Santa Fe Restaurants - SantaFe.com https://santafe.com The Santa Fe Experience Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:49:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://santafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/cropped-SFDC_YouTube-150x150.jpg Santa Fe Restaurants - SantaFe.com https://santafe.com 32 32 15 Best Santa Fe Patios, Rooftops & Al Fresco Dining 2025 https://santafe.com/best-santa-fe-patios-rooftops-al-fresco-dining/ Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:24:45 +0000 https://santafe.com/?p=105953 Why Santa Fe Has the Best Outdoor Dining in New Mexico Santa Fe’s outdoor dining scene is truly one-of-a-kind, offering more than 300 days of sunshine per year. Its high desert climate makes patio dining a year-round pleasure.  You’ll find intimate courtyards tucked behind adobe walls as well as expansive rooftop terraces overlooking the serene Rio Grande Valley, with views of four mountain ranges –– the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east, the Jemez Mountains to the west, and … Read More

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Why Santa Fe Has the Best Outdoor Dining in New Mexico

Santa Fe’s outdoor dining scene is truly one-of-a-kind, offering more than 300 days of sunshine per year. Its high desert climate makes patio dining a year-round pleasure. 

You’ll find intimate courtyards tucked behind adobe walls as well as expansive rooftop terraces overlooking the serene Rio Grande Valley, with views of four mountain ranges –– the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east, the Jemez Mountains to the west, and the Ortiz and Sandia mountains to the south.

In this article, you’ll get the local scoop on the city’s best patio hangouts from our real estate guides with decades of experience in Santa Fe, the Ricky Allen Tara Earley Real Estate Group.

Essential Tips for the Perfect Santa Fe Patio Dining Experience

Before sharing some favorite spots to dine in the fresh air, here are some tips on finding patio dining in Santa Fe.

Choose the Right Spot for the Moment

Morning Sunshine Vs. Evening Cool

For breakfast or brunch, pick a sunny spot like Café Pasqual’s courtyard. Want evening charm? Head to the rooftop at Coyote Cantina for margaritas and green-chile cheeseburgers overlooking Water Street, or to the fifth floor Bell Tower Bar at the beautiful La Fonda on the Plaza for glorious sunset views of historic Santa Fe and the Sangre de Cristos.

Enclosed Patios Help Beat Winter Chill

Amaya’s glass‑walled patio at Hotel Santa Fe stays cozy even on cooler days. During the warmer months, it opens to outdoor gardens.

Make a Reservation (Especially in Peak Season)

Summer and art‑market weekends fill patios fast. Booking ahead ensures you’ll get the best seat, plus some places like the above-mentioned Café Pasqual’s are charmingly intimate spaces with limited seating.

Peak Season Strategy

Book rooftop restaurants in Santa Fe 2–3 weeks in advance during summer and fall. Popular spots like La Fonda’s Bell Tower fill up quickly, as well as high-end The Compound in its historic adobe setting along Canyon Road, with farm-fresh seasonal fare and an extraordinary wine list of nearly 500 wines arranged by grape varieties and country of origin.

Not far away, off Cerrillos Road and St. Francis Drive, you’ll find family-owned and operated Tiny’s Restaurant & Lounge, going strong for over 75 years. Tiny’s offers live music and free entertainment almost every day, serving native New Mexican foods, locally-grown red and green chiles, and char-broiled steak –– all in all, it’s a great local favorite to eat, drink, and dance.

Walk-in Friendly Options

Many Santa Fe establishments are walk-in friendly, with more seating available than in some of the more intimate dining options in and around the plaza. For example, Santa Fe Brewing Company offers several such locations, including: 

  • The Bridge (event space), and the Beer Hall at HQ are both located at the original Santa Fe Brewing Company’s brewery, just off the historic Turquoise Trail (NM HWY 14), with tours, tasting rooms, live music, and food by Fusion Tacos.
  • The Taphouse, often with live music in the evenings, is in the popular Eldorado at Santa Fe neighborhood, at La Tienda. Friday afternoons between late May and early October, you can also enjoy the weekly Eldorado Farmers’ Market.
  • The Brakeroom, a casual taproom, with a large beer selection, outdoor seating, and a food truck is located in the Railyard District (within walking distance of art galleries, theaters, and the State’s Roundhouse Capitol Building).
  • The Plaza Cafe and The Pantry are two other local favorites to drop in for great New Mexican food, without too long of a wait. Both have opened popular new locations near downtown and southside.
  • Tomasita’s in the Railyard near the iconic Water Tower can often accommodate walk-ins, especially for lunch service. It also offers ample room to park with its innovative solar power-producing covered parking.

