 (Columbus Day is still a federally recognized holiday). He says part of his courage to push for the legislation came from seeing state and federal officials show little respect to Sandia leaders when Lente worked for the pueblo during college. “There’s a certain power in being assertive, especially as a Native American in New Mexico,” he says. “And being assertive means that sometimes it’s okay to speak up.” We caught up with Lente at our offices for a chat (and agreed to hold off on the beer until we could do it properly after the pandemic eases).

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

ATM: Is it just us, or does it seem like the current political climate is more divisive than it’s ever been? DL: It’s probably always been that way. But maybe social media blows things up a bit more these days. ATM: You grew up and still live on Sandia Pueblo, and now you’re a state political leader in Santa Fe. The two societies are vastly different. What’s it like to switch gears between the two worlds? DL: I want to help our indigenous people become better. I don’t ever want to act better than anyone in my pueblo, but I want to make my pueblo better. It’s about making sure I can straddle that imaginary line. ATM: And in politics? DL: In politics, at times, it’s been a little weird, just because of the boxes that people want to put you in. When I first ran (for office) as the, quote, Native guy with a good educational background and professional experience, no one wanted to take me on as their candidate because I think they felt I wasn’t ‘progressive’ enough for them, or that I wasn’t ‘left’ enough for them, or I wasn’t ‘right’ enough for them.

People thought I was joking about renaming Columbus Day.

you should change your position on this, or that.’ And I would tell them, ‘I am who I am. If people like me, they like me.’ And at that time (2016), I was already a farmer and rancher, so I’m wearing busted-up boots and jeans, and they’re telling me I have to wear a tie. It was an experience. ATM: And you won that election to the state House of Representatives, so it sounds like staying true was the right move. DL: It’s the only way I can be. Since then, I’ve been just trying to do the best that I can, not being a slave to anyone, or any interests, not being a pawn for anybody. In the election, I think we just out-worked the opponent. In that first election, we won 60 percent of the vote. (Editor’s Note: this interview took place shortly before the November 3, 2020 election, where Lente was elected to a third term, with 77 percent of the vote.) ATM: One of the issues that you’ve become known for is your sponsorship of a New Mexico bill that renamed the state’s former Columbus Day as “Indigenous People’s Day.” Tell us how that came to pass. DL: During our summertime meetings (in

2019), I brought it up to the Indian Affairs Committee. I said, ‘I have a proposed bill, and it’s simple. It strikes out Columbus Day, and puts Indigenous People’s Day in its spot.’ People thought I was joking, and I said, ‘No, I’m serious.’ Other states had done it, why can’t we do it in New Mexico, where we have 23 Pueblos, nations and tribes, and large indigenous populations in urban settings all over the state. Why not? ATM: You found that it’s a very hot topic, correct? DL: The discussions we had as lawmakers

ATM: We guess it’s written somewhere that candidates need to fit a certain profile. DL: That’s it. When I would meet with campaign managers, they would say, ‘Well,

were among the most race-intense I’ve ever had. You would think that in 2019, people wouldn’t use certain language, but I was called a savage, a stupid Indian, this, that and the other. And this was in the State Capitol, and I’m in the legislature. It made me realize how race is still such an

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

ugly issue, and it’s still very much alive. ATM: What do you think this will mean for future New Mexicans? DL: As an indigenous person, it means a lot. It means that for all the ancestors who have come and gone, and for all the lessons I learned from them, this was the beginning of more equality being given to all of our people, regardless of skin color, or gender, or party affiliation, or how they grew up. And hopefully it has taught us that we can have these discussions openly, and that it’s a recognition of who we all are as New Mexicans.

I asked them to give me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and they did.

ATM: Part of that New Mexico legacy includes plenty of farming and ranching. Your day job these days is growing alfalfa and raising cattle. What’s your background? DL: It was something my father did, and his father before him. When I was young, I would spend weekends with my father in Isleta (Pueblo). We would get up early, feed the animals, and in the summertime, we would irrigate the fields, and cut and haul hay. It was hard work, and I thought all the other kids my age were also working this hard on weekends, too. (laughs) ATM: I’m guessing other kids weren’t doing the same things you were… DL: No, not at all. One weekend I stayed in Sandia (Pueblo) and hung out with my cousins, and we didn’t do anything, we were just hanging out. I thought, ‘Wow, is this what other guys are doing on weekends?’ And so, working so hard like that

with my dad made me hate farming and ranching with a passion by the time I was 13 or 14. ATM: And sometimes the things we despise from our parents end up manifesting themselves when we become adults, right? DL: Exactly. It’s from that passion of hating it so much that, as I grew older, I started to appreciate that lifestyle much more. And the fact that my dad didn’t do it to get rich or for profit, he did it because his father did it, and to sustain our herd of cattle. So, it was alfalfa and cattle, that’s what we did.

ATM: You became a rancher thanks to your success as a business owner. Tell us about that transition. DL: I bought into an employment agency in 2008, and then we went into a recession. No one was hiring, so I had very little business. I pulled from savings, worked my butt off, and slowly people started to hire again. By 2013 we had thousands of employees all over (New Mexico) and California, and I got an offer to buy my business. I said ‘Give me an offer I can’t refuse,’ and they did.

ATM: I’m assuming your dad has to be proud of your choice to follow in his footsteps. DL: When I was a kid, we had this really

old tractor that we had to share with my uncles. I remember telling my dad, ‘If I ever get a chance, I’m going to get us two tractors, one for you, one for me, and they’re going to have a (enclosed) cab and air conditioners and radios.’ And sure enough, we have two of everything now, two tractors, two balers. ATM: Is your dad still farming with you? DL: He still takes care of his small farms.

He’s 77, but he can outwork any guy that’s in his 20s. I run much larger (farming) areas in Sandia and Bernalillo, and I have a ranch in northern New Mexico. We do everything through a business model. The hay is for sale, the cattle are self-sufficient, so I don’t have to supplement them with my own feed. We’ve been able to make a go of it since 2014.

In politics, there are boxes that people want to put you in. 40

I eat all my vegetables, so I can be around a long time for my kids. ATM: And what was your next move? DL: I was like, ‘I’m cashing in my chips, and I want to be a farmer and rancher like my dad.’ And so, I did. I’m like semi-retired, but I farm and ranch because I love it, and I love being outside. ATM: Speaking of being a father, tell us about your experiences as a dad. DL: I have three kids. I have a daughter

who is 18, she’s a sophomore at New Mexico State. She was born when I was in law school, I was a very young father. Then I got married two years ago, and my wife brought in a son, who is seven years old. And then we recently had a son who is almost a year old. It’s been awesome having all of them. ATM: So, there’s a 17-year gap between your youngest and oldest. How is it different being a dad at your age now versus your younger self?

for her. I thought I might have to drop out of law school. It really made me think about my future. But I tell my daughter now that she’s my best friend, because she saw me in my lows and my highs. And now, being an older father feels great, because I know that we’re established, and my family has a home, and our new son has a room. And it’s cool because I’m much more patient. I’m going to eat all my vegetables and work out every day, so that I’m around for a long time for the kid. ATM: Youngsters benefit from mentoring, and they tend to listen more closely to mentors from similar backgrounds. Tell us about your mentorship of young Native Americans. DL: I feel like I was the most effective when I used to be a professor at UNM. I would tell my students, ‘If you ever need anything, recommendations letters or whatever, look me up.’ And for a lot of those students, I’ve maintained that connection. I’ve seen them blossom and grow into great professionals. That’s what a lot of our kids need. It’s not about what tribe you come from, your socio-economic status, girl, boy, anything like that. All that matters is, for me, somebody gave me an opportunity, somebody gave me a chance to say that they care for me. And if can do that for somebody else, I will do that. ATM: When will New Mexico be ready for a Native American governor? DL: I think they’re ready already. ATM: Is running for governor an option you would consider in the future? DL: If it ever came to that, I would be honored, I would be humbled, and you could bet that I would work as hard as anybody else at a job. But I think timing is everything. And for me, my time is dedicated to my family, my community, my farm, and this legislative office that I hold now. If anything came, up, we would see what happens, but I love my life, man.

DL: Back then, I had nothing to provide

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

Our non-essential clients kept their conversations going through social media during these past few months. Thanks for hanging through the tough times with us.

siarza.com 505.234.6900

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

NOT LONG AGO

Short Storyathon On October 25, award-winning authors Sonja Dewing and Elisabeth Loya, in partnership with Plot Duckies met with local authors-to-be at FatPipe ABQ for the Short Storyathon. The event benefitted local arts and was part workshop and part networking opportunity. Attendees got advice from some of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best writers and got a chance to get their work edited by professionals at no extra charge. 1. Sonja Dewing, Danielle Martin 2. John Ayala, Bruce Pitt 3. Dominique Jones, Chuck Larntz 4. Crystal Chronis, Christine Chronis 5. Paris Valencia, Callie Thomason French 6. Adam Sparks Brechtel, Genevieve Sparks Brechtel 7. Monte-Angel Richardson, Katy Hammel

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FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

NOT LONG AGO

Toys for Tots Show and Shine Benefit Vroom! New Mexico Motor Events returned to hosting duties for the longest running Toys for Tots event in the city on December 8 at Elks Lodge #2500. Attendees were encouraged to bring their cars, motorcycles, trucks, unicycles, etc. to display at the event. The United States Marine Corps also collected $25 donations and/or pre-wrapped Christmas gifts for local children in need. 1. Amy Lawson, Jonathan Alcala, Jacob Divett, Dustin Mortensen 2. Paul Caputo, Joe Cowling, Jack Ming 3. Mike Gonzales, Rio the Roadrunner, Andres Trujillo 4. Leticia Munoz, Danna Moore, Carol Dooley 5. Tyler Sanchez, Renate Schuler, Matt Morrow 6. Art Baca, Kenneth Caudle 7. Krystle Shaw, Mychelle Gray, Jennifer Chapin

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

REDEFINE YOUR GETAWAY

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

NOT LONG AGO

At Glam Nail Bar & Spa, we will pamper and keep your hands, feet and nails... HEALTHY, BEAUTIFUL & ATTRACTIVE !!!

Walk-ins and Appointments Welcome 8224 MENAUL BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87110

(505) 835-5040

Charles Dickens Winter Ball and Showcase Albuquerqueans dressed up in their best Dickens-esque/Steam Punk costumes for Holiday Dance Studio’s annual “Dickens Ball.” There was plenty of merriment to be had as attendees danced the night away with free Waltz lessons and a gourmet dinner. Local non-profit 505 Steampunk: Society of Brass and Steam partnered with the dance studio to add a whimsical flare to the evening. 1. Joey Hudson, Mary Anne Haynes, Tanith Hudson, Lynn Sewell 2. Sooz Kalila, Matthew Kirkpatrick, Carilyn Rome, Todd Stackhouse 3. Shannon Driscoll, Jeff Robbins, Sherri Tull 4. Elene Gusch, Bob Gusch, Lorry Gelet, Dave Gelet 5. Scott Bragunier, Colette Vanderpool, Sharon Geilenfeldt, Zephaniah Pilcher 6. Karl Seitz, Xin Zhang, Angel Battaglia, Alexa Estrada 7. Arup Maji, Dipa Maji, Jill Ritz, Nick Ritz

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

One

Year

Ago

2019 MDA Caregivers Luncheon As a child, State Auditor Brian Colon lost his father, Rafael Colon, to muscular dystrophy. Rafael was only 49 years old. And on November 14, Brian shared his story as the keynote speaker at the 2019 MDA Caregivers Luncheon. The event raised funds for research into curing and treating muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. 1. Gary Swetland, Alex Swetland, Brian Colon 2. Steve Trujillo, Robert Sanchez, Steve Busch 3. Cindy Nava, Rick Giron, Lawrence Roybal, Cheryl Colon 4. Paul Sanchez, Theresa Rael, Marcus Rael, Samuel DeFillippo 5. Howie Morales, “Mrs. New Mexico” Jennifer Maldonado, Lt. Col. Nathan Greenwood 6. Stephanie Telles, Antonio Corrales, Natalie Cordova 7. Roxanne Gonzales, Daniel Trujillo

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

www.floorscapesnm.com

Albuquerque's most recommended flooring store.

505.857.0438

Our work for

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

NOT LONG AGO

13th Annual Pegasus Jewelry Extravaganza On December 8, O’Niells Pub was decked out in bling for Pegasus Legal Services for Children’s 13th annual jewelry sale and auction. It was a great place to find costume, heirloom, artisan, and estate jewelry but, better yet, it was a great place to have fun and help children in need. All proceeds went to help Pegasus and their mission to provide legal services to vulnerable children, youth, and their caregivers. 1. Harriette Bugel, Debra Byrd, Karen Scott, Tiana Kaula 2. Sophie Asher, Dan Shapiro, Bette Fleishman 3. Corinne Carmony, Judy Flynn-O’Brien 4. Marta Hines, Alma Olavarria Gallegos 5. Aja Brooks, Alison Paul 6. Anne McKinney, Pam Dailey, Kathie Dieterle 7. Shelley Ohnleiter, Amy Ostlie

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Jericho Nursery

N U R S E R Y

Jericho Nursery

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

THE BUZZ AROUND ALBUQUERQUE: YOUR GUIDE TO EVERYTHING HAPPENING THIS MONTH

TOP PICK sat. 6–sunday, may 2 | tuesdays–sundays 9 am–5 pm Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Mexican Modernism Exhibit. The works in the Jacques and Natasha Gelman collection epitomize the vitality and expressiveness of modern Mexican art. They were produced in a pivotal period in Mexican history, when the nation sought to redefine itself through political, social, and cultural reforms. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW cabq.gov, 243-7255

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

monday 1– wednesday, march 31 |

Harwood Art Center Exhibition. Harwood’s 14th annual 12”x12” fundraising exhibition presents original artworks by over 100 New Mexican artists on their online store. All funds raised support Harwood’s free community arts education, outreach and professional development programs – multifaceted, immersive offerings shaped by and for participants of all ages, backgrounds, perspectives and identities. Info: h a r wo o d a rce n te r. org/12x12, 242-6367.

thursday 4 | 10 or 11 am

30 Americans Virtual Presentations. Interested in digging deeper into the Albuquerque Museum “30 Americans” exhibition? Docent’s provide virtual presentations for groups, live on Zoom. The 50-minute presentations are general overviews with time for questions. They are free, advance scheduling required. Thursdays at 10 or 11 am, and Saturdays at 1 or 2 pm. Info: cabq.gov, 764-6502.

friday 5 | 6–7:30 pm

Red Power Panel Online Discussion. Albuquerque Museum brings together several generations of Red Power activists from its founders to its present-day participants, who will comment on its legacy in New Mexico. Panel moderated by Dr. Nick Estes, guest curator for the exhibition. Info: The discussion will premiere on Facebook and YouTube, @abqmuseum. Price: free.

sunday 21 | 1–4 pm

Diamond Dash Wedding Show. This show presents the best in Bridal and Men’s Formalwear, New Mexico vendors, giveaways, and the possibity of getting picked as one of 5 to dive into a wedding cake in search of free diamond jewelry. The groom and kids are all welcome. Only those 18 and over need a ticket. Info: Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, 330 Tijeras Ave. NW, weddingcollectivenm. com, 797-2749.

saturday 6 | 10 am–12 noon

Thoughts and Lessons from 48 Years as a Published Novelist. SouthWest Writers presents David Morrell, creator of the Rambo character, as he discusses his career and thoughts on the publishing world in this Zoom Live event. If you’d like a link to participate or you’d like to submit any questions for Mr. Morrell to answer, please email: i n fo @ s w w r i t e rs . c o m . Free.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

please note

At the time this listing was produced, many events were being canceled due to the COVID-19 virus. Please be sure to check the status of any event and venue to ensure that the event is still being held as scheduled. Trust us, these are but a few ABQ events YOU CAN'T MISS. 5

friday 12–sunday 14 | friday and saturday 7:30–9 pm, sunday 2–3:30 pm

Tour Di Europa. Our virtual performance is of “Tour Di Europa” – a dramatic comedy of related vignettes that follow a bus load of colorful Americans through Europe. Info: The Adobe Theater, adobetheater. org, 898-222. Tickets: $8.

saturday 20 | 7 pm

New Mexico Performing Arts Society Recital Series 2. NMPAS presents music of Robert Schumann and Ludwig van Beethoven performed by Andre Garcia-Nuthmann, tenor and Franz Vote, piano. Info: Live streamed from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Santa Fe. Tickets: $25 per household through nmpas.org, Hold My Ticket 877-466-3404.

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

monday 1–saturday, march 13 | various times

Keshet Community Dance Classes: Winter/Spring Session. Weekly online live Zoom Classes are offered in Afro-Brazilian and samba, ballet, contemporary, hip hop and creative movement with an All Abilities, All Ages weekly Dance Party each Thursday at 4:30 pm. Scholarships and subsidized pricing available. Registration is ongoing. Info: keshetarts.org, email info@ keshetarts.org.

sunday 21 | 2 pm

ChamberCHOPS Concert. ChamberCHOPS presents a virtual chamber music concert for your listening and watching pleasure. It will last approximately 1 hour. Info: The link to access the concert will be on the Facebook page no later than 1:30 pm on that day and will also be on the website, chamberchops.org.

friday 1–saturday 27 |

Rio Rancho Youth Chorus Accepting New Members. RRYC is looking for singers ages 11-18 (6th grade–high school), especially tenor and bass. Rehearsals will be virtual or live per health restrictions. No auditions, no experience required. Rehearsals every Saturday from 2–4 pm through May 9. Info: RRYC, rr-yc.org, call or text 977-4160. Enrollment fee: $75.

monday 1–sunday 28 | 9 am–5 pm

Exhibit: Time Exposures Picturing Isleta Pueblo. Our exhibit reveals the Isleta of the 19th century through the eyes and voices of Isletan traditional leaders. The exhibit will bring the viewer closer to the inner workings of the Pueblo and to the Isletan experience in days past. Info: Isleta Resort & Casino, 11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, isleta.com. Free.

monday 1–sunday 28 | 11 am

Red Riser Yoga. Red Riser Yoga offers an all-abilities yoga class from your own house over Zoom. This is a donation class where the money goes to support local animal organizations. Info: bosqueom. com, 990-3029.

monday 1–sunday 28 | times tbd

thursday 4–friday 5 | 1–2:30 pm

tuesday 2 and thursday 4– thursday, march 11 | 9:30– 10:30 am

saturday 6 | 7 pm

Lobo Men’s and Women’s Basketball. Games continue through the month of February for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. Cheer on both teams virtually as they bring UNM Lobo pride to their games. Info: espn.com.

Fine Wine Dance Classes: Moving FWD. These weekly online Zoom Classes are specifically for ages 55 and over, exploring movement and choreography as a community, this class focuses on improvisation and body awareness. No experience necessary. Scholarships and subsidized pricing available. Registration is ongoing. Info: keshetarts.org, email info@keshetarts.org.

tuesday 2 | 12 noon

Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque Zoom Meeting. Come join us every Tuesday for a lunch meeting with interesting speakers to learn how you can help the children of Albuquerque and surrounding communities live better lives. Info: Currently on Zoom, when meeting in person: Embassy Suites Hotel, 1000 Woodward Pl. NE, facebook.com/Kiwanis-Club-ofAlbuquerque-1495809687323742/

Living with Alzheimer’s for Care Partners - Middle Stage. This 2-day afternoon webinar will help care givers through the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Info: Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter, nmprograms@aol.org, 800-272-3900. Free. NM Performing Arts Society Winter Solstice Concert (rescheduled). Hear the music of J.S. Bach, Dufay, Gesualdo, Palestrina, Schnabel and Vivaldi. Franz Vote conducts members of the New Mexico Bach Society. Info: Live streamed from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Santa Fe. Tickets: $25 per household through nmpas.org, Hold My Ticket 877-466-3404.

tuesday 9 | 11 am–12 noon

Effective Communication Strategies. This webinar will give tips on effective communication about the topic of Alzheimer’s disease. Info: Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter, nmprograms@ alz.org, 800-272-3900. Free.

ALBUQUERQUE

Operation School Bell® is one of eight philanthropic programs. AL began helping children through Operation School Bell® in 1999 and has since provided about 50,000 disadvantaged children with clothing. This proven, sustainable program provides school approved clothing, shoes, books and hygiene items to Albuquerque Public School students in Title 1 schools.

PLEASE DONATE AT ASSISTANCELEAGUEABQ.ORG 58

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

wednesday 10 and wednesday 24 | 12 noon–1 pm

Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte Zoom Meeting. Get to know members of our vibrant and friendly club; hear presentations from dynamic community members as they speak about their vocations, avocations, and service projects. Rotary: where neighbors, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change. Info and Zoom link: rotarydelnorteabq@ gmail.com.

thursday 11 | 2–5 pm

Living with Alzheimer’s for Care Partners - Early Stage. This webinar will help care givers in the early stages of the Alzheimer’s disease journey. Info: Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter, nmprograms@ alz.org, 800-272-3900. Free.

friday 12 | 7:30 pm

Albuquerque Science Fiction Society Meeting. It’s another virtual Zoom gathering with either a NM author or a group discussion. This long-running NM science fiction club has author readings, science talks, films and discussions. Info: Zoom meeting, bubonicon.com, 266-8905. (Normal meeting location is Activity Room of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 5301 Ponderosa Ave. NE.) Free to newcomers.

friday 12 | 11 am–12 noon

Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research. This webinar will provide important information on lifestyles that will promote overall health and may help prevent or delay the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease. Info: Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter, nmprograms@alz.org, 800-2723900. Free.

tuesday 16 | 11 am–12 noon

Alzheimer’s Warning Signs for Spanish Speakers. Conozca las 10 senales de advertencia la deteccion temprana es importante. Know 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, webinar presented in Spanish. Info: Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter, nmprograms@ alz.org, 800-272-3900. Free.

thursday 18 | 2–5 pm

Living With Early Stage Alzheimer’s for Spanish Speakers. Viviendo con Alzheimer para los cuidadores plan de estudio para la etapa temprana. Living with Alzheimer’s for care partners - Early Stage, webinar presented in Spanish. Info: Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter, nmprograms@ alz.org, 800-272-3900. Free.

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

thursday 18 |

Albuquerque Museum Exhibit. Watch Virtual 3rd Thursday for Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Mexican Modernism, live from the Albuquerque Museum, from the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection of 20th Century Mexican Art and The Vergel Foundation. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq. gov, 243-7255.

ONGOING: daily | various times

NAMI NM and NAMI Albuquerque. We have many support programs available weekly through zoom, at no charge. We also offer 8-week classes on mental illness that are available at no charge to family members and people with a mental health condition diagnosis. During trying times, stress, anxiety, depression and anger are prevalent. Info: naminewmexico.org, namialbuquerque.org, 260-0154. Free.

daily | various times

Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen– Meetings. This is an anonymous fellowship of relatives and friends of problem drinkers. Meetings are held on various days and times. We come together to share our experience, strength and hope to recover from the effects of another person’s drinking. Info: Al-Anon Information Service, aisnm.org, 262-2177.

daily |

Albuquerque Apparel Center and AAC School of Fashion Design. Melissa Lea, president and founder of AAC and awardwinning fashion designer, offers a variety of industry-based fashion design classes, seminars, retreats, and more. Couture, costume, and custom clothing design services, alterations, and patternmaking services are also available. Info: abqapparelcenter.com, 803-6966.

daily |

Epilepsy Support and Education Services— Meeting. For meeting time and place, please contact the office at 243-9119 or check the website for more details. Info: epilepsysupportnm.org.

daily |

Rattlesnakes. See different species of live rattlesnakes displayed in recreated natural landscapes. We are dedicated to conservation and preservation through education. Info: American International Rattlesnake Museum, 202 San Felipe Road NW, rattlesnakes.com. Tickets: adults, $6; seniors, military, students, teachers $5; children, $4.

daily | 9 am–5 pm

Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico. We provide a “home-awayfrom-home” for families whose children are in medical treatment. Operating the 30-guest-room Yale House, 20-guestroom Highlands House, and the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at UNM and Presbyterian Hospitals, volunteers make a vital difference in the lives of the people they serve. Info: Volunteer Coordinator, rmhc-nm.org, 842-8960, volunteer@ rmhc-nm.org.

daily |

Donate Blood. Someone needs it every day. Info: 843-6227, unitedbloodservices. org.

Explora’s STEAM Enrichment Programs. Explora has limited in-person and virtual STEAM enrichment programs happening throughout the fall. Info: explora.us for details. Prices vary.

daily |

daily | various times

daily | 9 am–3 pm

Roadrunner Food Bank. Volunteers are needed to help prep food for distribution, repack and sort items, and other activities while helping New Mexico’s hungry. The gift of your precious time helps solve hunger for so many people. Volunteers must register in advance. Shifts are available in two-hour increments, Mondays–Saturdays. Info: 5840 Office Blvd. NE, givetime@rrfb.org, 349-5358.

Agora Crisis Center Volunteers. Are you a compassionate, non-judgmental person who wants to help others? Learn new skills, make friends, earn class credit, and be a part of a rewarding organization. Info: Agora Crisis Center, agoracares.org. Animal Humane’s Free Behavioral Helpline. This free service is available to all pet owners who are experiencing behavior problems with their dogs and cats. Animal Humane New Mexico’s trained behavior coaches answer questions and provide tips on everything from housetraining to living with multiple animals. Info: 9387900.

Albuquerque Art App-led Scavenger Hunt. Albuquerque boasts incredible sculptures. On this fun-filled walking scavenger hunt, journey around downtown’s historic buildings, green spaces and meet the locals who built the city. Info: Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts, starting point - 391 3rd Street NW, letsroam.com, 833-202-7626. $13.

daily |

Explora. The museum brings out new activities in the “Working Together to Build a Village” exhibit area in its Rotary Pavilion, offering hands-on activities related to construction, architecture, and engineering, and Sketch Aquarium and Curious Bubbles in the Explora Theater. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, explora.us, 224-8300. Cost: Included in admission.

daily |

daily | 8 am–5 pm

“We Are of This Place: The Pueblo Story” Art Exhibit. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center celebrates its 40th anniversary with this permanent museum exhibit that represents all 19 Pueblos and builds upon the IPCC’s 40-year history of telling the story of Pueblo people in their own voices. Hear stories in Pueblo languages from artists and elders, interact with art and artifacts, learn about the Pueblo people’s history of resilience, and experience traditions that have been passed down for generations. Info: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW, indianpueblo.org, 843-7270. Free with museum admission.

Veterans Presentation. Listen to veterans tell about historical events or their personal experience in the service to our country. Speakers represent WWII, Korean, Vietnam, and War on Terror experiences. Also tour the museum, gardens and amphitheater. Info: New Mexico Veterans Memorial Park, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE, 256-2042. Free admission. Donations requested. “The Original Instructions: Pueblo Sovereignty and Governance” Exhibit. This Indian Pueblo Cultural Center exhibit reexamines the role and symbolism of the Lincoln canes in the history of Pueblo people, within a larger discussion about sovereignty, governance, and leadership from a Pueblo perspective. Info: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW, indianpueblo.org, 843-7270. Free with museum admission.

daily | 10 am–5 pm

Adopt a Pet. Find your best pet ever. Adopt a dog, cat, puppy or kitten from Animal Humane New Mexico. Adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations, and a microchip. Info: 615 Virginia Street SE, 10141 Coors Blvd. NW, animalhumanenm. org.

daily | 10 am

Watermelon Mountain Ranch Animal Center. New Mexico’s largest no-kill animal shelter seeks loving homes for rescued dogs and cats. Adoptions are at select Petsmart locations and Watermelon Mountain Ranch on various days from 10 am–8 pm. Donations, fosters, and volunteers are always welcome. Info: wmranch.org, 771-0140, wmranchnm@aol. com.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

BB FAB

daily | various times

Explora’s Experiment Bar. Fruit and veggie batteries, thaumatropes, invisible writing, electromagnetics, DNA extraction or spin art? Visit Explora’s website to see which of our hands-on activities are happening. Activities change weekly. Mondays through Saturdays at 10 am and Sundays at noon. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, explora.us, 224-8300. Free with general admission.

We can powdercoat your world!

mondays | 5–6 pm

Geeks Who Drink. Test your knowledge while enjoying a unique evening’s experience. Free of charge and open to anyone 21 and older. Prizes awarded to winning teams. Only one table allowed per team. Warning: this quiz contains adult themes and adult language. Info: O’Niell’s Heights, 3301 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, oniells. com, 293-1122.

Home Decorating Pieces

505.771.7751 BBfabABQ@gmail.com

mondays | 5:30 pm

The Red Bucket Book Club. Join this group and dive into fun-tastic fiction discussing and reading a variety of fabulous books. Info: Barnes & Noble Coronado Center, 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, bn.com, 883-8200. Free.

every second monday | 6:30 pm

“The Lyin’ Dog” Interactive Game Show. Aux Dog Theatre Nob Hill, in association with Empire Board Game Library, presents “The Lyin’ Dog,” an interactive game show. Three storytellers—two are real, one’s a liar—can the audience tell the difference? Info: Empire Board Game Library, 3503 Central Ave. NE, auxdog.com, 254-7716. Admission: $5 cash, food and beverages also available.

every second monday | 6:30–8 pm

Outcomes Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Come for discussion and support groups. Info: Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8600 Academy Road NE, 243-2551 to reserve a space. Free childcare provided. Free.

every third monday | 6–7:30 pm

Outcomes Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Attend discussion and support groups. Info: West Mesa Community Center, 5500 Glenrio NW, 243-2551 to reserve a space. Free childcare provided. Free.

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

every fourth monday | 6:30– 8:30 pm

Bead Society of New Mexico Monthly Membership Meeting. The BSNM’s purpose is to promote the members’ and the public education, appreciation, and involvement in the field of beads and bead-related subjects. No meeting in July or December. Info: North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, 7521 Carmel Drive NE, beadsocietynm.org.

mondays–fridays | various times

Ninja Park Obstacle Course Fitness Center. TAK Fit is Ninja Park’s fun and functional fitness style that utilizes calisthenics exercise, dynamic lifts, and obstacles to create a unique and balanced workout that you will not find anywhere else. Join and have fun getting fit. Ages 16 and older. Classes are 6:30 to 7 am, 12:30 am to 1 pm, and 6:30 to 7 pm. Info: ninjaparkabq.com, 883-9203.

mondays–saturdays | 10 am–5 pm

Exquisite Turquoise in the Castle. This extraordinary German-style castle is the museum setting, featuring rare turquoise specimens, lapidary demos, history and geology, a mine tunnel replica, hands-on activities for kids, and silver smithing. Info: The Turquoise Museum, 400 2nd Street SW, turquoisemuseum.com, 433-3684. Tickets: $16, discounts for AAA, over 55 and military.

tuesdays | 2–3 pm

Caregiver Support Group. Caregiving for a loved one can be overwhelming and isolating. This group provides a compassionate space for caregivers to gain emotional support and information. Facilitated by Erin Tarica, LMSW. Info: Jewish Community Center, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Preregistration required, call 348-4451. Free.

tuesdays | 6 pm

ABQ Scrabble Club. We have been playing weekly for over 30 years. Come join us. Info: Chili’s, 6909 Menaul Blvd. NE.

tuesdays | 6:30–9:30 pm

Beginning Square Dance Lessons. Lessons are available for singles, couples, and families. Dress is casual and no experience is required; offered by the Crazy Eights Square Dance Club. Info: Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins Street NE, 881-0137, hornytoad@q.com.

tuesdays | 6:30–9:30 pm

Open Drawing with the Model. Info: Harwood Art Studio, 1029 6th Street NW, harwoodartcenter.org. Admission: $10 per session; five sessions for $35.

tuesdays | 7:30–10 pm

Tango Club of Albuquerque’s Weekly Milonga. This is an Argentine Tango social dance party. Info: Lloyd Shaw Dance Center, 5506 Coal Ave. SE, abqtango.org. Guided Practica, 7:30 to 8 pm; Milonga 8 to 10:30 pm. Tickets: $3-$5.

tuesdays–saturdays | 9 am–5 pm

Art and History Exhibitions at Albuquerque Museum. See our website for the current listing of exhibitions. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq.gov, 243-7255. General Museum admission: $3-$6. $5 exhibition surcharge applies.

tuesdays–saturdays | tuesday–fridays 9:30 am, 1:30 pm, saturdays 10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm

every first tuesday | 1–2:30 pm

Spanish Language Alzheimer’s Support Group. This meeting is for Spanishspeaking individuals caring for a family member with dementia. Info: Alamosa Community Center, 6900 Gonzales Road SW, Suite C, 363-8499 or (800) 2723900.

every first and fourth tuesday | 10 am–2 pm

Rug Hookers Demonstration. Join the Adobe Wool Arts Guild for a monthly demonstration of rug hooking in the Heritage Farmhouse. Info: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW, 848-7180, abqbiopark.com. Tickets: Included with admission.

every second tuesday | 11 am–1 pm

Casa San Ysidro Tours. Take a tour of this late 19th century building in Corrales filled with an excellent collection of New Mexico vernacular art. Info: Casa San Ysidro, 973 Old Church Road, Corrales, cabq.gov/ casasanysidro, 898-3915.

Stitching Group. Knitting, crocheting, embroidering, tatting, spinning, crossstitching and more. Join in the fun, share ideas, patterns, and experiences. All ages and experience levels welcome. Info: Wyoming/Hillerman Library, 8205 Apache Ave. NE, 291-6264.

tuesdays–sundays | 10 am–5 pm

every second tuesday | 6–7 pm

tuesdays, thursdays, fridays, sundays | 11 am

every fourth tuesday | 7–9 pm

National Hispanic Cultural Center Exhibits. See our website for the current listing of exhibitions. Info: National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth Street SW, 246-2261, nhccnm.org.

Historic Old Town Tours. Explore historic Old Town on foot with our informative docents who will provide insight into the people and places that shaped our early community. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq.gov, 2437255. Tour included with paid Museum admission, $4-$6, Sundays free.

tuesdays, thursdays, and saturdays | various times

Ninja Park Obstacle Course Fitness Center. First place winner of the 2015 Women’s Area Qualifier in the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association (UNAA) competition, Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor Jessica Lucero teaches fun and challenging back-to-back classes every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: Body Blast, 6 to 7 pm; Obstacle Technique and Efficiency, 7 to 7:30 pm; and Foam Rolling and Stretching, 7 to 7:30. Try one, two, or all three classes for free (firsttime participants only). Info: 883-9203, ninjaparkabq.com.

