THE BEST DINING IN SANTA FE: 2020
RESTAURANT GUIDE
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food served with style
lunch • dinner • bar
visit the new CompoundRestaurant.com for menus & more 653 Canyon Road 505.982.4353 reservations recommended
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GUILT TIP 3
RESTAURANT DIRECTORY
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19
TOP 5
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15 GREATS
FOOD FOTO CONTEST
FROM THE EDITOR
Santa Fe’s food stories are some of our favorites to tell. Every year, the hungry staff of the Santa Fe Reporter and a trusty cadre of freelancers pursue the very best dishes on offer in the city, eating our way up the side streets and down the main drags for the weekly Wednesday edition and to help curate the annual Restaurant Guide. Unless you’ve been under a rock, you know that 2020 has been off to a rocky start for culi-
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER JULIE ANN GRIMM ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER AND AD DIRECTOR ANNA MAGGIORE ART DIRECTOR ANSON STEVENS-BOLLEN CULTURE EDITOR ALEX DE VORE
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nary establishments and many other local businesses. We delayed the planned April publication date because state rules prohibited restaurants from having dine-in due to public health orders to stem the spread of COVID-19. As of June 1, some of our favorites had reopened in accordance with rules on limited seating. Others planned to do so soon. And still some say they can’t welcome customers again for the near future. We still included them among
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS MOLLY BOYLE JULIA GOLDBERG MATT GRUBS COLE REHBEIN ZIBBY WILDER COPY EDITOR COLE REHBEIN PHOTOGRAPHY AND COVER IMAGE JOY GODFREY
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DIGITAL SERVICES MANAGER BRIANNA KIRKLAND PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER SUZANNE S KLAPMEIER ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE ROBYN DESJARDINS CIRCULATION MANAGER ANDY BRAMBLE
the list of our Top 5 and 15 Greats in the hopes that we can all visit soon! As always, the content in our editorial coverage of restaurants, bars, chefs, trends and everything in between comes from writers who are eaters first. It’s not for sale. Nevertheless, we hope diners consider our advertisers. We all thank you for reading and for eating. Julie Ann Grimm editor and publisher
COVER RESTAURANT VINAIGRETTE
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TOP 5 At a certain point, we were worried this special issue wouldn’t happen. With COVID-19 sweeping the nation, the hard truth was that we had to hit pause and reflect on what the future of local foodservice would look like. But then our beloved Santa Fe restaurants surprised everyone—they got lean, they got smart, they embraced a new takeout and pickup model so quickly and effectively, our heads spun. But that doesn’t mean it’s been easy for anyone, and that doesn’t mean it’s not a good thing that dormant eateries have been able to reopen in a limited capacity and with special considerations for outdoor dining. It’s a little early to tell what these new things will look like moving forward, but with restaurants getting back to the grind, it felt important to get our 2020 Restaurant Guide out there. As always, it’s hard to whittle down selections to a few favorites in a sea of notable and iconic restaurants, but the following five represent a lot of hours eating and more hours toiling over who’s the best. Get hungry.
White triangles indicate days of the week on which the restauarant serves at least one meal. We recommend calling ahead, as hours change seasonally.
OPEN
S M T W T F S
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LEAST EXPENSIVE
. $$.
MODERATELY PRICED
. $$$.
FINE DINING
Cassoulet classic country French casserole
Bouche Bistro . $$$ .
(from left) Executive chef Brian Marchetti and corporate chef Tony Anderson
We know your name was Charles and not Pierre, but you understood that we wanted the French food experience, and you won us over for life as you played along while you also provided excellent table service. Bouche Bistro backs up to the Santa Fe River, not the French Riviera. Still, it’s one of Santa Fe’s best offerings of that regional fare. We’ll stop right there and say such Americanized dining opportunities are as close as this writer has been to France, and hope that doesn’t keep readers from understanding this local restaurant is a treat. Bouche has yet to announce a reopening date, but given our experience a couple months back, you’ll definitely want to keep an eye out. After delighting in a pile of highly recommended mustardy beef tartare served with potato chips ($18), our dining companion helped us drop the “t” from cassoulet when we ordered the classic country casserole for the main course ($28). The dish is stocked with white beans and three kinds of meat, and topped with panko bread crumbs, so the cherry on top of crispy confit duck leg might seem like overkill. More like over the moon. We’ve never had such a tasty duck preparation and, fancy or not, there were fingers and licking involved. For dessert, Pierre delighted in pouring the liquid chocolate profiterole au chocolate ($9), a glorified ice cream sandwich, with which we savored the the last sips of our French Burgundy. Bouche means “mouth” en Français. Yours is likely to be very happy. (Julie Ann Grimm)
Pro Tip French dining is all about slowing it down and embracing the experience. As American diners, we tend to rush through our restaurant visits; at Bouche, it’s wise to take a deep breath, ask what wine pairs well with your dish and lean into one of the finer feasts in our local food scene.
OPEN
S M T W T F S Dinner daily
451 W Alameda St., 982-6297 bouchebistro.com @bouchebistro @bouchebistro S F R 2 0 2 0 R E S TA U R A N T G U I D E
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14 oz Prime New York strip
TOP 5
Market Steer Steakhouse . $$$ .
Chef Kathleen Crook
If you’ve already finished your dinner at Market Steer Steakhouse in the Hotel St. Francis, you might not be surprised if you get a look at chef Kathleen Crook’s tattoos. After all, by the time you’ve consumed a Crook-cooked 100% USDA Prime steak, you’ve already tasted the pride she takes in her work. But she also wears it on her sleeve: three animals that represent the cuts for pork, poultry and beef. That’s the careful ethos Crook, who comes from a long line of farmers and ranchers in Artesia, brings to the menu at Market Steer, the decadent restaurant she opened in 2018 with partner and general manager Kristina Goode. The dinner menu is heavy on high-end appetizers with a slightly South-by-Southwestern twist, like mussels steamed with Shiner Bock and green chile ($18). Entreés include five cuts of steak, rounded out by options like crab, lobster, duck, chicken, a smoky bouillabaisse and one vegetarian entreé; the ample side dishes are ordered family-style. Sundays through Thursdays, a more affordable prix fixe menu ($55 per person) offers a few other choices. A knife-and-fork Caesar salad with a head of baby romaine, sharp white anchovies and bitter shaved Parmesan led off one recent meal. A flawlessly crusted flat-iron steak followed, topped by a melting pool of blue cheese butter. By the time the chilled Nutella pot de crème arrived, I could barely roll out the door. And yet I was still fantasizing about what over-the-top item to try next time. Raclette potatoes? Lobster mac? When you can afford it, Market Steer keeps you coming back. (Molly Boyle)
Pro Tip We learned the hard (easy?) way that appetizers at Market Steer come in more than generous helpings—and are fantastic as leftovers the next day. With a little planning, you can be lunching in style and making your coworkers jealous. Plus, you’ll want to save room for dessert, so don’t eat everything.
OPEN
S M T W T F S Dinner Tuesday-Sunday
210 Don Gaspar Ave., 992-6354 marketsteersteakhouse.com @marketsteersteakhouse
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Amazing coffee, incredible food.
™
1600 Lena St. & 314 S. Guadalupe St. in beautiful Santa Fe
Pre-order food and coffee for take-out or dine-in @ Iconikcoffee.com Free parking everywhere
Bombay sliders with spicy potato patties, caramelized onions, mint and tamarind chutney, on a soft bun
TOP 5
Paper Dosa . $$ .
Chef Paulraj (Paul) Karuppasamy
Five years ago, Paper Dosa Chef Paulraj Karuppasamy and his wife and business partner Nellie Tischler opened the doors of their South Indian cuisine restaurant, having first tested locals’ appetites with a year of pop-up events. Those appetites have yet to wane; expect a busy restaurant and a possible wait when you go, especially for as long as limited capacity rules endure. Don’t let that stop you, though: Paper Dosa’s staff is both friendly and efficient, and they will have you seated and happy in no time. In winter, Karuppasamy’s curries will fortify and warm every cold spot in your body and soul. A particular favorite, the Prawn Moilee—flash-fried shrimp in a savory yellow coconut curry ($18)—is garlicky, gingery and very filling. Best to plan on taking some home and splurge on appetizers. Favorites include the Bhel Puri ($8), a mystifying, tongue-tantalizing mélange of puffed rice, blended with mango, onion, cilantro and tomato tossed in tamarind and mint chutney. Paper Dosa riffs on its salad ($11) depending on available fresh ingredients, but some variation of artisanal greens and watermelon radishes always pops up, a fresh and delicious palette cleanser. But whatever you order, start working your way through the dosas ($5$14.50). These thin South Indian crepes come with generous portions of sambar and coconut and tomato chutneys, redolent with spices, cheeses, meats and vegetables. It’s easy to get stuck on personal favorites on this part of the menu (hello, paneer and peas), but the variation of spices, ingredients and innovation (hello, green chile cheese) shouldn’t be missed. And now you know why it’s always crowded at Paper Dosa. (Julia Goldberg)
Pro Tip Our best experiences at Paper Dosa have all come from going into the meal with friends willing to share. Ask anyone—this menu is broad, and unless you’re willing to go at it with backup, you’ll never get the wide array of flavors, textures and colors on offer.
OPEN
S M T W T F S Dinner Tuesday-Sunday
551 W Cordova Road, 930-5521 paper-dosa.com @paper_dosa @paperdosa S F R 2 0 2 0 R E S TA U R A N T G U I D E
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Camaron ranchero with shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce, jalapeĂąos and onions
TOP 5
Puerto Peñasco .$.
(left to right) Chefs Raul Herrera and Uriel Villalobos
In Sonora, Mexico, Puerto Peñasco is a seaside town on the Gulf of California—and in Santa Fe, it’s the anchor restaurant to a busy strip mall on Airport Road. In both places, you can expect to find an abundance of seafood, and at this Southside standby, large Spanish-speaking families (kids, cousins, great-uncles) sit at long tables or comfy, well-worn booths. The enormous menu includes fish, shrimp and steak plates, enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, kids’ plates, and some real showstoppers: market price lobster drenched in butter and garlic; piña carnaval (half a grilled pineapple stuffed with shrimp and octopus); various whole fish and surf and turf combinations. Puerto Peñasco serves beer, wine and agave wine margaritas but no liquor, and a michelada with Bohemia ($5.75), liberally spiced with a chilesalt rim and Clamato, was roughly the size of my noggin. Tortilla chips, a chunky red salsa, and a smooth pale-green avocado dip come gratis to every table. A small coctel de camarón ($9.45) contained so many pink, well-cooked shrimps that I lost count, distracted by the spicysalty cocktail sauce—though I longed for more diced avocado. Like my butter-splattered red snapper tacos de pescado ($11.25), most plates come with a mountain of rice scattered with corn kernels and a heap of French fries alongside a lettuce-tomato garnish. Airport Road may give off the opposite of a coastal breeze, and the fish is undeniably fresher in Mexico. But the kind service, huge portions, and welcoming prices at Puerto Peñasco make you feel at home in Santa Fe. (MB)
Pro Tip We know there are people who worry about seafood in the high desert, but leave those worries at the door and lean into the oceanic items with gusto. Oh, and maybe you won’t impress your hoity-toity friends, but fries on everything is the way to go.
OPEN
S M T W T F S
4681 Airport Road, 438-6622
unch and dinner daily
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Burrata with, tomato, basil, balsamic and extra virgin olive oil; Key lime pie; posole chicken verde with side salad
TOP 5
The Teahouse . $$ .