Sunset Dining Pro Tip: Reserve rooftop dining for sunset 30 – 45 minutes before actual sunset time to secure the best mountain views and photo opportunities.

High Altitude Dining Considerations

At roughly 7,200 feet elevation, Santa Fe’s altitude affects both your appetite and alcohol tolerance. Until you get acclimated enjoy mocktails, perhaps even one infused with green chile, or local sparkling juices. Stay hydrated with extra water, especially during summer patio dining, and consider lighter meals during your first few days at high altitude.

Pro Tip: Try the Museum Hill Café near the International Folk Art Museum at the illustrious Museum Hill (visit five museums at one location!). Reservations are required. Its covered patio offers expansive views of the mountains, the city, and the Rio Grande Valley. Take a leisurely stroll through the nearby botanical gardens –– it’s a chill way to accustom yourself to high altitude. 

The 15 Best Santa Fe Outdoor Dining Experiences

Top Rooftop Restaurants in Santa Fe

1. The Bell Tower Rooftop Bar @ La Fonda On The Plaza

Sip craft cocktails while you sweep your eyes over 360-degree sunset views that include the historic plaza and Sangre de Cristos. Reservations are essential.

2. CAVA Santa Fe Lounge at Eldorado Hotel & Spa

An upscale, fire-lit rooftop with year-round heaters sets the scene for romantic dinners and business toasts over contemporary Southwest plates.

3. Anasazi Restaurant, Bar and Lounge

Behind adobe walls, this fire-pit courtyard with traditional southwestern architecture in the heart of downtown delivers intimate Santa Fe ambiance for date nights. Well-behaved pups are welcome with advance notice.

4. Escondido

Escondido’s rooftop patio is a lively Santa Fe spot known for its panoramic views, exceptional cusine, and late-night food service.

Best Heated Outdoor Dining in Santa Fe

5. Luminaria Restaurant and Patio, at Inn and Spa at Loretto

Luminaria serves New Mexico comfort fare in the enclosed, heated patio, which makes winter dining feel downright cozy.

6. Tomasita’s Restaurant

This family-owned restaurant offers cozy, heated outdoor seating with authentic New Mexican cuisine and green chile classics, plus delicious margaritas. It has a warm, welcoming patio with heaters and is an excellent value for authentic local dining.

7. Market Steer Steakhouse

Enjoy sizzling steaks in this brick courtyard any time of the year, perfect for celebratory groups just steps from downtown parking, and with multiple patio areas with warming elements.

Dog-Friendly Patio Restaurants in Santa Fe

8. Plaza Café

Since 1905, this sidewalk patio has been a welcoming outdoor space for furry friends –– it even provides water bowls for four-legged guests right upon arrival. Plaza Café offers green-chile cheeseburgers and traditional New Mexican plates, plus prime people-watching.

9. Santa Fe Brewing Company Beer Hall at HQ

Under string lights, families and dogs can sprawl across a beer garden that mixes food-truck grub, house brews, live music, plenty of space, and great views.

10. Santa Fe Brewing Company Downtown Brakeroom

At this historic setting with expansive outdoor seating, the Brakeroom’s broad deck pours award-winning ales and offers rotating food trucks. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. 

Live Music and Entertainment Patios

11. Paxton’s Taproom

This casual courtyard taproom with an extensive selection of local and regional brews doubles as a live-music stage on weekends, and has a casual, community-oriented atmosphere with local artist showcases.

12. Del Charro Saloon

Attached to the Inn of the Governors with outdoor heated patio dining, this long-time Santa Fe western-style watering hole is across from the Santa Fe River in the historic plaza district. It is a year-after-year “Best of Santa Fe” award-winning favorite. Plus, its kitchen is open later than most Santa Fe restaurants. Del Charro is on the Santa Fe Margarita Trail, plus it has a $10 daily lunch special, the best lunch deal in Santa Fe!

