Albuquerque question
 

Looking at World Is Round photos I found this, it looks like a balloon or children's tent and it's probably Noah's ark - is this something permanent? Will I be able to see it? Where is it?

We're coming this Sunday! Finally :)

Forgot the link, DUH! :)

http://www.worldisround.com/articles/225931/photo2.html

It looks to me like that photo was taken somewhere near the Plaza in Old Town. It's not a permanent structure.

There is a sign in the lower right corner, it looks like the first word is "Maza"

This is a special shape balloon from Balloon Fiesta which took place the first week in October. The balloonists come from all over so not sure where this one is from, but I have only seen it during the Fiesta. You can view balloons in flight in the early am most days of the week. Enjoy your trip.

Yes, on this photo it's clear it's a balloon.

http://www.worldisround.com/articles...1/photo10.html

Dayenu; Many restaurants at discount on this site. There is no cost to join. A $50 certificate costs $4 dollars and you have to spend $100. Most certificates include 'drinks. I already have two certificates for Santa Fe next April. I was able to check TA and other sites for comments. My certificates cost $4 each as it was a 90% off. Todays sale is 80% off. restaurant.com On the first page you will see a $25 for $10 dollar offer. But a code word has to be added and that cost would then be $2 dollars. This weeks code word is TOUCHDOWN.

Thank you, Richard.

Dayenu; Are you going to Santa Fe?

It's a 5-day Elderhostel program "New Mexico Conversos and Crypto-Jews" with a field trip to Santa Fe.

http://www.roadscholar.org/programs/...Id=1%2DE3IZF&#!

restaurant.com can be good, but call the restaurant first to make sure they are still accepting the certificates. We found this out the hard way. :-(

Lee Ann

I have found that almost none of the restaurants on restuarant.com in either ABQ or SF are worth the time or effort. Also, there are minimums that you have to spend to be able to use the certificate. For a $25 cert. you have to spend $35 and in some of those places, you would have to buy a lot to add up to $35 [many are just a step above fast food type places.]

I see only 3 in SF and 2 in ABQ that I might consider buying. And one in SF [The Compound] is so expensive that the cert would do little to offset the cost.

Hey DebitNM. This is one of our restaurants in Sante Fe. Have you been there? Reviews are good. I have a $100 dollar certificate that cost me $4 dollars and we have to spend $200 that includes alcohol. No problem with seven family members. Agree you have to research the restaurants and check reviews. Dayenu; I think this is a good restaurant when in Santa Fe. amavirestaurant.com

I don't know about Amavi but I asked a few foodies about it and will report back.

I have found that for here [and in San Francisco where we just spent 2 weeks] most of the places that offer deals on restuarant.com fall into one of 3 categories:
1] new, trying to get business
2] struggling, trying to get business
3] old, trying to stay in buisness.

In speaking to some business owners about deals like this and others similar deals like Groupon - I hear the same thing "yes, it get's people in our door once. And too often, that is the only time we see them. They aren't returning customers, just someone looking for one time deals."

DebitNM; We certainly can agree to disagree, on using this site. Anyways, Please report back on Amavi. Thanks Richard

Richard - here's what I've gotten so far. I know the person who replied and value his opinions:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/812450

Richard, BeachGirl247 is in SF now, I asked her about Amavi [she is really the expert on restaurants in SF] and she thinks it is about to close.

For real deals on meals in Santa Fe and Albuquerque - these are really good restaurants that are thriving and not trying to stay alive:

http://999dine.com/

This was a MBA thesis project that did so well, it turned into a real business.

Thanks DebitNM; I saw that the current owners owe the previous owners just under $200,000. Now in court. Will look at the site you gave me. I an a big fan of restaurant.com and have saved a considerable amount of money. It does take research to find a good restaurant. Amavi seemed to have good reviews on-line and with local newspapers. Another side is 'idine'. No cost, you just have to sign up and the restaurants that are participating nation wide offer 5 or 10% of the total bill.