(from left to right): Kitchen manager Ludy Palencia; chef/owner Rich Freedman; kitchen manager Ana Reyes
Most of the time, a trip up Canyon Road comes with some kind of arts mission. But when it’s approaching mealtime (any one of ’em), it’s good to know The Teahouse is up there, too. Boasting dozens of teas from China, Sri Lanka, India, Japan and right here in Santa Fe, it’s the sort of place one goes for a heady brew, but also for delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner items. For us, The Teahouse will always be a Sunday brunch kind of place, and a recent stop-in for its famous oatmeal with gluten-free oats, forbidden rice, buckwheat and a thick side of whipped cream ($9) proved brilliant and upped our energy factor immensely. Our dining partner was ready for lunch, however, and they repeatedly insisted their roasted eggplant panino with goat cheese, arugula and balsamic glaze ($13.50) was easily one of their top five sandwiches of all time. You can quaff a tea or two while dining in, natch, but the expert staff can help you put together a to-go care package as well. Study up on the massive menu and make repeated trips; you’ll find a slow cooked dinner special each night plus options like grilled salmon, spicy Italian sausage, a balsamic roasted beet and goat cheese salad, plus so many other dinner items you’ll wonder how they fit it all in there. (Alex De Vore)
Pro Tip Setting aside how glorious the oatmeal is with a dollop of whipped cream on top, the best advice we have for The Teahouse is to start a challenge with yourself to wend through the beverage offerings. Eventually you’ll find something you’ll want every day, and with their bulk selections, making that a reality is a cinch.
OPEN
S M T W T F S Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday
821 Canyon Road, 992-0972 teahousesantafe.com @teahouse821
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Guilt
Takeout workers and delivery drivers recount the
Tip 3:
The Re-Guiltening
ANSON STEVENS-BOLLEN
A
BY ALEX DE VORE
Quit Yer Yelpin’
“I’m honestly shocked by how many people picked up food, went home and started typing up negative Yelp reviews, probably before the food even had a chance to cool. I don’t know if they were just feeling powerless or something, but it really hurt.”
Keep Walking
“In the first few weeks, we were still kind of figuring out the best ways to go about curbside pickup. We had masks and gloves and were trying to social distance as much as possible. And even when people would walk up to us and we’d kindly ask them to give us a minute or to step back, they’d still come at us, often without masks, never with gloves. Sometimes they’d get mad, too, and yell at us or, in one case, purposefully cough in our direction.”
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Tipping Point
“Got a job delivering food—I know, I know, people don’t like the apps, I just needed the money—and people would tip one thing while ordering and then go in and change it afterwards. They’d sometimes leave a bad review, too, but I was really just knocking and then leaving the food on their porch. How can I do that badly? I get how tips generally come from service, but there was so much talk of ‘in this together,’ I assumed people would want to help.”
Fewer Workers, Fewer Choices
“A lot of people did not really like how we had to cut down our menu to our most popular items. When I’d explain that we didn’t have as many people in the kitchen or that resources were low, that didn’t seem to satisfy anyone.”
s you might have read, we’re pretty impressed with how the restaurant employees of our fair city pivoted to takeout and delivery service while barely missing a beat. That was a scary few months, but knowing comforting food was a mere phone call away helped big time. Others, however, decided it was time to get nasty with these people (who, by the way, were probably scared about continuing to work through a pandemic). We spoke with a number of workers to hear their worst stories from the past couple months. Don’t be like these customers. Just don’t.
ID, Please
“You’d probably be surprised at how many people stopped by our curbside pickup thing and tried to snag other peoples’ food. In our case, we weren’t prepaid, so I don’t know what scam they thought they were pulling.”
Tell it to the Judge
“It almost became funny how many people told me they’d never come back because they had to wait an extra five minutes, or that they were very important people who were going to make sure no one ever came back. We’ve been around a long time, and that one guy and his friends boycotting us is hardly going to be the end for us.”
Wishful Thinking
“I didn’t make the alcohol laws, I also wish I could take beers togo, but we can’t, so please don’t yell at me.”
GREATS
How do you even pick favorites in a town like Santa Fe? Sure, people are visiting and moving here for the arts, no question, but as anyone who’s ever tried to snag a table someplace on a weekend or any day during the summer will tell you—we’re all about that food life, too. Which makes this hard. In planning meetings, we’d hit well over 100 restaurants to consider before our morning coffee had a chance to cool, and narrowing those down to the following 15 was both challenging and heartbreaking. But we think these will appeal to a wide variety of diners. These choices represent an exciting combination of old favorites, new hotspots and reliable in-betweens that prove when it comes to eating out in Santa Fe, we’re as spoiled as it gets.
.
$$ .
Comfort food should not be so heavy and gut-sticking that the comfort it brings is really just a numb coma. Comfort food should make you feel a rainbow of good vibes; hope, nostalgia and camaraderie all layered over a clean, warm fullness is the ideal for any meal. While these things aren’t listed explicitly on Arable’s brunch or dinner menus, you can find them hiding in items like their shrimp and grits ($16.50), Santa Ana Pueblo corn grits smothered in a Creole bell pepper sauce with jumbo, perfectly tender shrimps; or biscuits and gravy ($12.50), the latter which is only available at weekend brunch, when you can also order a waffle and eggs ($10) or bacon green chile mac and cheese ($12.50). Arable’s lighter plates retain the comfort angle, too; the Eat Your Beets salad ($10) with warm roasted beets, feta cheese, spiced nuts and greens helped me rediscover my relationship with the earth, which I think is the point—everything’s farmto-table, and chef/owner Renee Fox brings a deep respect for the ingredients (and the diner) to each preparation. I left my Saturday brunch with a smile that stayed on my face all weekend and with rave reviews for all my friends. (Cole Rehbein)
OPEN 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Eldorado, 303-3816 arablesantafe.com @arablesantafe
S M T W T F S Dinner Tuesday-Saturday; Brunch Saturday and Sunday
Grilled Talus pork chop with creamed spinach, red chile apple butter and roasted baby potatoes
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Arable
Red triangles indicate days of the week on which the restauarant serves at least one meal. We recommend calling ahead, as hours change seasonally.
OPEN
S M T W T F S Lunch & Dinner Daily
.$.
LEAST EXPENSIVE
. $$.
MODERATELY PRICED
. $$$.
FINE DINING
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15 GREATS
elixirs
1050 Paseo de Peralta ( 5 0 5 ) 982 - 0 3 88 1300 Rufina Circle, Suite A 4 ( 5 0 5 ) 930-5460 www.kakawachocolates.com artisan
chocolates house-made
ice cream & baked goods DINE IN, O U T D O O R S E AT I N G , TA K E O U T & C U R B S I D E
The Local with house-made sausage, green chile, roasted red potatoes and cheddar cheese curds
historic drinking chocolate
Back Road Pizza $
. .
This unpretentious Midtown joint sports friendly counter service and tasty pizza available by the pie or by the slice. There’s no reinventing the wheel here, just consistently good food. The particularly fresh-tasting sauce is housemade and tangy, and the thin, crispy crust is whipped up and rolled out in-house, too. The New Mexican pizza ($22.75 for a large) is a familiar assemblage featuring pepperoni and green chile, with the addition of slightly sweet red onion. The Veggiefest arrives with spinach, mushrooms, Roma tomatoes, the same red onions and black olives, and the trick here seems to be the proportions; there are plenty of toppings, but the pie isn’t laden. You still taste the cheese, the sauce, the crust. Toppings are spread all the way to the edge, too, which means you’re not loading up on dough—unless you want to, then garlic knots ($5) and pesto cheese rolls ($6.50) are there for you. You can build your own, too ($16.50, large), plus, awesomely, certain grocery items—both for curbside pickup. Even better, during our visits, the staff have been uniformly friendly. Bonus: there are a couple of pool tables in the loft upstairs and a great patio (though proprietor Piper Kapin tells us they’re unsure when they’ll open up for seating this summer)—and they’ll even make you a vegan pizza if you supply your own vegan cheese—not perfect, but something. In warmer months, Kapin takes her show on the road with a bright red Back Road food truck, making for a pleasant surprise or a handy pizza run if it’s parked nearby. (Matt Grubs)
OPEN 1807 2nd St. #1, 955-9055 backroadpizza.com @backroadpizza 20
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S M T W T F S Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday
La Boca .
S
$$.
pecializing in issues related to anxiety/ depression and increasing the capacity for intimacy and sexual expression
Prior to a change in rules about public singing, three to four nights a week, musicians strumming classical Spanish guitar tunes would make this small downtown tapas restaurant feel cozy and intimate. We argue the nights in the near future with a background beat of melodic electronic music, the contemporary décor and snippets of conversations happening in French and Italian at nearby tables still lend the restaurant a decidedly cosmopolitan feel. The modern vibe is reflected in everything, but some of the more experimental dishes from chef James Campbell Caruso, an eight-time James Beard Award nominee, truly seal the deal. Try the chorizo iberico with thin slices of chorizo with goat cheese, blackberries and crispy fried sage ($16), and the flat iron steak served with a choice of smoked sea salt caramel or cabrales butter ($15). The bacon-wrapped dates ($14) are a personal favorite—rich, decadent, entirely delicious—but if you are in the mood for a more traditional Spanish tapas experience, don’t hesitate to go straight for the classics: patatas bravas ($9), chicharones ($12) and the jamon serrano ($14). La Boca is the kind of restaurant that’ll either make you forget that Santa Fe is a small town in the middle of the desert, or make you wish you were in a bigger city with a younger crowd. Either way, the menu is worth trying, as is Caruso’s around-the-corner wine bar/tapas spot, Taberna. If you really want to get the full experience, though, Caruso hosts annual culinary tours of Spain for those with an extra $5,000 or $6,000. (Leah Cantor)
39 YEARS OF CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Jacob Daniel Cohen MS, LPCC, LMFT.
(505) 984-8431
2019 Galisteo St., M-2 • Santa Fe, NM 87505 COUNSELING FOR:
• Eriksonian Hypnosis
• Individuals • Families • Groups • Adolescents
• EMDR, Brain-Spotting (Trauma Resolution) • Techniques that Enhance Mindfulness & Connection
• Marital Relationships & Couples • Substance Abuse & Screening
WAY AL ON YOUR E M A R O F STOP BY POJOAQUE F O H T R O N ES TO VISIT SIT
OPEN
S M T W T F S
ROADRUNNER CAFÉ
Lunch and dinner daily
A DINER SERVING AUTHENTIC, NORTHERN
NEW MEXICAN CUISINE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK / 7AM-3PM FOR BREAKFAST & LUNCH (505) 455-3012
Boquerones with white Spanish anchovies
72 W Marcy St., 982-3433 labocasantafe.com @labocasantafe
EXTENSIVE TRAINING IN:
43 Ogo Wii Road | Santa Fe, NM 87506
Off Hwy 285/84 in Pojoaque W. Frontage Rd; NORTH OF FIRE STATION S F R 2 0 2 0 R E S TA U R A N T G U I D E
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A L L S E AT S . ALL TICKETS. O N S A L E N O W. Single tickets to our 2020-2021 season are now on sale! When the time is right, we will gather together for live performances once again. We’re excited to bring you some of the world’s most renowned and influential artists like the Martha Graham Dance Company, Joyce DiDonato, Ray Chen, and Cécile McLorin Salvant, among many others. Purchase with confidence. We are proud to offer a No-Risk Guarantee for all 2020-2021 ticket purchases. These are uncertain times, but rest assured, you are our first priority.
PerformanceSantaFe.org 505 984 8759
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Café Castro
GREATS
$
. .