13. Posa’s Tamale Factory & Restaurant

Unwrap handmade tamales on Posa’s shady patio, or grab a couple dozen for a park picnic nearby. Posa’s is a reliable local favorite.

Canyon Road and Railyard District Options

14. Compound Restaurant (Canyon Road)

The Compound offers upscale, sophisticated patio dining in a historic adobe setting, among established trees along Canyon Road’s Arts District of Santa Fe. It is a several-time James Beard semifinalist with a farm-to-table seasonal approach with local ingredients and is ideal for anniversaries, celebrations, and romantic dining.

15. Second Street Brewery (Railyard District)

With an outdoor view of the central Railyard and its iconic Water Tower, this brewery pours house brews and serves delicious pub fare. It’s the perfect place to stop between browsing the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market and the art and crafts markets held in El Museo Cultural on Fridays and Saturdays. Convenient parking is within blocks, as well as cinemas, Railyard District shopping, and several prestigious and innovative art galleries.

Make Santa Fe Your Home

Experience the best of Santa Fe’s outdoor dining scene year-round with heated patios, rooftop restaurants, dog-friendly options, and authentic New Mexican cuisine in the City Different. When you fall in love with the sun-drenched adobe vibe and decide you’d like a private patio of your own, Ricky Allen Tara Earley Real Estate Group is ready to help you plant roots.
Ricky Allen and Tara Early know Santa Fe’s diverse housing inventory, often before it hits the market. They know the inventory, often before it hits the market, and can show you historic compounds with vine-covered portals, as well as new-build terraces backing onto piñon-studded hills, casitas in the hottest up-and-coming neighborhoods, and horse-properties with large acreage.

Questions about neighborhoods, market trends, or even which restaurant is pouring the best margarita? Call Ricky at 505-470-8233 or Tara at 505-660-1734.

 

SPONSORED BY RICKY ALLEN TARA EARLY Real estate group

RT Ricky Allen Tara Earley Real Estate Group + Emily Garcia black and gold logo with white background 2025.

VISIT WEBSITE

CONTACT RICKY AND TARA

RICKY: 505-470-8233  |  
TARA: 505-660-1734

 

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18 Reasons Why Santa Fe is a Spring Break Different https://santafe.com/18-reasons-why-santa-fe-is-a-spring-break-different/ Wed, 09 Mar 2022 17:10:02 +0000 The days are getting longer, the weather is warming, and the trees are budding. This can only mean one thing, spring! Glorious spring! With spring comes that time honored tradition, spring break. Why not spend that break right here in Santa Fe? Santa Fe is popular throughout the globe as a world-class destination with old world charm. Santa Fe is home to amazing restaurants, exceptional outdoor activities and family-friendly fun. For locals and visitors alike, here are 18 reasons why … Read More

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The days are getting longer, the weather is warming, and the trees are budding. This can only mean one thing, spring! Glorious spring! With spring comes that time honored tradition, spring break. Why not spend that break right here in Santa Fe? Santa Fe is popular throughout the globe as a world-class destination with old world charm. Santa Fe is home to amazing restaurants, exceptional outdoor activities and family-friendly fun. For locals and visitors alike, here are 18 reasons why the City Different delivers a spring break different.

1. Ski Santa Fe

Ski Santa Fe makes the top of our list, because despite the impending warm weather and extended daylight you may need one last winter hoorah. The 2022 ski season ends April 3 (unless extended due to our late winter snowfall), so time is of the essence. Let’s go play in the snow! Ski Santa Fe has over 70 trails of varying ski levels. Ski Santa Fe has lessons, Chipmunk Corner for the little ones, Totemoff for a mid-run hot chocolate or hot toddy, and unlimited fun on the hills. For rental information, lift ticket prices, snow and trail conditions, visit skisantafe.com. Every Saturday until closing there is live music at Totemoff from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

2. The Margarita Trail

Next up on our list is a trail of a different sorts, one that won’t leave you winded, or in the middle of the wilderness (at least we hope not, but that is up to you). That’s right we are talking about the Margarita Trail! Not familiar with the Margarita Trail? That’s ok, we got you covered. Check out our stellar article about Santa Fe’s Margarita Trail here. One of our more impressive feats as a city, 45 restaurants and bars have come together to give you 45 different kinds of margaritas.This trail may take you the whole spring break to hike, but YOLO and all that. You are welcome. Sincerely, The City Different.

