Santa Fe dining questions
Apr 13th, 2014, 04:57 AM
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Santa Fe dining questions
We'll be in Sante Fe for four nights the first weekend in May, arriving early afternoon on Friday and leaving early Tuesday morning. I've poured over reports and posts here about Santa Fe.
We are staying at La Fonda, based on some suggestions here. And yes, we are renting a car for the stay.
So our first night (after a long connecting flight leaving very early in the morning) we think we aren't going to want to do a big formal meal, so we're thinking of The Shed early -- like 6:30 followed by prickly pear margaritas and music at Santa Fe Inn. (Ronald Roybal).
On Saturday night, we're planning on The Compound.
On Sunday night, looking at The Pink Adobe (that steak Dunigan is calling to me).
On Monday night, we have a reservation at Geronimo.
We're thinking of doing the day to Taos on Sunday. Any suggestion for lunch there?
Breakfast is included at La Fonda, and we have a list of casual places for lunch -- Bumble Bees, Mariscos Cost Azul, Vinaigrette, La Choza -- depending on where we happen to be.
Any comments on the dinner places? Suggestions for better choices than those listed? We do want to focus more on "local" flavors when possible, with a combination of casual and formal. Andiamo sounds wonderful for example, but we have millions of opportunity for great Italian at home. What about Coyote Cafe (the dining room) or Pasquale instead of Pink Adobe? Are The Compound and Geronimo too much the same type of experience?
We are staying at La Fonda, based on some suggestions here. And yes, we are renting a car for the stay.
So our first night (after a long connecting flight leaving very early in the morning) we think we aren't going to want to do a big formal meal, so we're thinking of The Shed early -- like 6:30 followed by prickly pear margaritas and music at Santa Fe Inn. (Ronald Roybal).
On Saturday night, we're planning on The Compound.
On Sunday night, looking at The Pink Adobe (that steak Dunigan is calling to me).
On Monday night, we have a reservation at Geronimo.
We're thinking of doing the day to Taos on Sunday. Any suggestion for lunch there?
Breakfast is included at La Fonda, and we have a list of casual places for lunch -- Bumble Bees, Mariscos Cost Azul, Vinaigrette, La Choza -- depending on where we happen to be.
Any comments on the dinner places? Suggestions for better choices than those listed? We do want to focus more on "local" flavors when possible, with a combination of casual and formal. Andiamo sounds wonderful for example, but we have millions of opportunity for great Italian at home. What about Coyote Cafe (the dining room) or Pasquale instead of Pink Adobe? Are The Compound and Geronimo too much the same type of experience?
Apr 13th, 2014, 05:28 AM
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Hi Neo. I just want to add that you should consider being careful with drinking any alcohol your first night In SF. Coming from ABQ to SF involves quite a bit of altitude change. Although I had been to SF many times, I went last yr and literally passed out and fell over onto the floor while at dinner at La Boca, after on e small glass of sherry, got dizzy and felt crappy for about 2 min. And then conked out. Ambulane, ER, CT scan later, diagnosis was altitude effects on day 1. That can happen even if you have never had problems with altitude in the past. Each trip up is a brand new event for your body and hypoxia can develop quickly, esp if alcohol is added to the hypoxia.
Our best meals in SF have been at the dining rm at Inn of the Anasazi (sp?). Lovely, great service, Incredibly good food for dinner, yummy special cocktail list, awesome desserts. We go there on every trip now.
Our best meals in SF have been at the dining rm at Inn of the Anasazi (sp?). Lovely, great service, Incredibly good food for dinner, yummy special cocktail list, awesome desserts. We go there on every trip now.
Apr 13th, 2014, 07:02 AM
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emd3, I'm kind of aware of that, although the reaction you mention seems really extreme. Years of flying out to Lake Tahoe and spending my first evening sipping wine or cocktails with friends who live above 7000 feet taught me that!