Outcomes Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Attend for discussion and support groups. Info: Tijeras-East Mountains, Los Vecinos Community Center, 478 1/2 Old Highway 66, Tijeras, 243-2551 to reserve a space. Free childcare provided. Free. Duke City Story Slam. This monthly storytelling event is where people tell true-life stories, without notes, on that month’s theme. Attendees can reserve a 5-min Open Mic slot between the featured storytellers. A friendly panel of judges scores each story; the winner takes home a prize. Info: Canteen Brewhouse, 2381 Aztec Rd. NE, storytellersofnewmexico.com, facebook. com/newmexicostorytellers.

every last tuesday | 6–7 pm

Murderinos Book Club. This free true crime book club meets monthly and Book Club purchasers get 10% discount at Bookworks. Info: Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, bkwrks.com, 344-8139 Free to attend.

wednesdays | 9:30 and 11 am

Stories in the Sky: Weekly Story Time. Activities for toddlers and parents include stories about science, flight, geography, the seasons, the environment, astronomy and more. For toddlers through age 6. Info: Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE, 768-6020. Admission is free for the children and an adult.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

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BB FAB We can powdercoat your world! Automobile Wheels

505.771.7751 BBfabABQ@gmail.com

wednesdays | 10 and 11 am

Japanese Garden Tours. Join docents on the Hanami Flower Tours through the Sasebo Japanese Garden. Learn about the garden’s many varieties of flowering cherries and other blossoms, and the history of Japan’s Hanami celebrations. Info: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW, abqbiopark.com, 311.

wednesdays | 10:30 am

Good Morning Storytime with Ms. Dakota. Join us for a story, a snack and a fun activity. For toddlers and preschoolers. Info: Barnes & Noble, Coronado Center, 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, bn.com, 883-8200. Free.

wednesdays and saturdays | 11 am

Sculpture Garden Tours at Albuquerque Museum. Enjoy a pleasant stroll in our sculpture garden with a friendly docent who will share stories on the artists and their works. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq.gov, 2437255. Tour included with paid general admission.

wednesdays | 12 noon–1 pm

Kiwanis Club of Sandia. Join in for lunch, listen to interesting speakers, and learn how you, too, can help the children of Albuquerque and surrounding communities live better lives. Info: Wecks, 3913 Louisiana Blvd. NE, facebook.com/ sandiakiwanis.

wednesdays | 12:30 and 1:30 pm

Music in the Sky: Weekly Music Time. Activities for toddlers and parents include music and movements. Info: Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE, 768-6020. Admission is free for the children and an adult.

wednesdays | 6–9 pm

Albuquerque Dance Club. ADC offers social dancing every Wednesday to a variety of music mix including swing, country, Latin, ballroom, and tango. No partner needed, over 21 only, ID required. Info: The Dirty Bourbon, 9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 299-3737. $5 cover.

wednesdays | 9 pm

Geeks Who Drink. Join the best Pub Quiz in town. Bring your friends and create a team of up to six people. Info: O’Niell’s Nob Hill, 4310 Central Ave. SE, 256-0564, geekswhodrink.com/blog, oniells.com.

wednesdays–sundays | 11 am–5 pm

Cat adoptions. Come enjoy some drinks, snacks, and time with adorable adoptable cats at Catopia Cat Cafe. Your visit will support their foster home and keep them company until they find their permanent homes, maybe with you. Info: catopiacatcafe.com, 508-4278.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

every first wednesday | 9 am–5 pm

Free First Wednesday. Start your month off right with free admission to Albuquerque Museum and sculpture garden tour. $5 additional special exhibit surcharge may apply. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NE, cabq. gov, 243-7255. Free general admission.

every second wednesday | 6:30–7:30 pm

Bookworks Book Club. Bookworks Book Club meets monthly and Book Club purchasers receive a 10% discount at Bookworks. Info: Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, bkwrks.com, 344-8139. Free and open to the public.

every second wednesday | 6:30 pm–8:30 pm

Rio Rancho Art Association (RRAA) Monthly Membership Meeting. RRAA’s mission is the cultural and educational enrichment of the community and surrounding areas by providing opportunities for artists and the public to collectively participate in fine art events and programs. Info: Don Chalmers Ford Community Room, 2500 Rio Rancho Blvd., 301-2009, rraausa.org.

every second and fourth wednesday | 10 am–2 pm

Quilters Demonstration. The New Mexico Quilters will be working on their Botanic Garden quilt and other projects in the Heritage Farmhouse. Info: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW, 848-7180, abqbiopark.com. Tickets: Included with admission.

every fourth wednesday and thursday | 12 noon–2 pm and 6–8 pm

Polka Dot Powerhouse Albuquerque Monthly Business Connects. Polka Dot Powerhouse is a closely linked family of extraordinary women—a world of fun, business growth, and connection. Learn, network, and be inspired with other area professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. Guests are invited to attend their first meeting for free. Info: Managing Director Barbra Portzline, bportzline@comcast.net. Register at polkadotpowerhouse.com.

thursdays | 10 am–12 noon

Prehistoric Preschool for Families. Explore the most dynamic dinosaurs that roamed New Mexico. Learn to balance like Seismosaurus, hunt like Coelophysis, and stomp like Tyrannosaurus through imaginative play. Info: New Mexico Museum

of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, nmnaturalhistory.org, 841-2848. Tickets: see cost information online.

thursdays | 10:30 am

Story Time at the Zoo. Info: ABQ BioPark Zoo, 903 10th Street SW, abqbiopark.com, 764-6200. Included in admission.

thursdays | 3–5 pm

Class with Explora Maker-in-Residence. Explore the science of sound and make a musical instrument with Daveed Korup. Most Thursdays 3-5 pm; call to confirm. Limited places, first-come first-served at class time. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, explora.us, 224-8300. Included with general admission $6-$10.

every thursday | 6 pm

Stand-up Comedy at The Stage. This is a fun date night. Enjoy great food and drinks, and the nation’s best comics. Seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 6 pm, comedy starts at 7:30 pm. 21 and over. Info: Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Road, Santa Ana Pueblo, 771-5680. Tickets: $10.

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every thursday | 6–9 pm

Dance Club. Albuquerque Dance Club offers social dance classes in two-step, waltz, country western swing and a few other styles to country western music. No partner needed, space is limited. Info: Lloyd Shaw Dance Center, 5506 Coal Ave. SE. Pre-registration is required: glkello@ nmia.com or 299-3737.

every first thursday | 9:30 am–12 noon

Colcheras Demonstration. Learn to appreciate this Hispanic art form by watching El Arco Iris: Sociedad de Colcheras members at work in the Heritage Farmhouse. Info: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW, 848-7180, abqbiopark.com. Tickets: Included with admission.

every first thursday | 6:30– 8:30 pm

Albuquerque Modern Quilt Guild. Explore modern quilting, charity work and a working modern quilting group. Info: 7001 San Antonio Drive NE, 821-2739, hipstitchabq.com. Cost: membership, $10/ year; guests, may attend one meeting for free, then up to two more meetings for $3 per meeting.

every second thursday | 6–8 pm

Visionary Arts and Crafts Guild Membership Meeting. VACG’s mission is to develop fellowship among craftspeople and facilitate a market for crafts through exhibitions, education, promoting the development and appreciation of craftspeople and their work. Meet monthly except Oct, Nov, Dec. Info: FBCRR Adult Ed Center, 1909 Grande Ave., Rio Rancho, facebook.com/vacgnm, 948-3132.

every fourth thursday | 10 am–2 pm

every thursday, friday and saturday | 6–9:30 pm

Party in the Fireroom or on the Patio. Pueblo Harvest Café hosts live music in its cozy Fireroom or on the patio. While you listen and dance, enjoy a taco bar, all-youcan-eat horno-baked pizza, handcrafted cocktails, local craft beer, and a creative menu of appetizers from our acclaimed culinary team. Info: Pueblo Harvest Café, 2401 12th Street NW, puebloharvestcafe. com, 724-3510. No cover.

fridays | 10:30 am

Story Time at the Botanic Garden. Info: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW, abqbiopark.com or dial 311.

fridays | 12 noon–1:30 pm

Grief and Loss Support Group. Grief is a natural process that can often be eased through sharing with others who have experienced the loss of a loved one or any other significant loss. Info: Jewish Community Center, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Preregistration required by calling 348-4451. Free.

fridays | 1 pm

Mural Discovery Tour. The IPCC houses 19 murals by Pueblo artists. Our guided tour provides an introduction to the art, traditions, and core values of Pueblo culture, and a who’s who of Pueblo artists, such as Pablita Velarde, Helen Hardin, and Jose Rey Toledo. Reflect upon the murals and uncover layers of meaning in each, with representations of traditional Pueblo life, including dance, the seasons and our connection to animals, as well as the contemporary vision of emerging artists. Tours can be scheduled for groups in advance by calling 212-7052. Info: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW, 843-7270, indianpueblo.org. Free with museum admission.

every first friday | 8–10 pm

Cristel’s Variety Dance Party. Join us on this large wooden dance floor for social dancing to a variety of music - country, ballroom, Latin, and swing. Singles and couples are welcome. Great wood dance floor, music requests taken. Info: Lloyd Shaw Dance Center, 5506 Coal Ave. SE. $5 cover per person.

every other friday | 7–9 pm

Albuquerque Spanish Meetup. Practice conversational Spanish with a mix of native Spanish speakers and folks learning Spanish. Info: 553-3008, spanish.meetup. com/700/calendar.

every third friday | 7–9 pm

Cactus and Succulent Society of New Mexico. Discuss cacti and succulents; enjoy a program presented on a particular subject relevant to these plants. Program usually involves a slideshow. Not necessary to be a member to attend. Info: Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE, 296-6020 new-mexico.cactussociety.org.

saturdays | 10:30 am

Story Time at the Aquarium. Info: ABQ BioPark Aquarium, 2601 Central Ave. NW, abqbiopark.com, 768-2000. Included in admission.

fridays | 7–10 pm

saturdays | 12 noon–2 pm

every first friday |

saturdays | 12 noon–3 pm

Dance Party. Learn a new dance and meet new people each week at ABQ’s newest studio, with three beautiful ballrooms and state-of-the-art floating dance floors. Enjoy refreshments and an introductory dance class from 7–8 pm. Info: Holiday Dance Studio, 5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, 5084020, holidaydancestudio.com. $10. Free Admission Day at Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Check out this award-winning, world-class facility highlighting the art, culture, history, science and sport of ballooning and other lighter-than-air craft. Info: 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE (North of Alameda), 768-6020, cabq.gov/ balloon.

every first friday | 1:30 pm

Tamarind Institute First Friday Tours. See the workshop facility, learn about fine art lithography, the current programs and the history of Tamarind (a division within the College of Fine Arts at UNM), a collaborative process video, and a printing demonstration. Reservations: tamarind. unm.edu. Info: Tamarind Institute, 2500 Central Ave. SE, 453-2159. Free.

Acting for Writers. Award-winning director and Meisner acting teacher Lois Hall teaches Acting for Writers in a supportive environment. The class is devoted to writers breathing life into their characters by learning the actors’ secrets. Info: 715-2801, actingforwritersloishall. com. RSVP required. Class with Explora Maker-in-Residence. See description above on Thursdays 3–5 pm. Most Saturdays. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, explora.us, 224-8300. Included with general admission.

saturdays | 1–2:30 pm

Family Art Workshops. Families create a work of art inspired by what they see at Albuquerque Museum. A different project every week. Try your hand working with a variety of art mediums. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, 243-7255, cabq.gov. Free with Museum admission.

saturdays | 2–5 pm

Art in the Afternoon. Wrap up your shopping in Historic Old Town with free admission into the museum, live local music, and great food and drink specials amid a wealth of cultural and historical artifacts and works of art. Info: Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, 2000 Mountain Road NW, call 311, cabq. gov. Free.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

saturdays | 2:30–4:30 pm

Tango Club of Albuquerque’s Weekly Practica. At this Argentine Tango practice no partner is necessary. Info: Lloyd Shaw Dance Center, 5506 Coal Ave. SE, abqtango.org. Tickets: $2.

saturdays | 3:30 pm

Saturday Storytime. Join Miss Caitlen for new and exciting adventures. Fun for young children and those young at heart. Info: Barnes & Noble, Coronado Center, 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, 883-8200, bn.com. Free.

saturdays | 5–8 pm

Cooking Classes at Cinnamon Sugar and Spice Café. Try a fun and exciting handson cooking class. Enjoy a meal prepared by you in a commercial kitchen with the guidance of a chef, sip wine, and top it off with dessert. Info: 5809 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 492-2119, cinnamoncafeabq.com.

saturdays | various times

Prehistoric Preschool for Families. See description on Thursdays 10–12 am. Info: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, 841-2848, nmnaturalhistory.org. Tickets: see cost information online.

every saturday and sunday | 12 noon and 2 pm

Traditional Native Dance Performances. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is the only place in North America to offer traditional Native American dances every week year-round. Performances outdoor or indoor depending on weather. Info: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW, indianpueblo.org, 843-7270. Free with museum admission.

every saturday and sunday | various times

Albuquerque Garden Center. Our events include the Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale, the African Violet Show and Sale, and the Annual Spring Plant Sale, and the Aril and Iris Show. The Shop features local artists all month. Info: Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE. Free.

every first saturday | 10– 11:30 am

Support Group for women with any GYN cancer plus concurrent group for families/ caregivers. The Gynecological Cancer Awareness Project holds these peerled groups at the People Living Through Cancer Office. Info: 3411 Candelaria Road NE, Suite M, theGCAP.org.

Celebrate through Giving Together Make a gift supporting safe access to community arts, in celebration of Keshet’s 25th Anniversary. • Support economic accessibility to quality dance education and performance opportunities for all youth with unlimited non-competitive scholarships • Support arts programming within the juvenile justice system

• Support artist business incubation, residency opportunities and global artist exchange • Support inclusive classes and performance for all ages and abilities

every first saturday | 10 am–12 noon

Military History Lecture. Listen to an interesting presentation of military history events and activities that affected New Mexico. Lectures include the History of the NM National Guard, Bataan Death March, WWII Army Air Corp bases in New Mexico, and others. Info: New Mexico Veterans Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE, 256-2042. Admission: Free. Donations requested.

every first saturday | 12 noon–3 pm

First Saturday of the Month Shot Clinic For Your Dogs And Cats. No appointment needed. Info: 3251 Westphalia Road SE, wmranch.org.

every second saturday | 10–11:30 am

Outcomes Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Come for discussion and support groups. Info: St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 2701 American Road, Rio Rancho, 243-2551 to reserve a space. Free childcare provided. Free.

every second saturday | 10 am–12 noon

Free Fishing Clinic. Instruction available on basic fly-tying methods, fly-rod casting techniques, fishing etiquette, effective catch-and-release practices and enhancement of advanced skills. Equipment and supplies are available free of charge on a first-come-first-served basis for use during the clinic, or you may bring your own. Tingley Outfitters provides basic equipment for purchase inside the train station. Info: Tingley Beach, 1800 Tingley Drive SW, call 311 or 768-2000.

second saturday | 10 am–12 noon

Los Ranchos Growers’ Market. Fresh local produce and products, plants, and more. COVID 19 protocols - wear masks, keep social distancing, and no pets. Handicapped accessible, family and pet friendly. Info: 6718 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 610-9591. Free admission.

every second saturday | 1 pm

Read to the Dogs. Registered therapy dogs sit calmly and quietly for a story so children can practice reading out loud without fear of judgment. It’s a great way for children to gain confidence in their reading. Several libraries. Please register in advance. Info: Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers, 768-5136.

505.224.9808 | KeshetArts.org/donate | 4121 Cutler Ave NE | Albuquerque NM 87110

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

second and fourth saturday | 12 noon–1 pm

Watermelon Mountain Ranch Volunteer Orientation. Come out to the main facility in Northern Rio Rancho to find out all about the volunteer program and the opportunities to work with the animals in our care. Info: Watermelon Mountain Ranch, 3251 Westphalia Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho, wmranch.org. Near V. Sue Cleveland Highschool.

every second and fourth saturday | 7–10:30 pm

ABQ Dance Club. This non-profit dance club provides dancing to a variety of music - swing, country, ballroom, Latin. Couples and singles are welcome, no partner or experience needed. Lessons and refreshments included. Info: Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins Street NE, asdc.org, 299-3737. Fee $8.

every last saturday | 7–9 pm

Saturday Night Swing. Good listening and dancing music of live tunes from the ’40s and ’50s. Remember to wear your dancing shoes. Info: New Mexico Veterans Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE, 256-2042. Free admission. Donations requested.

sundays | 9 am–1 pm

Free Sunday Mornings at Albuquerque Museum. Admission is free every Sunday morning. View the latest exhibition, try out interactive displays, stroll through the sculpture garden, and stop by the cafe for brunch. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq.gov, 2437255. Free. $5 exhibition surcharge applies during free days at Albuquerque Museum.

sundays | 9 am–1 pm

Free Admission Day. Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Check out this award-winning, world-class facility highlighting the art, culture, history, science and sport of ballooning and other lighter-than-air craft. Info: 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE, 7686020, cabq.gov/balloon.

sundays | 10:30 am

Chatter Sunday. These Sunday morning concerts include readings and refreshments. Info: Las Puertas, 1512 First Street NW, chatterabq.com. Cost: regular, $15; 30 and under and students, $9; children under 13, $5.

sundays | 1–4 pm

Old San Ysidro Church Tours. See the beauty and learn the history of one of Corrales’ most significant historic buildings. Historical Society Docents are on hand to welcome guests, give tours, and answer questions. Watch the Old Church video, view historical artifacts, and take home souvenirs ranging from local flavor cookbooks to church retablos, jewelry, and more. Info: 966 Old Church Road, Corrales, 890-3846, corraleshistory.org. Free.

please note

sundays | 8 pm

Geeks Who Drink. Join in best Pub Quiz in town. Bring your friends and create a team of up to six people. Info: O’Niell’s Nob Hill, 4310 Central Ave. SE, 256-0564, geekswhodrink.com/blog, oniells.com.

every first, third and fifth sunday | 6–9 pm

Ballroom, Latin and Swing Dancing. Join USA Ballroom Dance. Free beginner lessons start at 5:30 pm. Info: Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins Street NE, 288-0313. Cost: members, $5; non-member, $8.

every second and fourth sunday | 10–11 am

Yoga with Cats. Enjoy cats frolicking and lounging as you participate in a yoga class for all skill levels. Info: Catopia Cat Cafe, 8001 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite C-5, call 508-4278 to reserve your spot. $14 per class.

every second and fourth sunday | 2–4 pm

Stitching Group. Knitting, crocheting, embroidering, tatting, spinning, crossstitching and more. Join in the fun, share ideas, patterns, experiences and more. All ages and experience levels welcome. Info: Erna Fergusson Library, 3700 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 888-8100.

INCLUDE YOUR EVENTS IN THE DATEBOOK! Please send an e-mail with the date, time, and event description to datebook@abqthemag. com. If available, include a high-resolution digital photograph or image. Listing information deadline is the 10th two months prior to publication (e.g.—all MAY events must be submitted by March 10, etc.). All events are subject to change. Please call event organization for final verification on events, times, dates, prices, and ticket availability.

BB FAB We can powdercoat your world!

various days | various times

Albuquerque Dolls. We have ongoing social events for women, including dinners, dancing, movies, volunteering, crafts and trips, and we are having a blast. We encourage women to join together to support each other and learn more about New Mexico. Join: MeetUps. com/Albuquerque. Also, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

sundays | 12 noon–5 pm

Motorcycle Parts

505.771.7751 BBfabABQ@gmail.com

Save Lucky Paws Information Table at Lucky Paws Adoption Site. T-shirts and wristbands for sale. Info: Coronado Mall, saveluckypaws.org.

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Paixao Nail & Beauty Bar, Inc. PRISCILLA SMITH, OWNER 1100 San Mateo Blvd. #28 Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 266-6950 www.paixaobeautybar.com

Readers of this very magazine have voted Paixao Nail and Beauty Bar “Best Nail Salon in Albuquerque” every year since they first opened their doors back in 2016. Originally in the property management industry, founder and owner Priscilla Smith saw an opportunity to truly elevate and improve the salon experience, and set about doing just that. “I started Paixao to bring something new and exciting to Albuquerque,” says Smith. “Emphasizing hygiene and sanitation was my number one priority, and over the years since our opening I have wanted to give clients a luxurious experience.” Striving for relaxing, reinvigorating excellence, Paixao has developed a proprietary line of products designed to give clients results worthy of the Paixao brand. “When used on dry skin, our scrub perfectly exfoliates, leaving it smooth and soft,” explains Smith. “After rinsing and drying the area, follow with Paixao’s lotion and you will be instantly hooked. Our lotions are creamy, but they won’t leave your skin feeling heavy or oily.” These products both complement and expand Paixao’s existing lineup of comprehensive beauty services, with a distinctive emphasis on maintaining a pristine and healthy environment. “Paixao is a full-service salon offering nails and hair services,” says Smith. “I’m happy that all the changes we’ve gone through have been positive and necessary to push the company forward towards greatness.” Since opening, Paixao has tripled in size, allowing them to accommodate more and more service providers and better meet their clients’ needs. More recently, they’ve also launched a new and innovative salon concept: the event boutique. Here, clients can hold private parties built around hair, nail, and make-up services in an exclusive space. “From the day we opened our doors, I knew that this was my career,” says Smith. “When I say, ‘I'm in it to change the game,’ I mean it. It’s not easy changing a culture, but I’m confident that with the right people, it will happen.”

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FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

Y B S E I R O T S

S R O N N PHIL CO

e thought long and hard about not doing Hot Singles of ABQ this year. After all, we’re in the middle of a pandemic that has changed life completely—and possibly forever. But maybe that’s precisely why we need this fun, whimsical story right now, plus any other semblances of normalcy. After all, we still rely on life’s basic elements in order to call life, well, life. And one of those basics is love, romance and companionship. Turns out, matchmaking services are seeing a boom in business during these days of quarantine (see our sidebar story on page 82). So we went ahead with our call for nominations—and got nearly as many as we usually have for each of the past 16 years that we’ve done this annual story (that readers seem to love so much). On that note, without explaining further, here are the 16 singles we chose to feature. Enjoy.

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTOS BY

DON JAMES

In her head, Vanessa Renteria has imagined how fate will bestow her with romance. “I always have this weird dream of meeting someone at the grocery store, and we’ll both be reaching for the same tomato,” she says, laughing. “And then we’ll lock eyes, and then…” Meantime, the Carlsbad native has taken to online resources to find love during these pandemic times. But while that path hasn’t been rough, it also hasn’t led anywhere, says Renteria. “I’ve met a few men, and they’ve been really kind, but I feel like the biggest hurdle is that people don’t want commitment,” she says. “And I’ve heard it from both ends, some girls don’t want to get married, either.” Renteria says she’s old-fashioned, which might explain her skill at baking cookies (which have twice won her awards at the New Mexico State Fair) or her love for her dog, Harley. “I’ve had him for seven years, and he’s very goofy,” she says. “He’s a glutton for petting.”

FIRST KISS: I was 13, playing truth-or-dare. Best moment of 7th grade! COOK OR CLEAN UP? Clean. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Tom Hardy or Cillian Murphy. IDEAL PARTNER: 25.2% looks, 24.8% smarts, 28.5% heart, 21.5% career. WORST DATE: We met on MySpace, he made me a dinner of cold pork chops, we watched a horrible zombie movie, then he got me a taxi. Oh, and this happened at his friend’s house, because he didn’t want a stranger coming to his place because it would upset his pet alligator. PERFECT DATE: Bowling, go-carting, snacks. ROMANTIC MOVIE: Chocolat, with Johnny Depp. DANCING: They don’t need to be great, but they MUST be open to making a TikTok video or two. POLITICS/RELIGION: I’m pretty open-minded. I’d never try and change someone’s beliefs. TURN-ON: Be polite and respectful. DEAL-BREAKER: Playing the victim card. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE? We live in a hook-up and non-committal culture, not my cup of tea. FILL IN THE BLANK: “As soon as I met my date, he/she immediately ordered shots from the bartender, so I decided to make sure it was tequila, take ONE and done!”

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

If you work in a restaurant—with the fast pace and long hours—you’d probably find many of your co-workers to be young and single. Restaurant executive Austin Leard even admits to romancing a fellow employee or two in his early years in the business. But as his energy became more focused on his work (he’s now the Managing Partner for M’Tucci’s local chain of three successful restaurants), his social circle changed. “At one time I dated a few people I worked with,” says Leard, 39. “But now I would say I tend to meet more (restaurant) guests, and maybe date them.” His rise in the industry started as an invoice processor for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, which promoted him to a sales position the week he turned 21 years old. From there, the Taos native’s interest in spirits and bartending led him to M’Tucci’s. “It’s a great place to be,” he says. “We all keep learning and growing.”

COOK OR CLEAN? Both, together. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Jessica Alba, Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek. OBSTACLE TO FINDING RO- MANCE? My own effort to allow it. I’ve usually put career first. FIRST KISS? 5th grade, she tasted like cherry Chapstick. COFFEE: Little cream & sugar. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: The Voice. PREFERRED PLATFORM: Facebook. I still don’t have Instagram. I know, I know. IDEAL PARTNER: 30% looks, 30% smarts, 30% heart, 10% career. WORST DATE? She overconsumed, and I babysat. Felt bad for her. DANCING? 1 to 10, I’m a 1.5. BEST ONLINE DATE SO FAR: We walked in the park, talked, drank wine from a plastic cup. IDEAL DATE: Outdoor fun, dinner & drinks, massage. TURN-ON: Great smile. POLITICS/RELIGION: It’s more important to know someone spiritually than politically. DEAL-BREAKER: Cigarettes. ROMANTIC MOVIE: Friends With Benefits, or Hitch. FILL IN THE BLANK: “As soon as I met my date, he/she immediately ordered shots for us from the bartender, so I decided to put my big boy pants on, look her in the eyes, and cheers the shot to a great time.”

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

She never thought her military career would last 22 years (and counting), because Brianne Trapani signed up as a teenager mostly to travel and get an education. Today, the Kirtland Air Force Base law enforcement officer is still reaping the rewards of her decision. “I absolutely love being in the service,” says Trapani, 41. “Being a female in law enforcement has challenges, but also advantages. It has made me a stronger person in life as a whole.” She and her now-20-year-old son moved to Albuquerque four years ago, and she says she quickly got past the ‘tourist’ stage most military transplants experience in a new city. “It’s such a beautiful place. The outdoor opportunities, the history, it’s incredible,” says Trapani. The dating scene, however, hasn’t been as fruitful. She admits she’s unfamiliar with the ‘dating rules’ that her girlfriends seem to know instinctively (i.e. when not to return a text, how long to wait before sending a pic, etc.). “Maybe I haven’t found anybody because I’m an extrovert,” she says, adding that good conversations have been hard to find on dating apps. “I haven’t had any real luck. But then again, I just started looking recently.”

COOK OR CLEAN UP? I love to cook, but it would be impressive to have my date cook for me. DEAL-BREAKER: Rudeness. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE? No one is in it for the long term. If it’s not moving at a rapid pace, people’s interest fizzles. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: The Amazing Race. TURN-ON: Masculinity. PREFERRED PLATFORM: Instagram, then TikTok. COFFEE: Espresso. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Henry Cavill. IDEAL PARTNER: 30% heart, 30% smarts, 30% looks, 10% career. WORST DATE: He showed up early to calm his nerves with a drink. By the time I got there, he was slurring his speech. It was awful. I enjoy having a few drinks, but at least wait for me so we can do it together! IDEAL DATE: During COVID, packing a picnic and finding a spot to watch the sun set over the city. DANCING: If the need arises, I’d like him to be able to do more than just the robot. FIRST KISS: I was 11, it was with my neighbor, it lasted one second, then we yelled “Ewww!” and ran from each other. POLITICS/RELIGION: Both are important, but I’d rather be on the same page spiritually. FILL IN THE BLANK: “I knew the date might be amazing as soon as I saw his/her level of effort to dress nicely had matched mine.”

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Any guy who goes on a date with Ashley Wagner had better be on his toes. We don’t mean literally (although the former runway model stands five-foot-eleven without heels). Rather, he should expect to be alert and engaging. “Dates with dinner and a movie are played out. All you do is sit there and the pressure is on,” says Wagner, 35. “My ideal date is to do something fun and active. Then you can see how the other person reacts, instead of just listening to canned answers.” That cerebral side of Wagner was honed by her economics degree from UNM, and her master’s degree in public policy from Duke University (yes, she was part of the crazy student section at Duke basketball games, wearing head-to-toe Blue Devils gear). Ashley grew up in ABQ’s revered Wagner farming family (they currently operate four local farms, some dating back more than a century), so it makes sense that she followed suit, opening her own CBD and hemp farm in Corrales. As for social media dating, she’s not averse, having met her last boyfriend on a dating app. “It doesn’t really matter where you meet someone,” she says. “What’s important is who you meet.”

TURN-ON: People who are bold, dream big, and act on their ideas. COOK OR CLEAN UP? Clean. ROMANTIC MOVIE: Bram Stoker’s Dracula. WORST DATE? He was studying to becomea pastor. I brought wine, and he got tipsy. It was a good evening, but I never heard from him again. I guess he felt I wasa bad influence, but c’mon, even Jesus drank wine! DEAL BREAKER: Disloyalty. IDEAL PARTNER: 20% career, 20% heart, 20% looks, 40% smarts. ON A SCALE TO 10, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT YOUR DATE BE A GOOD DANCER? 5. If he has even a modicum of rhythm, I can school him. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE: Lowering my standards when I should not have. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: Yellowstone. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Tie between Larry David and Jason Mamoa. COFFEE: Chai latte, with a shot of espresso. FIRST KISS? A starry night in the desert with my first love. I was 18, and had been friends with him for many years. PREFERRED PLATFORM: Instagram. FILL IN THE BLANK: “I knew the date was going to be horrible as soon as I saw his/her ex knocking on his door three times during dinner.”

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

When it comes to discussing online dating, Nick Bandy is refreshingly honest. “I’ve definitely met people on Tinder and Instagram, and slid into their DMs,” he says, using the term to describe sending someone a ‘direct message’ online—a move widely seen as overly forward. “I’m not afraid to shoot my shot.” The 25-year-old took a shot in moving from Ohio to Albuquerque following college a few years ago, for both a job and the chance to train at high altitude (he’s a distance runner who hopes to make the U.S. Olympic trials). One of his first new experiences in ABQ? The chile, of course. “When I first moved here, I ate some that was way too hot, I couldn’t handle it,” he says, laughing. “But now I totally get it, with the red and green. I have several (restaurants) that I really love because of the chile.” As for his forward-thinking style on dating apps, he says it’s all in good taste. “I think as long as you’re respectful when messaging someone,” he says, “there’s no harm in taking a shot on social media.”

FIRST KISS: I was 15, playing hide & seek. I asked the girl I had a crush on to give me a kiss for good luck. It worked. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Tayshia Adams, this season’s Bachelorette. I may take my shot and send her a DM on Instagram. COOK OR CLEAN UP? Cook. I’m a pretty good cook. IDEAL PARTNER: 40% smarts, 30% looks, 29% heart, 1% career. WORST DATE: We had coffee, great conversation and laughs. When I asked about her weekend plans, she said she would be hanging out with her boyfriend. Total miscommunication, I thought we were on a date. But we ended up being friends. DANCING: Besides two-stepping, I’m not a great dancer, but if she’s willing, I’ll get out on the dance floor and have fun. DATES ON SOCIAL MEDIA: About 10 through Bumble and Tinder. ROMANTIC DATE: Hike along the Bosque at sunset, then drinks at a local brewery. TURN-ON: Confidence. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE? Honest communication. ROMANTIC MOVIE: Crazy, Stupid, Love. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: The Office. DEAL-BREAKER: Being overly dependent. FILL IN THE BLANK: “It’s a turn-off if my date keeps talking about how she doesn’t think Shrek is a top-10 movie all night.”

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Please forgive Dragana Jovanovic if she doesn’t remember a particular online date too fondly. “He took me to a (Los Angeles) Dodgers game. At the game, he made me get a Dodgers shirt, then he said, ‘There’s the bathroom, put it on,’” says Jovanovic, who said her pushy date (whom she met on Match.com) also scolded an elderly man for accidentally spilling beer on him. “It was the worst date ever,” says Jovanovic, 31, who says she left the game early. Too bad, because she happens to be a big sports fan, who enthusiastically cheers for her native Serbia in soccer. “When the World Cup is on,” she says, “I hog the remote control.” She can also recite more than a few ESPN “30 For 30” episodes in detail. Plus, she’s got polished culinary skills—to the point where she grills a steak with precision. “You only turn it once, to keep juices in,” she says. “Then after grilling, I like to put butter on it and let it rest, at least five minutes.” But, she says, there’s one last important step: “If you’re going to take the time to cook, you have to honor the food with good plating, because we also eat with our eyes.”

IDEAL DATE? He surprises me by coming over and cooking—a nice pinot noir, red meat, and plenty of jokes. TURN ON: Listening to a man talk about something he’s passionate about, and seeing it in his eyes. 0 TO 10, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT YOUR DATE BE A GOOD DANCER? 0, because I’m a terrible dancer. DEAL BREAKER: Cigarette smokers, and liars. IS IT MORE IMPORTANT TO MATCH POLITICS, OR RELIGION/SPIRITUALITY? Spirituality. COOK OR CLEAN UP? Both. IDEAL PARTNER: 20% looks, 20% smarts, 20% career, 40% heart. FIRST KISS: It was in Macedonia, I was 18 and he was 23, my cousin’s friend. He kissed me goodnight, my hands were shaking, and my heart was beating quickly. COFFEE: Turkish. CELEBRITY CRUSH: George Clooney. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: Law & Order SUV. PREFERRED PLATFORM: Instagram. ROMANTIC MOVIE: Return To Me. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE: Everyone embellishes through social media these days, so expectations don’t match reality. FILL IN THE BLANK: “I knew the date was going to be horrible as soon as I saw his/her shirt that had a naked chick on it.”

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Renee Halayay is very candid when talking about her dating life. For starters, she admits she’s never tried a dating app. She also says cheesy pick-up lines are okay with her. And her karaoke skills? “I suck at singing,” says Halayay, a divorced mom of a teen boy. “I only did (karaoke) once, and (the song) was Footloose. I’m sure I was terrible, I don’t recall.” Her self-deprecating humor aside, she says it’s been partly due to her career that love hasn’t been knocking on the door (she’s a manager for a house cleaning service). Plus, the pandemic has limited face-to-face opportunities the past several months for everyone. “A friend just told me I need to try (a dating app),” says Halayay, 43. “I had never even heard of them until recently, so I wasn’t too sure.” She is sure of one thing—the type of date she’s looking to find: “He’s fun, outgoing, outdoorsy, manly, smart, and career-oriented.” Then she laughs and adds, “Does that guy exist?”

