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Best Santa Fe location for hotel

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Old Jul 3rd, 2021, 08:25 AM
  #21  
 
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Originally Posted by MoBro
I’m sorry to hear La Fonda’s customer service was so bad. Any hotel should do better than that! You might want to try this centrally-located Santa Fe restaurant we liked a lot: Cafe Pasqual’s
https://pasquals.com

With the hospitality industry short on staff or having to train new people, you could have been dealing with a bunch of newbies. We were just in Tucson and Lake Tahoe. Several restaurants asked for our patience due to staff shortages.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2021, 08:58 AM
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If you like authentic old New Mexican style food (think amazing enchiladas with Christmas salsa/chilis), try Casa Chimayo very near the plaza. Great spot for lunch or dinner and has a very old New Mexican style and atmosphere.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2021, 09:13 AM
  #23  
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Since this topic is morphing into a discussion about restaurants, I have another question.
Clearly (and understandably), the restaurants recommended here (or, in one case, not recommended) appear to serve substantially southwestern or Mexican fare. This is not my dining preference (although my wife enjoys it). What I'm looking for are restaurants that serve American or European dishes (for evening dining), and more specifically, a full American breakfast la carte from a menu (as opposed to most hotel "free" breakfasts). And, of course, easy walking distance from my hotel.
Recommendations are appreciated.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2021, 12:14 PM
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yes, a lot of restaurants do serve what they call New Mexican cuisine. I like that type of food, but probably wouldn't want it every day. Generally, it is best to eat in hotel restaurants for breakfast, I would think, if you want typical big breakfasts like that. I think the free hotel breakfasts are usually in the cheaper chain hotels, aren't they? At least in the US. It sounds like you are going into restaurants with no problem. I don't do that myself but some restaurants still aren't open, I believe.

It looks like the free breakfast at Drury's is more of an upscale buffet with hot dishes, though, it doesn't look too different to me than what you would get in a hotel where you order a la carte for breakfast (scrambled eggs, sausage, etc).

this French restaurant isn't too far from your hotel and should be ok for your dinner experience
https://315santafe.com/menu/

The Coyote Cafe looks like it would just be SW fare, but they actually have some typical European style main courses, as you wish
https://www.coyotecafe.com/menus

Also, the restaurant at the La Posada has a few New Mexican-style dishes but also some regular European ones, like rack of lamb. beef tenderloin. They also have a classic American breakfast, as well as some SW inspired things.

I don't eat breakfast usually, and haven't stayed right on the main square so can't really offer any more suggestions from experience. Also, I had a car when I was there.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2021, 01:50 PM
  #25  
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Christina, thank you for all that information.
I'll take a look at your suggestions, and a closer look at the Drury breakfst buffet.
We also have a car, but it would be a PITA to take it out just for breakfast, considering that parking at the Drury is valet only, with all the associated hassles.
We also enjoy walking around cities (just not quite as far as we used to any more), which is why we opted for a hotel with shops and restaurants close by.
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Old Jul 5th, 2021, 10:01 AM
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Cafe Pasqual is worth a look. It is not your typical sauce-smothered 'Mexican' food.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SAUTÉED BAJA WILD YELLOWTAIL ~ Moroccan Cilantro-Ginger Sauce, Grilled Broccolini, Saffron Rice 31.

GRILLED WILD PATAGONIA SHRIMP ~ Skewer of Five (Shell-on), Brushed with Ginger Garlic Lemon Butter, Jasmine Rice, Oven-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Basil 31.

A GRILLED DOUBLE LAMB CHOP ~ Brushed with Pomegranate Molasses Glaze, Potato Chive Cake, Sugar Snap Peas 38.

GRILLED FLANK STEAK CARNE ASADA ~ Guacamole, Pico de Gallo Salsa, Grilled Sweet Red & Poblano Peppers, Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, Yellow Corn Tortillas 37.

COCHINITA PIBIL YUCATAN STYLE ~ Organic Pork Slow Cooked in Achiote and Orange, wrapped in a Banana Leaf, Calabacitas, Cilantro Rice, Habanero~Marinated Onions, Tostones with Crema 33.

GRILLED BISON BURGER 8 OZ ~ Green Chile, Jack Cheese and Caramelized Onions, Green Salad with Bleu, or Lemon Shallot, or Green Goddess, Brioche Bun 18. Applewood Smoked Thick Bacon 7 Sautéed Cremini Mushrooms 6.

WARM THAI RAIN NOODLE AND MINT SALAD ~ Ginger, Garlic, Thai Chiles, Spinach, Napa Cabbage, and Tomatoes in broth 23. Add Choice : Organic Tofu 5. Organic Chicken OR Black Angus Beef 8.

MOLE ENCHILADAS ~ Organic Chicken OR Sautéed Organic “Chorizo”Tofu, Grilled Zucchini, Sauteéd Spinach, and Roasted Corn, Cilantro Rice, Orange andJicama Salad, Corn Torte 29.

□□ RED OR GREEN CHILE ROLLED ORGANIC GARDEN ENCHILADAS ~ SautéedSpinach, and Roasted Corn, Grilled Zucchini and Onions, Melted Jack, Guacamole, Corn Torte, Cilantro Rice 24. Add Organic Chicken 9 OR Sautéed Organic Chorizo Tofu 7.

PLATO SUPREMO~Chile Relleno Omelet Style ~ Mole Enchilada with Organic Chicken,“Chorizo” Tofu orSautéed Calabacitas, Cilantro Rice 31.
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Old Jul 5th, 2021, 10:08 AM
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I just tried to post a comment, but it went to the moderators. Maybe because I tried to paste a section of the dinner menu at Cafe Pasqual's.

