Good food near Tamaya resort?
 

Anyone have ideas for good eating spots for lunch or dinner near the Tamaya Resort between Albuquerque and Santa Fe? Budget's not an issue, but we are much more interested in good food and local ambience/ setting than fine dining. Thanks for your thoughts...going in late September.

The resort is pretty much out in the middle of no where it seemed, but we did go to a very good New Mexican style restaurant, El Pinto. Very good, cool atmosphere and not too very far from the resort! Make reservations in advance.

Thank you, we'll check it out!

Prairie Star is the high end restaurant right there on the Santa Ana reservation with the resort. Beautiful setting and expensive, but last time I was there, the food was only average. The Range Cafe in Bernalillo is great, especially for breakfast or lunch. Not fancy or expensive, just really good local food in a fun place.
As olive Oyl said, El Pinto's not bad and their patio is one of the prettiest in town.

Enjoy!

We were at this resort last spring break. It was wonderfully relaxing! We ate there at the hotel, and it was very good. My husband can't remember what he ate, but he does remember that it was very good. We're pretty picky about where we eat, and we enjoy good food. You'll enjoy the resort.

Thanks folks...we'll eat dinner there the night we arrive and try the Range Cafe on our way out the next day.

If you are going to eat at Range Cafe [which I agree is great food and fun atmosphere] check out this site to save some money. www.999dine.com They sell prepaid certificates that can be used at the Range and many other NM restaurants that will save you lots of $$. There is also the Blue Corn at Tamaya which is less fancy than Praire Star.

I should also mention, El Pinto's food isn't all that great. The patio is nice but food is so-so at best. There are some small little places in Bernalillo for real NM food, if you are interested, let me know. Also, you should check out Coronado Monument which is just outside the road that leads to the entrance of Tamaya. Also, the spa at Tamaya is terrific!

DebitNM thanks for the tips, you seem to know your stuff! We're flying in and staying at Tamaya just for the first night. We'll probably just eat at the resort the 1st night but lunch the next day at a real local NM place would be great. We will be heading up to Santa Fe for four nights...staying at Zona Rosa. We'll meander up to Santa Fe early afternoon so your thoughts on the route and food would be much appreciated. Thought we'd investigate the Japanese spa outside Santa Fe. The thought of a hot tub at sunset one night and some of their treatments sounds like a treat. Your ideas are most appreciated. Good food and interesting atmosphere beat current "hot spots" for us.