FIRST KISS: 6th grade, right in front of the middle school. COFFEE: Texas pecan. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: 90 Day Fiancé. PREFERRED PLATFORM: Facebook. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Milo Ventimiglia. COOK OR CLEAN? Clean, because then I know the dishwasher would be loaded correctly. IDEAL PARTNER: 20% looks, 20% smarts, 30% career, 30% heart. WORST DATE: The boy lied about his age. And when I say boy, I do mean ‘boy.’ Not really sure how he got into a bar. BEST DATE FROM SOCIAL MEDIA: I have yet to date anyone through social media. ROMANTIC DATE: Dinner, then maybe dancing, followed by a hot tub and drinks. IS IT MORE IMPORTANT TO MATCH POLITICS, OR RELIGION/SPIRITUALITY? Politics. TURN-ON: Confidence. DEAL-BREAKER: Liars. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE? People stop trying. ROMANTIC MOVIE: Love Actually. ON A SCALE TO 10, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT YOUR DATE BE A GOOD DANCER? 4 FILL IN THE BLANK: “As soon as I met my date, he/she immediately ordered shots for us from the bartender, so I decided to change the order!”

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

Like many of us, Brittany Umbrage began to feel the stress from all the heated exchanges and posts on social media. But unlike most of us, she did something about it. “I quit using Facebook. I couldn’t handle the wide range of human emotions,” says Umbrage, a 35-year-old single mom. “As soon as I got off, the weight has lifted off my shoulders, and I have not missed it.” Though she admits to never having dated anyone through social media, she’s shifted her attention to Instagram, which she joined in 2010, saying it’s “all the fun stuff without all the emotions.” Some of her other areas of fun include the antics of her 3-year-old son, whom she says “can climb everything, and jump off it.” She once posted a video of him and her doing a ‘bear crawl’ around the block together, and it was widely shared on Instagram. Umbrage grew up in ABQ, but lived in Idaho for a time, putting her nuclear engineering degree to work at a lab there. “But I loved Albuquerque too much,” she says. “The mountains always bring me back.”

COFFEE: The stronger, the better. SOCIAL MEDIA DATING: How does one go about this? Do you start liking their photos and sending winky faces? FIRST KISS: I was 16, on the debate team, and he was on the opposing team. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Sebastian Stan. COOK OR CLEAN UP? Cook. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: Smallville. PERFECT DATE: Making s’mores around a fire, then snuggling under a blanket beneath the stars. DANCING? He has to have no shame so he can dance like no one is watching. WORST DATE? He invited me for dinner, but he only cooked for himself, and never offered me anything. Years later he asked for a second chance, which led to my second-worst date. PREFERRED PLATFORM: Instagram. IDEAL PARTNER: 40% heart, 30% career, 15% smarts, 15% looks. POLITICS/RELIGION: Religion is foundational, a part of you. Politics should be discussed with an open mind. TURN-ONS? Hard work ethic, with a dash of goofiness. DEAL-BREAKER: When guys say their ex is crazy. Show more respect, you dated them for a reason. ROMANTIC MOVIE: Pride & Prejudice. FILL IN THE BLANK: “I knew the date was going to be horrible as soon as I saw his/her fanny pack.”

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

MYTH #3: Matchmaking services are filled with fibbers.

MYTH #9: Matchmaking is expensive.

Liars are more rampant in online dating. I introduce only those whom I’ve personally vetted, screened and qualified. People behave better when they know someone’s watching…

For the client in the hot seat? Yes, it can be. Yet it’s free to be privately registered and eligible for referrals. You won’t match if a match can’t find you.

MYTH #7: The man has to initiate and pursue.

MYTH #10: Matchmaking is for losers.

He might, especially with a signal from her that she’s receptive. Turn the cab light on, ladies, with eye contact, a smile, playful banter.

Completely wrong. The more desirable you are, the more selective you’ll naturally be. Which means you’ll appreciate personal introductions to candidates who’ve been fully vetted.

In The Time of COVID

he pandemic certainly altered our lives far beyond just the health concerns. Society, community, the economy—seemingly no area has gone untouched. That includes the ability of ABQ singles to socially interact, and the need to, yes, find love. But perhaps not surprisingly, matchmaking services have kept a brisk business throughout the stay-at-home order and business closures. “Isolation has accentuated this reality for single people who would much rather be in love,” says Julie Ferman, a

Santa Fe-based professional matchmaker with a large Albuquerque clientele. “Human beings are social creatures. We need each other in order to be fulfilled and happy.” Her business increased by 65% from 2019 to 2020, despite the absence of group events, says Ferman. Still, plenty of singles prefer to find romance through social media dating apps rather than a match service. So we asked Ferman to debunk a few of the common myths about matchmaking.

MYTH#2: COVID killed dating. MYTH #4: Matchmakers make the matches. I think of myself as more of a ‘possibilities broker.’ When both parties are available, interested and attracted, THEN I get to make the introduction.

Nope, stats are actually way up. My introductions are up 52 percent since March of 2020, and clients finding an exclusive relationship are up 34 percent from the previous four years.

MYTH #5: Love has to be spontaneous. Actually, love is created moment by moment, offered, received and shared. To do dating well is to practice the fine art of loving, first ourselves, then others.

MYTH #8: My profile photos are fine. The more you have to offer, the more selective you will be. A photo session is cheaper than you think, and can really show off the value you place on yourself.

MYTH #1: New Mexico is a lousy place for dating. On the contrary, the larger the community, the more discourteous people tend to become. In smaller towns, people pay closer attention to possibilities. And with Albuquerque comprised of many residents who moved here from rural New Mexico, they’re open to those possibilities.

MYTH #6: The ‘good ones’ are already taken. The percentage of men and women who are single is higher than ever. Those who are truly relationship oriented don’t stay single for long.

Julie Ferman has been a personal matchmaker and dating coach for 30 years. Her Cupid’s Coach podcast explores a variety of dating and romance topics. Singles can become eligible for referrals and event invitations by registering for free at julieferman.com. Julie and her husband, Gil, make their home in Santa Fe.

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Please excuse Tory Witt for being ‘in between’ two worlds. On the one hand, she’s an accomplished millennial, complete with a master’s degree and a high-level job she loves. On the other hand, she’s a bit old-school, enough to where she doesn’t like dating apps that require the girl to make the first contact. “I guess I’m just a little shy,” says Witt, who recently turned 30. “The first few times I did make a move, I didn’t get a response, and that’s not cool.” But she’s being patient, influenced partly by the romantic path of her parents, who didn’t meet until they were in their mid-30s. And in an era where people tend to date in groups, she prefers one-on-one meetings, where each side can be “up front” about their expectations—even if that quells the date. “Sometimes people want different things. I would say I’ve never been in a serious adult relationship,” says Witt. “Half my friends are single, half are married. I like going to their weddings, though. I just need a wedding date.” FIRST KISS: I was 13. It happened when the teacher left the classroom (sorry, mom and dad!) DANCING? It’s more important that he be willing to dance, rather than be good. I love dancing, and just want a partner for wedding season. SOCIAL MEDIA DATING: I’ve met people through dating apps, but I got annoyed with them easily. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Bradley Cooper. ROMANTIC MOVIE: The Spirit of Christmas. COOK OR CLEAN UP? Clean. It’s a stress reliever for me. PREFERRED PLATFORM: Instagram. COFFEE: I drink tea. IDEAL PARTNER: 40% looks, 25% heart, 20% career, 15% smarts. PERFECT DATE: Dinner, then something thoughtful and fun. Surprise me somehow. POLITICS/RELIGION: I’m open-minded, but I’ve learned over time that politics are important. TURN-ON? Ambition and nice arms. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE? It seems like men just can’t handle it when they find out I have a good job, a master’s degree, and own a house. DEAL-BREAKER: Men who are allergic to cats, or like sports less than I do. FILL IN THE BLANK: “I knew the date might be amazing as soon as I saw his/her pictures of his pets.”

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If you don’t think a scientist can have a wicked sense of humor, you haven’t met Cheryl Lowe. Here’s a story for proof: she was once training for a marathon with a friend, and as they ran, all they could talk about was the Sonic Drive-In slushie they were going to get after the workout. They got the slushies, then went to pick up her new miniature dachshund—which she immediately named “Slushie.” The forensic scientist, employed by the State of New Mexico, moved with her pooch to Albuquerque just a few months ago. Originally from Texas, she grew up idolizing Agent Scully on TV’s “The X-Files,” even telling classmates in middle school that she wanted to join the FBI. She later played soccer and ran track in high school, then turned distance running into a serious passion: Lowe is now close to running a sub-three-hour marathon, and hopes to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team someday. But just like her furry companion, Lowe, who is divorced, also has a playful side. Right around Halloween, she signed up on two dating apps, then went on a whirlwind of about eight dates. “It was crazy,” she says, “but I can say I did it.”

TURN-ON: Confidence. FIRST KISS: Kindergarten with Peter (then everyone began singing “Peter and Cheryl, kissing in a tree…”) COFFEE: Americano from Michael Thomas Coffee. IDEAL PARTNER: 40% heart, 30% smarts, 20% looks, 10% career. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: Dawson’s Creek. WORST DATE: I can’t remember, but they were all learning experiences. PREFERRED PLATFORM: Instagram. # OF SOCIAL MEDIA DATES: More than 10. IS IT MORE IMPORTANT TO MATCH POLITICS, OR RELIGION/SPIRITUALITY? Religion and spirituality. IDEAL DATE: A run at dusk, followed by dinner. DEAL-BREAKER: Smoking. CELEBRITY CRUSH: David Duchovny. COOK OR CLEAN UP? Cook. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE? Emotional availability, and ability to be vulnerable with each other. Also, too many people fall in love with the idea of falling in love, rather than maintaining love over time. ROMANTIC MOVIE: Love Actually. FILL IN THE BLANK: “I knew the date might be amazing as soon as I saw his/her Garmin GPS watch.”

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Melissa-Lou Ellis has plenty of fans—more than 10,000 on Instagram, and 11,000+ on networking site Influenster. The 25-year-old has mastered social media, even finding romance online, including her longest relationship of two-plus years. “Every boyfriend I’ve had has been from online dating,” says Ellis, who also works as a home health aide. “Dating online has been positive, a great way to connect. But yes, I’d like to find ‘the one.’” Her career as an influencer began while she was doing work locally as a production assistant for Netflix and 20th Century Fox, and saw that doing Top 5 lists about New Mexico earned her online acclaim. The success led to her opening her own firm managing the social media presence of big companies, like the Marriott and Hilton hotel chains. She says a shared love for the Land of Enchantment will likely be part of any future online romance she may find. “He would have to like New Mexico, be ambitious, funny and compassionate,” says Ellis. “Oh, and the quality of their profile photograph has to show some skill, too.” FIRST KISS: At a movie theater when I was 18. I was a late bloomer. COOK OR CLEAN UP? Clean up. IDEAL PARTNER: 30% smarts, 30% heart, 20% career, 20% looks. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Prince Harry. WORST DATE: I once spent all day getting ready for the night, only to be stood up and ghosted. SOCIAL MEDIA DATING: All of my dates and past boyfriends have been thanks to social media. PERFECT DATE: Grabbing New Mexican food for takeout, then eating around the fire pit on my balcony overlooking the city and getting to know each other. DANCING? If we end up married, he needs to be good enough for a really great first dance. PREFERRED PLATFORM: Instagram. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: The Golden Girls. POLITICS/SPIRITUALITY: Spirituality. TURN-ON: Ambition, and a great smile. DEAL-BREAKER: Not having anything in common with me. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE? Surprisingly, the fact that I’m very family oriented. ROMANTIC MOVIE: Red Dragon. It counts, haha! FILL IN THE BLANK: “As soon as I met my date, he/she immediately ordered shots for us from the bartender, so I decided to order a second round just for even more fun!”

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On the surface, says Jodie Lord, dating apps are awesome. “I like that you can use the filters to find people who have the same interests as you,” she says. “It’s a good way to meet new people who aren’t in your current group of friends.” But the results haven’t been as shiny from the five or so dates she’s had from dating apps. “I can’t say I’ve been successful in (online romance),” says Lord. Success in her career and family is a different story: the Los Alamos native works in communications and strategy at Sandia Labs and has two kids from a previous marriage. “I’m a bit divided, since I have my kids half the time, and I’m the soccer mom, the gymnastics mom,” she says. “And then half the time, I do yoga, outdoors stuff, hiking.” She adds that, on her personal time, she’s come to check out quite a few of the city’s numerous award-winning breweries, where she’s become a big fan of sour craft beers.

CELEBRITY CRUSH: Shaun White. FIRST KISS: I was in 8th grade and I kissed a neighbor in my front yard. IDEAL PARTNER: 30% smarts, 30% heart, 20% career, 20% looks. DATES FROM SOCIAL MEDIA: 5. I’ve had fun getting to know people outside of my network. FUNNIEST DATE: For the homecoming dance, I wore a fancy dress and my date wore a tux, but his sister dropped us off wearing a cow costume, complete with giant pink udders. She was heading to a Halloween party. ROMANTIC DATE: Hiking, then a dressy dinner, then a movie & dessert at home. Or a surprise trip to Paris. DANCING: I love to dance, but my date doesn’t have to be good, as long as he’s willing to try. TURN-ON: Sense of humor. DEAL-BREAKER: Lack of honesty. POLITICS/RELIGION: Matching spiritual beliefs is more important, as long as they are capable of calm and well-informed political debates. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE? Timing. It’s hard to find the right person who wants the same things at the same time. ROMANTIC MOVIE: Moulin Rouge! FILL IN THE BLANK: “I knew the date was going to be horrible as soon as I saw his/her ignition interlock.”

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Stephen Williams says he has yet to be in a relationship for longer than six months. That’s in part, he says, because a lot of his time is spent building his video production business, which he started 14 years ago with his dad. Since he’s around his father so much at work, does pop offer any dating advice? “No, not really,” says Williams, whose parents have been married for 35 years. “My dad doesn’t understand online dating.” Williams admits that he, too, has been a little foggy on the idea. “I’ve never gotten a date from those (dating apps). I’ve matched with people on sites, but all they want to do is talk for weeks and weeks,” says Williams, an ABQ native. Meanwhile, he continues to build his company, which provides video board and streaming services for UNM athletics. He also is a budding slogan designer for t-shirts. “I’ve designed shirts with funny stuff, mostly inside jokes for my friends,” he says. “People keep asking for them, so I’m thinking of getting a small screen press at my house.”

FIRST KISS: I was 17, my friend’s sister pounced on me in the back seat at Sonic. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Milla Jovovich. COOK OR CLEAN UP? Cook. ROMANTIC DATE: A classy dinner with wine, or ordering pizza. Either one works, depending on the company. DANCING: I enjoy swing dancing, and am always willing to train someone. POLITICS/RELIGION: I’ve always believed there are middle grounds to those with opposite political views. SOCIAL MEDIA DATING: I much prefer talking in person, or on the phone, or in these COVID times, through Zoom. TURN-ON: Someone who knows how to present themselves. DEAL-BREAKER: Narcissism. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE? Finding time to socialize. I’ve worked jobs that pushed me from 40 to 70 hours a week at times. IDEAL PARTNER: 35% looks, 35% heart, 20% smarts, 10% career. ROMANTIC MOVIE: La La Land. COFFEE: Sugar and cream. PREFERRED PLATFORM: Instagram. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: Futurama/South Park. FILL IN THE BLANK: “I knew the date might be amazing as soon as I saw his/her knowledge of quoting Star Wars!” FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Before she joined the budding coffee empire five years ago, Madison Rumbaugh was doing a different kind of dance. As in, she was a ballroom and Latin dance instructor. “I loved teaching. I always believe that if you’re willing to learn, I can teach you to dance,” says Rumbaugh, 33. The former UNM cheerleader hasn’t been able to flex her ballroom moves lately, due to gathering restrictions brought on by the pandemic, which has also hampered her social life. “It’s been a little rough on the dating scene over the last year,” says Rumbaugh, an ABQ native. “I feel like people are bored, so they just want to talk, not necessarily meet in person.” The lack of mingling isn’t a picture of fun for someone who met a dozen friends in Germany for Oktoberfest one year, and another year did a group backpacking trip to Alaska. But she’s looking forward to a return to normalcy, biding the time with good books (she’s currently reading the futuristic Red Rising series) and, of course, coffee (her preferred method: black, prepared by pour-over).

CELEBRITY CRUSH: Justin Timberlake. FIRST KISS: I was 12, we went to a movie. He had to remove his bright orange visor to kiss me. COOK OR CLEAN UP? Cook. IDEAL PARTNER: 40% heart, 30% smarts, 20% looks, 10% career. WORST DATE? We talked on the way to the movie, but had nothing in common. Then he put his hand on my leg throughout the entire movie. Afterward I told him I wasn’t interested, but he proceeded to yell at me for two days. DANCING: They don’t have to be good, as long as they want to dance and have a good time. TURN-ON: Sense of humor and ability to laugh. IS IT MORE IMPORTANT TO MATCH POLITICS OR RELIGION? Politics. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE? Authenticity. No one is willing to put themselves out there. ROMANTIC DATE: Getting dressed up, going out to a nice dinner, then live music and drinks. DEAL-BREAKER: Lying. ROMANTIC MOVIE: Princess Bride. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: Hallmark Christmas movies. PREFERRED PLATFORM: Instagram. FILL IN THE BLANK: “As soon as I met my date, he/she immediately order shots for us from the bartender, so I decided to order a chaser and have a good time anyway.”

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Jumping into a new venture has become the norm for Jotham Michnovicz. He and some buddies switched away from another business idea to launch Bosque Brewing on a whim a few years ago. And he’s having to insert himself into the dating scene, following a recent divorce. But things aren’t moving rapidly just yet. “I chatted with one or two girls on Bumble,” he says, referring to the popular dating app. “But (social media dating) isn’t something that really interests me. I guess I just like meeting people in person.” Michnovicz, who is Bosque’s Chief Development Officer, has other hobbies besides craft beer: he enjoys spending time with his three kids, and he plays guitar and bass for his church band. “I do a little singing, too,” says the Albuquerque native. “Plus, I write songs.”

PREFERRED PLATFORM: Facebook (barely). IDEAL DATE: The setting doesn’t matter, but it should have laughs, good conversation, good food, maybe a concert. FIRST KISS? Not until my first year of college. I can’t remember the details. COOK OR CLEAN UP? Cook. Feeding people in my home is a top experience. WORST DATE: I can’t remember a bad date. It’s been a long time. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Kate Beckinsale. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: Silicon Valley. COFFEE: Michael Thomas. IDEAL PARTNER: 30% each for smarts, heart and looks, 10% for career. DANCE SKILLS: With as much music as I play, you’d think I’d be good at dancing, but I suck. IS IT MORE IMPORTANT TO MATCH POLITICS, OR RELIGION/SPIRITUALITY? Both. TURN-ON? The trifecta of confidence, kindness and ambition. ROMANTIC MOVIE: Serendipity. DEAL-BREAKER: Know-italls who dominate the conversation. FILL IN THE BLANK: “As soon as I met my date, he/she immediately ordered shots for us from the bartender, so I decided to knock ‘em back and enjoy the ride.” FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

When times are desperate, it’s not uncommon for a person to offer to do something monumental in exchange for divine help. But how many actually follow through? Corianne Taylor did—and it led to her becoming a delivery nurse. “I had a traumatic time giving birth to my last child,” says Taylor. “So, I sort of made a spiritual deal, ‘Just get me out of this, and I promise to help others.’” Three months after her daughter was born, Taylor made good on the internal pledge, and entered nursing school (she now works at Christus St. Vincent’s in Santa Fe). Ironically, the two loves of her world—her three kids and work—sometime make for a difficult time finding romance. “I work a lot, and It’s hard finding someone who isn’t intimidated by an independent woman,” she says. She also says it’s awkward connecting on social media, thanks to her 15-year-old son, who keeps tabs on mom. “He has access to my Snapchat,” says Taylor, 39. “And he’ll see my posts and tease me, like, ‘Mom, it looks like you had a good time last night.’”

FIRST KISS? Playing spin-the-bottle in 8th grade. I don’t remember his name. COOK OR CLEAN UP? Clean. CELEBRITY CRUSH: Chris Pratt. COFFEE: Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew from Starbucks. IDEAL PARTNER: 10% career, 10% smarts, 20% looks, 60% heart. GUILTY PLEASURE TV: Grey’s Anatomy. PREFERRED PLATFORM: Facebook. WORST DATE? A guy I met on a dating website told me, halfway through dinner, that he rented a hotel room so he could “Bill Cosby” me later. After we left the restaurant, I told him I would follow him, then I sped off in the opposite direction and blocked him on social media. IDEAL DATE: Candles, music, wine, holding hands. Sharing music is so intimate; it’s definitely my love language. DANCING: I love a man who can two-step and twirl me around the kitchen. TURN-ON: Kindness. DEAL BREAKER: Narcissistic abuse. OBSTACLE TO FINDING ROMANCE? No one wants a relationship. Everyone is invested in only themselves, and don’t seem to care about others. ROMANTIC MOVIE: The Notebook, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. FILL IN THE BLANK: “As soon as I met my date, he/she immediately ordered shots for us from the bartender, so I decided to make a toast to new beginnings.”

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ABQ THE INTERVIEW P. 94 | PERSONALITY P. 98 | BEHIND THE SCENES P. 102

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

STORIES BEHIND INDIVIDUALS WHO MAKE ALBUQUERQUE GREAT

HIGH ALTITUDE CARE From high-risk pregnancies to traumatic brain injuries, sometimes folks canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get the medical attention they need locally. Med Flight Air Ambulance delivers rural New Mexicans safely and swiftly to the care they need. (p. 102).

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Dr. Diego Gallegos

Robert Chavez

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH OUR LEADERS AND DIFFERENCE-MAKERS

Dr. Diego Gallegos and Robert Chavez The top executives of one of the state’s biggest family services agencies share a passion for helping others—and tales of growing up in ABQ’s South Valley.

Y PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

outh Development, Inc. is better known as YDI, a vast organization that helps families with counseling, education, job training, child care, mentoring, and other services. The Albuquerque-based non-profit is celebrating its 50th year in operation in 2021, which seemed like a great reason for a (virtual) chat with the group’s leadership team. Dr. Diego Gallegos has a no-nonsense air of leadership—obvious even through the grainy camera image of him on Zoom. And that physical presence is an exact reflection of his experience. Born and raised in Albuquerque’s South Valley, Dr. Gallegos has spent a career working in the public sphere of youth development, and eventually rising to the role of chief executive officer of YDI. An upbringing filled with challenges meant he had to first persevere and overcome poverty before he could start helping others. Robert Chavez, YDI’s chief operating officer, has a youthful air, with a large smile and a ready laugh. Like Dr. Gallegos, Chavez rose from impoverished surroundings in the South Valley to his current executive position, and also has a background working with local, state, and federal government in the area of youth development. They both are firm believers in the idea that real help comes in the form of helping others help themselves, and they share a grand vision for New Mexico, its families and the future of YDI. ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE: How important is YDI to making our community a better place? ROBERT CHAVEZ: Extremely. DR. DIEGO GALLEGOS: YDI focuses

its efforts at early support for the most economically challenged children and families. Youth and families facing serious events or situations such as homelessness,

RC: No, not really. Though we work in

partnership with local governments to help communities both here in Bernalillo County and now in counties as far south and west as Lordsburg and Deming and as far north as the Colorado border.

DG: We aren’t a government agency, but

roughly 95 percent of our funding comes from government contracts.

ATM: Did your personal experience growing up in the South Valley help prepare you for leadership roles in YDI? How so?

abuse, neglect, joblessness, mental health needs, and/or drug abuse are the focus for YDI. And our Neutral Corner provides safe court ordered visitation for children and their parents. YDI is an experienced and successful vehicle by which our community helps others achieve their dreams.

DG: I was born, grew up in, and continue to live in Albuquerque’s South Valley. Had there been a Head Start program, our family would have qualified. I have watched the challenges of many people in the South Valley throughout my life. YDI began in the South Valley and continues to serve many in the primarily Hispanic areas of the South Valley and West Side. My experiences and knowledge about those we serve helps to keep our focus on those with the most needs.

ATM: Is YDI a governmental department?

youth participant in YDI’s Employment and Training Program for several years

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DG: I definitely think so. I am a former

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

ABQ

which provided me with a participant perspective. Plus, I was raised by my grandmother on a fixed income and grew up in an area of Albuquerque known for gang and drug involvement. ATM: Are there any YDI success stories that come to mind when you think of the good your organization does for families in the community? RC: There are many success stories.

I think of my story from youth participant, working with YDI—the best non-profit in the state, then, working at Intel Corp., one of the world’s best companies as a manufacturing supervisor, them my positions within state government tells a lot about the skills YDI has contributed to me and my life’s blessings. I also think of Senator Michael Padilla. He was in the State’s foster care system, became involved with YDI and went on to be youth representative to the YDI board of directors, then moved on to a regular board appointee and served on the YDI board for twenty-two years and now has been a state senator who has organized an annual job fair that helped thousands of individuals in Albuquerque’s South Valley gain employment.

DG: There are many individual success

that young person. In recognition of that secret sauce, YDI’s mission became to “partner with families to help them solve life’s problems”. At YDI we believe that sustaining success with youth is strengthened by sustained success with their families.

Over 40 percent of the staff in the YDI Early Childhood division are previous Head Start parents. YDI has achieved national recognition in early childhood education and youth development. It has grown from a department in Bernalillo County Government to a non-profit serving half of the counties in New Mexico with over 430 employees and an annual budget of $30 million.

RC: Over the years, through experience,

stories. The YDI CFO/COO was a youth participant. The senior administrative assistant to the CEO was a Head Start student, parent, and employee. The individual success stories are many, as are the successes of YDI.

ATM: Despite the organization’s name, YDI isn’t just about helping youth, it’s also about helping Albuquerque families as a whole. What is the benefit to the whole-family approach? DG: YDI has received national recognition for its work with youth. That work has always included a case management approach where the family needs are assessed and support provided. Support to the young person’s family has always been the “secret sauce” of YDI’s success with

YDI has found that if you want to improve the life of a youth, you must help provide support to the entire family based on their needs. So, at YDI we try to do that either with the services we provide or partners in the communities that provide the support services YDI does not have in place. It’s all built around a family needs assessment.

ATM: What has been the trend, in terms of people giving or volunteering for causes, since YDI was founded in 1971? RC: I was a baby in 1971, so I really can’t

fully relate. However, I know over time there are many more opportunities for volunteerism and less time for individuals to support causes they have a passion for.

DG: I believe that many people have always given and continue to give, financially and through volunteering. I also believe that there are many more areas of

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ABQ

need and many more worthy groups trying to fund their services through donations. It is currently difficult to find large donations for most non-profits and fund development requires much time, effort, and money. ATM: How has COVID-19 changed or altered the way in which YDI gives services to clients? RC: The COVID-19 pandemic has cer-

tainly changed the way YDI has had to provide services to those we serve. As a non-profit family service agency who relies on personal contact to provide services, YDI had to find other ways to serve our families. With the creativity of our staff, increased use of technology, and the support of our funding agencies, YDI has been delivering services virtually when possible. DG: YDI is considered an essential service so we have continued to provide services to our clients in a variety of ways. Our shelters have remained open with

COVID safe practices and testing. Our Early Childhood programs have continued to provide child care and development services, focused on families that need child care in order to work, also in COVID safe environments. The rest of YDI programs have continued, including our human resources and finance departments, in a hybrid fashion, primarily through a telecommuting model. ATM: : What’s the one thing you’ve been most proud to have done or assisted with in your time with YDI? DG: I arrived at YDI in the middle of a

long struggle for control of the agency with the expectation that I heal the rift among staff, engage with the board, assess all parts of the organization, and make changes to address any serious issues. I soon learned that the organization was several million dollars in debt. I took action by cutting administrative costs and personnel significantly, sold an asset to pay much of the debt, reorganized the agency, made investments in technology, communication, and personnel develop-

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ment, and worked with a new Board chair to improve the governance structure. Today we are in the process of moving into a new building that will consolidate staff from five facilities in Albuquerque, our annual budget has increased from approximately $22 million when I arrived to $30 million, the board of directors has continued to meet in committee and as a whole throughout the pandemic, and YDI has been able to serve and succeed through a pandemic. RC: Working with the executive leadership team, we have been able to expand services to 16 counties in New Mexico and grow YDI’s annual budget to over $30 million, with over 425 employees. ATM: This past year was rough in many ways. What is your personal goal for YDI in the year 2021? DG: I want the staff at YDI to celebrate

their 50 years of success and to use that celebration as nourishment and strength for the next 50 years! —TH

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A LOOK AT THE LIFE & WORK OF ALBUQUERQUEANS WHO DESERVE A TOAST

Jane Of All Trades Success never gets old for Jane Bradley, a true N.M. renaissance gal whose lifetime of adventure continues with the growth of her 4-year-old start-up business.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

ane Bradley’s life story could fill volumes—and every tale would perk up the page. Her turquoise-colored eyes light up when she talks about growing up on ranches in New Mexico, marriage, raising a family, studying to become a fine artist, and, along the way, meeting and kibitzing with many of our state’s biggest movers and shakers. The words of her life paint a wonderful picture, a colorful panorama befitting her 82 years of living. In fact, the only downside to hearing about her adventures is that the listener might easily feel bummed for not having similarly amazing experiences. After all, she learned about ranching and politics from former Governor Bruce King; was good friends for decades with Forrest Fenn (the Santa Fe art dealer whose hidden treasure chest brought a global wave of seekers); and draws inspiration from her longtime friend Sonny Rivera, the internationally famous local sculptor whose La Jornada statue in Old Town was the focus of ABQ protestors last June. Her Rolodex (okay, cell phone contact list) includes countless notables with whom she’s been friends for decades, like Wings for Life International founder Ann Edenfield (Bradley served for years on the board); former Governor Bill Richardson; developer and hotelier Jim Long; and the late famed author, Rudolfo Anaya. Oh, and did we mention Bradley was a close college friend of Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton? Today, her list of business contacts and those she has mentored is also long—and growing. All of this, of course, brings the obligatory question: Has she ever considered retirement? Her answer, of course, is No. “I’m having,” says Bradley, “too much fun.” And so it makes perfect sense in Bradley’s mile-a-minute world that in 2016, she launched SmartSpider.net. It’s an online networking tool for business pro-

fessionals, not-for-profits, and artists; a one-stop hub to meet fellow professionals to exchange info, advice, and possibly, clients. Similar to advanced search sites

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like Ziprecruiter.com, SmartSpider tailors your listing to clients in need of your specific skills, but without a ‘gatekeeper’— emphasizing that there is not a barrier between SmartSpider companies and potential clients. Bradley’s business model also includes marketing to help promote clients and professional collaboration. For someone who has spent her life stacking successes in both the business world and her personal life, SmartSpider may seem like a natural evolution. But Bradley’s past is far more eclectic than you might think. In her jet-setting, adventure-laden life, Bradley has been an artist, college professor, business owner, entrepreneur, inventor, diplomat, military consultant, art gallery owner—even the president of a Russian football team. She’s also one of the most giving people in ABQ, and sits on more boards and panels than can be listed in a single magazine. For example, Bradley is the Chairperson of the Montezuma Ball, and sits on the board of the Albuquerque Museum of

Art and History, the New Mexico Community Development and Loan Fund, the Southwest Arts and Crafts Fair, the New Mexico Women’s Resource Center, the Barrett Foundation, and many others. And on a visual note, it would be remiss to not mention that Bradley is as beautifully stunning as she is articulate, thoughtful and intelligent. Her wardrobe and accessories are always impeccably stylish and couture—a wonderful thing in an age where yoga pants almost pass for formal wear. A third-generation New Mexican, Bradley grew up in Santa Fe before heading to college at the University of Arkansas where she focused on a degree in marketing. “I had grand dreams of being a painter,” Bradley says. “I wanted to be the Michelangelo of the West. But I started a family and decided to pursue something else that I was passionate about.” It was at Arkansas that she found her footing in the branding and business world, serving as president of the Genesis Business Incubator. During her time at the helm, Genesis was named the number one business in-

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cubator in the world by the National Business Incubation Association. Ever the networker, Bradley continued to spend the rest of her undergraduate years building relationships in addition to her resume. So, after college, opportunities abounded for her. One such opportunity would prove to lead to one of the most fascinating and exhilarating times in her life. “Well, a friend of mine bought the Russian Czars [a now-defunct Russian team that played in the European Football League],” Bradley says. “I think it was kind of on a whim. At the time, everyone thought football was going to spread around the world. Anyway, he called me and he wanted me to assess the team. So I went out to Moscow to check out the team and give him my honest assessment.” After careful consideration, Bradley was forced to inform her football-loving friend that the best, nay, ONLY option was to retire the team and try to recoup some losses. Ever the networker, Bradley employed her strong people skills, effortless smile,

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PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

and obvious sharp wit during her time in Russia. The result of her new contacts became yet another odd turn for Bradley. After her time with the Czars, Bradley spent four years overseeing grants and technology transfer through the Russian military. “I loved Russia,” she says. “The people were amazing and everywhere I went, everyone was wonderful. And the work was so interesting. In fact, it was just really an interesting time in Russia anyway.” A family emergency eventually brought Jane back to the States, where she returned to New Mexico. “I loved Russia, but I was really happy to be home. I’m just a New Mexico gal,” she says. Today, even setting aside SmartSpider, Jane Bradley is one of the most well-known and popular figures in the New Mexico business community. Her vast skill set and approachable demeanor make her a “must-know” resource for young artists and professionals. She has endless pearls of wisdom for the next generation, but to get the best of her knowledge and experience, it may still be best to just ask her to tell you a story. —TH

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BEHIND SCENES THE

YOUR SNEAK PEEK AT JOBS THAT FLY BELOW THE RADAR

Rescue Wings When patients from the rural parts of our state need specialized care—and time is of the essence—the jets get fired up at Med Flight Air Ambulance.

A PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

woman with a high-risk pregnancy that needs to go from a smalltown clinic to a big-city hospital for a higher level of care. A patient with a traumatic brain injury that needs transportation to a specialty care center in another state. A COVID-19 outpatient returning home from time in the ICU to await a lung transplant. All of these— and many more—have been patients of Med Flight Air Ambulance, an Albuquerque-based medical transportation company that wings patients across the country and continent on four Learjet 35a planes. Brothers Larry and Kevin Levy, now Medical Director/CEO and CFO, respectively, founded the company in 1979. Med Flight now employs 58 personnel, from the office staff to the dispatchers who send out pilots and medical crews 24/7/365. Unlike air ambulances, which transport patients from the scene of an emergency to a medical facility, the company transports stable (though still critical) patients to the next stage of their recovery. The crews transport roughly two dozen patients a month, with the majority of the flights originating or terminating out of state. In recent months, the crews have also transported a handful of COVID-19 patients, whose infectious diseases re-

quire special safety accommodations. When a call comes in, the crews aim for wheels up within an hour. However, a lot has to happen in those 60 minutes. The pilots have to put a flight plan in place. Chief Pilot Jack Miller says they often fly to unfamiliar airports. “We never know where we’re going until the phone rings,” Miller says. “Sometimes these calls come at two o’clock in the morning. We have to be at 100 percent as soon as possible.” Before takeoff, pilots must check the weather, plan their flight path and landing approach, and make sure they have a fuel plan in place. Med Flight pilots’ deep experience comes in handy during these planning sessions.

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Miller logged his first flight when he was 11 years old, so the 38-year-old pilot already has 27 years of experience under his belt. Before joining Med Jet, he racked up flight hours as a freight pilot, instructor, a charter pilot in Alaska, and a commercial pilot on a feeder airline to American Airlines. He, like all the Med Flight pilots, holds an Airline Transport Pilot certification from the FAA, the highest license as a commercial pilot. He had to accumulate 1,500 flight hours to reach that certification, far above the 250 hours for a standard commercial license. Before they take flight, the entire crew plans for the worst-case scenario. “If it’s a really bad patient or there are complications in route, we come up with contingencies on the ground during pre-flight. We always have safety as the number one priority,” Miller says. Preparation is also paramount for the medical crews, which, depending on the patient’s needs, may include a mix of paramedics, nurses, or respiratory therapists.

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PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

THE

BEHIND SCENES

Med Flight Air Ambulance pilots Jack Miller (L), and Brad Funkhouser (R).

In flight, at 40,000 feet, anything can happen. The medical teams need supplies on hand and the knowhow to respond. “We always have to think outside the box,” says program director Jose Ortiz, who is also a respiratory therapist. “In hospitals, we’re pretty spoiled with resources. There are physicians readily available and there are endless amounts of supplies. When you’re in an air ambulance situation, it’s just two people with what you have on hand. You have to be able to work autonomously Larry Levy (L) and Kevin Levy (R) are the owners of Med Flight Air Ambulance.

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and make clinical decisions quickly.” The 50-year-old’s background—which includes stints in the military, law enforcement, at University of New Mexico Hospital, and as a flight paramedic—says his experience has uniquely prepared him for his role. “They have a lot of the same traits: a sense of helping people, forwarding thinking, and situational awareness,” he says. Situational awareness is particularly important because the medical crew doubles as the flight crew. “One thing that

separates us from medical providers in hospitals is that we can’t just concentrate on the patient. We have to be aware of what’s happening with the plane as well, and even give FAA flight safety briefings to any family members flying along with us,” Ortiz says. Some patients, like those traveling for an organ transplant, are well enough to walk on the plane. Other patients come straight from critical care in the ICU and must have multiple complex pieces of equipment and IV medicine drips maintained during flight. Chief flight nurse Kori Martinez says the medical staff must keep learning to provide complex forms of care, such as certifications the former ICU nurse has earned to oversee patients with intra-aortic balloon pumps or on ECMO, a heart-lung machine that provides prolonged cardiac and respiratory support for patients whose organs aren’t able to do this work on their own. “To be successful with flight nursing, you have to have a good knowledge base of critical care medicine and always be looking for ways to improve your knowledge. Medicine is constantly changing,” the 34-year-old Martinez says. “You also have to know your boundaries. Know what you don’t know and have a willing-

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THE

BEHIND SCENES ness to learn new things.” The team aims for the patients not only to arrive at their destinations, but to do so in even better shape than when they first got on the plane. The novel coronavirus has led the Med Flight team to think on their feet yet again. With some patients, medical crew and the pilots have flown in full PPE. In other cases, patients rode in bio chambers that allowed nurses and respiratory therapists to continue to care for the person while staying protected. “As a company, we’ve really homed in on our infectious disease processes,” Martinez says. “We’ve gone above and beyond with decontamination and with PPE. The fact that we can be here to respond to the community’s need is the best part of it all.” The crew members share a passion for helping their patients, no matter their role. Martinez says, “I’m humbled to be part of their journey to get them where they need to go to progress with their healing journey, whether it’s for a life saving surgery or rehabilitation.” —ASHLEY M. BIGGERS

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CREATIVES P. 108 | SHELFLIFE P. 110 | TIEMPO P. 112

CULTURE

A HIGH DEGREE OF ARTISTRY At High Desert Flameworks, Rashan Omari Jones combines fire and glass to craft both extraordinary pieces of art and beautiful pieces of glassware (pg. 108).

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

A PULSE CHECK ON ALBUQUERQUEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ART, MUSIC AND THEATER SCENE

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DIP INTO THE PERFECTLY MIXED PALETTE OF ABQ’S ART AND ARTISTS

A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE

n the High Desert Flameworks Facebook page, it says that Rashan Omari Jones became “hopelessly addicted” to molten glass during an apprenticeship in 2001. Truth is, Jones’ fascination with glass arts goes back to when he would travel to visit family in El Paso as a child. Jones would cross the border with his uncle, where they would visit a glass factory just off the mercado in Juarez. Jones was mesmerized as the artisans there printed a variety of thick margarita glasses in cobalt, blue, and black. “I’ve just always really been fascinated by glass,” he admits. Fast forward to today. Jones owns a studio in the heart of the renovated Sawmill District populated by a talented team of glass artisans, seven in total. Each skill set

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is different, providing customers with a plethora of options. “We sell retail out of here, but mostly we’re like a glass tattoo parlor,” Jones says. “We do a lot of custom work. And when you walk in, it’s all about who can do the best justice for that piece. People come down, knowing they want to support us, knowing they want to spend some funds….they know what they want but they don’t know which of us is best at making a pink flamingo.” Flameworking, the technique utilized by Jones and his crew, involves heating glass rods and tubes to form objects. Jones uses propane- and oxygen-mixed torches to create a variety of drinkware, pipes, and other items. His repertoire also includes chess sets and chandelier work. Currently, he says that pint glasses are his next big thing—more specifically, 16-ounce ribbed beer glasses that reveal shades of blue and green when filled with

a darker beer (think stout or porter). As for price, such a piece can run anywhere from $50 to $300, depending on the amount of work that goes into it. Flameworking isn’t limited to the professionals, though. According to Jones, there are aspiring artisans everywhere. “This is a professional, commercial studio,” Jones says of his space. “You don’t necessarily need all this to get started. There’s literally guys working in their parents’ garage trying to come up with the next great bong idea.” Once upon a time, that was also Jones’ ambition. Sensible, when you consider that the aforementioned apprenticeship came under the guidance of a prominent pipe maker in town. “When I was younger, I wanted to be the world’s greatest pipe and bong maker ever,” Jones admits. At the time, Jones was working his way through the University of New Mexico,

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Rashan Omari Jones pursues his fiery passion for turning glass into art.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

but he found himself in the flameworking studio more and more often. Eventually, he bought his own torch. A hobby gradually turned into a career. According to Jones, one must devote about 200 hours to the torch before they feel comfortable. “I worked as a part-time flameworker for the first three years and that made it hard to make any progress,” he says. “I would come into work on my Friday-Saturday-Sunday and by the time the next week rolled around I’d forgotten everything, so I spent a lot of time relearning. And when you’re first working glass, you want to touch it if you can every day. Because there’s so much going on and the only way to learn the subtle nuances is just to do it over and over and over.” While he hasn’t strayed from his roots, parenthood changed his career focus significantly. “Now I don’t worry too much about being the best pipe and bong maker ever. I just want to be a very, very complete flame worker,” Jones says. “We are a medicinal city, so we have great relationships with a lot of local dispensaries. They’re making stuff, we’re making stuff.” Relationships in general are key at High

Desert Flameworks. Jones wants his work to provide value to other businesses and individuals throughout the Duke City. “In theory, it all goes to wanting to do better by our community,” he says. “We’re an ancillary service. What I’ve tried to do is position High Desert Flameworks so that we add value to your present situation.” More than capable of conducting an interview while working in front of a torch, the gregarious Jones is adept at multitasking. It makes sense. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Jones was as much a teacher as he was a craftsman. Locally, Jones runs kids’ programs in conjunction with Manzano Day School, Rio Grande Montessori, and Annunciation Middle School, to name a few. “We’ve kind of spiraled that program out to a bunch of other schools,” Jones says. “We’ve boxed the curriculum and sold it to other glass blowers so they can do it in their hometown—all that while trying to figure out what the next great thing to make is. It’s an all-encompassing job.” As a traveling teacher, Jones has been to 27 states and four countries, but the pan-

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demic put a halt to the jet setting lifestyle. Being a family man and parent, this was beneficial for obvious reasons, but it also served as a catalyst for his creative side. “It’s hard to just teach. You want to keep your hands loose and you want to stay relevant and current in the market or else people aren’t gonna take classes from you. If no one’s heard of you, they’re not gonna necessarily trust you with their education,” Jones says. “Now I’m almost exclusively in a maker mode. It’s been a good change. It’s something I kind of needed anyway.” A San Diego native who’s been in Albuquerque since middle school, Jones feels fortunate to ply his trade in such a supportive city. “One thing I’ve found over the last 20 years is that this is a remarkably supportive city for the maker culture,” he says. “Whether you’re making whiskey or socks. Whether you’re a blacksmith down in Corrales banging out handmade goods or you’re in the Sawmill churning out glass, the city really comes out to support that… This is a great home base.” —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

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SHELFLIFE NEW MEXICO’S SPOOKY TRADITION T TURN A PAGE WITH OUR LOCAL AUTHORS

ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE: What inspired you to write this book? RAY JOHN DE ARAGON: Ever since I

was a little boy, I was intrigued by mysteries, unexplained sightings, and the strange. I grew up listening to exciting stories told by my mother, Maria Cleofas Sanchez de Aragon. She came from a small Spanish colonial village in northern New Mexico. All of the men and women from the area, including her father and mother, belonged to the lay confraternities of Penitentes, Catholic penitents devoted to the Passion sufferings of Jesus Christ and his mother Mary. My mother firmly believed in the supernatural and she told me stories about La Llorona, the Wailing Woman. She also believed in marvels and miracles. My great grandmother, Doña Catalina Mondragon de Valdez, was a curandera, a medicine woman who treated her patients with medicinal herbs and roots. She delivered me when I was born. My father, Maximo de Aragon, also told me about ghosts and hidden treasures. They say seeing is believing. People from early generations staunchly believed. This belief system inspired me to write this book about some of this uncanny history. ATM: How long did it take to research and write Eerie New Mexico? What

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EERIE NEW MEXICO

By Ray John de Aragon Arcadia Publishing 160 pages $21.99

COURTESY IMAGE

hough Ray John de Aragon is a prolific New Mexican writer, and each of his books is special to him, his newest, Eerie New Mexico, is personal. Aragon has written about plenty of New Mexico-related subjects, but he has had an interest in the folklore and myths of the Land of Enchantment since he was a little boy. His father was a traveling salesman and would often bring little Ray John along. As he traveled through the state, Ray John soaked in all of the local myths and legends he could. Today, his new book is a combination of some of New Mexico’s most beloved, rich, and secretive stories, and a very personal story of Ray John’s experience growing up in a family where superstition and legend were very real.

was that adventure like? RJA: The threads that were woven to-

gether into this book were drawn from different periods and memories in my life. However, I did intense research over a period of five years, and, luckily, one obscure trail from off the beaten path led to new and stunning revelations. It was a wondrous journey like no other. I have always been intrigued by what could be out there waiting to be discovered throughout my entire life. I have always been curious. ATM: The book contains some of New Mexico’s most beloved stories. Are there any in particular that stand out for you? RJA: One of the old stories that caught

my attention and that stood out during my research was the one about Sor Maria de Agreda. It is said this nun bi-located from Spain and ministered among the Indians in New Mexico during the early seventeenth century. Various tribes claimed she would suddenly appear to them, and she spoke in their own languages. She especially loved the elderly and children. Native women loved her. She would stay for a time healing, performing miracles and then would disappear. Jumano Puebloans and other Indians revered this mysterious woman. Her recorded history was traced to her convent in Agreda, Spain. She is now called

the “Blue Nun” in New Mexico. Many are calling this Spanish nun New Mexico’s saint. ATM: Did you learn anything new while researching the book? RJA: I have also been intensely interested

in Native American and Spanish Colonial history. The related old and ancient folklore, myths, and legends oftentimes have grains of truth and facts. Sifting through these very valuable grains, and placing them in a special pile was a glorious adventure for me. ATM: Eerie New Mexico is about the Land of Enchantment, but it also seems to be a very personal book for you. Can you speak a little about that connection? RJA: One of the things I loved about my

childhood was traveling with my mother and father. My dad had his own business. He sold merchandise to mom and pop grocery stores from the 1940’s to 60’s throughout New Mexico. He went to Indian pueblos and very isolated towns and villages. Some of these places no longer exist and many are in ruins. I marveled at the mission churches at the pueblos. The natives were always very caring and friendly. People always shared their very personal stories. I carried all of these dear memories with me, and all of this became the basis of my writing and the basis for this book.—TH

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SHELFLIFE

RAGS TO RICHES, AND SO CAN YOU! H

ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE: What do you do with the extra time that being “1st generation rich” provides you? MARK MIGLIACCIO: Every morning I

visit my parents’ house and I get to enjoy some fresh roasted coffee straight from my dad’s coffee roaster. Because of the way we do business, I’ve created large pockets of time that allows me to search for more money-making investments to buy.

I’m a hands-on guy so I work on and in my business when needed or when I want to. I enjoy talking to our clients and getting to know our tenants. I find people fascinating. ATM: How long did it take to write this book? MM: It took me 3 years 6 months and 1

day to write and publish my book. I loved every minute of it!

ATM: What inspired you to sit down and actually write it? MM: One day I had this vision of me walk-

ing into my old high school special education class to tell the students my story. I thought if I could just inspire one person in the class that there are other ways to create a great living. Then I saw myself talking to the principal asking for permission to speak to his students. That’s when the light bulb

1ST GENERATION RICH By Mark Migliaccio Archway, 2020 262 pages $17.99

COURTESY IMAGE

is parents met in Cincinnati. His father is from Boston, his mother is from Binghamton, New York. But for author and entrepreneur Mark Migliaccio, he’s New Mexico all the way. He was born in the Duke City in 1973, and has stayed here his whole life. “Why would I move? I absolutely love this place,” he says. But Migliaccio’s childhood in Albuquerque wasn’t always great. Poverty and struggle were constant companions. But he pulled out of the downward spiral, built a business, and became 1st Generation Rich, which he turned into the title of his book. Hard-fought battles, hard-won knowledge, and all from a local boy. Sign us up.

fired up. If I had a book about my success then it would be alot easier to explain my journey. Passion was the glue that kept me fixated on finishing my book. Knowing this book will eventually help others is what kept me focused and determined to complete it. ATM: What inspired you to break out of the poverty of your childhood to become a successful entrepreneur and author? MM: My best friend’s dad was a first gen-

eration immigrant from Sicily. I saw him build an empire from scratch with no education, no money, and no help. That was the inspiration that changed my entire way of thinking about work and making a great living. ATM: What was your first real venture? MM: My first business venture is a couri-

er company I started with a friend when I was 20 called Metrolink Courier. The business is still running today after 27 years. ATM: Did you discover anything new while writing this book? MM: The title of author is not given, it’s

earned by one key stroke at a time.

I was shocked how attached I had become to the manuscript and did not tell

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anyone I was writing until most of the book was finished. I applied the same principles I used for starting my business and growing our real estate portfolio to becoming an author. I explain the formulas I used throughout the book. When you have a vision that is held together by a touch of passion, nothing will stop you from constantly pushing forward until you finish what you started. Once you find your glue it’s easy to stick to something until it’s completed. ATM: If you could give out only one piece of advice in the book, what would it be? MM: Each and every human being is so

unique and set apart from every other person on the earth. Find out what makes you so unique and turn it into something that everyone can benefit from. The best thing about joining the first generation rich is that by creating more options you will have more freedom. The only regret you should have is that you did not start your journey sooner. If I could sneak in a second word of advice, I’d say I’m 100-percent convinced that if you spend less time on your phone and more time on your ideas you’ll have a great shot at finding success. —TH

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by mel minter

ABQ’S THRIVING LOCAL MUSIC SCENE

GRACE NOTES

inger/songwriter Eddie Brewer had a tough time in his teenage years, living through a period of extended chaos fueled by alcohol—he started drinking when he was 10—and drugs. “I got into a lot of trouble as a kid,” he says. “I was not a calm kid.” In the midst of that chaos, Brewer found respite in music. “It was kind of like a calm in the storm for me . . . kind of like an escape from a crazy reality.” Music started earlier than the chaos. He started studying the piano at age four, the guitar at age 10, and by age 13, he was writing songs. He discovered jazz at 16 and began learning its classic tunes on piano, and he was introduced to country soon after that. At age 21, Brewer stopped drinking and drugging. He credits his parents’ commitment to him, particularly the meditation retreats that his mother—“my mom is awesome”—enrolled him in. The excitement of the alcohol and drugs began to wane, turning into a kind of depressing repetition that he compared to the movie Groundhog Day. Also, seeing how it was “burning out my family, especially my dad,” helped him resolve to quit. “We all have much better relationships now,” he says. About the same time, he launched himself into writing jazz and country tunes, determined to create new standards in those genres. “I never feel like I write a song,” says Brewer, despite the scores of tunes in his trunk. “I feel like I might refine a song, but I never feel like I write a song.” They tend to flare up, sparked by something as mundane as seeing “12:03” on his car’s dashboard clock. As his dad explained it to him, “inspire” comes from words meaning to breathe into, so the song comes from somewhere outside. “I totally believe that,” he says. He joined a rockabilly group, the Despots, and then formed Eddie Brewer and the Manic Episodes, as well as a country

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

FIXING A HOLE

Musician Eddie Brewer has been playing music since the age of 4

group, the Atomic Rangers. Now 27, he has released four albums, three music videos, original big band songs, holiday music, and five EPs, including November’s Secret Love, with four new original tunes featuring the Manic Episodes: Ryan Montaño (trumpet), Sarah Griego (sax), Roman Garcia (guitar), Matthew Jeagar (bass), and Casey Frew (drums), with Aleena Carter guesting on vocals on one track. One thing that all of these recordings share is the deep velvet warmth of his voice, which recalls the crooners of a bygone era. It is an immediately recognizable instrument that all but commands your attention and your trust. But don’t mistake Brewer for a throwback act. That much is clear when you catch sight of his piercings and tattoos, which make him look more metal than jazz or country. Eddie Brewer is all about now, with original

tunes and original interpretations of classics, even if it is all recorded with an old school approach—with live musicians playing their instruments. Brewer is quick to give his bandmates credit for their invaluable contributions to the recordings, and he repeats it several times during our conversation. “I love the guys that I play with,” he says. “I’m really grateful to them.” The new EP has one characteristic not shared by the previous recordings: Eddie Brewer is no longer concerned about pigeonholing himself in one genre or another. He’s discovered that he can bend and blend genres to suit a particular song’s needs, and he’s found a comfortable space where he’s free to be himself and follow his artistic impulses. You could say he’s found his voice. You can find Brewer at the piano at Vernon’s a few nights weekly when there is no

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pandemic shutdown. Check out eddiebrewer.com and look for his music on the usual streaming sites.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE “Timing is everything, isn’t it?” says David Meyers, who fronts the band Of Light and Shadow. The group’s first album, The Art of Shifting Seas, was released in March 2020, just as the pandemic hit and while Meyers and his brother, Jesse McDermott—also a member of the band—were working long hours in their roles as city fire marshal and policeman, respectively. But pandemic or not, Meyers wanted to get the music—focused on love, hope, and redemption—out there in a time of churning political, economic, racial, and public health crises. Meyers, who writes the band’s material, and his brother found rock and roll success in their previous band, Old Man Shattered, which won best band in this magazine’s annual “Best Of ” issue some years ago. That band, which Meyers describes as “mildly successful,” got national radio play, toured the country, and stayed together for 15 years. The brothers found that “touring doesn’t lend itself to families,” says Meyers, “so we kind of settled down and got real jobs.” Music, however, was never out of the picture. Coming from a musical family, it came easily to Meyers, though he’s quick to point out that he’s the worst musician in the current band. The group includes Meyers (vocals and guitar), Ariana Mon-

te Ricken (vocals), McDermott (guitar and drums), Ben Lawry (keyboards, piano, arranging, vocals), Sam Harris (bass), and Brett Bronner (drums), whom Meyers calls “some of the best musicians in the city.” He also praises Ken Riley at Rio Grande Studios for the album’s quality recording and production. Music has been an important tool for Meyers and his brother. It helps them process the difficult things they see in their work for the city. “Putting out a record like we did, together, with the content that we did, it’s kind of an outlet for us,” says Meyers. For Meyers, music has also been a way to battle depression, something he’s struggled with all his life. “It’s the one thing that can remind me of the loveliness that’s all around us,” he says. Songwriting helps him work through life’s challenging moments. “I don’t write for other people,” he says. “I write for me.

I write where I’m at, where my head’s at, what moves me, and the situations that I find myself in.” He points to the song “Twilight” on the album, which came from one of the darkest moments in his marriage. “If that song never does anything, if nobody hears that song, if I write it for my wife and that’s it, that song did everything I wanted it to do.” He’s happy if people hear it and relate to it, but that’s not what motivated him to put pen to paper. All the songs on the album address the subject of love—spiritual love, romantic love, love strained, love regained. “The album’s called The Art of Shifting Seas, and I think that that sea that we’re each on is love,” says Meyers. “Whether you want to talk about love in the abstract or in a more pragmatic kind of way, but I think essentially we’re talking about the same thing,” says Meyers. “Love—that’s what gives this thing called life meaning.” Given the societal stresses we’re facing these days, Meyers thinks that a focus on love is just what we all need right now to interrupt the ugly narratives. For him, music is the best way to make that happen, given his firm belief that it is capable of opening hearts and changing the world. You can get on board with that narrative by visiting the band’s bandcamp page (https://oflightandshadow.bandcamp. com/releases). Live performances are not in the immediate future for the band, but you can check out the current album on bandcamp and look there for new music down the road.

Be sure to check out Musically Speaking, Mel’s online music journal, at www.melminter.com. If you’d like to share something with “¡tiempo!” readers, e-mail tiempo@abqthemag.com.

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Of Light and Shadow frontman David Meyes lays down some licks

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E DO U

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1005 BELLAMAH AVE SUITE X ABQ, NM 87104 INSIDE SAWMILL MARKET VISIT BLUEDOORNM.COM FOLLOW @BLUEDOORNM

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EATS P. 116 | EATS, ETC. P. 120 | FROM THE VINE P. 122 | MY FAVORITE RECIPE P. 126 | BITES P. 130

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PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR The mustachioed mascot of New Mexico State University is the face of a new elixir, Pistol Pete’s Six-Shooter Rye Whiskey, part of a collaboration of branded spirits, beer, and wine that NMSU continues to launch (p. 122).

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

A TASTE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ABQ’S WORLD OF WINE, SPIRITS, AND CULINARY DELIGHTS

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Eats

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MAGOKORO

Magokoro delivers a distinctive take on Japanese cuisine.

ome words just don’t translate cleanly from one language to another. Both popular and useful, schadenfreude, the German word for taking pleasure in someone else’s misfortune, is a particularly good example. So it is with magokoro, a Japanese word that captures a sense of sincerity—of earnest, open-hearted devotion—for which there is no obvious English equivalent. It also happens to be the name for a local restaurant that approaches Japanese cuisine with precisely that spirit of open sincerity. It’s food made with love and passion in the hopes of inspiring those same feelings in those who eat it.

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Magokoro gives Duke City diners a window into Japanese culture and cuisine that they can’t really get elsewhere (absent a long flight, that is). Rather than focus on the food many Americans reflexively associate with Japan—sushi—Magokoro presents a menu steeped in traditional and regional flavor that fully eschews the easy and obvious. “We’re serving actually very authentic Japanese cuisine,” explains Magokoro manager Seiya Bowen, noting the complexities that come with using a word like “authentic” to describe any culinary experience. “I don’t really like using that word, because I think it’s kind of hard to define.

It’s a complicated, loaded word to describe cuisine and food, but it is something that we’re trying to do. To switch people out of their comfort zone and serve them something a little more challenging, something maybe they don’t understand.” Originally opened in 2006 as Kokoro (the Venn diagrams for using Kokoro and Magokoro would almost form a circle), Magakoro is a family business from the ground up. Prior to launching the restaurant, Seiya’s mother and Magakoro founder Takako Bowen would wake up at 4 a.m. to prepare sushi at UNM, then solicit the help of her son and husband to bicycle it to food stands across campus. When that

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CEPHALOPOD SALAD Did somebody say “squid salad?” Color us intrigued. This dish brings together calamari, a collection of vegetables derived from both land and sea, a dash of rice wine vinegar, and a careful dollop of sesame oil.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

DESSERT NEXT DOOR Seiya Bowen has launched a sister operation to Magokoro. Located right next door, Tonari No Mise delivers Japanese inspired treats, including handchurned ice cream.

contract ended, Takako set her sights on something new. Launching Magokoro (then Kokoro) was no easy task. “My mom really didn’t have the finances to open this business and the banks wouldn’t loan her any money, so she actually opened the whole business on eight different credit cards,” recalls Seiya. “We just didn’t have the money and no one was willing to take a risk on us.” In those early days, the entire operation was run by the Bowen nuclear family, with Seiya, his siblings, and both parents working to keep diners’ plates filled with Takako’s signature takes on traditional Japanese foods. Classically trained in French cuisine at a culinary school in Tokyo, Takako aimed to deliver unmistakably Japanese eats, tweaked with classical Western techniques. Years later, Magokoro still pushes well beyond the bounds of ramen and sushi, FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

UNDERSTATED INTERIOR You can eat food this good sitting atop a garbage can in an alleyway and still have a fine time, but Magokoro compliments their menu with reserved, stately, and altogether classy interior design.

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Magokoro 5614 Menaul Blvd NE 830-2061 Magokoroabq.com

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

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treating visitors to a thrilling selection of flavors. “The curry is our house staple,” says Seiya. “I mean, it’s something we’ve really become known for, and that’s something I like to point people towards. I think people have had Indian curry, but they don’t quite know what Japanese curry is like. It’s a household staple—a typical Japanese household would probably eat a Japanese curry at least once a week, if not twice. Our curry is very labor intensive—it’s a long, long process—but it’s something that we’re really proud of here.” Magokoro has also cultivated a reputation for elevating the bento box— commonly available at Japanese-inspired restaurants throughout Albuquerque— into a sweeping sensorial cultural experience. “They come with nine different

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sides, all handmade here, and all very different in flavor,” says Seiya. Sides include tamagoyaki (a Japanese egg omelet), kabocha no nimono (stewed pumpkin), pickled cucumbers, and kombu (a kelp dish). Protein choices include beef short ribs, salted salmon, aji fried mackerel, and tonkatsu pork. Back in the summer of 2013, Kokoro temporarily shuttered operations. Many Albuquerque gourmands were temporarily despondent, greeting promises of an impending return with the hesitancy and skepticism of jilted lovers. Fortunately, the Bowens made good on their promise, returning just over a year later with a new name and a modified menu. Critically, all the things that made folks fall in love with the restaurant in the first place remained

fully intact. It’s consistency is worth celebrating—especially since we can all still enjoy it today. —ZB

FEATURED DISHES MAKUNOUCHI BENTO, $17

Choose from salted salmon, aji fried mackerel, beef short rib, and tonkatsu pork. Served with rice and nine traditional sides.

CURRY, $12

A traditional Japanese-style curry, served with rice, pickles, and your choice of potato croquette, breaded tofu, chicken kara-age (a deep fried marinated chicken), and tonkatsu pork.

TUNA SOBA, $12

Chilled soba noodles are served with raw tuna, masago, and Magokoro’s house spicy sauce.

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CAKEFETISH.COM

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Eats, Etc.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

A quick glance at three local eateries that you may or may not already know about.

Straight Up Pizza delivers the straight-up goods: New York style pizza with a New Mexico edge.

mericans eat a lot of cheese. In 2019, the average American ate over 40 pounds of the stuff—and a big chunk of that was mozzarella, now America’s favorite cheese, delivered by the pizza slice. Americans love pizza, so much so that nearly a fifth of restaurants are pizza joints and the USDA has reported several years in which one in eight Americans eat pizza every single day. Albuquerque pizza joint Straight Up Pizza was launched eleven years ago, back in 2009, one of the years when a big chunk of the American population was eating pizza daily. Since then, they’ve carved out a reputation for putting out top quality pizzas, calzones, and wings—even notching a notice in Money magazine as the best pizza operation in New Mexico for 2018. “We’re more of a New York style, but I

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like to say with a New Mexico edge,” explains Randy O’Canna, who runs Straight Up Pizza with his father, Gary, and twin brother Travis. The family was well-suited to the task at hand: the elder O’Canna had a history as an entrepreneur and Randy had been involved in the pizza business in some form or another since the age of 17. With sauces and dough made from scratch daily, Straight Up Pizza turns out solid versions of pizza-shop classics—the Carnivore, a celebration of everything meat; the Vegetarian, for those who prefer to feast on veggies; and the Supreme, for those who want to leave no flavor unexplored. But the real action is in their distinctive house specialties. The Devil Dog, designed by former US Marine Travis O’Canna, brings together pepperoni, pineapples, green chile, roasted garlic,

and bacon, while the Chupacabra layers pepperoni, meatballs, green chile, and fire-roasted red peppers over a bed of house-made spicy marinara. Exclusively a delivery and carry-out operation, Straight Up Pizza was already in a good position for a world where dine-in eating was effectively off the table. They have even installed a walk-up window, making it that much easier (and safer) to enjoy a slice at home. —ZB

STRAIGHT UP PIZZA 2801 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite G 796-9343 Straightuppizza.com

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

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Tio David’s brings the rich cultural tapestry of Peru to the Duke City.

Though its advent as a storefront operation has been relatively recent—first opening their doors in the last half of 2020—it’s a project nearly 20 years in the making. David Diaz first moved his family from Lima, Peru to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2001, at which point his cooking—served out of his home kitchen and presented at local festivals—began earning a stellar word-of-mouth reputation in the local community. The food on offer at Tio David’s shares notes of similarity with other cuisines, but is an altogether fresh and distinctive entry to the Albuquerque food scene. On the more familiar side of things, they do a first rate Ceviche de Pescado—a dish popular across the globe that originated in Peru. And no surprise that their potato game is exceptional, the Andes—cutting north to south across the entire length of Peru—

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being the original home of everyone’s favorite starchy tuber. Elsewhere on the menu, the Lomo Saltado presents a medley of culture and flavor. This Peruvian-style stir-fry brings together marinated strips of beef tenderloin, Roma tomatoes, red onions, and Peruvian aji chile, served alongside jasmine rice and crisp, golden French fries. Meanwhile, Tio David’s Arroz Chaufa showcases both Peru’s Chinese influence and the Diaz family’s Chinese heritage (David’s great great grandmother was a Chinese immigrant). —ZB

TIO DAVID’S 3409 Central Ave. NE 433-4438, tiodavids.com

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

eruvian cuisine is, more than anything else, an explosion of history and multiculturalism. Home to over 1500 miles of Pacific coastline, nearly 500,000 square miles of Amazon rainforest, and peaks that scrape the sky at altitudes in excess of 22,000 feet, it’s not the sort of place that is easily boiled down. Forty-five percent of the population trace their ancestry to one of the country’s 51 indigenous groups, while others have roots in Spanish colonialism and Chinese immigration. According to Tio David’s Diego Diaz (son to the eponymous David), that level of geographical, ecological, and human diversity is key to understanding Peruvian food. “You’ve got the coasts, you’ve got the mountains, and you’ve got the jungles,” he says, all of which play a role in shaping the flavors of Peru.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ABQ’S BEER, WINE, AND SPIRITS SCENE

NMSU presents a branded beer, a wine, and now a whiskey.

NMSU TAPS INTO A BRANDING BONANZA There’s a first time for everything. Most are pretty mundane. Some are outright ignominious. But there’s a rarified few that are undeniably glorious. You know—first human on the moon, first successful smallpox vaccine, that sort of thing. Now, add to that auspicious list a fresh entry: first college with its own whiskey. That distinction falls to New Mexico State University (NMSU), New Mexico’s oldest higher education institution, founded just over 132 years ago in Las Cruces. Originally launched as

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Las Cruces College before turning into the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts the following year, NMSU has deep roots in the traditions and science of American agriculture— which, as it happens, has also given the world a number of first-rate American whiskeys. A partnership with Las Cruces-based Dry Point Distillers puts thematic synergy into practice, yielding a 90-proof, 95% rye, 5% malted barley whiskey named in honor of Pistol Pete, the NMSU athletics mascot, and his trusty six-shooter. Stefan and Chris Schaefer—the father-son team behind Dry Point Dis-

tillers—had been toying with the idea of putting out a whiskey for a while before NMSU approached them with a proposed partnership. “Being in southern New Mexico, right on the border, we considered doing a tequila, but my thing is whiskey,” recalls Chris Schaefer, noting whiskey’s iconic status in American tradition and its connection to NMSU’s agricultural roots. Launched back in March 2020, the project didn’t afford the Schaefer’s the time they would need to age anything more fancy than straight whiskey. But rather than put out a potentially unremarkable product, the Dry Point team started taste testing whiskeys to see

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

PISTOL PETE’S ETHANOL ADVENTURES

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

Nexus Brewing has kicked off a smallscale canning operation.

if they could find something worthy of their brand, going through a dozen varieties before settling on the rye that rounds out the name: Pistol Pete’s Six-Shooter Rye. “I’m more of a bourbon drinker, but this rye has some of the same spice as bourbon,” explains Schaefer. “The flavor’s very nice and long-lasting.” While there was never any doubt that Pistol Pete’s Six Shooter Rye would sell, Schaefer was nonetheless surprised by the whiskey’s on-the-ground popularity. By the end of its first seven days on the market, Pistol Pete’s Six Shooter Rye had sold a thousand bottles, with no obvious end in sight. “I’ve been having a hard time keeping it in stock here locally,” says Schaefer, who plans to set aside a few hundred bottles of the next batch for wider distribution. “I hate having to tell people, ‘nope, I don’t have any for you.’” The Schaefers, for their part, came to distilling six years ago, chiefly out of

personal affinity. “Me and my dad had an interest and curiosity in distilling, so we got a still and tried making some whiskey,” says Schaefer. Over time, their techniques got more sophisticated and the stills got bigger. Eventually, there was just too much liquor for the Schaefer’s to enjoy on their own, and that’s when they started looking into licensing, paving the way for the establishment of Dry Point Distillers. Says Schaefer, “[Distilling] is a wide world that I find endlessly fascinating at this point.” Pistol Pete’s Six-Shooter Rye Whiskey is far from NMSU’s first foray into the world of intoxicating beverages. In August 2017, they launched Pistol Pete’s 1888 beer—a 4.8% ABV, 20 IBU blonde ale—in partnership with the team at Bosque Brewing. Then, in October 2020, they got into the wine game, partnering with D.H. Lescombes Winery to produce Pistol Pete’s Crimson Legacy, a cabernet sauvignon.