Pasqual's is not a typical sauce-smothered 'Mexican' restaurant. It's worth a look.

Maybe my post will eventually show up.
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Old Jul 5th, 2021, 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Les
Since this topic is morphing into a discussion about restaurants, I have another question.
Clearly (and understandably), the restaurants recommended here (or, in one case, not recommended) appear to serve substantially southwestern or Mexican fare. This is not my dining preference (although my wife enjoys it). What I'm looking for are restaurants that serve American or European dishes (for evening dining), and more specifically, a full American breakfast la carte from a menu (as opposed to most hotel "free" breakfasts). And, of course, easy walking distance from my hotel.
Recommendations are appreciated.
My recollection is that the street that went from the Guadalupe Inn to the center of town had a European and an East Indian restaurant, but that may have changed since we were there.
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Old Jul 5th, 2021, 11:57 AM
  #29  
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MoBro, after reading your post, I had a look at Cafe Pasqual's menu (both breakfast and dinner). It sure looks like a Mexican or soutwestern menu to me. Definitely not my preference, but thanks for the suggestion.

Michael, thank you. We'll definitely have a walk down that street to see what's available. As we'll only have about 3 full days in town, I'm sure we won't run out of choices.
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Old Jul 5th, 2021, 12:22 PM
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SAUTÉED BAJA WILD YELLOWTAIL ~ Moroccan Cilantro-Ginger Sauce, Grilled Broccolini, Saffron Rice 31.

GRILLED WILD PATAGONIA SHRIMP ~ Skewer of Five (Shell-on), Brushed with Ginger Garlic Lemon Butter, Jasmine Rice, Oven-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Basil 31.

A GRILLED DOUBLE LAMB CHOP ~ Brushed with Pomegranate Molasses Glaze, Potato Chive Cake, Sugar Snap Peas 38.

Just sayin’ you might be sorry!
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Old Jul 5th, 2021, 12:37 PM
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MoBro,
Guess I should clarify:
I absolutely won't eat seafood (of any kind), In fact, if a cow crawled out of the ocean in front of my very eyes, I wouldn't eat steak from that cow!
I would eat (some) Mexican food, but it's very low on my list.
Lamb, no.
So I won't be particularly sorry to give Cafe Pasqual a pass.
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Old Jul 5th, 2021, 02:28 PM
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[QUOTE=Les;17259104]MoBro,
Guess I should clarify:
I absolutely won't eat seafood (of any kind), In fact, if a cow crawled out of the ocean in front of my very eyes, I wouldn't eat steak from that cow!
I would eat (some) Mexican food, but it's very low on my list.
Lamb, no.
So I won't be particularly sorry to give Cafe Pasqual a pass.[/QUOTE

Ah ha. I did not know that you don’t eat fish!
I thought you were avoiding ‘Mexican’ food.
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Old Jul 6th, 2021, 05:10 AM
  #33  
 
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Other restaurant choices w/o Mexican or New Mexican emphasis:

https://www.santacafe.com/

https://cowgirlsantafe.com/
(it's a local institution)
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Old Jul 6th, 2021, 05:20 AM
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I hesitate to post this as the OP seems like an even pickier eater than myself, but our favorite restaurant in Santa Fe is Paper Dosa. Somehow I expect the OP to recoil at the thought of Indian food though

https://www.paper-dosa.com/
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Old Jul 6th, 2021, 10:44 AM
  #35  
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Melnq8,

WRONG!. I definitely do not recoil at the thought of Indian food. In fact, I like it very much. We 've been to India twice, and some of the meals we had were highlights of the trips.
However, I did look at the Paper Dosa menu, and it looks like they basically have take-out or "kits" for preparing the meals. This doesn't lend itself to someone staying at a hotel and expecting to sit down to a relaxing evening meal. Am I getting this wrong?
Thank you for this information.

By the way, you are correct, I am probably a pickier eater than anyone on this forum.
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Old Jul 6th, 2021, 11:35 AM
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I saw that on the website too and I suspect it's a COVID thing. No idea if that's all they're currently offering, and if it is, it's a crying shame. Their food is wonderful. You might give them a call to see what's going on.

PS - glad you like Indian food. It's my favorite cuisine.
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Old Jul 6th, 2021, 12:49 PM
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Did you look into Hotel St Francis? Or Hotel Chimayo? We were just in SF over Memorial Day weekend. We had an AirBnB and so didn't stay at either one of them but it looked lovely and both are a good location close to the central plaza.

Also, if you find another property that has the amenities you prefer but it is a bit further away we found it easy enough to drive in and park in one of the municipal lots which are also central.
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Old Jul 6th, 2021, 01:55 PM
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Paper Dosa is very good but doesn't take reservations and the wait can be long. The last time we tried to eat there we ended up at the bar at Sazon instead which we liked (bar had separate menu from restaurant) but it's New Mexican. If Spanish tapas is acceptable, we like La Boca a lot.
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Old Jul 6th, 2021, 09:43 PM
  #39  
Les
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laurie_ann, I did not look into these hotels, because I had already booked at the Drury Plaza prior to your post. However, I did check them out after seeing your post, and I still feel that the Drury is a better fit for us.
Thank you for your suggestions.
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Old Jul 11th, 2021, 11:05 PM
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may i suggest the La Fonda. we stayed many years ago. it was fabulous.
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