The epitome of the neighborhood New Mexican spot, Café Castro called Midtown home before it was cool. Decades later, it remains a go-to for residents from across town, and its no-frills ambiance coupled with some of the most noteworthy chile in town do not disappoint. We snuck our lunchtime meal in between errands, starting with chips and creamy guac plus a pint of Santa Fe Brewing Co.’s Pepe Loco ($3.50), a Mexican style beer that’s refreshing and delicious no matter the time of day. It paired well with red chile chicken enchiladas ($11.49) stuffed with more than enough cheese and smothered with enough chile left over to sop up with a fresh sopapilla—over easy egg on top, of course. Café Castro serves breakfast items all day as well, and a breakfast burrito smothered Christmas ($8.99, and that’s red and green chile both for our out of town friends) provided a satisfying protein boost midday. The green chile was bright and spicy, but plenty flavorful, while the rich, earthy red leaned into its own thick body just right. Our server even recognized us, making the whole thing feel homey, and when the check came, it was almost hard to believe something so good could be so affordable. (Alex De Vore)
Combo plate with beef taco, cheese enchilada, rice, beans and posole
OPEN 2811 Cerrillos Road, 473-5800 cafecastro.net @cafecastrosf
S M T W T F S Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday
Pan roasted breast of duck with sweet potato hash, Swiss chard, sweet potato puree
The Compound Restaurant . $$$ .
You might think of The Compound as the Canyon Road wing of the Museum of International Folk Art. Both its name and its hallowed white walls were carved out of the old McComb Compound in 1966, when designer (and major MoIFA donor) Alexander Girard unveiled the sleek gourmet restaurant. Chef/owner Mark Kiffin marked two decades at The Compound this spring, and his James Beard Award-winning seasonal menus continue to showcase his own brand of folk art. A wild mushroom and polenta dish ($28) with Parmesan and field cress blended peppery notes with woodsy layers. Tangy grain mustard and Guinness-flavored pork tenderloin cutlets ($34) were sided with creamy Yukon and goat cheese gratin and a cabbage, chestnut and apple sheet-pan roast that exuded the robust flavors of fall. Kiffin’s classics are impeccable, too: Giant orders of flaky onion rings ornament many tables at lunch, and bar diners rave about the enormous chicken schnitzel ($22) with capers and a creamy butter-lemon sauce. The 8-ounce Lone Mountain Ranch Wagyu burger is quite simply the finest in Santa Fe—get it with roasted poblano and cheddar cheese, along with a heap of golden fries, for $20. That’s a damn good deal at what might still be, more than a half-century after its opening, the most stylish restaurant in Santa Fe. (Molly Boyle)
653 Canyon Road A, 982-4353 compoundrestaurant.com @ ar iffin @ e o o n e t
OPEN
S M T W T F S unch and dinner onday Saturday dinner only Sunday S F R 2 0 2 0 R E S TA U R A N T G U I D E
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LIGHT A
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SOME OF KATHERINE’S WORK...
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THE PRISON MIRROR A convicted bank robber returns home to Santa Fe to make positive change through youth arts empowerment .
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Dumplings Tea & Dim Sum
GREATS
$
Assorted Dumplings with pork, chicken, veggie, and shrimp; Dan Dan soup; soup bun
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There are more than 20 dumpling dishes on the menu that fall into three general categories: pinched with a paper-thin dough that becomes crispy and golden when fried or light and noodle-like when steamed; fluffy buns made with a thicker, chewy, slightly-sweet dough that also come either steamed or fried; and soup dumplings that either come in a large bowl of steaming broth and veggies or are filled with broth that bursts into your mouth at the first bite. There are even a few sweet dumplings, which go well with passion fruit smoothies or mango bubble tea ($5.50 each). Our best advice is to bring a friend along, order at least one dish from both the bun and the dumpling category and share. Fried dumplings are a great choice, satisfyingly crispy at the edges with a juicy, flavorful filling. But if you want to venture beyond the classic pot sticker, explore the many variations of the bun. Our favorites are the steamed pork bun and the red bean bun, each a fantastic combo of sweet and salty. When dining alone, try the chicken wonton soup—a generous serving as comforting as the homemade variety, but the shaved jalapeño, cucumber and cilantro courtesy of chef/owner Fen Wang make it more of a refreshing choice than a comfort food. You can watch Wang work, by the way, which ups any visit into a straight-up experience— plus, dumplings are a rare sight in Santa Fe, and one we’re glad to have. (LC)
OPEN 66 E San Francisco St., 646-945-5000 dumpling-tea-dim-sum.business.site
S M T W T F S Lunch and dinner daily
India House $
. .
It used to be hard to choose the best North Indian food in Santa Fe. India Palace set the standard downtown, Paddy Rawal’s Raaga thrummed on Agua Fría, and India House delighted the Cerrillos Road crowd. Then, one changed hands, one closed (though Rawal has reopened a to-go version of Raaga) and India House was left to fend for itself. Instead of taking shell-shocked newcomers for granted, though, the eatery upped its game. The food has always been good, but chef Kewal Singh Dhindsa and company have revamped the interior, creating a more elegant experience. Service is nearly impeccable. If there’s something to be done, someone will do it—likely smiling. The chai is savory with a crisp finish. Paratha and naan arrive piping hot and delicious and in several varieties ($2.95-$4.95). Vegetarians have long adored India House, and the aloo gobi ($12.95) manages to coax flavor from not just cauliflower, but the potatoes as well. Paneer-based dishes deliver tender chunks of cheese with the familiar tang of makhani, the sweetness of navratan korma (both $14.95) or the richness of saag paneer ($13.95). The tandoor clay oven turns out kebabs and other spiced meats and seafood. Dessert, if you can manage it, is highlighted by sweet puddings and custards, with mango and saffron making for two wise choices ($5.95). (MG)
2501 Cerrillos Rd., 471-2651 indiahousenm.com
S M T W T F S Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday
Rack of lamb
OPEN
SERVE
DINNER IN S TYL E
924 PASEO DE PERALTA | SANTA FE, NM 87501
At The Base of Canyon Road 104 W SAN FRANCISCO STREET | SANTA FE, NM 87501
On The Historic Plaza
w w w. n a m b e . c o m
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1820 Cerrillos ROAd (505) 986-0022 UNFORGETTABLE RED & GREEN CHILE | NEW MEXICAN & AMERICAN COMFORT FOODS WEEKLY DINNER SPECIALS | BREAKFAST SERVED ALL DAY
20 White Feather (in Oshara Village)
(505) 365-2859
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Izmi Sushi Bar .
GREATS
$$ .
This jewel box of a sushi bar on Marcy Street is just the right size for its vibe: intimate without being cramped, elegant but accessible. Offset by yellow walls and pendant Tiffany-style lamps, soundtracked by mellow jazz, the semicircular booths along the picture windows offer a cozy streetside perch. Since Izmi changed chef-ownership in 2018, its menu has expanded to more than 20 special and classic rolls respectively, along with a host of appetizers and dinner entrees, but the food quality and service remain stalwart. Downtown lunchers frequent the daily specials or snap up chicken, shrimp, tofu, or veggie tempura bento boxes ($12-$14); others go for the udon, ramen, or soba noodle soups ($10). While the miso soup ($2) routinely needs more tofu and wakame, its warming, complex broth is a balm on a foggy day. The sushi is the star of the show, as evidenced by a recent shared 7×7 entreé (seven sashimi and seven nigiri, chef’s choice, $28), which showed off dazzling cuts of tuna, red snapper, yellowtail, salmon, bigeye tuna, shrimp, salmon belly and eel alongside vinegar-kissed nigiri rice. One such pristine experience might make a person prone to ordering omakase every time at Izmi—but go ahead, get that spicy tuna roll you know you want, too. They have two different versions ($9-$12). (MB)
Ichiban roll with shrimp tempura inside, outside: yellowtail, avocado, and tobiko
OPEN 105 E. Marcy St., 424-1311
S M T W T F S
Mampuku Ramen
Lunch and Dinner Tuesday-Saturday; Dinner only Sunday and Monday
.$.
Fried Brussels sprouts with a butternut squash purée
This most excellent and most popular ramen joint with the consistent line out the door seems to be doing the impossible—getting better and better each day. Indeed, the small but powerhouse project of the Fukuda family (who owned the now-shuttered Shohko Café and still operates Albuquerque’s Naruto Ramen) seems to have found quite a groove, and we’ve heard zero reports of even one diner whose noodles were subpar. Meat-eaters and vegetarians alike can find common ground here, be it a simple vegetable ramen with miso broth and fried tofu ($10.95) and, if you’re smart, an item or two from the sides menu plopped on top, like green chile tempura ($2.50). Our companion stressed over their options before landing on the shoyu ramen with thin-sliced pork and crisp veggies ($10.95), but noted that smaller appetites need not fret, especially with takoyaki and chicken karaage on the menu ($5 and $6.50 respectively). By the end, sharing desserts like chewy mochi (in strawberry, vanilla and green tea) or fried bananas with vanilla gelato rounded out the night with something sweet but not overbearing, and believe us when we say that saving some of the noodles for later only ups the flavor factor. Oh, and while you’re there, don’t even feel bad about slurping, friends—it’s a sign of respect. (ADV)
OPEN 1965 Cerrillos Road, 772-0169 @ a ra en
S M T W T F S Lunch and Dinner Monday-Saturday; Closed Sunday S F R 2 0 2 0 R E S TA U R A N T G U I D E
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15
DAILY SPECIALS STARTING AT $6.75
1851 ST. Michaels DR. 505-820-0643
Indian taco with fry bread, beef and bean red chile, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes
AMERICAN & TRADITIONAL NEW MEXICAN FOOD
GREATS
Ramblin’ Café $
. .
CARRY OUT AVAILABLE
Where Santa Fe’s chefs find the finest flavors & freshest Ingredients Visit www.santafefarmersmarket.com for market dates & times 30
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Depending on who you ask, never having sampled a breakfast burrito from Ramblin’ Café is a criminal offense. You wanna talk about spicy yet flavorful chile? This is your mecca, and the restaurant does it all from an unassuming strip mall on Second Street. Take yours smothered ($7.50) or hand-held, ($5.50), but don’t forget about your other options, including the egg sandwich with chorizo, ham, sausage, bacon or without ($5.75) or the morning pan fry, two eggs your way with the requisite meats, red or green chile and, refreshingly, guacamole made in-house. But say you’ve gone at lunchtime, and say you want to get more substantial, a combo between breakfast and lunch? Ramblin’ has you covered with a rich carne adovada dish served with eggs however you like and toast or tortilla ($8.99), the hearty breakfast with eggs, pancakes, potatoes, meat and bread ($10) or the Fred special, six egg whites and one yolk with beans, cheese, red or green (or both) and a tortilla ($11). It’s affordable, it’s where the locals go, it’s everything you ever wanted in a diner-like breakfast/brunch joint. You won’t find them on social media, and they don’t need an official site—everybody knows Ramblin’ Café is worth it already. (ADV)
OPEN 1420 Second St., 989-1272
S M T W T F S Breakfast and Lunch Tuesday-Saturday
Rowley Farmhouse Ales .
$$.