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AT THE NEXUS OF REFRESHMENT AND CONVENIENCE There’s not a lot to complain about in your typical trip to a Nexus Brewing location, either the Brewery & Restaurant or the Blue Smokehouse down on Broadway. You get first rate soul food and barbeque alongside a selection of excellent house brews. One minor quibble—the only one we can think of—is that there hasn’t been a great way to take some of those tasty suds home with you. Well, problem solved. Nexus has started canning some of their most popular beers, allowing you to take home a four-pack of Honey Chamomile Wheat, Scotch Ale, Imperial Cream Ale, and Black is Beautiful Imperial Stout, the latter produced in partnership with Weathered Souls Brewing Co.

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Troubled Minds Distilling pairs their Agave Reposado with Tequila & Tacos.

BOOKWORKS AND TRACTOR TAKE ABQ ON AN AGAVE JOURNEY Books and booze aren’t necessarily the most obvious combination. But here, the pairing was a matter of kismet. It all started when Tractor Brewing Co./Troubled Minds Distilling marketing and events director Jeremy Kinter was on the hunt for a bit of an unorthodox pairing to mark the debut

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of Trouble Minds’ new Agave Reposado. So, he called up Bookworks, one of Albuquerque’s premier local book shops, to explore possibilities. Turns out, they had a line on the perfect new release: Tequila & Tacos, by Katherine Cobbs. Drawing on Cobbs’ culinary and literary expertise—along with loads of expert insight—the book explores the world of tequila, mescal, and tacos through a region-by-region breakdown of spirits, cocktails, and recipes both popular and esoteric. That makes it perfect to peruse while you’re sipping some of Troubled Minds’ Agave Reposado. Agave spirits, for the unfamiliar, are derived from the same agave plants folks distill into tequila. But, like Scotch, the term tequila itself is a regional designation, applicable only to spirits distilled from agave in the Mexican state of Jalisco and a few other municipalities throughout Mexico. That reposado tacked onto the end refers to the aging process, telling you that the spirits have been aged in oak barrels. In

the case of Troubled Minds’ 80 proof Agave Reposado, we’re talking about 6 months soaking up all that oaky goodness. Visit getplowed.com to check out the Agave Reposado and visit bkwrks. com to find a copy of Tequila & Tacos.

THE GREAT SADIE’S/ MARBLE TEAM-UP There’s something magical about a superstar team up. Think of all the great music that turned up after David Bowie and Iggy Pop started hanging out together, or Francis Crick and James Watson uncovering the structure of DNA. Well, now we can add a fresh entry to that list: Sadie’s of New Mexico and Marble Brewery. According to owner William R. Stafford, the Sadie’s crew was on the hunt for something new and relevant to the community, and figured a partnership with a local beer outfit would be just the ticket. And so the seeds for Sadie’s Marble Red & Green Salsa were sewn.

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COURTESY IMAGES

At present, this is an entirely homegrown, small scale production. Nexus Brewing staff use a manual canning machine, allowing them to churn out four-packs at a rate of about one a minute. That’s a lot less than your typical large scale, assembly line brewer, but neither are these your typical assembly line brews. It does, however, mean distribution is limited. Stop by Nexus Brewery & Restaurant or Nexus Blue Smokehouse to pick some up.

Sadie’s, of course, is no stranger to salsa—their Hot, Not as Hot, and Roasted Chile salsas are available at grocery stores throughout the Duke City. But adding beer to the mix complicated things, demanding months of experimentation to dial in just the right balance of flavors. Ultimately, the Sadie’s team settled on Marble’s Red Ale—an earthy, malty, medium-bodied beer—as the perfect ingredient to take their salsa to the next level. The end result, Sadie’s Marble Red & Green Salsa, presents a delightful interplay of flavors, with the Marble Red Ale’s hops supplying counterpoints to that green chile heat. Available at Sadie’s on Fourth and Marble taprooms, the salsa can also be found online at sadiessalsa.com.

THE RUSSIAN (IMPERIAL STOUTS) ARE COMING Notable exceptions aside, making good booze usually takes a spell. It’s true of wine, it’s true of spirits, and it’s true of beer. For the latter, getting something drinkable usually takes at least a couple months. But, more often than not, to make something truly special, it takes even longer. So it is with the annual return of La Negra, La Cumbre Brewing’s Russian Imperial Stout. Brewed from a roasted malt laden batch of La Cumbre’s British pale ale, La Negra is aged for five months in Elijah Craig bourbon barrels. The resulting beer is a flavor leviathan. No surprise there, as stouts are rarely short on flavor. But overflowing with notes of bourbon, raisin, and cocoa, La Negra enthusiastically dials things up to eleven. To match such bold tastes, La Cumbre commissioned Albuquerque artist Christopher McAfee—known for his bold, colorful illustrations and paintings overflowing with regional flavor—to design the label. It’s instantly recognizable packaging for a hugely memorable beer, available in 22-ounce bottles in package stores throughout the city, as well as on draft at both La Cumbre locations. —ZB

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SPIRIT SPOTLIGHT floral

strong

sour

sweet

citrus

SKYLER WHITE

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Skyler White, $11 66 Acres 2400 12th Street NW 243-2230, sixtysixacres.com

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PHOTO BY REECE MARTINEZ/ATM

Skyler White, for those who spent the years between 2008 and 2013 in a hermetically sealed fallout shelter, was one of the central characters on Breaking Bad. Unlike a lot of TV-wives, Skyler didn’t exist merely to react to her husband’s kooky (or in this case criminal) antics. No, this was a character with agency—a character fully capable of cutting her own mold and fueling her own narrative arc. That, more or less, is the spirit behind the Skyler White cocktail at 66 Acres. Blanco tequila is combined with St. Germain elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and lavender bitters, then garnished with a couple sprigs of fresh thyme. Those ingredients are mixed and shaken with ice, then served in a chilled martini glass. The resulting drink is at once a nod to local flavors—agave spirits and lavender—and pop culture infamy. But unlike a lot of the behavior depicted on Breaking Bad, enjoying a Skyler White at 66 Acres is perfectly legal (provided you’re over 21) and, in fact, highly recommended. —ZB

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Favorite

with Theresa Carson President, African American Greater

y now, just about everyone has felt the sting of COVID-19—we can’t recreate like we used to, and safety protocols mean a couple ounces of fabric over our faces when we go outside. Beyond the personal hardships, many businesses owners—restaurateurs in particular—have also struggled and suffered enormously, particularly those operated by minority owners. According to research done at the University of California Santa Cruz, as reported by the National Bureau of Economic Research, COVID-19 has shuttered 41 percent of Black-owned businesses. That number is substantially higher than the 17 percent of COVID-related closures of businesses with white owners, according to the report. Given this, the efforts of the African American Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce (AAGACC)—an organization dedicated to fostering economic opportunity and encouraging entrepeneurship in the Black community—are more crucial than ever. “Prior to COVID, we were doing 505 networking opportunities for our businesses, where we were bringing them together to introduce them to other individuals, other companies, with which they could possibly partner,” says AAGACC President Theresa Carson. “We also provide a lot of information on funding opportunies, especially in light of what’s going on with COVID—providing information about low interest loans as well as

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grant opportunities to our businesses.” Carson spearheaded the AAGACC’s formation in 2018, following a 36-year career at Sandia National Laboratories. “I knew that it was a need,” she says. “I did not see where there was an organization that fully supported the Black-owned businesses here within the city and within the state. Now, our Chamber is the only Black chamber within [New Mexico].” Even during normal times, it’s hard to overstate the potential positive impact of an organization like the AAGACC. According to the data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, one-fifth of businesses don’t make it past the two year mark, and only about a third make it to the age of ten. By providing entrepreneurs with invaluable networking opportunities, funding avenues, and mentorships, the AAGACC helps smooth an inherently rough road. “When you become a member of the Chamber, you automatically have all access to all those resources,” says Carson. “You know, if you need a mentor for your business, people have basically just been giving me a call and saying, ‘I would like to have someone who is in a similar business, who can help because I’m trying to move from x to y.’” Although data on how COVID has impacted Black-owned businesses in the Duke City are currently unavailable, Carson has seen plenty of evidence that many of them are hurting. “I know a nail salon, specifically,” she says. “This individual has lost probably about 75 percent of her rev-

enue. So this year, that’s significant, and that’s a solopreneur business, and those [have been] hit very hard.” In order to help businesses through these turbulent times, AAGACC has employed a number of tools and strategies. “Right now, what we’ve been really focusing on is helping businesses pivot with regards to their business model, if that’s something they want to do, but also finding capital for our businesses in order to stay afloat,” says Carson. “We are looking at grant funding, because right now there’s a lot more businesses that don’t want to take on loans, take on more debt. So we have been looking for grants and looking at very low interest loans.” For information on how you can lend a hand or take advantage of Chamber programs, visit their website (aagacc.org) and stay tuned to their social media channels for regular updates. In highlighting her work at the African American Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Carson shared with us a recipe for sweet potato pie—a delicious treat that happens to be her husband’s favorite recipe. —ZB

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PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce

DISH Theresa’s Sweet Potato Pie Recipe Ingredients

Directions

3 large eggs (cage free) 1 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup of monk fruit granulated sweetener dash salt 1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon ½ teaspoon powdered allspice ¼ teaspoon powdered nutmeg 3 cups of cooked mashed sweet potatoes 1 unbaked 10-inch pie shell

Beat eggs well, add sugar, salt, and spices, vanilla and mix thoroughly. Add cream and stir. Add mashed sweet potatoes and mix thoroughly. Turn into pie shell and bake in a preheated 350⁰ oven for 1 hour or until firm. Enjoy with Cool Whip or Ice Cream.

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(Pre-made pie shell optional)

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BITES

OUR EATS ALUMNI, CONDENSED INTO PERFECTLY SIZED SNACKS TO TAKE WITH YOU ON THE GO ALQUDS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL & GROCERY

POLICY:

5555 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 888-2921 Owner Mohamad Abdel Jalil and his sons run this all-in-one operation—a small grocery store and Middle East restaurant—seven days a week. This family team makes fresh pita bread every day and serves platefuls of their delicious hummus. It’s a great spot for lunch on-the-go.

“Bites” is a guide to Albuquerque-area eating establishments compiled by Albuquerque The Magazine’s editorial staff. These restaurants have been featured previously in the “Eats” department of the magazine. Restaurants may or may not

AL’S BIG DIPPER

accept reservations or major credit cards,

501 Copper Ave. NW, 314-1118, alsbigdipper.com From the beginning, Al’s Big Dipper has been a family affair. Every sandwich is named after a family member, and the owners test every soup they make. Try the 505 Lunch Deal—a cup of soup, a grilled cheese sandwich and a homemade cookie for only $5.05.

so call before visiting.

CORRECTIONS: Please send corrections and suggestions to bites@abqthemag.com.

ALDO’S NEW YORK STYLE PIZZERIA $ 5 STAR BURGERS

5901 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 821-1909, 5starburgers.com From bison, salmon, turkey and crab to lamb, chicken and Black Angus beef, burger addicts will love Five Star’s 100 percent natural meat. Handformed patties or vegetarian options paired with wine from St. Clair Winery or beer from Marble Brewery are a match made in heaven.

66 DINER

1405 Central Ave. NE, 247-1421, 66diner.com This blast from the past specializes in burgers, chicken fried steak, liver and onions, and blue-plate specials, including the Pile Up: a mound of pan-fried potatoes, chopped bacon, green chile, two eggs, cheddar cheese, and red or green chile sauce on top.

ABC CAKE SHOP

1830 San Pedro Drive NE, 255-5080, abccakeshop.com Specializing in custom cakes and cakes for all occasions, this bakery focuses on freshness and flavor. Everything is made from scratch, including the cupcakes, cookies, pies, Danishes, pastries, and other desserts.

THE ACRE

4410 Wyoming Blvd NE, 299-6973, theacrerestaurant.com The Acre Restaurant specializes in comfort vegetarian cuisine with a goal to challenge meateaters and question what vegetarian food is, all while creating healthy, sustainable dishes.

ABUELITA’S NEW MEXICAN KITCHEN $

6083 Isleta Blvd. SW, 877-5700 Kathy Martinez’s brother, Chris Romero, opened Abuelita’s New Mexican Kitchen in Bernalillo 26 years ago. Since then, nothing has changed. The Huevos Rancheros are a best seller, as is the Kitchen’s signature dish, the Tacopilla.

AJIACO COLOMBIAN BISTRO

3216 Silver Ave. SE, 266-2305, ajiacobistro.com Inside the intimate space, you’ll find combination plates, arroz con pollo, arepas, plantains, and of course, a great cup of Colombian coffee. The dishes at Ajiaco combine indigenous Colombian, Spanish, African, and Arab flavors for a truly thrilling experience.

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Two Locations, aldosalbuquerque.com With handmade lasagna and pizza dough, among other items, Aldo’s New York Style Pizzeria shares family recipes with its customers. From the buttermilk ranch dressing to the Eggplant and Chicken Parmigianas, homemade cooking is not too far away.

ALICEA’S NY BAGELS & SUBS

1009 Golf Course Road SE, Suite 103, 896-4555 This East Coast–style deli on ABQ’s Westside is serving up 20 different sandwiches to Rio Rancho’s hungriest diners, using fresh-baked New York–style bagels and meats prepared in house for the likes of its Philly Steak and Cheese or the Cuban. Come hungry, because Alicea’s portions are not for the faint of heart. Can’t get out? Delivery options in Rio Rancho and parts of ABQ are also available when that hunger pang strikes.

AMADEO’S PIZZA AND SUBS

AMERASIA/SUMO SUSHI

Three locations, amadeospizza.com This family-run pizza place believes that there truly are a million different ways to make a pizza. Using fresh, high quality ingredients, they specialize in pizzas, subs, pasta, and fresh salads. 800 3rd St. NW, 247.1619 / 246-1615 amerasia-sumosushi.net Dim sum—which means “small piece of your heart” in Chinese—takes on a bigger meaning at AmerAsia, where everything is made from scratch daily. Try the fried beef and garlic dumplings, pork and ginger potstickers, or scallion pancakes.

AMORE NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA

Two locations, amoreabq.com After relocating to Albuquerque from Naples, Italy, Gabriel and Kimberly Amador missed Neapolitan pizza. The husband and wife team, certified by the Association of Neapolitan Pizzaiuoli (APN), opened Amore, bringing a slice of Italy to Albuquerque. A Neapolitan brick oven fires delicious pizzas, such as the Margherita and the Zia, for 60 to 90 seconds at 905 degrees Fahrenheit. Local beer and wine compliment the pies perfectly.

ANATOLIA TURKISH MEDITERRANEAN GRILL

2132 Central Ave SE Suite C, 242-6718 The specialty is the Doner Kebab, seasoned meat in the shape of an inverted cone, slow-cooked to perfection rotisserie style, and always freshly prepared. Whether you choose the Adana Spicy Ground Lamb or the ‘Burque Kebab, try the “baklove-ah” for dessert.

AN HY QUAN VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT

1450 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 332-8565 This vegetarian Vietnamese spot is also veganfriendly. Pho fans don’t fret; Thai and wonton soup will satisfy any meat eater.

ANNAPURNA’S WORLD VEGETARIAN CAFÉ

ANNIE’S SOUP KITCHEN

Various locations, chaishoppe.com Annapurna offers some of the most enlightened, health-conscious vegetarian and vegan plates in the city, with plenty of options for people suffering from food allergies or Celiac disease. And the menu is world-class, with options from virtually every continent. 3107 Eubank Blvd. NE, 296-8601, anniessoupkitchen.com With four homemade soups made fresh every day, and home-style favorites such as avocado and bacon omelets and piles of potatoes topped with melted cheese, chile and eggs, Annie’s specializes in comfort.

ANTIQUITY RESTAURANT

$$$$

112 Romero St. NW, 247-3545, antiquityrestaurant.com Antiquity Restaurant is located just off historic Old Town Plaza. Antiquity holds the distinction of being the only restaurant in Albuquerque to serve the Henry IV—a bacon-wrapped filet mignon placed on a bed of artichoke leaves, topped with an artichoke heart and covered with béarnaise sauce.

ARTICHOKE CAFÉ

$$$

424 Central Ave. SE, 243-0200, artichokecafe.com This EDo fine-dining spot boasts a Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence,” and for good reason. A veteran of the Duke City’s fine dining scene, Artichoke Café remains the best bet for a great evening out. Innovative dishes and European aperitifs served by staff that takes ownership of the experience, the location is also an ideal launchpad for downtown adventures.

ASIAN NOODLE BAR

AZUMA SUSHI & TEPPAN

318 Central Ave. SW, 224-9119, asiannoodlebar.com Every kind of noodle awaits at this Downtown eatery, from spicy sesame udon noodles to chicken pho with cilantro, jalapeños, and lime. Slurping has never been so tasty. Two locations, azuma-sushi-teppan-abq.com From flame-flipped teppan grill items to a substantial sushi selection, the menus at Azuma Sushi & Teppan have something for everyone. The green chile-infused New Mexico Roll and Filet Mignon Steak please palates daily and are perfect when washed down with an imported Japanese sake, soda, or beer.

B2B BISTRONOMY

3118 Central Ave. SE, 262-2222, bistronomyb2b.com Highlighting all-local ingredients (including New Mexico beef and Hatch green chile), B2B serves up a wide variety of tasty burgers—including plenty of veggie options.

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BITES

HOT LIQUID CHOCOLATE The first thing to know about Eldora’s hot cocoa is that it is not, in fact, hot cocoa. This is drinking chocolate, an allusion to the incredibly ancient roots of turning cacao beans into beverages—something the Olmec people were doing in what is now southern Mexico almost 4000 years ago. Albuquerque’s first bean–to–bar chocolate company, Eldora Chocolate, was launched two years ago by Steve Prickett on the heels of a 32-year career in wealth management. Over the succeeding two years, Prickett has continued to hone his craft, sourcing beans from over thirty origins. “We select those bean profiles that will match the chocolate we’re after,” he says, describing his process for zeroing in on the precise flavor profile he’s after.

Eldora Chocolate 8114 Edith Blvd NE 433-4076, Eldorachocolate.com

BACKSTREET GRILL

Eldora Drinking Chocolate Mix, $16.00/7oz

1919 Old Town Road NW 842-5434, backstreetgrillot.com/home Originally a test outlet for local palates in a tourist mecca (Old Town), word spread fast about the Baja-inspired tacos and creative New Mexicanpeppered dishes (check out the gumbo). This locale is expansive, great for families, and the patio hosts music and dancing on weekends.

BARELAS COFFEE HOUSE

1502 4th St. SW, 843-7577 This legendary neighborhood restaurant serves New Mexican dishes from the Gonzales family cookbook: menudo, posole, chicharrone burritos, huevos rancheros, all smothered with its famous red or green chile.

BASIL LEAF VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT $$

1225 Eubank Blvd. NE, 323-2594, basilleaf.us Sure, Albuquerque offers a variety of Vietnamese eateries, but Basil Leaf elevates the everyday with healthy and fragrant versions of traditional noodle and soup selections. They’ll even modify for any dietary desire. Celiacs and vegans, rejoice!

BEN MICHAEL’S RESTAURANT

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

For Prickett, drinking chocolate is designed to be an experience. In the shop, Eldora’s drink is widely customizable. Order it with grass fed milk, organic oat milk, or water, then tweak the already rich flavor profile with additions like blood orange and truffle. The drinking chocolate itself is also available in several varieties—Classic, ChocoSol Tejate, Mole Mole, and Chai—and sold in 7-ounce packages for you to enjoy at home. —ZB

2404 Pueblo Bonito Court NW, 267-6827 The food at Ben Michael’s is fresh, preservative-free and takes its roots from the owner’s family’s New Mexican recipes. Try the salmon or the steak served with a side of calabacitas, papas, and sautéed mushrooms.

BENNY’S MEXICAN KITCHEN

1675 Bosque Farms Blvd., Bosque Farms, 869-2210 Since 1972, Benny’s has obliged countless stomachs with delicious New Mexican treats, which include red-chile smothered enchiladas and deep-fried burritos. Don’t let the Benny Burger—a doublemeat, double-cheese beauty—intimidate you. And, don’t forget to save room for that vanilla ice-cream shake.

BLACK BIRD SALOON

28 Main St., Los Cerrillos, NM 438-1821, blackbirdsaloon.com Black Bird Saloon is not just a popular Northern New Mexico eatery (located in Cerillos, NM), it’s also a time warp back through the building’s long and varied history. Items like the Miner’s Hand Warmer Breakfast Burrito or the Tumbleweed Salad stick out like a turquoise on a tourist.

BLACK MESA COFFEE COMPANY

Albuquerque International Sunport, 220 Sunport Blvd. SE, 842-4305, With two Sunport locations, flight delays are easier when you’re close to Black Mesa. The house coffee and vanilla latte are sure to perk you up pre-flight. The made-to-order turkey sandwich will fill you up far more reliably than the bag of pretzels you’ll get on the plane. Baked goods, including the popular banana bread, are made in-house daily. Five menu items, including brownies and cookies, are glutenfree.

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

BLADES’ BISTRO

$$$

221 NM Highway 165, Suite L, Placitas, 771-0695, bladesbistro.com Owner and chef Kevin Bladergroen’s restaurant offers a culinary journey from his 30-plus years of experience in restaurants across the country and Europe, serving up steak and seafood with a twist.

BLAKE’S LOTABURGER

BLEU CAFÉ

Various locations, lotaburger.com Blake’s became an Albuquerque establishment more than 30 years ago, and almost immediately garnered kudos for its out-of-this-world green chile cheeseburgers (the restaurant has since scored spots on National Geographic’s “top hamburgers in the nation” list and Albuquerque The Magazine’s Best of the City list). Everything is made from scratch as soon as it’s ordered—and not a second before. At Del Norte Sports and Wellness, 7120 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite 8B This in-gym café offers fresh food from scratch— paninis, burgers, wraps, burritos, protein shakes–to both gym-goers and the general public. Healthy and tasty? Check!

BOCADILLOS $

200 Lomas Blvd. NW, Suite 110, 243-3995, bocadillos505.com Slow-roasted meats are the highlight of the Food Network “Chopped” winner, Marie Yniguez. Open for breakfast, lunch, or dinner on Wednesdays– Saturdays, pop in for a burrito or sandwich filled to the brim with pork, chicken, turkey or corned beef.

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BITES BOSQUE BREWING CO.

Various locations, bosquebrewing.com Another favorite on the ever-growing ABQ brewery scene, Bosque Brewing Co. is the product of three NMSU grads’ love for brew. With 10-12 of Bosque’s own sudsy creations on tap every day, the brewery is teeming with options to pair with seasoned fries, daily specials, or an array of other appetizers, soups, salads, and sandwiches.

BRICKYARD PIZZA

2216 Central Ave. SE, 262-2216, brickyardpizza.com Three very important pizza points rule supreme here: quantity, quality, and value. Enjoy handtossed, homemade pizza with fresh sauce in a spicand-span, laid-back atmosphere.

BRIXENS $$$

CAFÉ CUBANO

CASA TACO

CAFÉ LAUREL

CECILIA’S CAFÉ

CENTRAL GRILL & COFFEE HOUSE

At Laru Ni Hati Salon, 3413 Central Ave. NE, 255-1575, larunihati.com Who would guess that an upscale hair salon such as Laru Ni Hati would also be home to delicious Cuban food—platanos, Cuban sandwiches, dirty rice, and even espresso and hand-rolled cigars? 1433 Central Ave. NW, 259-2331, cafe-laurel.weebly.com The casual American café, open for breakfast and lunch, serves soups, sandwiches, burgers, salads, New Mexican favorites, and breakfast items in a bright airy atmosphere complete with local beers on tap. Peruse the daily selection of sweets and the full coffee bar for dessert (or breakfast).

400 Central Ave. SW 242-2400, brixens.com A creative spin on American bar fare inspired by New Mexican culture, the restaurant serves 99 bottles of beer, literally on the wall, and a range of food items. Brixens has many unique qualities, but a couple notable qualities include their all-day happy hour on Sundays and 3-6pm daily.

CAFÉ LUSH

BUDAI GOURMET CHINESE

LA BAREN RESTAURANT

CAKE FETISH

6300 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Suite H-1, 797-7898, budaigourmet.com The menu features specialties from different regions of China and Taiwan, all painstakingly prepared by chef Hsia Fang. The Crispy Flounder Filet is sure to please diners from both the East and the West. The Mini Steamed Pork Buns shouldn’t be missed.

BURGER BOY

12023 New Mexico 14, Cedar Crest, 281-3949, burgerboynm.com Everything in this tried-and-true staple is made from scratch: enchiladas, breakfast burritos, tacos and burgers (of course!). Fans are especially enamored with the green chile cheeseburger.

THE BURRITO LADY

938 Eubank Blvd. NE, 271-2268 The Burrito Lady—otherwise known as Consuelo Flores—cooks every one of her huge burritos herself, made-to-order. That means you should be prepared to wait (the line here can often go out the door). It’s worth it—ask for your burrito smothered if you want to really heat things up.

CAFE 6855

6855 4th St NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque 890-9150, cafe6855.com A sister restaurant to Vernon’s Speakeasy, Café 6855 has gourmet dishes, expertly prepared and served in an elegant atmosphere. The menu is populated with gourmet sandwiches, salads, and cafe specialties that redeploy Vernon’s ingredients to thrilling effect.

CAFÉ BELLA COFFEE

2115 Golf Course Road SE, Rio Rancho 306-6974, cafebellacoffee.com With made-to-order panini and tasty salads filled with the freshest seasonal ingredients, this restaurant’s farm-to-table concept is a smart—and delicious—one.

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700 Tijeras Ave. NW, 508-0164, cafelushabq.com Located on a quiet neighborhood corner, this café is perfect for a nice brunch or lunch and your wallet will not be hurt after your visit. The menu is glutenconscious, vegetarian-friendly and has some of the best gluten-free red chile in town. 230 Louisiana Blvd. SE Suite A, 232-6764, labarenrestaurant.com The pho and spring rolls have a die-hard following of Kirtland Airforce Base employees. Located across the parking lot from Talin Market, experience an extensive menu of traditional Vietnamese cuisine inside this dine-in and takeout eatery. 2665 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 883-0670, cakefetish.com Cake Fetish specializes in baker’s cups filled with heaven, such as the Sleepless in Albuquerque (chocolate cake with mocha French buttercream frosting) and the Inside-Out German Chocolate Cake (coconut and pecans and crowned with chocolate French buttercream).

CAMPO AT LOS POBLANOS

$$$

4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW 344-9297, lospoblanos.com Beautifully situated in the heart of Los Ranchos, Campo is the newly renovated and reimagined fine dining establishment at Los Poblanos. A top-of-theline menu mixes with fresh ingredients from the Los Poblanos Farm and a quiet, rustic atmosphere to make for one of the city’s best dining experiences.

CANVAS ARTISTRY

3120 Central Ave. SE, 639-5214, canvas-artistry.com Specializing in international street food with a local twist, expect seasonally rotating artsy fare made with local produce, daily and weekly specials, and art to boot. A great late-night spot with live spinning DJs featuring different genres each night.

CASA DE BENAVIDEZ

8032 4th St. NW, 898-3311, casadebenavidez.com One of the original New Mexican eateries in the North Valley, this expansive property boasts a lush patio, fabled margaritas and authentic eats, including a trademark on the sopaipilla burger.

2 locations casa-taco.com Both Casa Taco locations offer a window into owner John Pecherski’s signature take on the U.S. Southwest—a strange place where you could picture a classic John Wayne character lingering over a plate of Jamaican jerk chicken and Yucatan pork tacos. Casa Taco defies expectations. 230 6th St. SW,243-7070 Recognized on the Food Network’s “Diners, DriveIns & Dives,” and ranked No. 45 on the Travel Channel’s “101 Tastiest Places to Chow Down,” Cecilia’s Café offers tasty New Mexican treats, such as their Fireman’s Burrito or homemade chicharrones in a cozy atmosphere. 2056 Central Ave. SW, 554-1424, centralgrillandcoffeehouse.com This local favorite on Route 66, adjacent to Old Town, offers a bevy of breakfast and lunch options that will comfort your belly and your wallet. Here, you’ll find traditional New Mexican favorites, serious sammies, and solid caffeine with a staff famous for their classic Southwestern hospitality.

CERVANTES NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT $$

5801 Gibson Blvd. SE, 262-2253, cervantesabq.com Old-world style meets traditional New Mexican fare at this family-owned restaurant. Go for the madefrom-scratch chile rellenos, tamales, and carne adovada.

CESAR’S MEXICAN & GREEK

CHEBA HUT

5300 Lomas Blvd. NE, 256-8017, cesarsmexicanandgreek.com Both the drive-thru and the dining room at Cesar’s are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On the Mexican menu, try the No. 15, a chile rellenos plate. Popular Greek items include the No. 64 Gyros sandwich and the No. 78 Chicken pita sandwich. Two locations, chebahut.com Located next to UNM, Cheba Hut serves up toasted subs made from quality ingredients. Try sandwiches loaded with everything from guacamole, olives, mushrooms, cheeses, meats and much more.

CHEESE AND COFFEE

Two locations, cheeseandcoffee.com There’s more than just cheese and coffee here— think homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and specials. At lunch, the line often goes out the door, so it’s worth getting there early.

CHEZ AXEL

$$$

6209 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 881-8104, chezaxelrestaurant.com At Chez Axel, classical music is played at dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and the food has a decidedly French twist: cassoulet, trout amandine, chocolate mousse, and authentic French onion soup. Reservations are recommended.

CHOCGLITZ & CREAM

10660 Unser Blvd. NW, 898-4589, chocglitzandcream.com Certified fair-trade chocolate and a chocolatier with 45 years of experience means you’ll find some of the best sweet-tooth satisfying offerings (including ice cream flavors such as raspberry red chile and Mexican coffee).

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

CHRISTY MAE’S RESTAURANT

1400 San Pedro Drive NE, 255-4740, christymaes.com “Hearty” and “homestyle” are the key words here, a hands-down favorite of early-dinner lovers. Oldfashioned staples are the standards, so look for chicken salad, potpies, country-fried steak with homemade mashed potatoes, and beef stew.

CHURCH STREET CAFÉ

2111 Church St. NW, 247-8522, churchstreetcafe.com Calling the oldest residence in Albuquerque its home, this café serves up favorites ranging from natillas to margaritas. They also sell their own bottled salsa and cookbooks with recipes from the restaurant.

CINNAMON SUGAR & SPICE CAFÉ

COCINA AZUL

CODA BAKERY

CONCHITA’S CAFÉ

Two locations, cinnamoncafeabq.com Featuring breakfast and lunch options, endless baked goodies, friendly staff and regular cooking classes, this place puts the “everything nice” in the well-worn phrase. Three locations, cocinaazul.com The newest location of the Old Town favorite serves up the same tried and true home-cooked recipes you’ve come to love. Don’t miss location specific specials and local brews amid New Mexican staples. 230 Louisiana Blvd. SE, Suite C 232-0085 Wrap your hands around one of Coda Bakery’s unique, Vietnamese-inspired sandwiches. Beyond its popular lineup of sammies, Coda Bakery also puts a distinctive twist on Vietnamese street food, using from-scratch recipes, including the bread, its deli meats, and its desserts. 400 Gold Ave. SW, Suite 119 339-6774, conchitascafe.com What began as the food truck, Conchita’s Creations became a downtown café with breakfast, sandwiches, and salads. New Mexican favorites shine here, just like abuela made them—including tacos, Frito pie, and burritos.

CORN MAIDEN

$$$

1300 Tuyuna Trail, Santa Ana Pueblo, 771-6060, tamaya.hyatt.com For a special dinner or celebration, look no further. Boasting a view of the Sandia Mountains, this restaurant will leave you breathless as you enjoy three-course meals with sweet potato granny smith apple soup, lavender salted shrimp or the classic crème brulee.

CORRALES BISTRO BREWERY

Thank You Albuquerque

for voting our Green Chile Stew the Best in the City!

Kitchen

Safely serving you since 1975!

4908 Corrales Road NW, Corrales, 897-1036, cbbistro.com Brews from all over the region make this Corrales bistro a must-visit for the affordable fare, killer atmosphere, and music seven days a week.

THE COUNTY LINE BBQ

9600 Tramway Blvd. NE, 856-7477, countyline.com It doesn’t take long for the barbecue to arrive at your dinner table, whether it’s wood-burning oven cooked and slow-roasted brisket, ribs, or sausage. Throw in the Rib King Platter, green-chile stuffed pork loin, live music, and two stepping, and at The County Line, everybody wins.

We treat you and your guests like family! Visit our Newest Location 6390 Coors NW

505•242•1199 | GarciasKitchen.com Catering

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

6 Albuquerque locations to serve you!

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BITES

THAT COFFEE IS FIRE Translated literally, the name means chocolatey coffee— on fire. It’s a bold name for a bold drink, perfect for pouring some heat into these chilly months. Satellite Coffee’s take on the Mocha en Fuego presents a finely tuned balance of flavors. “We ended up going with a rich, smoky, ancho chile powder—mild, not hot,” explains Satellite’s Director of Operations Christine Kiser. “We wanted a chile that would not overpower the flavor of the drink, but instead, complement it.” In addition to ancho chile powder, the Mocha en Fuego pulls together Ghirardelli Sweet Dark Chocolate Cocoa, cinnamon, and steamed milk, all set into a foundation of Satellite’s core espresso coffee—a full bodied medium roast, balanced for acidity and sweetness.