3. Best Restaurants in Santa Fe

Here in Santa Fe we know that we are what we eat, and we want to make sure that you know we are made of delicious food. Food is our love language. Santa Fe has so many unique restaurants that there is quite literally something for every palate. Good thing there are at least three meals in a day, because you will need that many and more to try and get through the culinary jungle that is Santa Fe. Not sure where to start? Check out our list of favorites, or you can learn where to go to eat like a local. Wherever you choose to go, and whatever you choose to eat, we know you won’t be disappointed. Because after a long day of adventures, nothing soothes the soul like an amazing meal surrounded by great company. Salud!

4. Day Trips From Santa Fe

Do you hear that? That is the sound of the open road calling you. The road trip is a time honored American tradition. Santa Fe is proud to say that it has played an important role in this time honored tradition since 1926 with the advent of the Mother Road, Route 66. Even in our modern society where we are just an app click away from whatever our hearts desire, there is still something about the siren call of the open road that the heart can’t ignore. There is something magical about the limitless possibilities of a full tank of gas, a cooler of snacks, and the open road. Whether you are just wanting to take a day trip, or something a bit longer. From ghost towns, to caves, to ancient history, New Mexico offers so much to see and do. So grab your sunglasses, some good tunes, and hit the road.

5. Meow Wolf

It’s been some years since Santa Fe was gifted with the one of a kind experience that is Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return. Even though it has been around for a while, we will never tire of putting it on all our lists of things to do. It is just that awesome, ever changing, and it’s completely impossible to see it all in just one trip. It’s pretty simple, if you haven’t gone, go, and if you have gone, it’s time to go again. It truly is something where words fall short, and only experience can explain.

Pro tip* come with an open mind, wear comfy shoes, and clothes that you can move freely in . . . there is some climbing, and mind bending involved!

6. Sky Railway

Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime! Climb aboard the new Sky Railway and expect the unexpected as you travel the historic rail between Santa Fe and Lamy, New Mexico. Entertainers, music, great food, and drink await you on Sky Railway. With a creative team led by George RR Martin, Sky Railway is developing a lineup of entertainment adventure rail trips that will make it one of the most original, imaginative, and exciting short-line railroads in the country, befitting the City Different. All aboard!!

7. Children’s Museum

The Santa Fe Children’s Museum is one of the great staples of childhood here in Santa Fe. There is so much to do: story time, magnets, face painting, giant bubbles, model trains,  planetariums, wind tubes, giant blocks, dress up, puppet theatre, gardening, climbing, even just the simple joys of digging a hole. The Children’s Museum has it all. It is so much fun, that your kids won’t even notice they are learning. After all, they say the greatest teacher of all is play.

8. Live Entertainment

All the world’s a stage, and Santa is just the kind of place to foster such a sentiment. Live theatre, and concerts are very much our jam. On any given day you are guaranteed to find live music somewhere in town or nearby.  We like music, that much is clear, but we also are pretty big into theatre. Santa Fe plays home to some of the oldest theatre west of the Mississippi. Our former VaudeVille house, The Lensic, has transformed into a world renowned modern road house that hosts local events and world class traveling theatre alike. Our community theatre scene is not lacking either, you can find local companies and players strutting the boards pretty consistently Thursday through Sunday every week. Not sure where to look? Here is our entertainment directory, and some of our favorite venues. Enjoy the show, or shows.

9. Canyon Road

The fabled Canyon Road is a half a mile stretch of more than 100 galleries, artist studios, clothing boutiques, home furnishing shops, jewelry stores and gourmet restaurants. Take a leisurely stroll through one of the most inspiring blocks in the Santa Fe’s Historic District, and enjoy the crafts of hundreds of America’s and the world’s top artists while doing it. If you walk it twice it’s a mile! Congratulations! You got your steps in and took in some culture at the same time.

10. Casinos Near Santa Fe

Hey big spender! Come spend a little time with our favorite casinos! There is something about the sounds and lights of a casino that are entrancing even if you aren’t the gambling type.

Buffalo Thunder boasts 1,200 slot machines, 19 Keno games, a dedicated poker room, race book, high limit slot area, and the largest table games pit in Northern New Mexico.