If you’ve been tempted, or even are among those who regularly cruise that one homophobic chain chicken joint, allow us to suggest a local and lively alternative. The kitchen at Rowley is where to find fried chicken in a biscuit with a pickle, plus a welcome atmosphere where you want to linger. The brewery helmed by Los Alamos chemist John Rowley struck gold at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver last year by winning the most medals, including Small Brewery and Brew Pub Brewer of the Year. Its farmhouse-style ales often feature locally (or nearly local) sourced fruits, like the award-winning Côte d’Or double cerise made with bing and Montmorency cherries from Palisade, Colorado. Rowley is retailing beer to other restaurants and stores, but you’ll find the biggest variety of house brews in the taproom, along with selections of craft brews from across the country. We love that you can order 4-ounce pours and that bartenders are generous with tasting. We won’t argue with the restaurant billing itself as gourmet comfort food and we trust the farm-to-table promise. In addition to the aforementioned chicken sandwich with horseradish crema ($14), we’re also big fans of chef Jeffrey Kaplan’s mac and cheese ($11), fried chicken and waffles with apple green chile slaw ($16) and skillet-based seasonal desserts. Plus, this is how community happens. Long picnic tables under the new roof outside, game nights, deep conversations about nerdy beer details—all of it hidden a stone’s throw from Santa Fe’s main drag. (Julie Ann Grimm)
OPEN
S M T W T F S Lunch and dinner daily
Chicken biscuit sandwich with Fried Mary’s chicken breast, horseradish crema
1 0 aclovia St. rowleyfarmhouse.com @rowleyfarmhouse
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Santa Fe Bite
GREATS
10-ounce green chile cheeseburger, strawberry shake
.
Now generous in dinosaur kitsch along with diner deco, Santa Fe Bite reopened in the fall for a second time in a massive space, and Santa Fe didn’t have trouble finding Bonnie and John Eckre. We went on a mission for Sunday fried chicken and learned something new: The veggie burgers are killing it. Yes, they come to the table with a color scheme resembling something between deep blood and magenta, but that’s because they’re made from beets. This house recipe with brown rice, black beans and oat bran is packed with flavor and comes with quinoa salad if you’re a health nut and chips if you’re not ($12.25). Also, if you’re not, check out that chicken. Served only on the first day of the week, it’s free range, with a home-skillet vibe fried in thin breading that’s greasy in a good way, and served with a scoop of mashed potatoes and veggie medley ($15.50). Saturday night’s rib special draws a similar following. You might get the impression by now that the menu is huge. We also dig on the tacos, steaks and salads, but come on—it’s really the burgers that keep the lights on. We highly recommend the green chile cheeseburger ($13.10 for a 10-ounce version, though it comes in a filling 6-ounce size as well). Are milkshakes made with Blue Bunny ice cream a side dish or a dessert? A drink? All of the above? They come in five flavors: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, espresso and mocha ($7-7.75). Just stop asking questions and pick one. (JAG)
OPEN 1616 St Michael’s Drive, 428-0328 Santafebite.com @santafebitenm
LOS LUNAS
LAS VEGAS
MADE E
WITH W
THC and d TLC
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$$ .
S M T W T F S Breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday
ABQ
BERNALILLO
CO
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&C
RE
AM
BA
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Sassella $$$.
Sassella’s opening the summer of 2019 makes her still rather a new kid downtown. The space has in recent years been home to two other endeavors, and now it’s contending with construction across the street at a historic county building. Yet executive chef and part-owner Cristian Pontiggia might just have an engaging enough concept to endure. It’s high-end, to be sure, but the menu includes approachable plates of pasta alongside ideas that are much more extravagant and adventurous. For our visit, this meant snarfing the fried eggplant topped with fresh herbs and sizzling in its thin breaded crust ($15). We also began the meal with a selection from the bar’s gin-forward cocktail list. With more than 40 varieties on offer, the restaurant offers gin flights as well as mixologist-made gin cocktails such as the bitter orange we tried: Hacienda gin, ginger syrup, lemon juice and orange bitters—topped with a dab of frothy egg white and a floating, edible flower ($14). For the main entree, we channeled our inner tourists to order what’s definitely not on the menu back east—rattlesnake risotto. A spicy sausage made with the rich meat provided a salty backdrop to the tender rice and pesto sauce ($25). Nearby, diners oohed as a platter of sea bass arrived with glistening silver skin ($40). The dessert list alone brought another round of oohs back at our table, as we landed on pasticcini, a sampler of a dozen tiny pastries served on a board ($15). Our favorites were fruit-bedecked custards poured into dark chocolate shells. (JAG)
OPEN 225 Johnson St., 982-6734 sassellasantafe.com @sassellasantafe
S M T W T F S Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday
Branzino with deboned tail, tomato gratin, marinated artichoke rosette and modenese sauce
.
When our community’s healthcare needs evolve... so do we.
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15 Tuesday special deluxe blue plate with relleno, blue corn chicken enchilada, beef taco, rice and beans
GREATS
Tomasita’s .$.
In the pantheon of classic, local New Mexican foods, Tomasita’s has the pedigree and the 45-minute wait to earn its top spot. A down-home melange of all things chile, onion, avocado, tortilla and beyond, it’s also the only place in town where one can slather honey butter within their sopaipilla—and it was good. Did we mention the stellar bar area with the seemingly endless margarita menu? We meant to, just be aware. For our money, there’s no better way to start than sharing the nachos grande ($6.95-$11.95), a plate of housemade tortilla chips swimming in melty queso, taco meat, refried beans (a strangely rare menu item in Santa Fe) and sour cream. It’s brilliant for sharing and pairing with a nice marg or cocktail—it even comes in a half-sized version for $10.95. When it’s time to hit the entrees, one can’t go wrong with enchiladas with cheese, ground beef, chicken (or some combo of those things; $6.96-$11.95), and even a grilled veggie variety. Tomasita’s also boasts one of the most delicious chile rellenos dishes we’ve ever encountered ($13.75), and that’s without mentioning sinfully good chalupas ($10.95-$12.95), the vegetarian tamales or the Randy Travis plate, two grilled pork chops with refried beans smothered in green chile and cheese ($15.95 and Travis himself apparently loves it). It only gets better from there, by the way, and if you’re simply dying for similar fare during Sunday’s dark hours, remember Tomasita’s sister eatery Atrisco in the De Vargas Center is open that day. (ADV)
OPEN 500 S Guadalupe St., 983-5721 tomasitas.com @to a ita _ antafe @ o a ita 34
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S M T W T F S Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday
Vinaigrette .
$$ .
The Food Depot is responding to the COVID-19 crisis with weekly public food distributions.
The salad section can sometimes be the saddest section of the menu, but some of us just really like big bowls of vegetables. Thankfully there’s a restaurant just for us, and Vinaigrette’s menu features not two, not five, but 18 handcrafted salads in categories like “Bright and Zingy,” “Savory” and (my favorite) “A Little Sweet.” Shout-out the Eat Your Peas ($12), which is chock-full of peas studded with sauteed mushrooms, bacon shards and Asiago cheese, and you can throw various prepared meats ($6-$8) on top of your salad if that’s what you’re into. With some slight substitutions or omissions, several of the salads can even be prepared vegan, like The Omega ($12.25), full of vegetables such as corn, avocado, tomato and onion and dressed with a blue cheese vinaigrette. Sub a different dressing, throw on some griddled tofu ($6) and veg-heads are good to go. Vinaigrette has also taken steps to make its carry-out options more sustainable. Take your salad to-go in a stainless steel box for a $20 deposit and swap the empty box for clean one full of salad next time. Try out the new delivery service too; after all, we know how chef/owner Erin Wade really feels about those third-party apps. (CR)
Go to thefooddepot.org to help or find assistance with food.
OPEN
S M T W T F S Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday COVID FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS 3.56 X 4.81.indd 1
Tuna salad with leafy greens, arugula, albacore, artichoke hearts, hard boiled eggs, caper citrus vinaigrette
709 Don Cubero Alley, 820-9205 vinaigretteonline.com @vinaigrette_official @VinaigretteNM
With increased demand, The Food Depot is also in need of healthy volunteers and financial support.
6/10/2020 1:10:40 PM
Gelato (Low-fat italian ice cream)
handmade fresh daily on premises, using only natural & organic ingredients
authentic espresso, lattes cappuccinos, shakes, chai, tea, italian sodas & frappes
Locally Owned & Operated
128 E. Marcy St.
505-986-9778 www.eccogelato.com
monday-sunday early-late
sandwiches, panini & salads
Fresh Sage Bakehouse bread
quick, Fresh & Natural! S F R 2 0 2 0 R E S TA U R A N T G U I D E
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RESTAURANT DIRECTORY The new edition of the annual SFR Restaurant Guide publishes as Santa Fe’s restaurants emerge from nearly three months of restrictions due to public health orders. Dine-in service began to reopen on June 1, but some restaurants remain open for takeout only or plan to reopen soon. Some breweries and bars listed here didn’t have permission to reopen at presstime. We’ve done our best to keep this list of independent and local eateries current. lease call ahead to confirm. PHOTOS BY JOY GODFREY
SF’s Major FOOD DISTRICTS ST
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North of Santa Fe P.47
Railyard/ Guadalupe Stretch P.41 WEST ALAMEDA/ AGUA FRIA P.42
N
Triangle District/St. Michael’s drive P.43 Cerrillos Road Corridor D . P.44O S R CE
A
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Rodeo Road P. 45
T RD. IRPOR
Southside P.45
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RODEO RD.
South of Santa Fe P.47
SOUTH CAPITOL P.42
Downtown P.37
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DOWNTOWN
35° North Coffee Santa Fe Arcade, 60 E San Francisco St., 983-6138 House-roasted coffee, fresha ed pastries, filling owls and light snac s.
315 Restaurant & Wine Bar 315 Old Santa Fe Trail, 986-9190 Seasonally inspired French cuisine and an e tensive wine list.
Amaya Restaurant Hotel Santa Fe, 1501 Paseo de Peralta, 955-7805 ative merican inspired food from the city’s only ative owned hotel.
Anasazi Restaurant Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, 113 Washington Ave., 988-3236 Sophisticated fine dining including Santa Fe’s only seafood tower.
o
510 Galisteo St., 469-2345 Find gastropu es ue dishes at this food truc usually at um leroot rewery istillery.
The Bell Tower Bar La Fonda on the Plaza, 100 E San Francisco St., 982-5511 n oy light snac s and tasty margaritas in the company of a stunning Santa Fe sunset open ay cto er .
Blue Corn Café and Brewery MADAME MATISSE
72 W Marcy St., 982-3433 nventive, gourmet tapas and a wide selection of sherry and port in an intimate space.
133 W Water St., 984-1800 ocal eers and a menu of
125 Lincoln Ave., Ste. 117, 982-3433 his location, with an outdoor patio, shares a menu with a oca.
Boultawn’s Bakery 226 N Guadalupe St., 983-9006 ade from scratch rea fast, lunch, pastries, soup, ice cream and a great agel in Santa Fe.
The Bull Ring 150 Washington Ave., Ste. 108, 983-3328 ward winning spot for stea s of all shapes and si es.
Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill 301 Jefferson St., 820-2862 acos, urritos, soups and more that will please all eaters. egan meat is an option for many items.
The Burger Stand 207 W San Francisco St., 395-8210 ig, uicy urgers, cold eers and fries of all inds, with even more inds of dipping sauces.
The Burrito Company 111 Washington Ave., 982-4453 uic and easy rea fast and lunch with choices ranging from salads and urritos to urgers and a delicious l Salvador com o. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE >> S F R 2 0 2 0 R E S TA U R A N T G U I D E
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DOWNTOWN
Eldorado Hotel & Spa, 309 W San Francisco St., 995-4530 reative food and coc tails in a eautifully designed space. oted Santa Fe’s est happy hour y SFR readers.
g
La Boca (Original Location)
La Boca (Taberna Location)
Agave Restaurant & Lounge
g
ew e ican favorites from a 0 plus years old esta lishment.