Satellite Coffee 8405 Montgomery Blvd NE (plus 5 other metro locations) Satellitecoffee.com

CRACKIN’ CRAB

Three locations, crackincrababq.com Their headline seafood boils are super customizable, allowing you to choose from a trio of house combinations or mix and match your own selection of crab, lobster, mussels, scallops, clams, or shrimp by the pound.

CRAVIN’ COOKIES AND MORE

10420 4th St. NW, 298-2597, cravincookiesandmore.com Serving up specialty cookies, muffins, breads, pies, and pretty much any dessert you can dream of, Cravin’ Cookies and More offers dine-in and to go orders to satisfy any sweet tooth, with coffee and hot tea to match.

CRAZY FISH SUSHI BAR AND RESTAURANT

3015 Central Ave. NE, 232-3474, crazyfishabq.com Tasty, fresh sushi and sashimi await you in this sleek Central Avenue restaurant, along with kitchenmade favorites such as tempura and crispy chicken.

THE CROWN ROOM

$$$$

145 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 767-7171, abqdowns.com/crown-room Perhaps Albuquerque’s best-kept fine dining secret, this gem is tucked away in the newly remodeled Downs Casino. With an incredible selection of liquors and wines, gourmet dishes, tableside Bananas Foster, and Dom Pérignon palate cleansers, this special occasion hideout is hard to beat, anywhere in the 505.

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Mocha en Fuego, $4.35—$5.25

CURRY LEAF

THE DAILY GRIND

6910-C Montgomery Blvd NE 881-3663, curryleafrestaurant.us Curry Leaf is the only restaurant in New Mexico to offer both North and South India cuisine. This means that, while you can get familiar favorites like tandoori chicken, you can also explore the world of chicken chettinad and dosas—a type of crepe made with fermented lentil and rice flour, filled with stuffing like potato, spiced vegetables, or ground lamb. 4360a Cutler Ave. NE, 883-8310, dailygrindabq.net This family-friendly restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, including huevos rancheros and a huge assortment of baked goods. On Friday and Saturday, look for spontaneous specials, such as stuffed French toast or steak and eggs.

DELICIAS CAFÉ

6001 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 830-6561 Named after the city in Chihuahua, Mexico, Delicias delivers traditional fare of the region, like caldo de res (beef stew), gorditas, carnitas, flautas, and horchata.

DG’S DELI

COURTESY IMAGES

Feeling chilly? Consider Satellite’s Mocha en Fuego your solution. —ZB

1418 Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. NE, 247-3354, dgsdeli.com With 31 cold sandwich options and a wide variety of grilled hot sandwiches—ranging in size from mini to jumbo—there’s something for everyone here. Try the Green Chile Philly or the Lobo Club.

D.H. LESCOMBES WINERY & BISTRO $$

901 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 243-9916, lescombeswinery.com With generations of experience in winemaking coursing through this North Valley staple’s doors, D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro specializes in pairing wine with its expertly crafted and entirely house-made menu, with a local twist. Themed events and giving back to its community are big parts of this eatery’s success, not to mention popular dishes such as its Chicken Picado, Mac and Cheese Bites, and Ghirardelli Port Brownie.

DION’S $

Various locations, dionspizza.com Launched in 1978, Dion’s aims to keep your wallet and tummy full with build-your-own pizzas, gourmet pizzas, slices, salads, and subs. The ranch and Greek dressings are homemade from secret recipes, and everything on the menu is tried and true.

DOG HOUSE DRIVE IN

DONUT MART

1216 Central Ave. SW, 243-1019 An ABQ landmark since the 1940s, the eat-inyour-car Dog House serves grilled footlongs and halflongs topped with red chile, cheese, onions, and more. Enjoy your dog with a side of chili-cheese fries and a thick shake. Various locations, donutmartusa.com Multiple locations sprinkled around town means a donut lover can always get a sweet fix. Find apple strudels, piñon coffee, green chile bialys, croissants, muffins, and even a Peanut Butter and Jelly donut.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

BITES DOWN N DIRTY SEAFOOD BOIL

6100 4th Street NW, 345-0595 Southern transplants who make their way to ABQ have a new spot for traditional seafood boil. From dry rub to a spicy, buttery fusion sauce, your tastebuds will dance with delight when you feast on this eatery’s collection of crawfish, rock shrimp, crab legs, and more.

EL PINTO

$$$

10500 4th St. NW, 898-1771, elpinto.com Food and atmosphere go hand-in-hand at this Duke City staple, ensuring an unforgettable experience. Enjoy fresh salsa, enchiladas, burritos, carne adovada, and many more New Mexican dishes while sipping a margarita on one of the many beautiful patios. Reservations are recommended.

FARINA PIZZERIA

510 Central Ave. SE, 243-0130, farinapizzeria.com Whether you like yours bianco or covered in carne, you’ll get a pie cooked to perfection at this relaxedbut-hip urban eatery.

FARM & TABLE

$$$

227 Lead Ave. SE, 312-7257, dugganscoffeeshop.com This breakfast and lunch spot serves up newsthemed entrees like the Journalist Salad and Fact Checker Green Chile Chicken Soup in an intimate setting. Cups are filled with locally roasted Trifecta coffee.

EL SABOR DE JUAREZ

3527 Gibson Blvd. SE, 265-3338 Its name means “the flavor of Juarez,” and since 1980, this restaurant has served just that. Try the family recipes for menudo and carne desebrada (shredded roast beef sautéed with jalapeño, tomato, and onions).

8917 4th St. NW, 503-7124, farmandtablenm.com This North Valley eatery’s ever-changing menu features seasonal produce, which often comes from the restaurant’s own farm. If the produce doesn’t come from the farm, it’s sourced from a slew of local vendors. Enjoy grass-and-alfalfa-fed steaks and produce-focused dishes that use local kale, chard, okra, chile, and tomatoes.

DURAN’S CENTRAL PHARMACY

EL SARAPE

THE FARMACY

DUGGAN’S $

1815 Central Ave. NW, 247-4141, duransrx.com Where in the city can you get amazing huevos, kitschy printed dish towels, an emergency rubber chicken in a box, and a flu shot? There is only one answer, Duran’s Central Pharmacy.

EAST OCEAN CHINESE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT $$

3601 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 889-9315, eastoceanalbq.com East Ocean Chinese Seafood Restaurant was the first of its kind in Albuquerque. Most dishes are served family style and are made fresh to order. Those looking for traditional Chinese dishes should try the Roast Duck. Seafood eaters will enjoy the Honey Crispy Walnut Shrimp.

EL BRUNO’S RESTAURANTE Y CANTINA

8806 4th St. NW, 897-0444, elbrunos.com El Bruno’s got its start in Cuba, NM, in 1975. At the Albuquerque location, the tried-and-true family recipes are still the focus of the menu. The Ceviche, Pollo Adovo, and the Deep Fried Spinach are a few items guests can look forward to.

EL CAMINO DINING ROOM

6800 4th St NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, 344-0448 Those with a bottomless appetite might meet their match with any of El Camino’s breakfast burrito options. These plate-sized behemoths are filled with eggs, hashbrowns or home-fries, and your choice of meat, then smothered in red or green chile.

EL COTORRO

111 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 503-6202, elcotorroabq.com Made to order gourmet tacos are on full display among classic Mexican street food like elotes and ceviche. A full salsa bar lets you spice up your meat, fish, vegetarian, or vegan tacos. Taco Tuesdays feature $2 tacos and bottled Mexican beers.

EL PATIO DE ALBUQUERQUE

142 Harvard Drive SE, 268-4245, elpatioabq.com A UNM favorite since 1977, this family-owned restaurant uses local ingredients and makes everything fresh daily in small batches. The #10 Green Chicken Enchiladas have won rave reviews for years, as have the tasty salsa and pillow-soft sopaipillas.

EL PATRON

Two locations, elpatronabq.com A customer favorite, El Patron’s menu includes dishes such as mouthwatering tacos, enchiladas, chile rellenos, and housemade chips. Wash them down with a tasty margarita.

3248 Isleta Blvd, elsarapeabq.com Specializing in authentic food from all regions of Mexico, you can count on dishes such as nopalitos (cactus sautéed with onions, tomatoes, and garlic), fresh salsa, burritos, chile rellenos, and seafood specials with shrimp, oysters, calamari, and fish.

ELOY’S NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT $

1508 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 293-6018 Opening 36 years ago, Eloy’s New Mexican Restaurant’s claim to fame is their consistent food and service, offering the same recipes that made them famous all those years ago. Try the No. 1 Eloy’s Deluxe Dinner, with a little bit of everything.

EMBER’S STEAK & SEAFOOD

$$$

11000 Broadway Blvd. SE 244-8288, isleta.com Whether you are dining inside or al fresco on the rooftop patio, Ember’s boasts some of Albuquerque’s most beautiful 180-degree views of the Bosque, making for the perfect setting to catch the sunset next to the warmth of the glowing fire pits.

FANO BREAD COMPANY

4605 McLeod Road NE, 884-5555, fanobread.com For more than 16 years, Fano has made the freshest bread in the city. Whether it’s the rustic loaf, the green chile cheese bread or raisin cinnamon bread, you’ll think you’re touring the streets of Italy with each bite.

FAN TANG

3523 Central Ave. NE, 266-3566, fan-tang.com With authentic family recipes that include coffee chicken (rubbed in Satellite coffee, then stir-fried with flavorful sauce) and creative additions like soul dumplings (made with tofu, kimchi, and cashew pesto), this spot is sure to satisfy.

FAREAST FUZION SUSHI BAR & LOUNGE

5901 Central Ave. NE, 255-2910 The sushi is served aplenty, but those who shy from raw fish can flirt with some Thai or Chinese cuisine. This might be one of the only places where a “Heart-Attack”—a sushi roll with deep-fried spicy tuna, jalapeños, mushrooms, and cream cheese—is a good thing.

FARINA ALTO PIZZERIA & WINE BAR $$

10721 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 298-0035, farinaalto.com The Northeast Heights version of Farina offers the same urban atmosphere as the East Downtown (EDo) Farina, minus the elbow-to-elbow seating. Alto offers every pizza on the EDo menu, such as the Formaggio di Capra and the Carne, but includes unique dishes—Eggplant Parmesan Napoleon and Oven-Roasted Chicken Wings. Alto’s wine room is stocked with more than 300 bottles of wine.

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

3718 Central Ave SE, 227-0330 The Farmacy takes the idea of organic and local ingredients, and presents them in a way that tastes like comfort. The Farmacy provides a tasty menu of eight breakfast items, as well as eight sandwiches for lunch.

FIESTA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT AND CANTINA

FLAMEZ BISTRO

4400 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 881-0478 Fiesta’s Restaurant & Cantina has been familyowned and operated since 1986, making it an Albuquerque go-to for quality New Mexican cuisine. With its family dining area, outdoor patio, lively bar and banquet room, Fiesta’s has something for everyone. 9821 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 275-0522, flamezabq.com There’s a lot more to this burger joint than the beef. High-end, artistically inspired bistro fare, delightful appetizers, and burger bowls (with greens, sans buns) are only some of the fun finds at this neighborhood fave. Buffalo, salmon, turkey, lamb, get your protein boost here.

FLIX BREWHOUSE

FLYING STAR CAFÉ

FORQUE KITCHEN AND BAR

FORK & FIG

3258 La Orilla Rd NW B-1 445-8500, flixbrewhouse.com Flix is a one-of-a-kind concept; a movie theater that serves full meals and an in-house brewed beer menu in its stadium-seating “dining rooms.” The dream is real, Albuquerque–you can catch the latest blockbuster in theaters while knocking back a pint and having dinner brought to you. Various locations, flyingstarcafe.com With handmade desserts to die for, artisan breads, and a menu filled with everything from eggs to enchiladas, the Flying Star offers plenty of options for every meal (and snack time) of the day. 330 Tijeras Ave. NW, 842-1234, albuquerque.hyatt.com Forque’s multi-level, tastefully decorated dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows and makes it easy to forget you’re dining at a Downtown hotel. The elegant presentation extends to the regional cuisine, which is prepared in the restaurant’s open kitchen by executive chef Eli White and his staff. 6904 Menaul Blvd. NE, Suite C, 881-5293, forkfig.com Upscale, but surprisingly down-home, Fork & Fig dishes offer up a streamlined menu of favorites, including burgers, sandwiches, and salads, with surprising artistry along the way. Sweet potato tots, anyone?

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BITES FOURTH AND ROMA CAFÉ

FRANK’S FAMOUS CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

500 4th St. NW, #106, 245-7662 Delicious chai, coffee, sandwiches, salads, and occasional East-Indian specials conveniently located in the old Bank of America building downtown.

400 Washington St. SE, 712-5109, franksfamouschickenandwaffles.com Owner and former Lobo basketball player Frank Willis wanted to give Albuquerque the soul food he had while growing up in Los Angeles. He fiddled with flavors, making sure they were perfect, before opening his restaurant to dish out favorites like chicken and waffles, fried pickles, mac ‘n cheese, and collard greens.

FRENCHISH $$$

3509 Central Ave NE, 433-5911, frenchish.co Envisioned as a casual neighborhood restaurant, frenchish’s menu draws inspiration from an eclectic mix of French and Midwestern US cuisines, with an active focus on clean, simple foods.

FRIENDS COFFEE & SANDWICH SHOP $

200 3rd St. NW, 243-4801, fcass.com Every cup of coffee served at Friends Coffee & Sandwich Shop is from New Mexico Coffee Company, and a different flavor is showcased each day of the week. Local favorites such as the quesadilla and the Taco Burger are dependable lunch choices.

FRONTIER RESTAURANT

2400 Central Ave. SE, 266-0550, frontierrestaurant.com Famous for its legendary Frontier Rolls, hot-off-theiron tortillas, burgers, New Mexican favorites, hash browns, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and more, the Frontier is Albuquerque’s melting pot—it’s a guarantee you’ll see someone you know there.

FU YUANG KOREAN & CHINESE RESTAURANT $

3107 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite 16, 298-8989 Fu Yuang breaks away from tradition with its take on Korean and Chinese cuisine, but keeps it simple. Freshly made with high-quality meats, you’ll get perfectly-portioned dishes made without MSG, less oil, and all natural ingredients.

GARCIA’S KITCHEN

Various locations, garciaskitchen.com This Albuquerque institution serves up classic New Mexican dishes, from freshly made tortillas to an extensive burrito list. You’ll leave one of the multiple locations with a full belly and content heart.

GARDUÑO’S OF MEXICO RESTAURANT AND CANTINA $$ Various Locations, gardunosrestaurants.com

Garduño’s consistently earns enthusiastic kudos for its mouthwatering enchiladas, burritos, salsa, and knockyour-socks-off margaritas. And, with three locations around town, you’re always near a fiesta.

GECKO’S BAR AND TAPAS

Two locations, geckosbar.com Plenty of tasty tapas—including Southwestern Krab Taquitos and Red Molé Grilled Sirloin Tacos—and hearty salads and sandwiches, too.

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GINO’S NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA

GIOVANNI’S PIZZERIA

GOLDEN CROWN PANADERIA

Two locations, ginosnystylepizza.com With handmade lasagna and pizza dough, among other items, Gino’s New York Style Pizza shares family recipes with its customers. From the buttermilk ranch dressing to the Eggplant and Chicken Parmigianas, homemade cooking is not too far away. 921 San Pedro Drive SE, 255-1233, giovannispizzaalbuquerque.com Giovanni’s isn’t easy to spot at first, but once you’ve had a big slice of fold-in-half New York-style pie, you’ll never miss it again. Whether you like it covered in spinach, pesto and tomatoes, cheeseonly, no cheese at all, or plain pepperoni, you’re sure to find your pizza match.

HANNAH & NATE’S MARKET CAFÉ

HARTFORD SQUARE

4512 Corrales Road, plus 1 other metro location, 898-2370 Offering breakfast and lunch, Hannah & Nate’s is all about flavor—whether it’s the flavor of traditional New Mexican cuisine, cuisines from throughout the world or the family recipes served. 218 Gold Ave. SW, 265-4933, hartfordsq.com Perhaps the only Albuquerque establishment that changes the menu weekly based on local produce options, this is a clean, smart, urban café that feeds suits and millennials in droves. Also serving up local coffees from Michael Thomas roasters, dine anytime and support the farm-to-table movement.

HELLO DELI

HIBACHI ONE

Two locations, eatgrassburger.com There’s a lot that sets the burger joint apart— including their community involvement, their vegan and gluten-free burger options, and their commitment to a no-corn syrup menu.

3230 Coors Blvd NE 839-0808, hibachioneabq.com In addition to their tableside teppanyaki service, Hibachi One visitors can take advantage of private rooms. Hibachi options like shrimp, scallops, and filet mignon are available wherever you’re sitting in the house, as is a full menu of sushi, sashimi, and rolls.

GREENSIDE CAFÉ

HIGH POINT GRILL

1103 Mountain Road NW, 243-2424, goldencrown.biz Golden Crown Panaderia is known for taking creativity in baking to the next level. Try the original biscochitos or cappuccino, chocolate and sugarfree versions. Don’t miss out on homemade green chile bread, pizza, and creative bread sculptures.

GRASSBURGER $

$$$

12165 North Highway 14, Cedar Crest, 286-2684, greenside.cafe This Cedar Crest café offers a casual family atmosphere with large portions of gourmet-quality food: French toast made with orange and vanilla batter, Turquoise Trail Trout, rich homemade ice cream, Monte Cristo sandwich with green chile.

THE GRILL ON SAN MATEO

3300 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 872-9772 A choice of mesquite-grilled chicken, rib eye, hot dogs, and burgers (beef and garden) accompany bottomless house-made chips and salsa, complete with sides like classic fries and fried zucchini, and fresh fixings are on a build-your-own basis offering a completely customizable burger.

THE GROVE CAFÉ AND MARKET

600 Central Ave. SE, Suite A, 248-9800, thegrovecafemarket.com The brunch and lunch favorite is well-known for its exceptional dishes made from local and organic ingredients, and it now offers a newly expanded menu, with additions such as the French Ham & Cheese with d’affinois cheese, mostarda, and caper mustard sauce.

GYROS MEDITERRANEAN

106 Cornell Drive SE, 255-4401, egyros.com Tried-and-true Greek recipes, such as traditional Kota Reganato (oven-roasted chicken with oregano, garlic and lemon), fresh Greek salads, Patates, and, of course, sweet baklava, served in a friendly, laidback collegial atmosphere.

HADLEY’S TEA

7600 Jefferson St. NE, Suite 9, 821-4832 With about 200 different teas—half of them available in loose-leaf form—Hadley’s Tea is a tea lover’s oasis. Every tea that lines Hadley’s shelves is made with all-natural ingredients. A cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, otherwise known as the “tea sandwich,” is the perfect companion for your Lady Londonderry or strawberry green tea.

7600 Jefferson St. NE, 797-3354, hellodeliabq.com Home to one of the most delicious breakfast burritos around, Hello Deli serves sandwiches and even Frontier’s sweet rolls.

9780 Coors Blvd NW 312-8519, highpointgrill.com Those perpetually on the hunt for the perfect burger will find plenty to love at High Point. With a foundation of 100-percent Akaushi, American Prime Wagyu beef, the burgers at High Point Grill are some of the city’s most popular. Their Southwest burger, for instance, features a red chile crusted patty, extra hot local green chile and cheddar cheese.

HIGH NOON RESTAURANT AND SALOON

$$$

425 San Felipe St. NW, 765-1455, highnoonrestaurant.com Located in a 300-year-old house in the heart of Old Town, High Noon has a menu stocked with New Mexican fare such as burritos and enchiladas, but you can also find baked brie and buffalo burgers here. Reservations are recommended.

HOLY BURGER

700 Central Ave. SE, 242-2991, holyburgernm.com Originally a Route 66 diner with a carport, and later Bob’s Fish and Chips, Holy Burger now boasts some of the juiciest burgers in town, as well as one of the breeziest and most boppin’ patios in the city.

HORSE AND ANGEL TAVERN

HOT PINK THAI

5809 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 299-0225 Whether you want a simple sandwich for lunch, appetizers and a beer in the afternoon, or steak and enchiladas at midnight, this Heights tavern is the place to be any time of the day. 2626 San Pedro Drive NE, 872-2296 For dine in or takeout, at lunchtime, you’ll get $1.50 off dishes over $10 and a free vegetable egg roll. Favorites include pumpkin curry, pad thai, and drunken noodles. Most dishes are customized with your choice of protein and spice level, from no chili at all to Thai hot.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

HOT TAMALES

HURRICANE’S CAFE

I SCREAM ICE CREAM

1520 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE 962-0123, hottamalesnmrestaurant.com This Rio Rancho restaurant serves bona fide New Mexican with hand-blended red chile and fireroasted green chile: Green Chile Stew Omelet, Hot Tamale Bowl, and Fajitas are just a few of the spicy dishes. 4330 Lomas Blvd. NE, 255-4248 With Route 66 serving as the city’s heart, it’s always good to hop over to a good ol’ fashioned diner. Pick out a classic dish, such as pancakes or omelets from the lengthy breakfast menu, or chow down on a burger, enchilada, or chicken fried steak. Of course, you can take a stab at the hearty Disaster Burrito, but you’d better make plenty of room if that’s on your agenda. 2000 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 268-0139 The cozy dessert shop is filled with toys, gadgets, board games, and—oh yeah—34 flavors of ice cream and 28 different toppings. Each scoop comes with a free mix-in, and there are fresh mini doughnuts available on weekends.

IL VICINO

Various locations, ilvicino.com Using wood ovens to bake its thin-crust pizzas, Il Vicino (which means “The Neighbor”) also offers hearty calzones and award-winning brews from its own brewery.

INDIGO CROW CAFÉ

$$$

4515 Corrales Road, Corrales, 898-7000, indigocrowcafe.net This café is cozy, thanks to the fact that it’s housed in an old adobe building. When it’s cold, patrons warm up by the indoor fireplace; when it’s warm, they enjoy meals such as lobster ravioli, tarragon chicken salad, and New Mexico chicken fried steak under the stars on the outdoor patio. Reservations are recommended.

IRONWOOD KITCHEN

ONE COMMUNITY...

ONE FAMILLY...

5740 Night Whisper Road NW, Suite 250, 890-4488, ironwoodkitchen.com This family operation’s goal: to serve meals made with whole foods at affordable prices. Try the green chile cheeseburger, with freshly-ground chuck, topped with fresh vegetables and roasted green chile.

JAPANESE KITCHEN

THANK YOU ALBUQUERQUE!

$$$

Two Locations, japanesekitchen.com Entertainment is the main course at this teppanyaki grill restaurant. The cooks, who are at your table, can be caught tossing shrimp into their pockets and creating to-die-for dishes from the classic teriyaki chicken, to seafood or steak, and everything in between.

JAVA JOE’S

wall to wall flatscreens bold burgers STONE BAKED pizzas ice cold beer at 33° 33°

906 Park Ave. SW, 765-1514, downtownjavajoes.com You’ll find all walks of life at this relaxing Downtown joint, enjoying freshly made sandwiches, breakfast burritos, green chile chicken melts, coffee drinks and more.

JC’S NEW YORK PIZZA DEPARTMENT $$

215 Central Ave. NW, Suite B, 766-6973, jcnypd.com New York-style pizza, pasta, salads, and fully loaded pasta and calzone dishes, all in a laid-back lounge. During lunch hour, the line goes out the door.

4861 Pan American Freeway NE Albuquerque,, NM 87109 Albuquerque 505.. 344 505 344.. 7427

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BITES JIMMY’S CAFÉ ON JEFFERSON

7007 Jefferson St. NE, 341-2546, jimmyscafeonjefferson.com The menu here lists more than 100 items, most of them mouthwatering comfort foods: sandwiches, burgers, New Mexican dishes, handmade pizza, and breakfast served all day long.

JINJA BAR AND BISTRO

Various locations, jinjabistro.com Evoking a vintage ambiance, Jinja serves inspired and mouthwatering pan-Asian cuisine, such as Kung Pow Chicken (a Thai version of the Chinese favorite) and Home-Style Chicken Udon Wok Bowl.

JOE’S PASTA HOUSE

3201 Southern Blvd. SE, 892-3333, joespastahouse.com A neighborhood Italian-American joint with an incredible dose of warmth and personality, Joe’s offers a terrific lunch buffet and an expansive dinner menu to please every palate in la mia famiglia: steaks, pasta, and some of the best cannelloni and tiramisu anywhere.

KABAB HOUSE: AUTHENTIC PERSIAN CUISINE $

301 Cornell Drive SE, 312-8949 Authentic, made-to-order Persian food is constantly sizzling on the grill here. The koobideh kabab is made with minced ground beef or ground chicken, onion, and house spices. Each dish is a healthy size and comes with soup, salad, and rice. Top everything off with a glass of delicious banana milk, or majoun, which is banana milk with almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and honey.

KAKTUS BREWING CO.

471 South Hill Road, Bernalillo, 818-7285 kaktusbrewery.com Tucked away from it all, Kaktus specializes in European-style pints, and a menu featuring pizzas and apps uniquely topped with game meats like elk, boar, bison, and duck. Special events on weekends abound.

KATHY’S CARRY OUT

823 Isleta Blvd. SW, 873-3472 This carry out has been a South Valley favorite for 38 years. Look for the chicharron burrito with egg, fresh hand-cut fries, and the daily special—you just might land on a seems-too-good-to-be-true deal, such as three tacos for $3.

KATRINAH’S EAST MOUNTAIN GRILL $$

150 State Road 344, Edgewood, 281-9111, eastmountaingrill.com This contemporary diner specializes in homemade dishes, such as gyros, hand-cut steaks and burgers, and the best-selling Southern Salad (with fried green beans, bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato, and fried or grilled chicken or steak).

KIMO’S HAWAIIAN BBQ

3239 Girard Blvd. NE kimosabq.com, 582-2797 Hawaii comes home. What began as a food truck is now a brick-and-mortar location also. Try freshfrom-the-isles Kalua Pork and Huli Huli Chicken plates served with sides like steamed cabbage, rice, and macaroni salad.

KOLACHE FACTORY

8001 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite B3 856-3430, locations.kolachefactory.com The Kolache Factory franchise out of Texas focuses on Czech style Kolaches that were traditionally a warm, semi-sweet pastry filled with sausage, cheese, or fruit and originated in Eastern Europe dating as far back as the 1700s.

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LA CRÊPE MICHEL

LAZY LIZARD GRILL

LA OJA RESTAURANT

LE BISTRO VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

400 San Felipe St. NW, Suite C2, 242-1251, lacrepemichel.com Heavenly soups, sandwiches, and crêpes await you at this charming French restaurant: whether filled with salmon, asparagus and Swiss cheese or zucchini, eggplant, and tomato, you’ll find a crêpe to whet your appetite. Reservations are recommended. 201 Marquette Ave. NW, inside DoubleTree Hotel, 247-3344 La Oja Restaurant blends New Mexico and California cuisines, resulting in unique tastes that combine fresh seafood with local flavor. It’s MexiCali cuisine with a twist.

LA QUICHE PARISIENNE BISTRO

5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite 17, 242-2808, laquicheparisiennebistro.com Long considered an authentic French staple of downtown ABQ, La Quiche has comfortably settled into the Heights and the baked goods will comfort your lazy weekend brunch cravings with true Parisian cuisine from the mainland.

LA REFORMA

8900 San Mateo Blvd NE, Suite I 717-1361, lareformabrewery.com On the taco front, La Reforma is virtually unimpeachable, offering options like braised pork shoulder carnitas, tempura-battered white fish pescado, and rotisserie-broiled al pastor for carnivores, along with tempura-battered avocado (aguacate) for those looking for something plantbased.

LA SALITA

1950 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 299-9968, lasalita.com The name may mean “little room,” but this New Mexican restaurant always has a full house. The chile rellenos, chile con queso, sopaipillas, and shredded beef burrito (a Wednesday special) have earned loyal customers for 37 years.

LAGUNA BURGER

Various locations, thelagunaburger.com Every half-pound burger is made fresh upon ordering, topped with Hatch green chile, and slipped on a butter-toasted bun made specifically for Laguna Burger by Sara Lee. Also on the menu: freshly-cut fries, foot-long chile cheese dogs, and zingy breakfast burritos.

LAS RISTRAS

$$$

4940 Corrales Rd. #400, Corrales 433-4192, lasristras.com Though New Mexican fare is a huge part of Las Ristras’ menu–all the usual suspects from tacos and chile rellenos to burritos and bowls of fresh posole are in evidence–they are joined by some of the most dynamic steaks on the Rio Grande.

THE LAST CALL

Various locations, lastcallabq.com This late-night eatery specializes in freshly-made Baja Mexican street cuisine (think: carne asada fries). If you’re lucky, you just might run into the “Taco Box” while out on the town: a mobile extension of the restaurant that brings the food to you.

LAVA ROCK BREWING COMPANY $$ 2220 Unser Blvd. NE 836-1022, lavarockbrewpub.com

12480 North Highway 14, Sandia Park 281-9122, lazylizardgrill.com From the King Cobra Pizza and made-fromscratch Jalapeño Poppers to their impressive selection of microbrews, the Lazy Lizard Grill has customers always coming back for more— and has the food and atmosphere to back it up.

1313 San Pedro Dr. NE, 266-6118 Le Bistro Vietnamese Restaurant is just as much a bakery as it is a restaurant, specializing in traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

LE CHANTILLY FINE PASTRIES

8216 Menaul Blvd. NE, 293-7057, lechantillybakery.com This French-style bakery features breakfast pastries, muffins, strudel, cookies, and tarts—not to mention delicious quiche, croissants, sandwiches and cakes. Try homemade soups such as creamy chicken and artichoke, then satisfy your sweet tooth with a tower of chocolate decadence.

LE TROQUET

228 Gold Ave. SW 508-1166, www.abqfrenchrestaurant.com The Parisian bistro, open for lunch or dinner, offers classically simple French dishes made by Chef Jean Pierre Gozard. From Boeuf Bourguignon to quiche and delectable desserts, expect a tres bien atmosphere with a comprehensive wine list.

LEVEL 5 AT HOTEL CHACO

$$$

THE LIBRARY BAR & GRILL

LIMONATA ITALIAN STREET CAFÉ

LINDY’S DINER

2000 Bellamah Ave. NW 318-3998, hotelchaco.com The food here needs be good, because first and foremost, it competes with the view. Like the name implies, Level 5 sits on the 5th floor of Hotel Chaco and offers a near-360 degree view of the city. 312 Central Ave. SW, 242-2992, library-abq.com Featuring more than a great party, the Library offers drink specials and half-priced appetizers during happy hour, as well as salads, hamburgers, sandwiches, wraps, and specialty items. 3222 Silver Av SE, 266-0607, limonatanobhill.com Channel your inner Italian at this street foodinspired café, where the breakfast and lunch menus feature perfect pastries, craveable cappuccino and trattoria-inspired lunches. The chef makes every dish from scratch and insists that everything about the restaurant, from the menu to the atmosphere, be done just as it would in Italy. 500 Central Ave SW, 242-2582, lindysdinerabq.com Lindy’s is a neighborhood joint, through and through. The sort of place where, even if they don’t know your name, you’ll feel like they do anyway. The owners recommend the Ultimate Burger for that classic American diner experience.

LITTLE BEAR COFFEE

2632 Pennsylvania St. NE 917-8902, littlebearcoffeeco.com Located near Uptown, Little Bear is not just serving up quality brew, but also providing an outpost for the neighborhood and coffee community.

The casual brewpub on Unser currently has 7 of their own beers available on tap, with several other local guest taps as well. Standard bar fare gets gussied up here, like the housemade hot sauces on the wings and the fries loaded with green chile and queso.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

BITES

HIGH TEA AND CHOCOLATE Chocolate. Raspberry. Truffle. Tea. Each one of the marquee ingredients is something absolutely delicious on its own. Raspberries are stellar treats, while chocolate and tea are so popular that they’ve both spawned their own cultures. Bring them all together? Yeah, you get the idea. Opened by Mary Alice Higbie in 1999 as an antidote to the rush of modern living and a callback to more idyllic times, St. James Tearoom has since established itself as Albuquerque’s premiere tea-drinking experience. There, you’ll find over 70 varieties of tea, including the aforementioned Chocolate Raspberry Truffle.

St. James Tearoom 320 Osuna RD NE, # D 242-3752, stjamestearoom.com

LOS COMPADRES RESTAURANT

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Tea, $7.95/2 oz

2437 Central Ave. NW 452-8091, compadresabq.com Family recipes like the No. 16 Taco Plate, tacos with carne y papas (beef and potatoes) and the restaurant’s Menudo, have kept locals coming back for more than 15 years.

LOS CUATES

Various locations loscuatesrestaurants.com Popular since it opened over 25 years ago, Los Cuates serves its own ancho-chile salsa and tons of delicious New Mexican dishes in humongous portions.

LOYOLA’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

4500 Central Ave. SE, 268-6478 loyolasfamilyrestaurant.com You’ll find both American and New Mexican goodies here, from fried chicken, roast beef and sandwiches to tasty local favorites such as burritos and posole.

LUIGI’S RISTORANTE AND PIZZERIA $$

6225 4th St. NW, 343-0466, luigisitalianfood.com Enjoy more than 250 made-from-scratch Italian dishes, including pizza, chicken Florentine, spaghetti and meatballs, and green chile chicken lasagna.

M’TUCCI’S ITALIAN

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

Made with a black tea overflowing with notes of Bavarian chocolate truffle and raspberries, this tea is perfectly complemented with a little sugar and a dash of milk. Stop in for one of St. James Tearoom’s regular, reservation-only tea times for the full experience, or pick up some tea to enjoy at home. Either way, we’re betting you’ll be happy you did. —ZB

Three locations, mtuccis.com The menu at the Westside’s authentic Italian staple features refined comfort food classics, from meatball marinara to pot roast. Other menu items are crafted from choice Berkshire pigs that the eatery imports from northern Iowa and southern Minnesota farms. In fact, a unique pork dish is incorporated into a featured dinner special every night. Wash down your pasta, pizza, or salad with a carefully crafted cocktail from the bar.