Tesuque Casino provides over 800 slot machines (and counting), as well as 10 table games, and bingo every Monday through Wednesday at 1:00pm and 6:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 1:00pm. Enjoy gaming while taking in historic views of a pueblo that has been around since 1200 AD.

Santa Claran Casino is nestled in northern New Mexico’s Española Valley with views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. With around 700 slot machines from high-limit slots, to nickel, quarter or dollar slots, you’ll find your game here.

Black Mesa Casino was named by the Journal North to the top 3 Best Slot Machines Category in its Readers Choice List. Located halfway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, Black Mesa has over 600 of the latest slot machines and is constantly evolving to bring in the latest machines. No matter where you go to play, we hope Lady Luck is with you. If you happen to hit it big, don’t forget your good friends over at Santafe.com, ;-).

11. Spas

Is there anything more relaxing than a spa day? Just hearing the words spa is relaxing.

Ten Thousand Waves, located 10 minutes from downtown, is dedicated to providing a Japanese sense of serenity and relaxation. They have private hot tubs and communal tubs available. This includes outdoor hot tubs, cold plunges, saunas, lounging decks and other amenities. Spa suites are completely self-contained with hot tubs, saunas, cooling berths, and your own private changing room and showers. If you haven’t sat in a hot tub surrounded by snow, have you ever truly relaxed?

Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs is one of the oldest natural health resorts in the country. Their sulphur-free, geothermal mineral waters from a subterranean volcanic aquifer have flowed for thousands of years. Ojo Caliente is the only hot springs in the world with four different types of mineral water including lithia, iron, soda and arsenic. What could possibly be more nurturing than nature?

Ojo Santa Fe is located south of town in the wetlands of Santa Fe. Enjoy the views of 70 acres of breathtaking  gardens, walking paths and scenic high desert landscape while you soak in the historic gently heated spring-fed waters.

The hotels of Santa Fe also provide many soothing spa experiences, check out our spa directory for more information. Enjoy your soak!

12. Brewery Tour

Beer! We love beer! Long gone are the days of boring, flavorless, bulk beer. We like to think that Santa Fe had a hand in the craft beer revolution. We will just go ahead and say we did. The artistry of the brew (and the consumption of said brewings) is a favorite past time of Santa Fe.There are so many amazing craft beers available in our fair city that it will be near impossible to list them all here. Don’t you worry though. We have a splendid article on the subject that we think you might enjoy! Cheers!

13. Puye Cliff Dwellings

 

If you want to feel humbled by history, and those that came before us, then there is no destination more capable of that than the Puye Cliff Dwellings. Created by the ancestors of the Santa Clara people, Puye Cliffs was home to 1,500 Pueblo Indians who lived there from the 900s to 1580 A.D. It is a true testament to early Pueblo architecture.

14. Museum Hill

Located on the historic Santa Fe Trail that brought settlers west from Missouri. Four museums sit on a hill. Hence the name. Museum hill is home to the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, Museum of Indian Art and Culture, Museum of International Folk Art, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, and the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens. It is a beautiful way to spend a spring day. You can even grab lunch at the Museum Hill Cafe so you don’t have to stop exploring.

15. Where to Bowl

It has been a minute, but bowling is back in Santa Fe (city limits, that is)! There was much rejoicing by the citizens of Santa Fe when The Alley Lanes and Lounge opened its doors last year. It is a great place to go grab a drink, some food, and knock down some pins. They also have a pretty fantastic arcade. We might have been a little dramatic, we weren’t completely devoid of bowling. One of our favorite gems is Big Rock Bowling located at Santa Claran Hotel and Casino. They have 24 lanes of bowling, with great food, and drinks. It is a great place for the whole family.

16. Take a Hike

It is easy to forget sometimes with the hustle and bustle of the city, and modern life that we are surrounded by nature. We should all go take some time to go explore the wilderness. Here are some favorite hikes that we would love to share with you. Enjoy!

17. Go See a Movie

The Jean Cocteau Cinema started in 1976, and was pulled back from the brink of obscurity in 2013, by local legend and film lover George R.R. Martin. The Jean Cocteau has become a downtown staple of eclectic, and current cinema. Not only are they showing fine cinema, they play host to artists, singers, comedians, magicians, authors, and they just so happen to make some fantastic cocktails.