S
FS
F 1ST
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ALL AREA CODES (505). PLEASE CALL AHEAD
Café des Artistes
w a t y s e B
o u y r day ! t r a t s ot
223-B Canyon Road, 820-2535 Simple fare for artists, including sandwiches, salads and wine.
Café Pasqual’s 121 Don Gaspar Ave., 983-9340 Put your name on the list early at this downtown institution serving creative ew Mexican cuisine for lunch and dinner—and a damn good breakfast, too.
Caffe Greco 233 Canyon Road, 820-7996 A relaxing spot offering a kids’ menu, plus burgers, sandwiches, salads and ew Mexican classics for the grown-ups.
MORN
208 Galisteo St., 983-8378
ING
W R D!
A favorite of taqueria aficionados that also offers bar-style appetizers, tortas, burgers and entree plates.
La Casa Sena 125 E Palace Ave., 988-9232 An award-winning wine list, good food, and a relaxing patio. What more could one as for
CAVA Santa Fe Lounge
SFR’s Morning Word Senior Correspondent JULIA GOLDBERG brings you the most important stories from all over New Mexico in her weekday news roundup.
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Eldorado Hotel, 309 W San Francisco St., 988-4455 The Eldorado Hotel’s focal point for social gatherings.
Chez Mamou 217 E Palace Ave., 216-1845 A pretty little spot offering traditional French cuisine that would do Julia Child proud. Try the soup—you know the one.
Collected Works Bookstore & Coffee House 202 Galisteo St., 988-4226 Books, lectures and author readings are the perfect pairings for Iconik Coffee
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Roasters’ smart brews and snacks.
The Compound 653 Canyon Road, 982-4353 his year, chef ar iffin celebrates 20 years of bringing his contemporary ew merican cuisine to the classic Canyon Road space originally designed by Alexander Girard.
Coyote Café 132 W Water St., 983-1615 standard for fine, contemporary cuisine with a strong ew e ican influence. he Rooftop Cantina offers lighter fare and inventive cocktails.
Del Charro Saloon 101 W Alameda St., 954-0320 Cozy, quirky and inexpensive with extensive food and margarita menus.
Desert Dogs Brewery & oo 112 W San Francisco St., Ste. 307, 983-0134 Live music, games and a wide selection of brews just off the Plaza.
Downtown Subscription 376 Garcia St., 983-3085 Solid coffee, an array of snacks and food from Tesuque Village Market and a well-curated magazine rack.
The Dragon Room Lounge 406 Old Santa Fe Trail, 983-7712 Dependable drinks and happy hour in a funky space featuring the greatest monkey chandelier ever imagined.
Dumpling Tea & Dim Sum Plaza Galeria, 66 E San Francisco St., Ste. 10, 646-945-5000 Take a break from the Plaza for a taste of Fen Wang’s delicious handmade Chinese-style dumplings, soup buns, noodles and more.
RESTAURANT DIRECTORY
Ecco Espresso & Gelato
The French Pastry Shop & Creperie
128 E Marcy St., 986-9778 Real, Italian-style gelato and sorbet made from scratch. Oh, and tasty panini, too!
La Fonda Hotel, 100 E San Francisco St., 983-6697 Sweet and savory crepes in an oft-packed location; try the ratatouille crepe!
Geronimo
Plaza Galeria, 66 E San Francisco St., Ste. LL1 Tamales, green chile stew and espresso for those looking to power up (tucked away on the Water Street level).
Estevan Restaurante Hotel Chimayó, 125 Washington Ave., 930-5363 Straightforward, authentic New Mexican flavors with a contemporary twist.
El Farol 808 Canyon Road, 983-9912 A lively spot known for tapas, a beautiful patio and hosting the National Institute of Flamenco’s dinner show.
La Fiesta Lounge La Fonda Hotel, 100 E San Francisco St., 982-5511 Casual bar snacks and New Mexican highlights in La Fonda hotel.
Fiesta Oaxaca 135 W Palace Ave., Ste. 101, 982-9525 Traditional southern Mexican cuisine in a cozy, colorful spot.
Five & Dime General Store
ESTEVAN RESTAURANTE
724 Canyon Road, 982-1500 Santa Fe’s finest fine dining, with a seasonally changing, “global eclectic” menu.
Henry and the Fish 217 W San Francisco St., 955-1191 Coffee, gelato, breakfast, lunch and may e fish in a cozy, convenient spot.
Holy Spirit Espresso 225 W San Francisco St., 920-3664 Hand-crafted espresso drinks made to order from a literal hole in the wall.
India Palace 227 Don Gaspar Ave., 986-5859 Good Indian food with an extensive lunch buffet.
Izmi Sushi 105 E Marcy St., 424-1311 Katsu, bento boxes and sushi for lunch and dinner.
Johnnie’s Cash Store 420 Camino Don Miguel, 982-9506 Corner store serving up great tamales since 1946.
Julia
58 E San Francisco St., 992-1800 Walk out with a bag full of trinkets in one hand, a world-famous Frito pie in the other.
La Posada de Santa Fe, 330 E Palace Ave., 986-0000 “Spirited” new American food with a twist served under the watchful eye of the hotel’s resident ghost, Julia Staab.
La Fogata Grill
La Lecheria
Plaza Mercado, 112 W San Francisco St., Ste. 101, 983-7302 Latin favorites served fresh for lunch and dinner.
101 W Marcy St., 205-1595 Craft ice cream in traditional and seasonal flavors, including green chile and Iconik coffee.
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DOWNTOWN
Espresso de Arte
BEST OF SANTA FE 1ST PLACE WINNER
Inn and Spa at Loretto, 211 Old Santa Fe Trail, 984-7915 Globally-inspired foods and a gorgeous patio.
Madame Matisse On-The-Go 105 E.Marcy St., 204-7869 A quick spot for masterfully made French pastries.
Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant 31 Burro Alley, 992-0304 Mexican favorites in a fun,
cozy space, plus live music and incredibly attentive service.
Cake’s Corner Cafe 228 Old Santa Fe Trail, 989-1904 Coffee and pastries on a busy corner. TOP 5
Luminaria
ALL AREA CODES (505). PLEASE CALL AHEAD
Market Steer Steakhouse
Hotel St. Francis, 210 Don Gaspar Ave., 992-6354 A thoughtful menu of gourmet steaks, toppings, sauces and more, in a historic and grand dining room.
El Mesón 213 Washington Ave., 983-6756 Regional Spanish tapas and live flamenco, tango, blues and jazz.
El Molero Fajitas Corner of Lincoln Avenue and E San Francisco Street Fresh made fa itas for a fiver makes this one of the best lunch deals on the Plaza.
Mucho Gusto 839 Paseo de Peralta, 955-8402 Mexican standards including
a signature dish called “The Bomb”.
Museum Hill Café 710 Camino Lejo, 984-8900 Near the state-run museums, this classy lunch spot offers soups, salads, sandwiches and more, with live jazz some evenings.
New York Deli 420 Catron St., 982-8900 A true East Coast-style deli with breakfast and lunch favorites from matzo ball soup to Philly cheesesteak.
L’Olivier 229 Galisteo St., 989-1919 Classic French cuisine with Southwestern flair.
Ortiz Hilton Santa Fe, 100 Sandoval St., 988-2811 Light fare and an extensive wine list make this a good spot to take a break.
Osteria d’Assisi 58 S Federal Place, 986-5858 Highly regarded Italian with a daily happy hour and lively piano bar.
Palacio Café 209 E Palace Ave., 989-3505 Offering both New Mexican and American classics at great prices.
Palacio Café II Santa Fe Village, 227 Don Gaspar Ave., 820-7888 If there’s too much of a line at the Palace Ave. location, just walk a few blocks!
Il Piatto 95 W Marcy St., 984-1091 Fresh, fine talian with a rustic vibe.
The Pink Adobe
DOWNTOWN
TRATTORIA A MANO
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406 Old Santa Fe Trail, 983-7712 Classic, upscale dishes from New Orleans and New Mexico.
Plaza Café 54 Lincoln Ave., 982-1664 Family-friendly, inexpensive, and with lots of diner-style options, this has been a favorite local spot since 1905.
La Plazuela Restaurant La Fonda Hotel, 100 E San Francisco St., 995-2334 Classic New Mexican and seasonal dishes served under the soft light of the historic hotel’s original patio sunroom.
Raaga-Go 410 Old Santa Fe Trail, 983-5555 Indian classics by beloved local chef, Paddy Rawal (who beat celeb chef Bobby Flay on his TV show last year!).
Remix Audio Bar 101 W Marcy St., 803-7949 This Third Wave craft coffee bar on the second story is open late and offers headphones to listen to streamed music from live DJs and/or silent disco.
Rio Chama 414 Old Santa Fe Trail, 955-0765 New Mexican-influenced American classics and … fondue!
Rooftop Pizzeria Santa Fe Arcade, 60 E San Francisco St., Ste. 301, 984-0008 Gourmet pizza, pasta and more with a great view.
Roque’s Carnitas Corner of Old Santa Fe Trail and E San Francisco Street Char-grilled carnitas made the New Mexican way.
San Francisco Street Bar & Grill 50 E San Francisco St., 982-2044 Traditional American and New Mexican with great options for kids and groups.
231 Washington Ave., 984-1788 A favorite spot for brunch, power lunching, and to see and be seen. Fresh, upscale American food and a beautiful patio.
Santarepa Café 229 Johnson St. Ste. A, 467-8379 Venezuelan food featuring the arepa, a stuffed cornmeal pocket.
Santa Fe Espresso Co. 56 E San Francisco St., 988-3858 Local coffee, baked goods, chocolates and tasty Häagen-Dazs.
Santa Fe Oxygen & Healing Bar: Apothecary 133 W San Francisco St., 986-5037 Oxygen, elixirs and a huge menu of house-made, healthy dishes.
Sassella 225 Johnson St., 982-6734 Upscale Italian with a swanky bar and expansive patio.
Sazón 221 Shelby St., 983-8604 Chef Fernando Olea is renowned for his moles, “sopa de amor,” mezcal selection and sophisticated dishes inspired by Mexico City.
The Shed 113½ E Palace Ave., 982-9030 Get some of that legendary Shed Red, and more, since 1953.
Sushi Land East
TOP 5
Santa Fe Arcade, 60 E San Francisco St. (enter on Water Street), 820-1178 A dependable spot for fresh sushi and a daily omakase surprise, just a few steps from the Plaza.
The Teahouse
821 Canyon Road, 992-0972 Serving teas from around the world and delicious mains
and desserts in a cozy cottage with a huge patio.
fresh, gourmet salads and panini, too.
TerraCotta Wine Bistro 304 Johnson St., 989-1166 An extensive, wallet-friendly wine list and varied menu of globally inspired dishes in a casual and classy setting.
RAILYARD/GUADALUPE STRETCH o
50 Lincoln Ave., 490-6550 Higher-end classic plates and a full bar with a balcony overlooking the Plaza.
22 a fi St., 995-9595 Italian-inspired dishes influenced by fresh, local ingredients—and a daily 5-6 pm happy hour!
Tia Sophia’s
Atrisco Café & Bar
Thunderbird Bar & Grill
210 W San Francisco St., 983-9880 A favorite spot for some of Santa Fe’s best breakfast burritos and steaming hot sopaipillas.
DeVargas Center, 193 Paseo de Peralta, 983-7401 Blows most mall food out of the water with authentic, thoughtful New Mexican dishes. Pssst—line too long at Tomasita’s? Head here.
