JulieR

Is it too cool in the evenings to be eating dinner outside at 7pm or later? We will be in Santa Fe next week Monday. Have one reservation for dinner at Cafe Pasqual's and looking to make more for the outside patio's on the remaining days.

maryanntex

Santacafe has great food and a nice patio.

DebitNM

Most, if not all, restaurants with patios in Santa Fe will have those outdoor heaters running after the sun goes down.. maybe even before!

It has been particularly cool here [read that cold] the past 10 days or so so keep that in mind. It snowed in many areas of northern NM and southwestern CO yesterday.

Take a warm jacket, you are going to need it. It should be about mid 70's during the sunny daytime, but temps will drop 30 degrees!!! once that sun goes down to mid 40's or lower.

Dress in layers; it will be cool in mornings when you start out, then as the day progresses, it will warm up. The warmest part of the days here is usually late afternoon - unlike back east where 11 am to 2 pm is warmest.

If you are doing any outdoor activities, you will find yourself shedding clothes as the day progresses [even just walking around] but trust me, it will get cold once that suns sinks into the western sky.

Also, be sure to give yourselves a couple of days to adjust to altitude and DRINK LOTS of WATER!!! Dehydration here is a big problem -- also USE suncreen. The bright sun and high altitude can give you one mighty bad burn and ruin the rest of your days and nights.

Debi

DebitNM

Also, in late afternoon - around 3 ish --rain can happen so be prepared. Dark clouds will roll in from the west and the rain usually follows.

This typically doesn't happen until July, but it is early this year [known as "monsoon"]

It doesn't last long, but can be heavy and will cool off the air faster.

JulieR

Maryanntex..yes Santacafe is on my list, sounds like a winner.

Deb...Thanks for all your responses, you have been a great help. My question is, will we be crazy to make a reservation for any restaurant outside for dinner for next week? Do many people do this when it is cool?

DebitNM

I am not sure I would want to eat outside all week. But I tend to get cold and then am not a happy camper.

If you are making reservations [if not just as soon as I walked in to restaurant]I would ask to be seated near a heater; I would aslo ask if you get cold, will they be able to easily move you to an indoor table.

Double check to be sure they have outdoor heaters - if not - I'd do lunchs outside and dinners inside. Also ask what time they put the heaters on. And do they have awnings and clear walls if those pesky night shower things pop up.

It is staying light out here until 8pm, but light isn't sun and it will be cool and getting cold.

I would eat earliest convenient time for you - 6 ish? before the temps fall.

Try it one night and see how you feel. IF you booked patios for other nights, call and change them to inside if you feel the night outside didnt' work for you.

If you are set on eating outside, do lunch, take picnics and hike somewhere pretty etc and get the el fresco thing covered that way.

As always, hope this helps.
Debi

abqdeb

La Casa Sena has a gorgeous patio! I haven't eaten there in a while, but the food has always been very good. Great place for lunch, too.

williamscb13

You can also get great margaritas outside on the patio at the Cowgirl!

sylvia3

al fresco, not el.

DebitNM

we tend to like the spanish-ized "el" instead of the french -ized "al"

DebitNM

we tend to like the spanish-ized "el" instead of the
french -ized "al"

DebitNM

opps

JulieR

I guess I wasn't too wrong hey? Either way works for me.

Nikki

There were plenty of people eating outdoors when I was there two weeks ago. It did become a little cool out after dark though. A jacket would have made it fine.

sylvia3

one is an article, the. (Don't matter none to me, I'd like to be having a bebida on a patio, too!)

sylvia3

Meant to ask, in the late spring (early June), is it necessary to (or can you) make reservations for the patios in most places, or is it luck of the draw?

BeachGirl247

You can make reservations for the patio at most places. Here is a thread with Santa Fe patios:

Author: BeachGirl247 ([email protected])
Date: 04/12/2007, 02:52 pm

Bistro 315, as mentioned above - maybe 6 tables. quaint.

Santacafe - courtyard

La Casa Sena - beautiful courtyard!

Geronimo - has a portal (inside is my favorite dining)

Compound - fine dining and patio

Staab House at La Posada - beautiful patio with water feature and fireplace


Julian's - has outside tables - very romantic

Inn at Loretto - restaurant name escapes me right now! But nice outside area;service & food are not tops.

Those listed above require a reservation and very enjoyable for dinner. Geronimo isn't a great "patio" as its a portal but the food & service is top notch. Make your reservations now and specify outdoor dining.

Listed below are more casual dining options:

Cafe San Estephan - 4 table patio
Cowgirl - very casual
Coyote Cafe - casual
El Farol - few tables on patio
Guadalupe Cafe - traditional NM; no reserv.
The Shed - few tables.
La Choza-sister rest. to The Shed
O'Keefe Cafe
Pink Adobe - not sure what it is called now as it was sold to the owners of Five Graces
Harry's Roadhouse - nice outdoor area
The Railyard (owner of 315)
Tomasita's - casual;excellent red & green sauce
Tesuque Village Market - covered patio. a personal favorite

I'm sure I've missed something but those top four are the best for fine dining.

Sheila

**********

The weather has been so strange lately. We got back from Santa Fe last weekend and the weather was warmer than normal. However,the week before had snow and hail. Very strange. I always have a jacket for the evenings.

Have a great trip.