18. Take a Cooking Class

The Santa Fe School of Cooking is always a good time. It doesn’t matter if you are already a chef, or a person just trying to not burn toast. The Santa Fe School of Cooking has something for all skill levels. Check out their up coming classes, and see what strikes your fancy. Learning has never been so tasty.

 

 

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35* North Coffee https://santafe.com/35-north-coffee/ Tue, 21 Jun 2022 19:22:47 +0000 Coffee Places in Santa Fe: 35* North Coffee Who doesn’t love good coffee? If you’re a big coffee fanatic then here’s a place you must definitely try out: 35* North Coffee. It’s amongst the best coffee places in Santa Fe with a wide range of java strong enough to awaken you just by its aroma. Oh and you want to know what the best part is? It’s not just coffee! Go over to the coffee house and check it out, … Read More

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Coffee Places in Santa Fe: 35* North Coffee

Who doesn’t love good coffee? If you’re a big coffee fanatic then here’s a place you must definitely try out: 35* North Coffee. It’s amongst the best coffee places in Santa Fe with a wide range of java strong enough to awaken you just by its aroma. Oh and you want to know what the best part is? It’s not just coffee! Go over to the coffee house and check it out, even if you’re not a big coffee fan, 35* North Coffee in Santa Fe is still going to end up becoming your top priority.

What’s so special about it?

This is going to be your new favorite hangout spot in just a matter of minutes. Once you go there you’ll realize that along with the coffee, you get a place to just sit out and study or even hangout, it doesn’t really matter. Their great Wifi just proves how much they look forward to catering to your every need. You have the liberty of sitting out in the fresh air or even indoors if that’s what you prefer.

You know how most love stories begin with a coffee store? Yeah, there’s a genuine reason for that! You’ll realize why you give 35* North Coffee a try and no, that doesn’t mean you’ll instantly find your true love there, scooped up on a chair, reading a book while sipping some coffee but here’s a guarantee: you’ll definitely fall in love with the place itself.

What’s on the menu?

Ah yes, as mentioned before, 35* North Coffee isn’t just about the coffees; if you’re not a fan you can even have hot chocolate or sip some delicious “house-made tea”. Your taste buds will be very thankful. Oh and just so you know, they even have a whole bean menu that’ll take you to the next level with a wide mix of flavors of a variety of espresso, chocolate and even cinnamon amongst most other flavors. You don’t even have to wait till that first sip touches your tongue, you’re going to be taken to a whole new world just by the aroma slowly making its way to you.

Excellent customer service, excellent coffee, excellent everything. It’s just a perfect way to have a home outside of your home. This little coffee shop will allow you to concentrate on your work, relax or just hang around for as long as you’d like. Take a break from your hectic routine and try this out, you definitely wouldn’t regret the decision and pretty soon you’re guaranteed to return with or without your friends. With the best serving of coffee, tea and other beverages, it’s no wonder it’s considered one of the best coffee places in Santa Fe .

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7 Best Breweries in Santa Fe https://santafe.com/7-best-breweries-in-santa-fe/ Tue, 23 Aug 2022 14:00:05 +0000 With nearly 80 breweries around the state, New Mexico has become a celebrated craft beer center, “The Frontier of Beer,” as the New Mexico Brewers Guild puts it. In the Santa Fe area alone, multiple award-winning breweries abound, serving a refreshing range of flavors, categories and ingredients that you don’t find in your average ale. Some breweries even grow their own hops, expanding the farm to table approach to your very own glass. In order to help you find your … Read More

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With nearly 80 breweries around the state, New Mexico has become a celebrated craft beer center, “The Frontier of Beer,” as the New Mexico Brewers Guild puts it. In the Santa Fe area alone, multiple award-winning breweries abound, serving a refreshing range of flavors, categories and ingredients that you don’t find in your average ale. Some breweries even grow their own hops, expanding the farm to table approach to your very own glass. In order to help you find your favorite suds to sip, we’ve put together the SantaFe.com guide to some of the finest craft brewers in our city.

Santa Fe Brewing Company

The award-winning Santa Fe Brewing Company started things off more than 30 years ago. Today, it’s the state’s biggest craft beer producer, with year-round favorites such as Pale Ale and Java Stout, and famous flagships Happy Camper IPA and 7K IPA, New Mexico’s top-selling craft beer. The newer Social Hour’s popular too, with zippy tropical notes of pineapple, pink guava, coriander and mint, inspired by the Zombie cocktail. But this craft brewer doesn’t rest on its laurels. Its busy brewing new beer, seasonal ale and limited offerings. Santa Fe Brewing Company even grows four varieties of hops by the banks of the Rio Grande in nearby Rinconada.