Tonic 103 E Water St., 982-1189 Craft cocktails and late-night live jazz Thursday-Saturday. A seasonal kitchen offers house-made bar snacks.
Trattoria a Mano 227 Galisteo St., 982-3700 Handmade, upscale Italian with handmade fresh pasta served by a friendly and extremely knowledgeable staff.
Travel Bug Coffee Shop 839 Paseo de Peralta, 992-0418 Everything you could ever want to know about everywhere and enough coffee to help with around-the-world trip planning.
Tres Colores 101 W Marcy St., 490-0296 Authentic dishes from Veracruz and Oaxaca served in a clean, bright atmosphere.
Upper Crust Pizza 329 Old Santa Fe Trail, 982-0000 Pizza, calzones, sandwiches and even breakfast available to eat in or for delivery.
Il Vicino 321 W San Francisco St., 986-8700 ood oven fired pi a with
TOP 5
Santacafé
Bouche French Bistro
451 W Alameda St. (enter on West Water Street), 982-6297 Modern French and a great wine list in a casual setting.
Boxcar
La Choza
Joseph’s Culinary Pub
905 Alarid St., 982-0909 Sister restaurant of The Shed, its New Mexican food is so popular the space has to keep expanding. Be sure to try the sopaipillas.
Cowgirl BBQ 319 S Guadalupe St., 982-2565 A family-friendly watering hole with something for everyone from toddlers to barflys, with a big patio and prime barbecue.
Dinner for Two 106 N Guadalupe St., 820-2075 Two happy hours a day, sizzling steak, friendly staff and great prices.
Dolina
402 N Guadalupe St., 982-9394 Inspired Eastern European pastries match an equally inspired breakfast and lunch menu.
Fenix at Vanessie
530 S Guadalupe St., 988-7222 Enjoy tasty, made-fromscratch bar food with live music, sports and the most beers on tap in Santa Fe.
427 W Water St., 984-1193 A wide variety of dishes, plus excellent cocktails and live entertainment almost always, in a boutique hotel.
Casa Chimayó
Fire & Hops
409 W Water St., 428-0391 Large selection of classic New Mexican dishes, delicious margaritas and New Mexico wines.
222 N Guadalupe St., 954-1635 Curated gastropub with inventive food and well-curated pours.
Chili Line Brewing Co.
Iconik Coffee Roasters ‘Lupe
204 N Guadalupe St., 982-8474 Specializing in smoked beers with great pub food and pizzas from next door neighbor, Pizzeria Da Lino.
Chopstix Oriental Food 238 N Guadalupe St., 820-2126 Chinese comfort food at its finest, li e you were in a city five times the si e.
510 N Guadalupe St., 982-4321 Tiki drinks and Pan-Asian cuisine.
Kohnami 313 S Guadalupe St., 984-2002 SFR readers’ choice for best sushi, plus great ramen and sizzling dolsotbap.
Lucky Goat 500 Sandoval St., 772-0239 A newcomer Pan-Asian place with build-your-own pho and elegant specials.
Ohori’s Coffee Roasters, Luna Location 505 Cerrillos Road, 982-9692 The headquarters of a local coffee empire, roasting beans daily and offering a wide selection of coffee equipment.
Paloma 401 S Guadalupe St., 467-8624 Upscale Mexican dining and a great patio. Hot tip: The cauliflower taco may be the best one. No, seriously!
Pizza Etc. DeVargas Center, 556 N Guadalupe St., 986-1500 Grab a slice packed with locally sourced ingredients.
Pizzeria & Trattoria da Lino 204 N Guadalupe St., Ste. B, 982-8474 ood fired pie and talian classics.
314 S Guadalupe St., 428-0996 Iconik’s newest ‘Lupe location features its signatures brews, plus smoothies, light breakfast and lunch bites.
Jinja Bar & Bistro
428 Agua Fría St., 982-1272 A pub-style vibe with inventive fine plates and a great wine list.
Quechua Peruvian Restaurant 317 Aztec St., 666-1577 The Taos restaurateurs bring their authentic and affordable Peruvian cuisine south.
Sabor Peruano DeVargas Center, 163 Paseo de Peralta, 358-3829 The flavors of Peru are also great for vegetarians.
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RAILYARD/GUADALUPE STRETCH
RESTAURANT DIRECTORY
Santa Fe Bar & Grill DeVargas Center, 187 Paseo de Peralta, 982-3033 Consistently good food, solid salads and a full bar.
Second Street Brewery (Railyard) 1607 Paseo de Peralta, Ste. 10, 989-3278 Microbrews, wings, burgers, friends and big garage-bay doors that open in nice weather so you can watch the trains go by.
Sky Coffee 1609 Alcaldesa St. Third-wave brews, pie and dessert too.
Social Kitchen & Bar Sage Inn, 725 Cerrillos Road, 982-5952 Hotel guests and locals alike should check out this varied menu.
Taco Fundación 235 N Guadalupe St., 982-8286 Tacos, tacos, tacos from the same folks who brought you Shake Foundation.
Tomasita’s 500 S Guadalupe St., 983-5721 This Santa Fe favorite is famed for its spicy chile and marvelous margaritas in a historic depot.
Violet Crown Cinema 1606 Alcaldesa St., 216-5678 Bring your fancy pub grub into the movie theater, or skip a movie entirely and just enjoy those Brussels sprouts.
Whole Hog Café 320 S Guadalupe St., 474-3375 Award-winning barbecue served up fast and casual. Hot tip: We have two words for you. Banana. Pudding.
Whoo’s Donuts
SOUTH CAPITOL
ALL AREA CODES (505). PLEASE CALL AHEAD
851 Cerrillos Road, Ste. B, 629-1678 Unique, irresistible flavors on hearty, cakey donuts. Oh yes.
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WEST ALAMEDA/ AGUA FRÍA Barrio Brinery 1413-B W Alameda St., 699-9812 Handcrafted pickled foods.
The Betterday Coffee Shop Solana Center, 905 W Alameda St. Slurp on Stumptown coffee at the café, or get a full meal at the restaurant.
The Kitchen Plants of the Southwest, 3095 Agua Fría St., 913-1911 Open weekdays April through October, serving one vegetarian lunch entree a day.
Masa Sushi Solana Center, 927 W Alameda St., 982-3334 Noodles ‘n’ sushi.
La Montañita Co-op Solana Center, 913 W Alameda St., 984-2852 Healthy daily buffets, smoothies, sandwiches and Himalayan salt lamps.
Pho Kim Solana Center, 919 W Alameda St., 820-6777 A varied Vietnamese menu.
Piccolino 2890 Agua Fría St., 471-1480 Delicious casual Italian fare.
Ras Rody’s Jamaican Vegan Kitchen 1312 Agua Fria St., 385-3011 Smoothies, juices and slow-cooked staples of the ital diet.
Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery 2791 Agua Fría St., 780-5730 Beer! Spirits! Food trucks! Charcuterie! Shiny natural wood tables! Elk brats with spicy, seedy mustard! Ample parking and food trucks out back! Are we dreaming?
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Tune-Up Café
1115 Hickox St., 983-7060 Our fave American-New Mexican-El Salvadorean hotspot. Hot tip: That occasional soft shell crab sandwich special is where it’s at.
Valentina’s Solana Center, 945 W Alameda St., 988-7165 Mexican and New Mexican favorites abound.
Cleopatra’s Café Design Center, 418 Cerrillos Road, 820-7381 Middle Eastern and Mediterranean specialties quick and savory.
Dulce Bakery & Coffee 1100 Don Diego Ave., 989-9966 Fresh coffee, quiche, pastries and cupcakes almost too pretty to eat (but do eat them, they’re delicious .
Kakawa Chocolate House
SOUTH CAPITOL
o s 1512 Paseo de Peralta, 690-0966 This pizza-tastic food truck can usually be found in the lot south of the Roundhouse, but stay tuned to brunos.biz to know where it will be next.
Marquez Deli 513 Camino de los Marquez, Ste. C, 365-2112 Lunch and brunch of sustainable, locally sourced ingredients including house-smoked grass-fed local meats and bagels.
Chicago Dog Express 600 Cerrillos Road, 984-2798 Dogs approved by Chicagoans. Get down on one of the Santa Fe dogs with red chile.
El Chile Toreado 807 Early St., 500-0033 Don’t worry—it’s not gone, they just moved! The best breakfast burritos in town get got at this little food truck.
Clafoutis 333 W Cordova Road, 988-1809 Pastries that are rich, fresh and in a location with almost enough parking.
1050 E Paseo de Peralta, 982-0388 The chocolate here isn’t just an indulgence—it can help heal your soul.
Kaune’s Neighborhood Market 511 Old Santa Fe Trail, 982-2629 Yes, it’s a grocery store—but the chopped salad bar and pre-packed lunches are handy. The sandwiches come with a chocolate for after.
Maria’s 555 W Cordova Road, 983-7929 Over 100 tequilas make this your spot for margaritas and great New Mexican food.
Mariscos La Playa 537 W Cordova Road, 982-2790 ore fish than you can sha e a stick at.
Modern General 637 Cerrillos Road, 930-5462 Soup, smoothies, gardening tools and sandwiches. One of these things is not like the others…
The New Santa Fe Baking Company 504 W Cordova Road, 557-6435 The breakfast, lunch and dinner you know and love, plus soups revived from the now-defunct Back Street Bistro.
Ohori’s Coffee Roasters, Capitol location 507 Old Santa Fe Trail, 982-9692 More locally roasted coffee as dark as your desires.
Paleteria Oasis #2 Design Center, 418 Cerrillos Road, 365-2073 This is like the Disneyland of popsicles. TOP 5
WEST ALAMEDA/AGUA FRÍA
BEST OF SANTA FE 1ST PLACE WINNER
Paper Dosa
551 W Cordova Road, 930-5521 Most Indian food around is northern Indian—so try these southern Indian dishes on for size.
Pizza Centro Design Center, 418 Cerrillos Road, 988-8825 The closest thing you can find to real ew or pi a in town.
Pyramid Café 505 W Cordova Road, 989-1378 Mediterranean food of all stripes, from Greek to North African.
Radish & Rye 505 Cerrillos Road, 930-5325 A great bourbon cocktail list and a superb seasonal menu, now at a cool new location near the intersection of Cerrillos Road and Paseo de Peralta.
Revolution Bakery Design Center, 418 Cerrillos Road, 346-2669 Gluten-free fans, your bakery ship has come in!
Restaurant Martín 526 Galisteo St., 820-0919 Chef Martín Rios serves up progressive, refreshingly unique American cuisine that’s earned him a James Beard Award nomination more than once.
RESTAURANT DIRECTORY
Corner of Paseo de Peralta and Old Santa Fe Trail, 316-5084 Get your flash-fried avo and fish tacos at this corner most often, but this is an actual truc , after all so call to see where it is today, if you have a craving.
Sage Bakehouse 535 Cerrillos Road, 820-7243 Sage serves up the some of best bread in town, plus sandwiches and tarts.
Saigon Café 501 W Cordova Road, 988-4951 on’t let the hum le locale fool you this place is top notch for ietnamese cuisine.
Santa Fe BBQ 600 Old Santa Fe Trail, 573-4816 hec ahead to see if the food truc will e there, or ust follow your nose.
New Mexico Hard Cider Taproom 505 Cerrillos Road, Ste. A, 231-0632 ine taps of local cider, plus hearty sandwiches, charcuterie and the occasional pi a pop up.
Santa Fe Juice Bar 502 Old Santa Fe Trail, 490-5157 uices and chia owls are as fresh as fresh can e, right on the corner in the warmer months.