I ate dinner at Inn of the Anasazi last trip (but that's been nearly 15 years ago). It was pleasant then, but nothing special as I recall. But that was also the trip I had one of the worst meals ever at Geronimo, when our "rare" lamb was served extremely well done and when we sent it back it came out literally frozen in the middle and impossible to cut, with a very rude uncaring attitude as well. But I'm willing to accept that what happened that long may have been a fluke. Do others think Inn at Anasazi might be a better choice than one of our others?
I ate dinner at Inn of the Anasazi last trip (but that's been nearly 15 years ago). It was pleasant then, but nothing special as I recall. But that was also the trip I had one of the worst meals ever at Geronimo, when our "rare" lamb was served extremely well done and when we sent it back it came out literally frozen in the middle and impossible to cut, with a very rude uncaring attitude as well. But I'm willing to accept that what happened that long may have been a fluke. Do others think Inn at Anasazi might be a better choice than one of our others?
Apr 13th, 2014, 07:26 AM
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Compound and Geronimo are two of the top places to eat here for fine dining. Pink Adobe isn't the grand old place she used to be so you might just have a cocktail there just to revisit the place. If it's a warm evening (and they have been) enjoy the patio area with the fountain.
Some of our regular stops are
Geronimo (love Sunday dinner there in the bar as it's not as crazy)
Compound - we enjoy having a long Sat lunch and strolling Canyon Road
Bistro 315 - a regular stop for us for either drinks and appetizers or dinners. (Across from Pink)
La Boca -- lunch or dinner
Taberna (more casual sister restaurant of La Boca) great happy hour
Il Piatto for Italian (IF you change your mind)
The Shed for New Mexican, (dinners reservations needed. None taken for lunch)
Tia Sophia's for New Mexican breakfast. Great pancakes and other non-spicy items
Pasqual's is good but a lot of food (long wait usually) , I enjoy their lunch & dinner more than breakfast
La Plazuela at La Fonda for Sunday brunch (trout is very good)
Luminaria for brunch
Coyote Cafe at the chef's bar (it's another pricy dinner like Geronimo & Compound)
Clafoutis for a good bistro lunch
Tune-Up Cafe is a go-to favorite of ours. Quirky, great food. Best molé in town. Love this place!
Anasazi Bar -- cozy, no-tv spot for classic cocktails & has a patio. Nice restaurant, too.
Joseph's of Santa Fe is new and the chef from Joseph's Table in Taos years ago. Had a couple of stints with Palace & Tomme (closed). People have
Chez Mamou by the plaza has excellent sandwiches and salads. Pastries are delicious, too.
Midtown Bistro (chef who was at SantaCafe) - excellent for lunch or dinner. We've had wonderful meals there.
Dr. Field Goods for casual lunch or dinner
Bouché for dinner. Small, bistro feel. If he has the patio open it won't be so noisy.
Bumble Bee's is ok but I wouldn't take my guests there unless we needed a quick bite to get on our way. Very casual fast food type place. La Choza, sister restaurant of The Shed, is good, too. But, for a visitor I like to take them to The Shed. Lots of ambiance and excellent food.
You mentioned you liked the prickly pear margaritas -- they have a new drink that has become very popular which is a blood orange margarita (can be made with vodka, too). It's very good and called the Sangre de Cristo. Delicious!
Drink lots of water and begin before you get here. It's especially important when having alcohol at 7,000 ft. Enjoy!
Some of our regular stops are
Geronimo (love Sunday dinner there in the bar as it's not as crazy)
Compound - we enjoy having a long Sat lunch and strolling Canyon Road
Bistro 315 - a regular stop for us for either drinks and appetizers or dinners. (Across from Pink)
La Boca -- lunch or dinner
Taberna (more casual sister restaurant of La Boca) great happy hour
Il Piatto for Italian (IF you change your mind)
The Shed for New Mexican, (dinners reservations needed. None taken for lunch)
Tia Sophia's for New Mexican breakfast. Great pancakes and other non-spicy items
Pasqual's is good but a lot of food (long wait usually) , I enjoy their lunch & dinner more than breakfast
La Plazuela at La Fonda for Sunday brunch (trout is very good)
Luminaria for brunch
Coyote Cafe at the chef's bar (it's another pricy dinner like Geronimo & Compound)
Clafoutis for a good bistro lunch
Tune-Up Cafe is a go-to favorite of ours. Quirky, great food. Best molé in town. Love this place!