MAC’S STEAK IN THE ROUGH

Two locations, macsnm.com Taquitas, onion rings, guacamole salad, and an original “steak in the rough”—slivers of beef served with French fries, coleslaw, a roll, catsup, and a fresh green scallion… these are just a few of the reasons Mac’s has been in business for so many years.

MAGOKORO

5614 Menaul Blvd NE 830-2061, Magokoroabq.com

Magakoro pushes well beyond the bounds of ramen and sushi, treating visitors to a thrilling selection of flavors. They’ve also cultivated a reputation for elevating the bento box—commonly available at Japanese-inspired restaurants throughout Albuquerque—into a sensorial cultural experience.

MANZANO GRILLE AT THE CANYON CLUB AT FOUR HILLS $$ 911 Four Hills Road SE, 299-9555, canyonclubgolf.com

This newly remodeled property was rejuvenated thanks to its own club members, and now boasts modern décor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Members can enjoy creative dishes like Pork Alexander, New Mexico Eggs Benedict with green chile Hollandaise sauce, or the Turkey Lurkey, including green chile and Pepper Jack cheese in the dining room or al fresco on its large, shaded patio overlooking the mountain vistas. Dining-only memberships available.

MARIO’S PIZZA

Various locations, mariospizzaabq.com Gourmet pizzas, big bowls of pasta, custom calzones and New York-style sandwiches are the norm at this tasty Italian eatery.

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

MARISCOS ALTAMAR

MARY & TITO’S CAFÉ

Two locations, mariscosaltamarabq.com With live music on the weekends, colorful murals, and authentic Mexican seafood dishes such as tostada de ceviche with shrimp, fish, and snow crab, dining at Mariscos Altamar is well worth the trip. 2711 4th St. NW, 344-6266, maryandtitos.com From their famous carne adovada to their authentic New Mexican chips and salsa, Mary & Tito’s Café makes sure guests leave full and happy. This homey café also became the only Albuquerque restaurant to win a James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award in 2010.

MATANZA CRAFT BEER KITCHEN

3225 Central Ave. NE, 312-7305, matanzanm.com The New Mexican classic feast gets a sophisticated touch at the eatery serving up favorites such as carne adovada, to a wide range of salads, flatbreads and a cult-favorite brunch. One hundred taps feature local beer and wine.

MAY CAFÉ

111 Louisiana Blvd. SE, 265-4448, maycafenm.com Traditional Vietnamese cuisine is easily customizable, fresh and healthy. The café’s spring rolls, made fresh to order, are popular with diners new and old. Try the pho or the bún.

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HOW TO VOTE: It’s your city, so who better than you to tell us the best places to eat, shop, play and spend in ABQ? More than 6 million votes have been cast since Best of the City launched in 2005, and we feature the winners in our huge annual December/ January Double Issue.

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TOP DOCS: FOR DOCTORS ONLY HOW TO VOTE: How do you get to know a good healthcare provider? Every year we ask the city’s doctors to vote for their peers, and we publish the list of winners, just for you.

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BITES MAZAYA CAFÉ

120 Harvard Dr. SE 582-2447, mazayacafe.com Mazaya Café is dedicated to adding an authentic Mediterranean dining experience to the medley of options in the Nob Hill area–without breaking the bank for its diners. If you are looking to fill up, freshgrilled kebabs, a half-dozen wraps, shawarma, and three kinds of fried or steamed dumpling plates headline the restaurant’s entrée menu.

MICHAEL THOMAS COFFEE ROASTERS $

Two locations, michaelthomascoffee.com Michael Thomas’ fresh-roasted coffees can be purchased in bulk or by the cup. Favorites include the Banda Bear Blend and the Duke’s Runners’ Blend. If you prefer to let them make your cup of Joe, try an espresso-based drink such as a Double Espresso, a Macchiato, or a Cubano.

MICK’S CHILE FIX

3351 Candelaira Rd NE Suite A, 881-2233, mickschilefix.com One of the city’s true spots for getting something hot: try The Shocker (an eight-pound breakfast burrito), huevos rancheros, or the Frito pie, all with homemade red or green chile.

MILLY’S $

Two locations, millysrestaurants.com If you’re not sure what to eat, have a little of everything with an American-New Mexican–Greek menu. This breakfast and lunch spot melds salads and sandwiches with traditional New Mexican and Greek entrees.

MIMMO’S RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA $$

3301 Coors Blvd. NW 831-4191, mimmosabq.com Mimmo’s serves authentic Italian food in a casual family atmosphere, with everything made on premise: the sauces, pizza dough, lasagna, noodles and meatballs. An all-you-can-eat lunch buffet is offered every day of the week.

MONICA’S EL PORTAL RESTAURANT

321 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 247-9625 Traditional New Mexican favorites make up the menu at this Old Town staple that has been around for 34 years. Monica’s roasts their own green chile, makes biscochitos from scratch and offers red chile straight from the pod.

MONROE’S RESTAURANT

Two locations, monroeschile.com More than 50 years after they opened their doors south of Old Town, Monroe’s continues to serve reliable New Mexican favorites to a local fan base, and service around here is a team effort, so no glass goes unfilled.

MONTE CARLO STEAKHOUSE

$$$

3916 Central Ave. SW, 836-9886 The iconic steakhouse meets liquor store has been featured on the Food Network and boasts some of the best steaks in the city. Since 1971, locals always come back for hand-cut steaks, house-made Greek salad dressing, freshly cut fries, and a mean green chile cheeseburger.

MONTE VISTA FIRE STATION 3201 Central Ave. NE, 255-2424

Once an actual working fire station, this second-floor restaurant now offers traditional bar food, wings, and nightly specials. Choose from tasty chicken wings and burgers, or order from the restaurant downstairs— they’ll bring your steak to you.

MR. TOKYO

11200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 292-4728 Soak up the cool Zen-like atmosphere while enjoying six versions of fried rice, sushi, sashimi, tempura, hibachi, grilled udon, soups, and teriyaki spiced with fiery Thai chili peppers.

MUSTANG CAFÉ

OHANA HUT

5740 Night Whisper Rd NW, 508-4439, ohanahut.com Family owned and operated Ohana Hut means “Family Hut”. It specializes in Hawaiian, Japanese, and Korean flavors to create an Asian fusion menu with a New Mexican twist.

8601 Lomas Blvd. NE, 275-4477 Perfect for anyone shopping at the Rich Ford car dealership—or anyone at all—is this auto-themed restaurant, which serves up homemade breakfast burritos, papitas, enchiladas, rellenos, tamales, and the Dennis Snyder Favorite: a 16-oz. sirloin patty with cheese and chile.

OLD TOWN PIZZA PARLOR

NAGOMI RESTAURANT

3339 Central Ave. NE, Suite C, 718-4656, oloyogurt.com Nothing is as sweet as a guilt-free treat. In the same building as Staples in Nob Hill, Olo features a Candyland-esque interior, complete with 10 flavor choices and a salad-bar-sized toppings bar.

NAMASTE

2400 Juan Tabo Blvd NE 298-3081, nagomirestaurantabq.com The Nagomi menu is virtually overrun with Japanese culinary classics. Nagomi is also one of the few places in Albuquerque where you can go to indulge in shabu-shabu, a Japanese-style hot pot Two locations, namastenm.net Offering authentic Nepalese and Indian dishes— including chicken tikka masala and lamb curry— Namaste also serves traditional food with a New Mexico twist, such as the green chile chicken curry.

NARUTO $

2110 Central Ave. SE 369-1039, narutonoodle.com Who knew Ramen noodles could be so creative, so diverse, and so darn good. Naruto is reinventing the Ramen noodle with specialized dishes that can’t be found anywhere else in the city.

NEXUS BREWERY

Two locations, nexusbrewery.com If the made-to-order fried chicken and waffles and mac and cheese has you drooling, reach for one of Nexus’ brewed in-house beers.

NICK AND AND BAR

JIMMY’S

RESTAURANT $$

5021 Pan American Freeway NE, 344-9169, nickandjimmysrestaurant.com Nick and Jimmy’s vision was a comfortable atmosphere with comfortable food. They blend traditional foods with new twists and serve everything from enchiladas to green chile meatloaf.

NOB HILL BAR AND GRILL

$$$

3128 Central Ave. SE, 266-4455, upscalejoint.com This restaurant manages to be simultaneously upscale and laid back, gourmet and down-home, visionary and traditional. Not to mention delicious: the Buffalo Calamari, Dirty “Kobe” Burger, Pineapple Chipotle BBQ Baby Back Ribs, and a slew of amazing cocktails make every visit exceptional.

NOMAD’S BBQ FOOD TRUCK 206-7654

Authentic, smoky goodness, Nomad’s BBQ sammies— including pulled pork and hotlink varieties—are succulent and feature its homemade sauce. This roving BBQ hut definitely knows how to do a quality turkey leg and rib tips, too.

OAK TREE CAFÉ

4545 Alameda Blvd. NE, 830-2233, cafeoaktree.com

108 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 999-1949, oldtownpizzaabq.com This comfy, funky, family-owned restaurant serves tasty pies, huge calzones, and portions of pasta that won’t ever leave you hungry.

OLO YOGURT STUDIO IN NOB HILL

O’HARE’S GRILLE & PUB

O’NIELL’S PUB

4100 Southern Blvd. SE, 896-0123, oharesgrillepub.com With a menu that is centered around the idea that variety is the key to success, O’Hare’s offers pub fare in a family-friendly atmosphere. Try the Corned Beef and Cabbage special, O’Hare’s Double Decker Reuben, or the staple Fish and Chips, for a truly Irish experience. Two locations, oniells.com O’Niell’s boasts the same neighborhood feeling, many of the same staffers, and virtually the same menu (including the “weird sandwich,” the “burger in paradise,” and homemade fish and chips). Added: an outdoor patio and more beer choices.

O RAMEN

ORCHID THAI CUISINE

2114 Central Ave. SE, 508-1897 Yes, the Duke City has the real thing. O Ramen’s Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) spends 18 hours on the stovetop before it blesses your bowl; expect plenty of options for vegetarians and Japanese curry lovers, to boot. 4300 Central Ave. SE, 265-4047, orchidabq.com Orchid Thai has been serving hungry Albuquerqueans traditional dishes like Pad Thai at its Nob Hill location for more than a decade. But this award-winning eatery goes beyond the traditional with unique dishes like deep-fried sesame duck, green tea curry, and Szechwan eggplant, all made from scratch.

THE OWL CAFÉ

800 Eubank Blvd. NE, 291-4900, owlcafealbuquerque.com World-famous green chile cheeseburgers, milkshakes, fajitas, quesadillas, meatloaf, burritos, fries… the list of drool-worthy dishes goes on and on.

$$$

This hometown café has served a lot of locales over the past 30 years, and the current venue on Alameda is great at the basics, including burgers, sandwiches, and salads, made fresh, in-house every day.

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BITES

TURKISH DELIGHT The earliest evidence for coffee use dates to the Sufi monasteries of 15th-century Yemen. By the late 16th century it had reached Turkey, where Ottoman officials promptly banned it. Though bans are usually a surefire way to get people to stop doing something (think of the marvelous success prohibitions on alcohol and drugs have had in stopping people from doing them), the coffee ban didn’t work. People kept drinking it. Eventually, the sultan threw up his hands and relented.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

A few hundred years later and several thousand miles to the west, those old traditions are still providing inspiration for rich, steamy coffee drinks. For illustration, look no further than Zendo Coffee, where you’ll find a fresh take on Anatolian coffee. There, owner Pilar Westell uses coffee sourced from a rotating selection of local roasters to assemble her Turkish Latte’s double-shot-of-espresso base. Flavored with honey and fragrant spices like cardamom, clove, and nutmeg, the drink makes the leap from coffee to latte with the addition of milk. It’s a beverage worth savoring, adding a dose of history and culture to your attempts to stay warm and awake through the winter. —ZB Zendo Coffee 413 2nd St. SW 926-1636, zendocoffee.com

P’TIT LOUIS BISTRO NOB HILL

Turkish Latte, $4.75

3218 Silver Ave. SE, 314-1110, ptitlouisbistro.com The quaint French bistro features a small patio, yellow umbrellas, and white tablecloths—it’s pure Paris fashion, circa 1920, with the authentic French cuisine to match it.

THE PALETA BAR

Various locations, thepaletabar.com A hidden Albuquerque gem, The Paleta Bar has taken a tried-and-true, frozen Mexican dessert to new heights. Since 2017, this paleta wonderland has been slinging refreshing Mexican popsicles in endless combinations of flavors.

PACIFIC PARADISE TROPICAL GRILL AND SUSHI BAR $$

PAPA FELIPE’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT $$

PADILLA’S MEXICAN KITCHEN

PAPA NACHOS

PARS CUISINE

3000 San Pedro Drive NE, 881-0999, pacificparadise-restaurant-abq.com Faux palms and tiki huts frame a menu filled with more than 100 options: salads, soups, stir-fry, seafood, fried rice, noodles, sushi, and dessert menu. Try the Seafood Rice Pizza or Rock ‘n’ Roll Sushi.

1510 Girard Blvd. NE, 262-0115 It might not get any more New Mexican than it does at Padilla’s—from huevos rancheros and tamales to chile rellenos and egg-topped blue corn enchiladas. You may have to shake your head after a taste of the chile just to remind yourself you’re not in your grandmother’s kitchen. A sopaipilla dripping with honey will seal the deal for your traditional meal.

PAISANO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

1935 Eubank Blvd. NE, 298-7541, paisanosabq.com Family recipes have kept Paisano’s going for more than 35 years, but the hand-rolled pasta, handstuffed ravioli, homemade sausage and marinara haven’t hurt business, either. It’s also the only place in town to get wheat-free pizza and pasta.

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9800 Menaul Blvd. NE, 292-8877, papafelipes.com Papa Felipe’s exceeds expectations by offering traditional New Mexican cuisine (enchiladas, stuffed sopaipillas, tacos) as well as simple twists on favorite dishes (green chile carne adovada, Tampico Tacos, Green Tamale Pie). 7648 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 821-4900, papanachosfood.com Great, homemade Mexican food based on triedand-true family recipes is the specialty here: burritos, fish tacos, and the namesake nachos will all make your panza happy. 4320 The 25 Way NE, Ste 100, 345-5156, parscuisine.us For more than 20 years, Pars has served Persian and Mediterranean menu items in a unique atmosphere. Choose to sit on the floor under a large tent, and enjoy the talents of belly dancers, and enjoy tasty kebabs, gyros and more.

PELICAN’S RESTAURANT

$$$

Two locations, pelicansabq.com For 30 years, customers have fallen for Pelican’s— hook, line and sinker. Favorite entrées include Alaskan king crab, Australian lobster tail, and prime rib.

PEREA’S TIJUANA BAR

4590 Corrales Road, Corrales, 898-2442 Open for lunch only, the family-owned and -operated business specializes in real, home-cooked New Mexican food that’s consistently earned kudos from customers who can’t say “no” to the Frito pie, carne adovada, and green chile cheeseburgers.

PERICO’S $

Various locations, pericosmexicanrestaurant.com Serving delicious New Mexican food at affordable prices made Perico’s instantly popular, and the “home of the ½ lb burrito” is now an Albuquerque institution with three locations, catering services, and 22 different burritos.

PHO LINH

9100 Central Ave. SE, 266-3368, pholinhabq.com Authentic Vietnamese cuisine is the name of the game at this restaurant. Look for pad thai, special noodles (with grilled barbecue shrimp), spring rolls, curry, and papaya salad.

PIATANZI $$

1403 Girard Blvd NE, 792-1700, piatanzi.com A neighborhood Italian eatery with artisan flair, Piatanzi serves up big bites on smallish plates that please families and adventurous foodies alike, in a venue that scores big points.

PIZZA 9

Various locations, pizzanine.com Chicago-style pizza at 10 locations around the city, along with the option of gluten-free crust—that’s what Pizza 9 brings to the, er, table. Don’t forget the wings, salads, breadsticks and calzones to complement any meal.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

BITES PIZZERIA LUCA

8850 Holly Ave. NE 797-8086, pizzerialuca.com With imported Italian flour, cheese, and pepperoni, Pizzeria Luca offers authentic Italian cuisine. The restaurant has a subway-inspired interior and features delicious and affordable lunch specials.

PLANTY SWEET

2506 Washington St. NE 433-7111, plantysweet.weebly.com Planty Sweet is the city’s first 100% vegan and gluten-free bakery and dessert shop and the quality of the products available is hard to deny. Not only do their artisanal baked goods taste fantastic, they are impeccably presented, each crafted to please the eye as much as the taste buds.

POKI POKI CEVICHERIA

Two locations, pokipokinm.com Think deconstructed sushi if you’ve never had the traditionally Hawaiian poké. Completely customizable bowls with Latin and Asian fusion are the specialty here. Seven types of fish, twelve sauces, and 22 toppings make for endless combinations atop rice, chips, or a salad.

POLLITO CON PAPAS

Two Locations, pollitoconpapas.com Get ready for a punch of Peruvian cuisine. The menu is dotted with combinations of chicken, potatoes, and cilantro rice. The chicken is brined in vinegar and cumin for about 10 hours, then fired on a spit. The traditional drink, chicha, makes the perfect complement to any dish. The southeast part of town just inched a bit closer to South America.

PONDEROSA BREWING CO.

1761 Bellamah Ave. NW, 639-5941, ponderosabrewing.net A sister brew pub to Pints Brewing in Portland, Oregon, Ponderosa features a wide selection of American and German standard beers, with a classic menu of burgers, salads, and innovative appetizers.

POP FIZZ

Two locations, pop-fizz.net Made in-house from all natural ingredients, kids can’t miss the Mexican paletas (popsicles) and ice cream tacos. For adults, boozy pops, shakes, and beer compliment the small but substantial menu of sandwiches, burritos, and the coveted carne asada fries. Located at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the patio is dog-friendly, and you might see its ice cream truck around the city at summer events.

PRAIRIE STAR RESTAURANT

PRISMATIC COFFEE

288 Prairie Star Road, Santa Ana Pueblo, 867-3327, mynewmexicogolf.com Taking a drive past Bernalillo is a pleasure when you know the visit will include amazing made-fromscratch dishes such as herb-grilled ribeye with chipotle cheddar gratin and New Mexico bisonraised tenderloin. Reservations are recommended. 1761 Bellamah Ave. NW, 205-1590, prismatic.coffee This third-wave coffee shop in the sawmill district features a small menu of expertly crafted coffee and the perfect coffee companion, stroopwafels. Beans are roasted and sold in-house with a rotating selection of stroopwafel fillings made fresh.

PUEBLO HARVEST CAFÉ AND BAKERY

$$$

2401 12th St. NW, 724-3510, puebloharvestcafe.com The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is the perfect backdrop for the Native American-inspired cuisine prepared in the café, serving traditional and innovative dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are recommended.

PUPUSERIA Y RESTAURANTE SALVADOREÑO $

1701 Bridge Blvd. SW, 243-8194 In El Salvador, pupusas (stuffed corn tortillas) are found on every street corner. In Albuquerque, they can only be found in the South Valley, stuffed with shrimp, calabacitas, cheese, beans, or guacamole and served with a side of fresh salsa and curtidos (a spicy cabbage salad garnish).

QUARTER CELTIC BREWPUB

QUARTERS BBQ

Two locations, quartercelticbrewpub.com Irish brews like the Crimson Lass and Rye’t Side of Dublin are paired nicely with Celtic pub fare with a New Mexico twist. Must-tries include the classic fish and chips, ruben, shepherd’s pie, and poutine with green chile. 801 Yale Blvd. SE, 843-6949, thequartersonyaleblvd.com Feeling hungry? How about 187,000 pounds of ribs and 15,000 pounds of Alaskan King Crab a year, an attached packaged liquor store, a secret sauce recipe, and customers hungry for more? Try the pork spare ribs or hot links.

B e skte n

C h i cn g s

Wi s 2 yaeraorw! in

WINNER

2003 Southern Blvd . SE , Su i te 1 3 9 | Ri o Ra nch o

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BITES RANCHERS CLUB OF NEW MEXICO $$$

1901 University Blvd. NE, 889-8071, theranchersclubofnm.com With more fine dining awards on their wall than years they’re been in business, the Ranchers Club of New Mexico inside the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque is a meat lovers’ paradise and wine connoisseurs’ promised land. Reservations are recommended.

THE RANGE CAFÉ

RESTORATION PIZZA

5161 Lang Ave NE, Suite A 582-2720, Restorationpizza.com Here, good food and positive works—delivered simultaneously—is in the very nature of the business. The idea is to provide patrons with top-notch pies and first-rate beers while giving traditionally underemployed individuals work opportunities they would otherwise miss.

ROCKIN’ TACO

ROMA BAKERY & DELI

3600 Cutler Ave NE, 401-1000, greenjeansfarmery.org Rockin’ Taco is housed inside of Albuquerque’s premier indoor/outdoor gathering place, Green Jeans Farmery. With a food truck vibe and an East Coast flare, this hidden gem is elevating the street taco.

Three locations, rangecafe.com Locals flock to The Range Café when they’re in search of good, made-from-scratch comfort food, including meatloaf sandwiches, huevos rancheros, enchiladas, ice cream, and the gooey Life by Chocolate dessert.

RICHARD’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT $$

3301 Menaul Blvd. NE, 881-1039 Mexican favorites—such as carne adovada, relleño, tacos, and green chile enchiladas—cooked in the healthiest, most nutritious, yummiest way possible. Open for breakfast and lunch.

501 Roma Ave. NW, 843-9418, romabakeryanddeli.com You’ll find more than fresh-baked cookies and pastries at this bakery—feast your eyes (and taste buds) on grilled sandwiches and eight fresh deli salads and soups.

REBEL DONUT

RICHIE B’S PIZZA

ROSEMARY $$

Two locations, rebeldonut.com Not only can you find their set flavors, including their raised glazed, chocolate cake glazed, rebel red velvet, birthday cake, and toasted coconut, but you can also order custom-made donuts or choose to experiment with their daily creations.

RELISH GOURMET SANDWICHES

8019 Menaul Blvd. NE 299-0001, relishsandwichesabq.com It’s no wonder this sandwich shop has been voted “best” by publications throughout Albuquerque—it serves only the best Boar’s Head meats and all of their dishes are accompanied by homemade sides or soups. Try the Cubano. You won’t be disappointed.

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7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Suite A-2 312-8579, richiebsabq.com New York-style pizza has come home to roost in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights. Whether by the slice or by the pie—some of which measure 25 inches in diameter—you’ll need every bit of your appetite when you visit Richie B’s. Not in the mood for pizza? Wrap your hands around a turkey, cheesesteak, or Italian sandwich, topped with its signature Viper sauce, or tempt your sweet tooth with traditional cannoli or New York-style cheesecake

RIO BRAVO BREWING COMPANY

1912 2nd St. NW, 900-3909, riobravobrewing.com The pub and grill is bright and airy with high ceilings and a modern industrial style, mixed with the cozy rustic feel of a neighborhood bar, with 32 taps, including their award winning La Luz Lager.

4565 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Suite A 361-1842, rosemaryabq.com This plant-forward restaurant offers a soothing atmosphere, creative menu, and amazing food. Any menu item can be adapted to meet personal preferences and dietary restrictions.

RUDY’S COUNTRY STORE AND BAR-B-Q

Two locations, rudys.com Texas-style slow cooking over oak is what makes Rudy’s brisket, ribs and sausage so mouthwatering—not to mention the “sause.” Every serving comes with paper towels, unlimited sliced onions and pickles, and bread to mop up the leftover BBQ.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

BITES RUSTIC BUBBLE TEA CAFE

840 Juan Tabo Blvd Suite B, 505-1813, rusticbubbleteacafe.com Rustic Bubble Tea Café has all of the fundamentals of a bubble tea shop down, of course–the hint is in the name, after all–but what sets the independent Albuquerque startup apart is the Vietnameseinspired menu that accompanies their decadent beverages.

RUSTIC ON THE GREEN

3600 Cutler Ave NE 315-1148, rusticburger505.com Rustic simplicity is the key for this burger joint at Green Jeans Farmery, serving up five equallycraveable burger options and two different kinds of fries from its minimalist menu. Don’t let the simplicity fool you: this unique eatery does gourmet burgers that has fans coming back for more, including its Day of the Dead burger with a secret “Diablo” puree and the Divine Intervention, topped with bleu cheese and caramelized onions.

RUTILIO’S NEW MEXICAN FOODS

455 N. Main St., Belen, 864-0093 Belen Mayor Rudy Jaramillo’s carne adovada is what put Rutilio’s on the map. This hangout serves their perfect pork with rice and beans, stuffed inside burritos and sopaipillas, and layered inside enchiladas and quesadillas. Add Rutilio’s breakfast burritos and classic New Mexican combos, and guests are sure to find something worth campaigning for.

SADIE’S OF NEW MEXICO

Various locations, sadiesofnewmexico.com A staple in New Mexican cuisine, Sadie’s features enchiladas, carne adovada ribs, tacos, burritos, and of course, world-famous chips and salsa. Reservations are recommended.

SAHARA MIDDLE EASTERN EATERY

2622 Central Ave. SE, 255-5400, saharamiddleeasterneatery.com Delectable Middle Eastern plates served up Manhattan-deli style. The chicken shawarma plate, complete with greens, pita, hummus, and awardwinning tabbouleh, is always a good bet. Complete with beer and wine, and belly dancing on weekends, this is a fave of students, locals, and out-of-towners alike.

SAIGON RESTAURANT

Two locations, saigonrestaurantnm.com Vicky Truong’s secret to 12 years of success has been consistency. Truong maintains an extensive menu that caters to every type of eater. From summer dishes such as noodle bowls to winter mainstays like beef noodle soup, Truong will make sure you find your favorites.

SAKURA SUSHI & GRILL

6241 Riverside Plaza NW 890-2838, abqsakurasushingrill.com Favorites at Sakura are the Stone Pot Bibimbap (which is cooked at the table in a stone pot), the Tiger Roll, the Short Rib, the Baked Lobster Roll, the Sushi Tacos, and the impressive list of sake imported from Japan.

SALATHAI $

3619 Copper Ave. NE, 265-9330 Made-from-scratch, fresh, ingredients and keeping it simple are owner Pitak Pitakkan’s rules to cook by. Pitakkan cooks every menu item himself so don’t go to Salathai in a hurry. Pitakkan’s grandmother taught him to make curry and his curries are a longtime customer favorite.

THE SALT YARD

SHARK REEF CAFÉ

9500 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 275-6601, abqsamurai.com What’s your pleasure, sushi or teppan? Here, you can have either expertly crafted right in front of you. It’s also where you can get fresh sushi favorites such as the California roll, the dragon roll, and a veggies-and-sushi “Viagra salad” special.

SHARKY’S FISH & SHRIMP

SANTA FE BITE-ABQ

SHOGUN JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Two locations, thesaltyardnm.com A multi-concept bar and restaurant, The Salt Yard is

equipped with games, dozens of televisions, great food, drinks, and plenty of space to stretch your legs. This unique location is a great place for parties, trying the newest beer and tequila (Blue Agave Republic is now a part of it), or just watching the game.

SAMURAI GRILL AND SUSHI BAR

3407 Central Ave NE 369-1621, santafebite-abq.com

$$$

2601 Central Ave. NW, 848-7182 To conclude your tour of the Albuquerque Aquarium, grab a seat at this full-service restaurant whose dining room features a view of the oceanic reef exhibit. Catering to visitors, families, and daytime dates, the menu offers simple, fun options. Call ahead for special events, like themed dinners and holiday celebrations. 5420 Central Ave. SW, 831-8905 Slip on your flip-flops and enjoy some Baja–inspired seafood, tacos, and carefree beach house ambiance in this roadside outdoor eatery. Sharky’s won acclaim as the little food truck that could, and this brick-and-mortar locale delivers the goods.

At Santa Fe Bite-ABQ, the green chile cheeseburger is treated with the reverence it deserves, presenting a precision crafted recipe. The details, in fact, are so carefully crafted that even the grilling surface needs to meet certain criteria. Absent a turn on the surface of a custom cast iron grill, it’s just not a Santa Fe Bite burger.

3310 Central Ave. SE, 265-9166 When your order of sushi comes around the bend on its floating wooden boat, you couldn’t be happier, whether you’ve ordered the “Super Crunch” (shrimp tempura roll), or the “TNT Roll” (fish, zucchini and onion, baked with spicy mayo and smothered on a California roll).

SANTIAGO’S NEW MEXICAN GRILL

THE SHOP BREAKFAST & LUNCH

1911 Eubank Blvd. NE, 292-8226 It’s in the sauce—Papa Jim’s Taco Sauce, at least— which comes with items such as burritos, tacos, and salsa. This Santiago Scramble—a pile of scrambled eggs, cheese, corn tortillas, chorizo, and hash browns—is great morning fuel. The tamale and enchilada take-and-bake casseroles will please any partygoer. And take a jar of that taco sauce home— after all, you can.

SAVOY BAR & GRILL

$$$

10601 Montgomery Blvd. NE 294-9463, savoyabq.com Resembling a California wine-country bistro, Savoy Bar & Grill is one of Albuquerque’s premier finedining establishments. Specializing in food and wine pairing, Savoy’s menu is a toast to the art of balance of food and wine.

SCARPAS BRICK OVEN PIZZA

Two locations, scarpaspizza.com That brick oven is cornerstone to this neighborhood favorite, producing pizzas such as the shrimp pesto, the Greek, and the chipotle chicken. But Scarpas also knows pasta, including red chile cream pasta and pasta sorento with oak-roasted chicken.

2933 Monte Vista Blvd. NE, 433-2795 Breakfast and lunch at The Shop guarantees a plethora of flavors and textures that are tough to find in the Duke City. Combining down-home Southern staples with Mexican and New Mexican traditions, you’re bound to discover a new appreciation for bacon and eggs.

SIAM CAFÉ

SIXTY-SIX ACRES

5500 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Suite 101, 883-7334, siamcafeabq.com With its array of freshly-made curries—all made with coconut milk and a wide variety of luscious spices—this restaurant scores high marks with Albuquerqueans who love Thai food. 2400 12th St. NW 243-2230, sixtysixacres.com If you had to boil Sixty-Six Acres down to two words, they would be “casual” and “classy.” Featuring craft cocktails and a wealth of locally sourced, globallyinspired dishes, Sixty-Six Acres is the ideal spot to grab a relaxed, refined meal.

SLAPFISH $$

119 San Pasquale Ave SW 999-8414, searedabq.com During the day, the space is Cheese & Coffee, but at night, it gets a makeover and becomes Seared, a fine dining establishment serving up steak, pork loin, and Atlantic Salmon among other things.

Two locations, slapfishrestaurant.com Have you ever had fish so fresh that it jumped up and tail slapped you in the face? Well, that’s the joke behind the very popular eatery, Slapfish, located in Holly Square. This fast casual gem has gained a great reputation for efficiency, service, flavor combos, and the freshness of their seafood.

SEASONS ROTISSERIE AND GRILL $$$

SLATE STREET BILLIARDS

SEARED $$

2031 Mountain Road NW 766-5100, seasonsabq.com As the name suggests, Seasons varies its menu in accordance with what’s going on throughout the year, using the finest, freshest ingredients. Depending on what time of year you venture in, you’ll find butternut squash ravioli, grilled Atlantic salmon, and bleu cheese-crusted beef filet. Reservations are recommended.

SERGIO’S LA DOLCE VITA

2740 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite 8, 554-2602 Fresh, made-from-scratch cookies, donuts, breads, pastries, cakes, and cannoli are on the mouthwatering menu at this Italian bakery.

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2003 Southern Blvd SE #139, Rio Rancho 994-0363, slatestreetbilliards.com Come for the pool, stay for the nachos, and the burgers, and the wings. Rio Rancho’s favorite pool hall also offers has great Happy Hour pricing and plenty of special events.

SLATE STREET CAFÉ

515 Slate Ave. NW 243-2210, slatestreetcafe.com Slate Street Cafe is a sleek, contemporary eatery that combines big city ambience with inspired, modern cuisine. From the smoked salmon frittata to build-your-own bruschetta to mouthwatering Ahi tuna, their culinary flair will tantalize and delight from breakfast through dinner.

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BITES SLICE AND DICE PIZZERIA

5720 McMahon Blvd, Suite B, 261-2058, sliceanddicepizzeria.com With both a sweeping library of board games and full menu of hot pies and subs, Slice and Dice is a venue for everyone from seasoned players to wideeyed beginners (or people just hungry for some pizza). They provide a space where you can gather with a few friends and take in the twin delights of pizza and board games.

SLICE PARLOR

Two locations, sliceparlor.com Made-from-scratch pizza dough that is hand stretched daily and cooked on a pizza stone. Have a slice of the old faithful pepperoni pizza; try the Pesto Pizza or the House Calzone. Don’t forget to enjoy the local artwork hanging on the walls.

SOO BAK

111 Hermosa Dr. SE 268-0017, soobakfoods.com Serving up a style of food known as “koi fusion”, Soo Bak offers a wide variety of delicious entrees including eight different varieties of kimichi. Try the Soy Crunch Kimichi, which comes with pickled chayote squash, onions, some jalapenos, and fish sauce, apple juice, soy sauce, and vinegar.

SPINN’S BURGER & BEER

4411 Montaño Road NW, 899-6180, spinnsrestaurant.com Every burger served at Spinn’s is made with never-frozen, fresh-ground Angus beef. Try the restaurant’s signature Armadillo Burger. Spinn’s fries are cut and fried when you order them.

SQUEEZED JUICE BAR

Various locations, squeezedjuicebars.com

Incredibly innovative, modern mixed juices, smoothies, and other healthy delights for people on the move and looking for exercise recovery. Three to five pounds of fruit are squeezed into every drink, and it’s all extract, no fillers, and sure to brighten your day.

STEEL BENDER BREWYARD

8305 2nd St. NW 433-3537, steelbenderbrewyard.com The 275-seat brewery has an industrial vibe with cozy undertones. But the Los Ranchos brewery stands apart from competitors based on its wide selection of house made beers and its gourmet menu.

ST. JAMES TEAROOM

$$$

320 Osuna Road NE, Suite D, 242-3752, stjamestearoom.com Albuquerque’s long-standing, go-to teahouse, this enveloping, intricately detailed, and authentically British tearoom provides old-fashioned conversation and honest service.