Santafamous Street Eats Corner of Paseo de Peralta and Old Santa Fe Trail, 795-1396 his hec uva food truc serves up one of the est ar ecue sandwiches we’ve ever eaten, plus tacos, dogs and more.
Saveur
Back Road Pizza
Chow’s Asian Bistro
204 Montezuma Ave., 989-4200 specially great for a uic lunch, try the French istro menu or uffet.
1807 Second St., Ste. 1, 955-9055 ou can’t top the delicious crispy cornmeal dusted crust.
720 St. Michael’s Drive, Ste. Q, 471-7120 sian fusion made with care.
Shake Foundation
Burrito Spot 1057 Cerrillos Road, 820-0779 ou now you want urritos. Who doesn’t want burritos? ry the fries, too.
930 Baca St., 995-1105 ring cash for a diverse and delicious menu and the iggest and est cinnamon roll in town.
631 Cerrillos Road, 988-8992 et your urgers, fries, ado e sha es and more from a wal up window.
Street Food Institute Corner of Paseo de Peralta and Old Santa Fe Trail Culinary students from community colleges offer a rotating menu. his truc moves around sometimes, so get the info y visiting streetfoodinstitute.org.
Chocolate Maven 821 W San Mateo Road, 984-1980 Great food, sure, but don’t lie you’re really here for the e uisite desserts.
Counter Culture Café
Felipe’s Tacos 1711 Llano St., Ste. A/B, 473-9397 he closest you’ll get to So al e ican food in Santa
Fe, and perhaps the est tacos anywhere in town.
Iconik Coffee Roasters 1600 Lena St., 428-0996 and roasted coffee and a menu of thoughtful food. ot tip f you wonder whether you can ear to spend more than on a 10 ounce coffee, the horchata latte will ma e a eliever out of you.
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Tiny’s Restaurant & Lounge 1005 St. Francis Drive, 983-9817 ew e ican and merican that’s tasty and generous, tuc ed away from the main road.
Vinaigrette 709 Don Cubero Alley, 820-9205 ou never thought you’d willingly pay 1 for a salad, ut these ama ing and cravea le leafy owls prove you wrong time and time again.
Yin Yang Design Center, 418 Cerrillos Road, 986-9279 verything you’d e pect from a hinese oint, plus many specials.
TRIANGLE DISTRICT/ ST. MICHAEL’S DRIVE Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Café 1620 St. Michael’s Drive, 988-9688 at without fear vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, clean
SAUVER
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TRIANGLE DISTRICT/ST. MICHAEL’S DRIVE
El Sabor Spanish Tapas y Másss
BEST OF SANTA FE 1ST PLACE WINNER
Loyal Hound 730 St. Michael’s Drive, 471-0440 Comfort food done well, accompanied by great beer and wine.
Kai Sushi 720 St. Michael’s Drive, 438-7221 Fantastic rolls at low-brow prices.
Midtown Bistro 901 W San Mateo Road, Ste. A, 820-3121 Brunch, lunch and dinner in an airy, comfortable space.
Mucho Gourmet Sandwich Shoppe 1711 Llano St., Ste. F/G, 473-7703 If you like lots of stuff between slices of bread, there is nowhere else to go. Any place with a turkey-con-cranberry sammy year-round is awesome.
Ohori’s Coffee Roasters 1098 ½ S St. Francis Drive (access on Pen Road), 982-9692 You wanted more dark roast coffee, right?
Pizzeria Espíritu 1722 St. Michael’s Drive, 424-8000 Not just pizza, but the spirit of fine talian.
Ramblin’ Café 1420 Second St., 989-1272 A perfect neighborhood spot for spicy chile, good prices and fast service.
Root 66 Vegan Café
ALL AREA CODES (505). PLEASE CALL AHEAD
Santa Fe Bite
Alicia’s Tortilleria
1616-A St. Michael’s Drive, 428-0328 The beloved Bite is back open in this new location but offering the same great burgers it’s known and loved for, plus fried chicken on Sundays.
1 14 Rufina , 438-9545 As authentic as it gets. Feed a family of four with the change in your car’s ash tray. (Okay, that’s hyperbole—but it’s affordable.)
Second Street Brewery (Original)
2018 Cerrillos Road, 471-8762 Awesome tacos y burritos have moved to the old Wendy’s location near the St. Mike’s intersection, so you can even sit inside while you chow down.
1814 Second St., 982-3030 Classic American food and a line-up of local beers.
Sunrise Family Restaurant 1851 St. Michael’s Drive, 820-0643 Delicious diner breakfast and lunch classics, inexpensive and centrally located.
Sunset Swirl 1708 Lena St., 469-6546 Plant-based and dairy free frozen treats for the progressives and diet-conscious alike.
Sweetwater Harvest Kitchen 1512 Pacheco St., Bldg. B, 795-7383 It’s all about good food, good vibes and community involvement, plus vegan and gluten-free dishes.
Terra Verde Organic 851 W San Mateo Road, 780-5039 Once the home of Verde Juice Co., the kitchen will still churn out your favorite coldpressed juices but also opens up to healthy food from Kevin and Mariana Ivens.
CERRILLOS ROAD CORRIDOR
CERRILLOS ROAD CORRIDOR
Sagche’s Coffee House
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Cacao Santa Fe 3201 Richards Lane, 471-0891 Handcrafted chocolates from Cacao and other craft chocolatiers, plus a full coffee bar and chocolate education classes.
Café Castro 2811 Cerrillos Road, 473-5800 Locals swear by the New Mexican dishes served tasty and from friendly staff.
El Comal Restaurant 3571 Cerrillos Road, 471-3224 Tourists and locals alike love the Mexican food and stellar service.
Dr. Field Goods Kitchen 2860 Cerrillos Road, Ste. A1, 471-0043 u fare at its finest, a ton of beer and really dang good coffee.
Fast & Real Burritos
1704 Lena St., 780-8249 Recently-opened oasis for plant-based food.
730 St. Michael’s Drive, 780-5263 The Sagche brothers offer comforting breakfast and lunch menus and locally roasted coffee.
Baja Tacos
Adelita’s Mexican Restaurant 3136 Cerrillos Road, 474-4897 Mexican food, mariachi music and karaoke nights.
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2207 Cerrillos Road, 474-6202 Neither slow nor fake, it’s your centrally located fast fi for asada and pico.
India House 2501 Cerrillos Road, 471-2651 Excellent Indian fare served by some of the nicest servers we’ve ever encountered.
Jambo Café and Hapa Food Truck 2010 Cerrillos Road, 473-1269 Folks salivate for the unique Afro-Caribbean dishes and owner/chef Ahmed Obo is always tops in SFR’s Best of Santa Fe poll.
Java Joe’s 1248 Siler Road, 930-5763 Joe brings good coffee to the industrial pocket of town, with great success.
Kakawa Chocolate House 1 00 Rufina , St . -4, 930-5460 Everyone’s favorite ancient-recipe chocolate sorcerers have opened an outpost in Midtown.
Lu Lu’s Chinese Cuisine 3011 Cerrillos Road, 473-1688 Classy, family-owned Chinese.
Uncle DT’s Smokehouse 1 4 Rufina St., 424-1116 All-natural smoked meats from a former Americana musician.
Madame Matisse 1291 San Felipe Ave., 204-7869 French bakery and cafe with pastries, omelettes and crepes.
Ortega’s Jerky 2841 Cerrillos Road (in the Cheeks parking lot) Carne seca at its best. This is the nice thin-sliced stuff, too. Let it rain.
El Paisano 3140 Cerrillos Road, 424-9105 A grocery store with an awesome lunch counter is greater than the sum of its parts.
Palate 1 52 Rufina St., 86-6 4 A truck that frequents Meow Wolf, where you can load your food palette with unique New Mexican-Louisianan flavors.
The Pantry 1820 Cerrillos Road, 986-0022 A local staple serves up nofrills diner food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We like to get grits and potatoes.
El Parasol 1833 Cerrillos Road, 995-8015 Look for the colorful umbrella for mouthwatering burritos and tacos.
Pho Ava 2430 Cerrillos Road, 557-6572 Huge bowls of soup and friendly, uic service.
Pollo Asado 2841 Cerrillos Road (in the parking lot in front of Cheeks), 316-4085 We named this spiced roasted chicken one the 25 “Things We Love About Santa Fe” in 2017, and we weren’t lyin’ about how good it is.
1965 Cerrillos Road, 772-0169 An honest-to-goodness ramen-dedicated restaurant from the family who formerly ran the Shohko Café.
Los Potrillos
Mariscos Costa Azul
Realburger
2875 Cerrillos Road, 473-4594 Date night or family night, just get some oysters in this colorful dining room.
1947 Cerrillos Road, 992-0550 Authentic Mexican and New Mexican dishes pack this local favorite daily and nightly.
2641 1/2 Cerrillos Road, 474-7325 Burgers of all stripes at reasonable prices tucked away on Cerrillos Road.
1310 Osage Ave., 820-6552 A perennial locals’ favorite serves up Central American cuisine. Hot tip: We’d eat those camarones a la plancha till our stomachs exploded.
Restaurante El Salvadoreño 2900 Cerrillos Road, 474-3512 If you’ve never had a pupusa, let them show you how it’s done.
El Rinconcito del Sabor 2864 Cerrillos Road (in the Cactus Centro parking lot), 913-1558 Fabulous food truck eats from scratch.
Rowley Farmhouse Ales 1405 Maclovia St., 428-0719 Great beer brewed by a Los Alamos chemist, great food and a dedication to the community have us sold. Hang out on the covered patio!
Second Street Brewery oo 2920 Rufina St., 954-1068 The Midtown warehouse space has a unique menu from the other two locations, big open seating areas and really snazzy industrial decor
o 2428 Cerrillos Road, 473-1211 Healthy, quick salad buffet with fresh-made soups and light fare.
o o 1847 Cerrillos Road, 982-1688 All the Japanese food your heart desires, and a drive-thru if you’re in a rush.
o
s
3139 Cerrillos Road, 471-8685 They boast it’s where the locals eat, and you’ll see why.
s 2000 Cerrillos Road, 471-9111 Rib-sticking New Mexican
comfort foods for breakfast and lunch.
RODEO ROAD Los Amigos 3904 Rodeo Road, 438-0600 New Mexican-American for three meals a day.
Double Dragon 3005 S St. Francis Drive, Ste. D3, 989-8880 Fresh Chinese food that’s available seven days a week— and late, too. Well, late for Santa Fe (10 pm on weekends).
os Restaurant Montecito Santa Fe, 500 Rodeo Road, 428-7777 A diverse menu of fine food in a unique retirement community. Rezzies required, so call ahead.
Home Run Pizza Rodeo Plaza, 2801 W Rodeo Road, 424-6666 Good pies, hot and fresh.
o s Rodeo Plaza, 2801 Rodeo Road, Ste. B8, 474-5282 Long-time local coffee joint with a drive-thru.
o sD
g
Rodeo Plaza, 2801 Rodeo Road, 471-3800 Unrelated to the other Joe at this address, get upscale farm-to-table diner fare in a classic diner atmosphere, plus beer and wine.
os s Merendero 1514 Rodeo Road, 820-7672 If you’re new to town, go here first for some of the freshest tamales around.
3003 S St. Francis Drive, 982-6796 Classic Tibetan dishes like momo (dumplings), blood sausage, butter tea, fried
D
rice and chai made with care by owner Gonpo Trasar and offered at affordable prices.