Anasazi Bar -- cozy, no-tv spot for classic cocktails & has a patio. Nice restaurant, too.
Joseph's of Santa Fe is new and the chef from Joseph's Table in Taos years ago. Had a couple of stints with Palace & Tomme (closed). People have
Chez Mamou by the plaza has excellent sandwiches and salads. Pastries are delicious, too.
Midtown Bistro (chef who was at SantaCafe) - excellent for lunch or dinner. We've had wonderful meals there.
Dr. Field Goods for casual lunch or dinner
Bouché for dinner. Small, bistro feel. If he has the patio open it won't be so noisy.
Bumble Bee's is ok but I wouldn't take my guests there unless we needed a quick bite to get on our way. Very casual fast food type place. La Choza, sister restaurant of The Shed, is good, too. But, for a visitor I like to take them to The Shed. Lots of ambiance and excellent food.
You mentioned you liked the prickly pear margaritas -- they have a new drink that has become very popular which is a blood orange margarita (can be made with vodka, too). It's very good and called the Sangre de Cristo. Delicious!
Drink lots of water and begin before you get here. It's especially important when having alcohol at 7,000 ft. Enjoy!
Apr 13th, 2014, 07:32 AM
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Geronimo has been really good and there was a time I hesitated to send someone there. That is no longer! And, it was recently named one of the US Top 100 restaurants. I definitely would keep your reservation for Geronimo.
Anasazi is good, too, but I don't think it's *as* good imo. You can certainly have a nice meal there, don't get me wrong. It's a nice dining room, not crowded and it's just off of the plaza.
Anasazi is good, too, but I don't think it's *as* good imo. You can certainly have a nice meal there, don't get me wrong. It's a nice dining room, not crowded and it's just off of the plaza.
Apr 13th, 2014, 11:32 AM
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We had really good food at Tomasita's, had the pork adobado with a sopapilla which is sadly no longer on their menu but looks like it still might be good.
Couldn't get into Pasquale's for breakfast, one hour wait.
Couldn't get into Pasquale's for breakfast, one hour wait.
Apr 13th, 2014, 03:15 PM
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Neo, I know you like Broadway shows. The Cantina at Casa Sena has a really good team of servers who are all good singers, and a good piano player who accompanies them. The servers get up by the piano and belt out some great show tunes during dinner. The food is good. We really like Casa Sena, and although Cantina is a step down and more casual, it's good food, but if you base the evening only on very fine 5* food, most likely it will not be up to your standard.
However, the entertainment is really nice, we come out tapping our feet and singing and very happy, and well fed.
http://www.lacasasena.com/
http://www.lacasasena.com/cantina-home
Another after dinner place you might like is Vanessie's, very nice piano bar. Check their schedule online. great tunes, lots of fun.
http://vanessiesantafe.com/entertainment.php
However, the entertainment is really nice, we come out tapping our feet and singing and very happy, and well fed.
http://www.lacasasena.com/
http://www.lacasasena.com/cantina-home
Another after dinner place you might like is Vanessie's, very nice piano bar. Check their schedule online. great tunes, lots of fun.
http://vanessiesantafe.com/entertainment.php
Apr 13th, 2014, 04:39 PM
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Vanessie's is fun for a drink in the lounge. We also enjoyed the jazz guitarist at the Staab House at La Posada. http://www.laposadadesantafe.com/dining/staab-house
I'll second BeachGirl247's recommendation of Tune-Up Cafe for lunch. http://tuneupsantafe.com/ Cowgirl BBQ is pretty tasty as well. http://www.cowgirlsantafe.com/
Lee Ann
I'll second BeachGirl247's recommendation of Tune-Up Cafe for lunch. http://tuneupsantafe.com/ Cowgirl BBQ is pretty tasty as well. http://www.cowgirlsantafe.com/
Lee Ann
Apr 13th, 2014, 05:56 PM
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prickly pear margaritas and music at Santa Fe Inn. (Ronald Roybal)
You want Hotel Santa Fe for the above. http://hotelsantafe.com/
A great choice!