STARR BROS. BREWING

5700 San Antonio Dr. NE, Suite B1 492-2752, starrbrothersbrewing.com With dishes ranging from American favorites to Southern fare, Starr Bros. Brewing is more than an award-winning brewery. It’s turned heads with Poutine Burqueño, a New Mexican take on the Canadian, greasy-spoon classic. The house burger, with high-quality beef and homemade green chile aioli, is a customer favorite.

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STEVE’S ICE CREAM AND JAVA

STICKY RICE

323 Romero St. NW # 16, 242-8445 In addition to a dozen ice cream flavors and an array of sherbets, the ‘chill’ side of the menu boasts delightfully smooth malts and fountain drinks. For those looking for a good cup of Joe, Steve’s also delivers–offering a broad selection of coffees and a full set of espressos. 7600 Jefferson St. SE, Suite 5, 797-1288 Likely the only authentic Laotian sticky rice to be found anywhere in ABQ, this simple menu offers moist, slow roasted chicken and a few frills at prices you can’t beat with a chopstick. The family meal is a steal.

STORMING CRAB

5001 San Mateo Blvd NE 407-2032, albuquerque.stormingcrab.us Specializing in large, customizable seafood boils rich in Cajun and Atlantic coast flavor, Storming Crab’s selection of dinner combos are encouraged to build their own. Black and green mussels, shrimp, crawfish, white clams, and crab legs can be ordered by the pound.

STRAIGHT UP PIZZA

2801 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite G, 796-9343, straightuppizza.com Offering New York style pizza with a New Mexican edge, Straight Up Pizza serves the Northeast Heights with specialty pizzas, unique toppings, and a plethora of options for any pizza connoisseur.

STUFYS $

Three locations, stufys.com Tasty stuffed sopaipillas are on the menu of this customer favorite, which has been around since 1968. Each sopaipilla is made with a custom machine invented by the owners, then stuffed with savory fillings.

SUSHI & SAKE

4214 Central Ave. SE 797-8000, abqsushiandsake.com With specialty sushi rolls, select Korean favorites, and a family-friendly atmosphere, Sushi & Sake specializes in Asian food with a Korean flair. Also look for non-sushi options, such as teriyaki chicken.

SUSHI KING

Various locations, sushikingnm.com With three locations around Albuquerque, Sushi King proves day-after-day that it is king of the sea, boasting a large variety of specialty sushi rolls, Japanese curry dishes, and monthly menu revisions to keep the options fresh and appealing. Reservations are recommended.

SUSHI XUAN

417 Tramway Blvd NE #3 200-2477, sushixuannm.com

You’ll find more than tasty sushi here. Diners dig into Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai dishes, too. Sushi Xuan has multiple shipments of fresh fish during the week, and only uses Japanese Kokoro rice, and organic veggies whenever possible.

SUSHIYA $$

2906 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Suite D, 275-4777, nmsushiya.com This family-owned and operated restaurant strives to serve up sushi the way you’d find it on the southern California coast. A clean and comfortable atmosphere pairs well with friendly service and some of the thickest cuts of sashimi in the city.

SWISS ALPS BAKERY

TAAJ PALACE

TACO SAL

3000 San Pedro Drive NE 881-3063, swissalpsbakery.com Desserts rule, but the sandwiches hit it out of the park. Endless flavors of pastries, tiramisu, and over a dozen cookies line the bakery case. Everything is scratch made including the many varieties of bread and authentic Bavarian style pretzels available on Saturdays. Paninis, grilled, and cold sandwiches round out the sweets with a full espresso bar. 1435 Eubank Blvd NE 296-0109, taajpalacenm.com Taaj Palace is a multifaceted field of flavor and texture, built around the fiery core of the tandoor oven, that serves up a variety of delicious curries, including the widely popular chicken makhani (butter chicken), where tandoori chicken is presented swimming in a creamy tomato sauce. 9621 Menaul Blvd. NE, 298-2210 This family-owned and operated restaurant offers tasty, traditional New Mexican (burritos, chile rellenos, enchiladas, tacos, huevos rancheros and more) with its very own chunky salsa, made with real green chile.

TAJ MAHAL CUISINE OF INDIA

TALKING DRUMS

TASTE OF INDIA

1430 Carlisle Blvd. NE 255-1994, tajmahalabq.com Taj Mahal is filled with all of your Indian favorites, from fresh naan (try the garlic version) to tasty saag paneer. The line goes out the door for the popular lunch buffet. 1606 Central Ave. SE 792-3221, talkingdrumsabq.com Talking Drums restaurant is serving up some unique African and Caribbean fair inspired by a form of communication expressed through specific drumbeats. Though most of the items are traditional, keep an eye out for some New Mexican flare. 1605 Juan Tabo Blvd NE 294-6342, tasteofindiaabq.com Family recipes modified for American tastes; Taste of India typically dials back the spice a bit. But it’s no misnomer to think of Taste of India as just what the name advertises: a taste of regional flavors, conveyed by people who grew up with them

TEOFILOS $$

144 Main St. NW, Los Lunas, 865-5511, teofilos.com The restaurant’s generations-old made-fromscratch recipes will draw you to Los Lunas, along with the warm chips, chile rellenos, crème cake, enchiladas, and more, all handmade from scratch.

THAI BORAN

3236 La Orilla Rd. NW 492-2244, thaiborannm.com Steeped in spicy tradition, Thai Boran has quickly gained traction as one of the top Thai restaurants Albuquerque has to offer. Thai Boran, which means “Old Thai”, features 53 items on its menu, including five soups, six curries, and five unique dishes off the “Chef’s Collection” section.

THAI CUISINE 2

4201 Central Ave. NE 232-3200, thaicuisinenm.com thaicuisinenm.com/home2 Housed in perhaps the most curious A-frame along Route 66, this is the second-coming of a muchbeloved Westside Thai staple, and judging by the fandom, it’s simply better. Be wary of the heat in these dishes, and if you’re vegan/vegetarian, be very, very thankful.

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BITES THAI KITCHEN

10701 Corrales Road NW 890-0059, thaikitchenabq.com Art Xaiyasiha is one of two siblings who crafted one of the Duke City’s first great Thai restaurants, Siam Café. Thai Kitchen is his very own venture, featuring his takes on authentic dishes that taste “just like they do back home.”

THAI SPICE

7441 Paseo Del Norte NE 503-1521, thaispiceabq.com An extensive menu features authentic Thai favorites like Pad Thai or Thai fried rice. Lunch special includes an egg roll, entrée, and coconut milk tapioca pudding punctuated with an origami rose–topped straw.

THAI TIP RESTAURANT

1512 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite E, 323-7447 The folks at Thai Tip make grocery store runs three times a day to ensure they have enough fresh ingredients for their delicious rice, Thai-style noodle dishes, stir-fries, and salads.

THAI VEGAN

Two locations, thaivegannm.com Utilizing local organic produce, you’ll get some of the healthiest food around, all without sacrificing taste. This non-vegan favorite has hearty offerings and a soy chicken that satisfies even the pickiest of meat eaters.

THEOBROMA CHOCOLATIER

12611 Montgomery Blvd. NE 293-6545, theobromachocolatier.com More than 20 years of experience goes into every morsel of European–inspired chocolate and sweet treat at this 505 sweet-tooth savior. Streamlined and polished, Theobroma has the look of a franchise, but everything is hand-crafted and produced on-site.

THUNDER ROAD STEAKHOUSE AND CANTINA AT ROUTE 66 CASINO HOTEL

14500 Central Ave. SW, Laguna Pueblo 352-7888, rt66casino.com Nestled inside this busy casino, you’ll find dishes that are a confluence of cultures at Thunder Road: made-from-scratch salsas, fresh tortillas, Pastel de Tres Leches Cake, Yucatan Tacos, Smoked Baby Back Pork Ribs, and much more.

TIA BETTY BLUE’S

1248 San Mateo Blvd. SE, 268-1955, tiabettyblues.com 1940s influence is sprinkled throughout this gem, from the décor to the food. The chile, red or green, is nice and spicy, just like your grandma made it. New Mexican breakfast and lunch items dot the menu (including many gluten-free and vegetarian options), but often have a unique twist, like ranchero blue corn waffles piled high with eggs, carne adovada, and chile. The coffee is fresh, and numerous specialty beverages are poured up daily.

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

TIA B’S LA WAFFLERIA

TIA JUANITA’S

TINGLEY BEACH CAFÉ

3710 Campus Blvd. NE 492-2007, lawaffleriaabq.com You’ve never experienced waffles of this magnitude. A residential home-turned-restaurant, anticipate artisan flare (lavender whipped cream, goat cheese, and caramel apple toppings) and plenty of goods for vegans and celiacs. Albuquerque International Sunport 2200 Sunport Blvd. SE 842-4280, fresquezcompanies.com Headed on a flight out of ABQ? Stop here for your New Mexican food fix: breakfast burritos, green chile chicken enchiladas, carne adovada. You can even take your green chile to go with the restaurant’s special “thermal bags” for travel. 1800 Tingley Drive SW 248-8524, cabq.gov For runners and bikers along the Bosque Trail, or for the fishermen that frequent Tingley Beach lakes, the Tingley Beach Café is a well-kept secret for snack seekers, offering fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, pickles, and more.

TIO DAVID’S

3409 Central Ave NE 433-4438, tiodavids.com The food on offer on Tio David’s shares notes of similarity with other cuisines, but is an altogether fresh and distinctive entry to the Albuquerque food scene. On the more familiar side of things, they do a first rate Ceviche de Pescado—a dish popular across the globe that originated in Peru.

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BITES TOLTEC BREWING

10250 Cottonwood Park NW 890-1455, toltecbrewing.com Culinary duties at Toltec fall to Executive Chef Emma Gibson, who brings her own sophisticated flare to the rich world of pub grub. Regardless of food cravings, be sure to pair your order with a brew. The Cactus Warrior is brewed with agave nectar for a smooth, easy to drink, endlessly approachable pint.

TOMASITA’S $$

4949 Pan American Fwy NE 344-1204, tomasitas.com Serving family recipes and making traditional dishes with local ingredients, Tomasita’s has been one of the state’s most popular local spots since Georgia Maryol opened it in Santa Fe in 1974.

TOMATO CAFÉ

7900 San Pedro NE 821-9300, tomatocafe.com A buffet-style, all-you-can-eat, sit-down restaurant where you create the menu: thin-crust pizzas, pastas, meatballs, steamed broccoli, and Italian green beans cooked over an open flame are just some of the treats.

TROMBINO’S BISTRO ITALIANO 5415 Academy Road NE 821-5974, bistroitaliano.com

The former Trattoria Trombino cooks up Italiano autentico, with huge dishes of pasta with homemade sauces, grilled meats and fish, and veal marsala. The cool atmosphere lends relaxation, turning any meal into a vacation. Reservations are recommended.

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TSAI’S CHINESE BISTRO

2325 San Pedro Drive NE, Ste 1E 508-2925, tsaischinese.com Tsai’s offerings range wide across the traditional (diners especially recommend favorites like the Shrimp Kung Pao or Orange Beef) but those looking for something new to try should make for the Chef’s Specials.

TULLY’S ITALIAN DELI

1425 San Mateo Blvd. NE 255-5370, tullysdeli.com This Italian deli serves two-dozen subs for dine-in or pick-up lunch. A fully stocked market features Italian pantry goods from pasta to olive oil. Don’t forget a box of pastries, cookies, biscotti, cake, or a famous cannoli on your way out.

TURTLE MOUNTAIN BREWING COMPANY $$

905 36th Place SE, Rio Rancho 994-9497, turtlemountainbrewing.com turtlemountainbrewing.com Known for its handcrafted ales and lagers, which are brewed on the premises, this is more than just a place to enjoy a few drinks. It’s also a great place to enjoy wood-fired pizzas and calzones in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere.

TWO BOYS DONUTS

6400 Holly Ave NE, Ste H 302-0102, twoboysdonuts.com Regularly stocking more than 30 flavors of donut, Two Boys has particular favorites—like their blueberry cake donut with maple icing and cinnamon sugar—and also brews up Villa Myriam coffee, giving you everything you need for a fullcourse wake-up.

TWO FOOLS TAVERN

3211 Central Ave. NE 265-7447, 2foolstavern.com A taste of the Emerald Isle: fish and chips, bangers and mash, bread pudding, Guinness on tap, and live Celtic music on Sunday afternoons.

UPTOWN SPORTS BAR

URBAN HOTDOG COMPANY

6601 Uptown Blvd. NE 884-4714, uptown-sportsbar.com A huge sports venue with wall-to-wall televisions and all the extras—solid American fare alongside a wide selection of local and national beers. 10250 Cottonwood Park NW, Ste. 440 898-5671, urbanhotdogcompany.com With about 20 choices—and even a vegetarian option—this restaurant has become a dog-lover’s go-to. Look for Chicago and NYC classics, plus adventurous temptations like the Crafty Dog (topped with mac ‘n’ cheese and bacon).

VERNON’S HIDDEN VALLEY STEAKHOUSE $$$

6855 4th St. NW 341-0831, thehiddensteakhouse.com This unmarked restaurant requires a secret password to gain entrance. Once inside, you’ll discover a world of perfect steaks and gourmet seafood, paired with an unbeatable loungey atmosphere. Reservations are recommended.

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BITES VIC’S DAILY CAFÉ

VICK’S VITTLES COUNTRY KITCHEN

3600 Osuna Road NE 341-9710, vicsdailycafe.com With a full range of breakfast items, New Mexican favorites, and comfort food, this is a one-stop shop for tasty options like breakfast burritos, meatloaf, and coconut cream pie. 8810 Central Ave. SE 298-5143, vicksvittles.com Rustle up your posse and head to Vick’s for heaping helpings of Texas-New Mexico fusion and breakfast served all day. Country comfort meets southwestern flair in an environment that welcomes suits and cowboys alike. Prepare to be stuffed.

WHOLE HOG CAFÉ

Two locations, wholehogcafenm.com Get award-winning Memphis-style barbecue in a family-friendly atmosphere. Can’t-miss items include the pulled pork, potato salad, and the homemade banana pudding.

YANNI’S MODERN MEDITERRANEAN $$

3109 Central Ave. SE 268-9250, yannisabq.com Impeccable Mediterranean cuisine paired with a fresh atmosphere that whisks you away to Grecian shores, you can always count on Yanni’s for savory spanakopita, perfect pasta, and other delicious treats. Reservations are recommended.

YASMINE’S CAFÉ

5721 Menaul Blvd. NE, 888-0101 pwbportal.us/viet-taste-abq With more than 100 menu options—noodle and rice dishes, eight varieties of Pho, coconut shakes, and many more—this restaurant is true to its name, offering a real taste of Vietnamese cuisine.

1600 Central Ave. SE, 242-1980 Yasmine’s is one of the few places in Albuquerque with shawarma—pitas filled with marinated chicken or beef that’s been pressed, stacked and cooked slowly on a rotisserie. Also try lamb and beef shish kababs, baba ghanoush, fatah, and four varieties of baklava.

VIET PHO

THE YELLER SUB

VIET TASTE

4208 Menaul Blvd. NE, 717-2359 This Vietnamese-based cuisine restaurant offers a homey feel and Southeast Asian comfort food. Try the popular Beef Pho Soup or go for a lighter dish like the Shrimp Spring Rolls.

VILLAGE PIZZA

Two locations, villagepizzanm.com Family owned and operated, Village Pizza offers salads, nachos, calzones, pasta, and of course, signature pizzas, along with an all-you-can-eat buffet.

ZINC WINE BAR AND BISTRO

$$$

3009 Central Ave. NE 254-9462, zincabq.com Imaginative, gourmet cuisine (think: duck confit eggrolls, chicken skewer salad, and pine nut spanakopita) and an out-of-this-world wine list meets a friendly, laid-back atmosphere at this Nob Hill favorite. Reservations are recommended.

ZORBA’S FINE GREEK CUISINE

11225 Montgomery Blvd. NE 323-2695, zorbasabq.com The family behind University area favorite, Olympia Café, have relocated their tasty homemade Greek food to the Northeast Heights. Try the Southwestern Gyros or the enduring customer favorite, the pork, chicken, or lamb kebob.

7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE 888-9784, yellersub.com Owner Mark Roerick has been perfecting his sandwiches since 1979 and the customer favorite, Steak & Grilled Onions Sub proves it. The potato chips, fries, and onion rings made from scratch the old-fashioned way sure won’t let you down.

VINAIGRETTE $$ 1828 Central Ave. SW 842-5507, vinaigretteonline.com

Getting in touch with your “green” side has never been as hip as it is at Albuquerque’s newest go-to salad bistro. Vinaigrette offers a menu full of unique salads made with fresh produce from owner Erin Wade’s farm in Nambè. Items like The Nutty Pear-Fessor and the Asian Chopped Salad don’t sacrifice deliciousness just because they’re healthy. Expect one of 17 vinaigrette dressings to be perfectly paired with your salad.

VINTAGE 423

8000 Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NE 821-1918, vintage-423.com

Decorated with plush booths, black and white photos of vintage cars, a glass wine cellar wall, and an outdoor patio with couches and fireplaces, Vintage 423 is a goto location for good eats and happy hour—all year long.

WECK’S $$

Various locations, wecksinc.com For nearly 20 years, Weck’s has served up huge, tasty portions of breakfast and lunch. Examples: The Original comes with one pound of potatoes mixed with eggs, cheese, and chile; the “Scratch Made” Buttermilk Pancakes are more than seven inches wide.

WESTERN VIEW

6411 Central Ave NW 836-2200 With a cozy diner feel and a long history, Western View is turning out plates of diner classics and New Mexican staples—finely seasoned with a sprinkling of Greek options—for diners hungry for both hearty home cooked meals and classic countertop service.

WHICH WICH

Various locations, whichwich.com A national brand with local twists, list your favorites on the bag and await a sammie that edges the competition. The UNM location is a student mainstay.

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‘TIL YOU DROP P. 154 | THE PAWS BUTTON P. 158 | PASSENGER WINDOW P. 162 | PHOTO CONTEST P. 167 | 25 THINGS P. 168

EDUCATIONAL EXPRESSION Just over ten years ago, one of Albuquerque’s most historic elementary schools reopened. Students, faculty, and staff celebrated by creating a wall of public art so big that you need to walk a bit to see it all (p. 162).

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

OUT AND ABOUT: YOUR GUIDE TO SHOPPING IN THE DUKE CITY

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‘TIL YOU DROP

We Find It FOR YOU QUESTION I would like to support local businesses this Valentine’s Day. Where can I find unique handmade gifts with a heart theme?

ANSWER You’re in luck, because ABQ makers and shop owners have been planning for this “show some local love” Valentine’s Day. There are plenty of options, from cards to cakes, but here are three locally made gifts that we found to be rather unique.

GLASS CUBE WITH HEART CANDLE Lighting a beautiful candle conveys a romantic message. “It says, ‘I am here,’” says Candle Creations owner Claudia Steinhauser. And couldn’t we all use a little more romance, now that 2020 is in our hindsight? This shop uses a unique form of gel candle wax that lasts up to two times longer than regular wax (translation: extra snuggle time with your honey). And to add even more romance, the glow from the candle acts like a love lantern, illuminating the room with a red aura. You can even pick your own scent. And should you want to bring in your own sentimental jar, they can turn it into a custom candle—the shop promotes reuse, up-cycling, and refilling of existing containers.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Candle Creations, $12 www.newmexicocandles.com

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‘TIL YOU DROP HEART SHAPED HANDMADE CHOCOLATE BAR

NEW MEXICO HEART BISCOCHITO TIN

This seasonal heart starts off with a crunchy, white chocolate Oreo cookie base. From there, it’s topped with Valentine sprinkles and perfectly placed mini Oreo cookie wafers. And for those wanting to make an impression, this particular box also comes with the perfect, heart-melting romantic pun: “Each Day I Love You a Little MOREO.” You’ll find more than just this one heart-shaped confection at ChocGlitz & Cream. That’s because the owner, Celeste Davis, adds a little extra love into her Valentine’s creations each year (she’s also the head chocolatier and ice cream/ caramel/confection maker).

How perfect would it be if you could show love for your loved one AND our state at the same time? The only combination sexier is sugar and butter—and you can find plenty of both in Celina’s rich, signature biscochitos (New Mexico’s official state cookie since 1989). Each cookie is made fresh, dipped in a cinnamon sugar storm, and packaged oh-so-carefully to protect its delicate edges. This heart shaped tin contains six tender wafers, each one emblazoned with the state Zia symbol. The crush-proof packaging also makes for a perfect, ready-to ship option, should your Valentine live outside of the 505.

ChocGlitz & Cream, $12.50 10660 Unser Blvd. NW 898-4589 chocglitzandcream.com

FEBRUARY 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Celina’s Biscochitos, $7.50 404 Osuna Road NW Suite A 269-4997 celinasbiscochitos.com

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Longhair Records 1321 San Mateo Blvd. NE 333-8975 longhairrecords.com

usic is universal across human cultures. From Inuit throat singers in the high arctic to Spanish guitarists laying down an accompaniement to twirling dancers, few seem fully immune to the charms of a good melody. In fact, without running the statistics, it seems pretty safe to say that most of us seem to actively enjoy it. At some point, a passion for music seems to have been bred into us, for lack of a better word, laying the groundwork for aficionados like Ehren Salazar—founder and owner of Longhair Records—to build an entire business around making it, consuming it, and discussing it. “I started working in record stores about twelve years ago,” recalls Salazar. “I was working as the photo/nightshift manager at Walgreens and I heard from one of

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Shop Talk

Beatles, Bauhaus, or Billy Joel, Longhair Records delivers the goods—alongside a sizeable selection of genre books, VHS tapes, and A/V essentials. my friends that there was an opening at Natural Sound, which is where I had been shopping since I was like eleven years old.” A killer gig, and all it would take to seal the deal was a test—something the owner of Natural Sound had designed to evaluate knowledge of the musical landscape among potential employees. It was a difficult test, riddled with esoteric references, but Salazar passed. In 2009, he started work, only years later learning that he had done better on the test than anyone else had in about ten years. “I was an only child and got really obsessed with music,” says Salazar, who first caught a serious thirst for the aural arts in the wake of his father’s passing. “I inherited his collection of music and I got really into music because my stepfather was really into 60s rock and I was trying to bond

with him.” After his initial gig at Natural Sound, Salazar spent around ten years working in local record shops, gradually accumulating a massive personal inventory and looking for the perfect spot to launch his own operation. “I finally found that spot on San Mateo for the right price and really liked the landlord,” he explains. “I couldn’t quite swing being on Central, which is of course where you get lots of traffic, but I figured if I made the place enough of a destination I could put it anywhere as long as you can find it. And that seems to be working out really well.” In addition to a vinyl collection thousands of records deep—with entries from across the frontiers of music, from darkwave to blues, jazz to techno, bluegrass to metal, and just about everything in be-

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2021

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

‘TIL YOU DROP

tween—Longhair Records also sells CDs, cassette tapes, VHS tapes, genre books, synthesizers, and A/V equipment. It is, in short, a one stop shop for a sizeable chunk of your music and media needs. And, while they cater chiefly to a local market, they maintain an online presence with global reach. “I had somebody this week order a record from me in Australia,” says Salazar. “And what’s odd to me is, I ordered those records from Australia myself and apparently I was the last person to have them still available online. So this guy had to pay [$30] for shipping this $25 record back to Australia for a band that he lives in the same town with.” During normal times, Salazar moonlights as a DJ and spends time recording his own music. One would think a lockdown would be especially amenable to the latter, but apparently that hasn’t been the case. “I thought I’d have so much time to work on music, but I’m working so hard on getting stock onto the website all the time, I’ve only gotten three songs recorded for [my] next album so far.” As an outlet designed to celebrate all things music, Longhair Records also regularly hosts live performances—a practice that makes Salazar grateful for friendly neighbors. “We’ve had concerts so loud we’ve shattered 16 bongs next door,” he says, referring to some inadvertent but predictable inventory destruction at the smoke shop next door. By shear numbers, music consumption is dominated by casual listeners—folks who pop in and out of a favorite radio station or streaming service for a dose of what’s fresh and popular. The record store economy, on the other hand, is driven chiefly by enthusiasts—people who love music down to their bones. It’s a pattern that repeats across a number of industries. Book stores, liquor stores, sports memorabilia stores—all fueled by a passionate subset of consumers. Longhair Records is a music shop for everyone, from casual listeners looking for a hard copy of a hot single to people looking for that one classic Beatles album to complete a collection. But ultimately, it was built for the diehards—the kind of people who hear someone like Nick Cave sing, “some people say it’s just rock and roll/oh, but it gets you right down to your soul” and know precisely what he’s on about. —ZB

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THE

PAWS BUTTON NEW ARRIVALS

KEEPING TABS ON ABQ’S FURRY FRIENDS

he pandemic affected every aspect of our daily lives last year, which makes it so much more important these days to remember the good things that always brighten our lives—like new residents joining the ABQ BioPark. The BioPark, despite a shutdown, still managed to bring in new residents at the Zoo, the Aquarium, and the Botanical Gardens. (And oh yeah, they also got a new human in the form of Stephanie Stowell, the new BioPark director.) Here are just some of the new faces that joined the ABQ BioPark family in 2020.— TH

There’s an adorable new face in the klipspringer exhibit. Zeelie was born to Raisin and Pogo in October. This was their third calf. Spotted hyenas Smilla and Dubu welcomed a pair of hyena cubs in April. The two were named Kijani and Pili.

About two dozen baby turtles hatched in reptiles earlier this year including Krefft’s river turtles and snake-necked turtles. Both species are native to Australia. Kawi and Ryder welcomed seven wolf pups in May. This was the pair’s second litter.

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The ABQ BioPark Aquarium announced a new male river otter named Dixon. He’s currently on exhibit with females Chaos and Mayhem.

Macaroni penguin pair Minnow and Jamison produced two eggs this November, an excellent sign that the ABQ BioPark’s penguins are acclimating to their environment.

Six new female Navajo churro sheep arrived at the Heritage Farm this summer to join male K’os.

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PET OF T H E MONTH

PET OF THE MONTH ATM readers’ furry, fuzzy, feathered, or scaly best friends. This month's winner: Lady Roxy

t 14 years old, Lady Roxy is still showing the vigor of youth. This blue heeler (also called an Australian cattle dog or a Queensland heeler) is as quirky and confident as ever, says owner Daniel W. Martinez. “She eats piñon (nuts) and takes herself for walks.” Martinez, who has a ranch in Northern New Mexico, says Lady Roxy also likes to herd people and animals when she is on the ranch. The process even involves her opening and closing the front door by herself. She may be funny and she may be strange, but Lady Roxy is exactly what Martinez was looking for. “I looked for blue heelers and [Lady Roxy’s] parents were raised in Rio Rancho, so it worked out well,” he says. Martinez was drawn to the breed because it is known for being energetic, loyal, and obedient. But in Lady Roxy, he got something very special. Martinez says Lady Roxy also has a very special role in his life: she’s his baseball watching partner. “I love when she sits on the bleachers and calmly watches baseball games in the North Valley,” says Martinez. —TH

Is your pet ATM’s next Pet of the Month? Send a photo and short story about why you think your pet belongs in these pages to petofthemonth@abqthemag.com.

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PASSENGER WINDOW

A CITY BLOCK OF ART Painted a decade ago by elementary students, the mural endures.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

en years ago, the students of the historic elementary school turned magnet school—Coronado Elementary—produced an expansive mural in Downtown Albuquerque that still stands today. Sure, the paint is somewhat faded and graffiti mars its beauty in spots, but the childlike innocence of the piece still shines through, despite the ravages of time. “Mrs. Ulibarri, the first principal when the school reopened, it was very important to her that the new Coronado Elementary School be a part of the community,” says Sarah Matosian, a longtime Coronado Elementary teacher. “She and the kids built the community garden and painted that mural back in [2010].” The school was once a major part of the public education system in the Barelas neighborhood. Built in 1936 using New Deal money, it operated as a school until 1975 when it was converted to administrative use. In the midst of the Downtown revitalization of the mid-2000’s, it was decided that Coronado Elementary would be reopened to accommodate a quickly growing student body. The school officially reopened in 2010. A decade later, Anna Ulibarri is still the principal at Coronado Elementary, and the mural and community garden are still standing. Stretching around nearly an entire block on Iron Avenue and 5th Street, it’s difficult—in fact, it’s physically impossible—to take in the entire piece at once. The best viewing experience comes from walking around the block and examining each piece. The head of the project, Lonnie Anderson, still maintains the expansive mural, but all of the students who attended Coronado at the time had a hand in painting it. As a result, the subject matter of the mural ranges from childrens’ books to New Mexican history, and includes a multitude of diverse faces exclaiming hopeful messages. Today, Mrs. Ulibarri and her staff have a lot on their plates. Between the mad scramble to find a way to effectively teach remotely and a new push to change the historic school’s name, it might be easy for the original vision for the magnate school to be lost in the shuffle. Luckily, the Coronado Elementary School mural stands as a constant reminder.—TH

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PIECE OF T H E PAST

ERNIE PYLE HOUSE/LIBRARY

he United States in 1944 was a very different place from what it is today. World War II was in full swing and the war effort was at the forefront of the national consciousness. Unlike the 24-hour bombardment of news that we are used to today, news of the battles raging in Europe and the South Pacific was limited and therefore consumed voraciously by the public. One of the voices that was most consumed by American audiences was that of war correspondent and Albuquerque transplant Ernie Pyle. Pyle, who was born in Indiana, spent most of his career roaming the country as a reporter, his wife Jerry by his side. But he settled in Albuquerque in 1940 after developing a “deep, unreasoning love” of New Mexico. The couple built a small, ranch-style home on Girard and Santa

Monica, complete with a walk-in closet and white picket fence. Aside from being the idyllic representation of the American Dream, the house and its white fence were common set pieces in Pyle’s writings from the South Pacific front. Pyle began sending in frontline correspondence after America’s entrance into World War II in 1941. His purely American writing voice and true tales of soldiers’ heroism quickly garnered him an

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audience of millions, and in 1944, Pyle was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished war correspondence. A year later, 6,896 miles from his picket fence and beloved Jerry, Ernie Pyle was killed by enemy gunfire on le Shima, an island in Okinawa. One year after that, Jerry passed away as well. In 1948, the City of Albuquerque acquired the Pyle House from the Pyle estate and converted it into the city’s first branch library. Today, the Ernie Pyle Library is also part museum, containing memorabilia and mementos from the Pyle family, and has the distinction of being the smallest library in the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Library System. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 and named a National Historic Landmark in 2006.—TH

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

Albuquerque’s first branch library is also one of its most historically significant.

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PHOTO CONTEST

HUMMING ALONG By Becky O’Neill

s an amateur photographer, Becky O’Neill has been training her lens on birds for years. It is, in fact, one of the first things she did upon first picking up a DSLR eight years ago. This particular photo was captured at the Rio Grande Nature Center, where O’Neill occasionally lends her talents as a volunteer. On the day in question, however, she was there exclusively for the birds.

“I took it in the morning during fall at the Rio Grande Nature Center,” says O’Neill. “They have a bird viewing blind by the parking lot near one of the ponds and I used it to take this photo.” Capturing the image—a black-chinned hummingbird feeding off the nectar on a dew-soaked, hot pink penstemon flower—was a matter of patience. “Hummingbirds are all motion,” she says. “I sat in the

blind for around two hours watching the hummingbirds and snapping photos before I got this shot.” O’Neill, who took the photo on a Nikon D810, recommends the Rio Grande Nature Center to anyone hungry to lay their eyes on some local wildlife—particularly of the feathered variety. —ZB

Enter ATM’s photo contest and see your photo featured in our PHOTO OF THE MONTH! Submissions should include one high-resolution digital file sent by email. All photos sent to ATM will be property of the magazine and will not be mailed back to sender. All entries should include your name and phone number. Please include a bio and a brief description of how the photo was taken. Email entries to: photocontest@abqthemag.com

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

With

ABQ’s Mysterious Monolith In the midst of a pandemic and a stagnant economy, the end of the year somehow brought us a glimmer of hope. It came from the shiny facade of a towering metal monolith found in the Utah desert on November 18, 2020. The eerie pillar was spotted by biologists who happened to be flying over the area by helicopter. The discovery immediately spawned theories on the internet, most claiming that there must surely be an alien connection. Within days, a second monolith appeared in Romania, then a third and fourth. And on December 7, the fifth such monolith mysteriously appeared in Albuquerque—right outside this magazine’s offices near Interstate 25. As the day unfolded, thousands of people came to see the structure, including TV reporters, bloggers, influencers, and plenty of parents with children in tow. The internet exploded with chatter about our city’s monolith, and for a short period of time, we were able to bring a sense of awe and excitement to what had otherwise been a year we’d rather all forget. Here’s a reminder of what it means to have a little fun.

1. The height was exactly 10 feet tall, 10. At 9:31 a.m., Mayor Tim Keller and 16 inches on each side. tweeted, “We want to believe,” along with a pic of the monolith.

It was only the 5th monolith to get global attention, after the initial monolith was found in Utah.

19. After nightfall, vandals removed and drove off with the monolith.

20. Several videos of the incident 11. More than 80 videos got posted were posted to social media.

to YouTube about it.

21. ABQ police recovered the mono12. One visitor posed for monolith lith and returned it to the creators: pics in 4 outfits (including a leprechaun, biker and farmer).

3. That information was confirmed 13. He confirmed that he was not a by CNET.com, which made at least blogger or influencer, just a fun-seekfour posts about it. er.

Bumblebee Fab, a metal craft shop in ABQ. says it 22. Bumblebee installed the mono-

lith “to give ABQ something positive to celebrate in these tough times.”

4. About 60 more monoliths later 14. Someone managed to put a NM

appeared across the U.S.

United logo magnet at the top of the 5. An estimated 1,500 people visited monolith. it. 15. Three different groups initially 6. The monolith was the top news took credit for the monolith. story on all three local TV newscasts that night.

7. The first media member to visit

the site was Donnie Chase from The Peak 100.3.

16.

To quell rumors, Meow Wolf tweeted: “We did not place the monolith in Albuquerque.”

8. Chase reported live on the radio around 7 a.m., and was the first per- 17. The most popular activity for visson to touch the metal structure. itors was to take a pic with the monolith. 9. The first social media post was made by Kristelle Sciarza, an ABQ 18. The second most popular activisocial media maven. ty was to hug it.

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23. C|NET reporter Amanda Kooser was spot-on, saying it was “clearly…created in a spirit of delight and wonder.” 24. After the monolith was taken

down, someone mysteriously repaired the landscape before sunrise as if nothing had ever happened.

25. Maybe it was all a dream?