SOUTHSIDE o 4056 Cerrillos Road, 438-1800 Great grub and locally brewed beer on the Southside, and a different menu from the downtown location.
Fast & Real Burritos
3530 Zafarano Drive, Ste. C-3, 471-0108 Beautifully plated Italian fare with gluten-free options.
o
5741 Airport Road, 471-1602 A full menu of burritos, tacos, quesadillas and tortas, open late and affordable.
s
3482 Zafarano Drive, 474-5644 Great falafel and kebabs, along with frequent appearances from local belly dancers.
L o Do 4350 Airport Road, Ste. 4, 473-1081 A gem of a Mexican restaurant hiding in plain sight.
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SOUTHSIDE
Red Enchilada
RODEO ROAD
RESTAURANT DIRECTORY
BEST OF SANTA FE 1ST PLACE WINNER
Los Dogos
PC’s Restaurant & Lounge
3985 Cerrillos Road, 455-6147 Surrender your taste buds to this evening food truck’s Juárez-style dogs, served late.
4220 Airport Road, 473-7164 Authentic New Mexican food in a social, cozy atmosphere.
4250 Cerrillos Road, 424-1680 Avoid lines further down the road by stopping here for Northern NM classics.
Horseman’s Haven 4354 Cerrillos Road, 471-5420 Their famed chile is just as good as it is hot—which is to say, extremely.
El Milagro 3482 Zafarano Drive, Ste. C, 474-2888 Miraculous New Mexican cuisine and burgers.
New York Deli 4056 Cerrillos Road, 424-1200 Start spreading the news: Breakfast is served all day at this hotspot. Come here if the downtown location’s parking sitch drives you batty.
Paleteria Oasis #1 4641 Airport Road Ste. #2, 780-8544 The original location for your favorite Mexican ice creams.
The Pantry Dos 20 White Feather Road, 365-2859 A contemporary diner vibe offers a a fresh Southside face for the Midtown establishment.
Chapin y Mex
Pizza Centro 3470 Zafarano Drive, Ste. D, 471-6200 Get New York-style pizza that does not disappoint.
Plaza Café Southside 3466 Zafarano Drive, 424-0755 The downtown institution brings its New Mexican dishes way down Cerrillos, with a more modern menu.
Posa’s El Merendero 3538 Zafarano Drive, Ste. A2, 473-3454 Any number of tamales, any time, they’ve got your back. TOP 5
Flying Tortilla
Puerto Peñasco
4681 Airport Road, Ste. 1, 438-6622 If you haven’t tried Mexican-style seafood, you’re truly missing out.
El Queretaño 4430 Airport Road, 501-5797 Some call it the best taco truck on Airport. Try it and report back to us.
The Ranch House 2571 Cristo’s Road, 424-8900 Smoked brisket and ribs and chicken and everything else for days.
Rebel House Coffee Santa Fe Place Mall, 4250 Cerrillos Road, 819-1037 Locally owned coffee stop in the mall with a great gathering space.
6417 Airport Road, 424-9452 Mexican-Guatemalan cafe with a wide menu and friendly service.
Refresquería Las Delicias
El Parasol
El Rey del Pollo
298 Dinosaur Trail, 995-8226 Good taste is not extinct here. This location has a dining room, too.
SOUTHSIDE
ALL AREA CODES (505). PLEASE CALL AHEAD
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4350 Airport Road, Ste. 13, 438-0280 Mexi snack foods that satisfy the sweetest tooth.
4350 Airport Road, Ste. 18, 570-1380 The Chicken King serves it up Sinaloa-style, with friendly service and good prices.
S F R 2 0 2 0 R E S TA U R A N T G U I D E
PC’S RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
NORTH OF SANTA FE
RESTAURANT DIRECTORY
3462 Zafarano Drive, 471-6800 A solid menu of American favorites, plus happy hour specials on their wide cocktail offerings.
Sweet Santa Fe 8380 Cerrillos Road, 428-0012 A bajillion chocolate offerings, plus a cafe menu with classic breakfast and sandwich offerings.
Taquería Argelia
music most nights of the week.
Tuesdays, great food all the time!
Dandy’s Burgers
Rancho de Chimayó
424 S Riverside Drive, Española, 753-4234 You’ve never seen a more dapper hunk of ground beef!
Gabriel’s 4 Banana Lane, 455-7000 The tableside guacamole service is famous for a reason—they whip it good.
Izanami
4720 Airport Road (in the Airport Road Car Wash parking lot), 204-5211 A big menu and reasonable prices, aka everything you want from a food truck.
21 Ten Thousand Waves Way, Ste. #2, 982-9304 Locally sourced Japanese-inspired small plates. Hot tip: No one will look at you funny if you wear your spa robe.
Thai Café & Noodle Treats
JoAnn’s Ranch O Casados
3482 Zafarano Drive, 424-1818 Central Thai food that’s won accolades from Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce.
938 N Riverside Drive, Española, 753-1334 Traditional New Mexican food served in a great setting.
Tribes Coffeehouse
Lovin Oven Bakery
3470 Zafarano Drive, Ste. A, 473-3615 Stout coffee, pastries and light fare, and local art for sale.
NORTH OF SANTA FE Angelina’s 1226 N Railroad Ave., Española, 753-8543 Hit up this favorite family eatery for great Mexican and New Mexican food.
Arroyo Vino Restaurant & Wine Shop 218 Camino La Tierra, 983-2100 Inspired American fare and impeccable service on the extreme West side.
Cottonwood Kitchen Tesuque Casino, 7 Tesuque Road, 984-8414 Head to the area’s newest casino for American and Southwestern fare, and live
107 N Riverside Drive, Española, 753-5461 Come early and bring cash; they sell out long before noon and don’t take plastic.
La Mesita Eatery 86 Cities of Gold Road, Pojoaque, 455-7004 The legends are true: This is the best fried chicken in the state. Possibly in the country. We tried it. We know.
El Nido 1577 Bishops Lodge Road, Tesuque, 954-1272 Something’s roasting on an open fire and served with a savory, satisfying sauce.
Iguana Café Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, 20 Buffalo Thunder Trail, 819-2060 Stock up on some snacks while you gamble.
Pajarito Brewpub & Grill 614 Trinity Drive, Los Alamos, 662-8877 Trivia Mondays, karaoke
300 Juan Medina Road, Chimayó, 351-4444 For over 50 years, this James Beard-nominated staple has served up traditional New Mexican food.
Red Sage Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, 20 Buffalo Thunder Trail, 819-2056 Creative dishes and a happy hour, too.
Terra Restaurant Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado, 198 Hwy. 592, 946-5800 A breathtaking dining room is the backdrop for innovative American cuisine.
Tesuque Village Market 138 Tesuque Village Road, 988-8848 The neighborhood haunt for folks from Tesuque and beyond.
Black Bird Saloon 28 Main Street, Cerrillos, 438-1821 Hitch up to the classic Wild West watering hole for fresh, handmade lunches and dinners.
Blue Heron Restaurant Sunrise Springs Spa Resort, 242 Los Pinos Road, 780-8145 The region’s only waterside dining is fine, refreshing and a great companion to a hot springs soak.
Café Fina 624 Old Las Vegas Hwy., 466-3886 Brunch and lunch in a spot that’s housed many a fine restaurant, but this one might be the best.
Harry’s Roadhouse
Arable 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Ste. B6, 303-3816 Classy American fare from scratch that went all the way to the Food Network this year.
Beer Creek Brewing Co. 3810 Hwy. 14, 471-9271 Pizza to rave about, plus other comfort foods and brews.
The Bourbon Grill 104 Old Las Vegas Hwy., 984-8000 After working out at El Gancho, you totally deserve that steak. We also hear it’s a heck of a Sunday brunch buffet.
Pizza Centro Agora Center, 7 Avenida Vista Grande, Ste. D7, Eldorado, 466-3161 Eldorado dwellers don’t have to come all the way to Santa Fe for a great pie.
La Plancha de Eldorado La Tienda Shopping Center, 7 Caliente Road, Eldorado, 466-2060 Original Latin flavors and more in a relaxed setting.
San Marcos Café
Java Junction 2855 Hwy. 14, Madrid, 438-2772 Local coffee pairs well with local pastries and local people.
Legal Tender Saloon & Eating House
3877 Hwy. 14, 471-9298 Come early for the cinnamon rolls. Pick up chicken feed, while you’re at it.
Santa Fe Brewing Co. 35 Fire Place, 424-3333 The Brewing Co. has all kinds of taprooms in all kinds of places, but the original location boasts a new, huge beer hall with 27 taps and a limited food menu.
Ten 3
151 Old Lamy Trail, Lamy, 466-1650 Artistic plates and crafted cocktails in a historic location just outside of town.
2846 Hwy. 14, Madrid, 473-0743 One of the last great road-
Pecos Trail Inn, 2239 Old Pecos Trail, 982-9444 New Mexican grub for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
152 Old Lamy Trail, Lamy, 466-4511 Chili Line Brewery has a taproom here, plus Harvey’s Cafe offers sandwiches and small plates.
2849 Hwy. 14, Madrid, 471-4821 Refined Southern food and barbecue specials from the smoker from chef and owner Josh Novak.
The Mine Shaft Tavern
Pecos Trail Café
Lamy Junction
96B Old Las Vegas Hwy., 989-4629 Perfect for when you can’t decide where to eat—they have everything from pizza to Buddha bowls to some of the best steaks in town.
The Hollar
SOUTH OF SANTA FE
houses is almost sure to change your life. Live music, colorful folk and a friendly vibe.
30 Tramway, Albuquerque, 764-8363 Fine dining 10,300′ atop Sandia Peak (tram ticket not included).
Upper Crust Pizza 5 Colina Drive, Eldorado, 471-1111 Get a pie without schlepping into town.
S F R 2 0 2 0 R E S TA U R A N T G U I D E
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SOUTH OF SANTA FE
Santa Fe Capitol Grill
THE 2020 FOOD FOTO CONTEST 1st
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Take Out is the New Reality La Choza
Linda Cox
S F R 2 0 2 0 R E S TA U R A N T G U I D E
1855 Top Sirloin with Seasonal Vegetables and Fingerling Potato Salad Prepared by La Plazuela at La Fonda on the Plaza during New Mexico Restaurant Week, 2020.
Peter Norby
3 rd
Seed of the Heart This photo was taken in my old kitchen as I was actively healing from an eating disorder. In preparing my meals, I began to remember the importance and enjoyment of playing with my food. Surrounding the “heart beet� with a forest of kale gave me an inner sense of being supported by nature, and reminded me that there is beauty in any given moment.
Molly Ponkevitch
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Achu Soup with Fufu Santa Fe
Ceci Tadfor
Roast Turkey on a Spit My Backyard, Albuquerque
Seth Nodelman
THE 2020 FOOD FOTO CONTEST
2nd
craft cocktails, delicious dining and a good time!
try our twist: • Chignon
margaritaS •
Yum!
• Squash blossoms mussels • in tomato broth
D EL isH! • Grilled SALMON
Tasty !
Salad
•
• Oyster Mushroom Risotto • li p s mac k ing! • garlic truffle fries • R ESI S TANCE IS FUTI L E !
• Margaritas • • mojitos • • fish and chips • • mussels •
OPEN
WeDneSdAy tHrOuGh SuFrndIeANdyLy
all $6, $7 and $8
4 tO 9 pM • PaTiO OpEn! DoG
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NOT JuSt FoR TWo !
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INNER FOR TWO 106 N. Guadalupe Street off the Santa Fe Plaza
(505) 820-2075 for reservations • wine • local brews... and lively conversation. See you there!