Lunch in Taos -
Bent Street Deli & Cafe
Orlando’s New Mexican Cafe
You want Hotel Santa Fe for the above. http://hotelsantafe.com/
A great choice!
Lunch in Taos -
Bent Street Deli & Cafe
Orlando’s New Mexican Cafe
Apr 13th, 2014, 06:49 PM
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I think your choices sound good--there really is an embarrassment of riches in and around Santa Fe for dining.
For breakfast or casual lunch, I'd suggest Cafe Pasquale's. For casual breakfast or, better yet, some French pastries to go, I'd suggest Calfoutis.
We adored La Boca, but it's tapas, not local flavors. It's sister restaurant, La Taberna, offers lunch, though, which could perhaps be an option for you.
For breakfast or casual lunch, I'd suggest Cafe Pasquale's. For casual breakfast or, better yet, some French pastries to go, I'd suggest Calfoutis.
We adored La Boca, but it's tapas, not local flavors. It's sister restaurant, La Taberna, offers lunch, though, which could perhaps be an option for you.
Apr 13th, 2014, 08:03 PM
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La Boca offers lunch, too, btw. A prix fix menu as well. Both have happy hour and in fact, several places now have happy hour specials - 1/2 price appetizers and wine specials.
You're right, NewbE. There are lots of choices here in Santa Fe which makes it very hard to choose sometimes!
You're right, NewbE. There are lots of choices here in Santa Fe which makes it very hard to choose sometimes!
Apr 14th, 2014, 03:42 AM
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DebitNM, ooops. Yes I got that information about the PPMargaritas and the music from you, and I meant to say Hotel Santa Fe, not the other.
I've noted all the rest too. I guess a lot depends (particularly for lunch) on where we happen to be near at lunchtime.
I've noted all the rest too. I guess a lot depends (particularly for lunch) on where we happen to be near at lunchtime.
Apr 14th, 2014, 05:37 AM
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Patrick, just confirming that you have special package at the La Fonda. (Our visit didn't include breakfast).
The Shed can be difficult to get into, whether because it is closed on Sunday (I think), too busy and/or opened later than we wanted (5:30, which isn't late but if you are hungry...!).
We have enjoyed Tomasita's.
My more memorably experiences have been at a restaurant with a view of the Square: 2nd floor preferably. Most recently (2-3 years ago, was the Marble Brewery/Tap, but it is closed. (Just pizza, but a view).
Nice, simple, not fancy restaurant: Blue Corn Brewery near (but not on) the square.
The Shed can be difficult to get into, whether because it is closed on Sunday (I think), too busy and/or opened later than we wanted (5:30, which isn't late but if you are hungry...!).
We have enjoyed Tomasita's.
My more memorably experiences have been at a restaurant with a view of the Square: 2nd floor preferably. Most recently (2-3 years ago, was the Marble Brewery/Tap, but it is closed. (Just pizza, but a view).
Nice, simple, not fancy restaurant: Blue Corn Brewery near (but not on) the square.
Apr 14th, 2014, 05:53 AM
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We love La Boca and Anasazi for lunch. Two other restaurants we have enjoyed within the year for dinner are Bouche Bistro -Charles Dale's latest http://www.bouchebistro.com/ and Restaurant Martin http://restaurantmartin.com/
Apr 14th, 2014, 07:29 AM
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Bitter, yes, I got a special package including breakfast at LaFonda, that is actually less (maybe because it's four nights?) than the daily rate without breakfast. Go figure. I even called because we'll be leaving too early the last day for breakfast and they are crediting back the breakfast cost for that day. I booked several months ago, and just looked the other day and the prices are considerably higher now.
Apr 14th, 2014, 09:47 AM
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Well, no real itinerary. We're going to play it by ear, and use the long weekend mainly as a relaxation trip for Peter. We do think we'll go to Taos on Sunday, and we plan to do quite a few galleries, and of course eat like crazy, but not a lot of other plans except to get out and walk, even in town.