And now, the Santa Fe Brewing Company’s got a new Krones 70-barrel brewhouse, which includes two 150 BBL. fermenters. This gives the brewery the capacity to scale to 200,000 barrels, so plans are in the works for new taprooms to open and  Santa Fe Brewing Company beer to expand its reach in New Mexico and elsewhere. For now, you can sample beer in four Santa Fe Brewing Company taprooms. Two are located at the company’s headquarters and brewing facility, at the top of the Turquoise Trail — The Bridge, an indoor/outdoor venue hosting great live music, and the brand new  Beer Hall at HQ, a two-level beer hall with a spacious outdoor beer garden. You could also visit The Brakeroom in downtown Santa Fe and the Eldorado Taproom in Eldorado.

Rowley Farmhouse Ale

Rowley Farm House Ale

Relative newcomer Rowley Farmhouse Ales turned out to be the Most Medaled Brewery at the 33rd Annual Great American Beer Fest in Denver in the fall of 2021, picking up three medals. Some 2,000 breweries competed in this prestigious competition, and Rowley’s Meier beer took home gold  in the German-style sour ale category. Agent Orange, Rowley’s apple brandy ale, won silver in the barrel-aged sour category. Côte d’Or earned bronze in the mixed-culture category. On top of that, Rowley  was tapped as Small Brewpub and Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year, which is no small potatoes for a small brewpub that opened in 2016. The taproom/gastropub, with its laid-back, dog-friendly atmosphere offers a diverse menu of small plates, sandwiches, salads and comfort foods that pair well with Rowley’s beer, including chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits and acclaimed New England clam chowder, made to order.

Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery

The multi-talented Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery not only turns out great craft beer, its spirits are pretty sensational, too, all produced in one southside facility on Bisbee Court that also houses an intimate tasting room. A lot of activity happens in that production space, but even more goes on at Tumbleroot’s Agua Fria taproom, a rambling hang out that serves craft beer paired with crab cake sliders, dumplings, pretzels and more. Agua Fria taproom’s live music shows often sell out. Tumbleroot just opened in 2018 and already its double brown earned a bronze medal, in the 2019 Great American Beer Fest’s other strong beer category. Tumbleroot’s innovative use of seasonal, wild and organic ingredients has won over beer buffs. Honey Hibiscus Wheat, for instance, is made with hibiscus flowers. The Farmhouse ale, brewed with locally sourced barley, wheat and rye, is made with organic hops lending floral notes. It’s a fun place, designed for families with kids as much as for date nights.

Second Street Brewery

Second Street Brewery opened as a neighborhood brew pub in 1996, serving up live music along with handcrafted beer and pub fare. Today, the enterprise has expanded with two more locations, one in the bustling Railyard and the newest, Rufina taproom, in the Meow Wolf zone. No matter which location you visit, sample some of Second Street’s favorites, including 6 Fruit Under, a light ale with blackberry, cranberry, tart cherry, raspberry, peach and blood orange notes, and Boneshaker Special Bitter, an English malt style beer with light citrus tones. Try the chicken mushroom schnitzel paired with the Agua Fria Pilsner at Second Street’s original or Railyard location or pair fish and chips with a Kolsch at the Rufina Taproom.

Beer Creek Brewing Co.

Beer Creek Brewing Co. is another newcomer to the area’s craft beer scene, but its owners have been making beer for more than a decade, having started as a backyard home-brewing outfit. They officially set up shop in an old stone building on Highway 14, south of town, and quickly became part of the brew-making scene, hosting last year’s first annual Hoptoberfest, which pairs New Mexico’s craft brewers with hop farmers for a day-long mid-October beer sampling event on Beer Creek’s sprawling patio. Beer Creek grows its own hops nearby and its old-fashioned beers include its first, the classic Coming Soon Pale Ale, as well as Red Creek Imperial ale, and Lizard Queen Imperial Blonde, a collaboration with Tumbleroot. Beer Creek’s beverages pair perfectly with its killer pizza, and it’s a great place to tune in to live music.

Chili Line Brewing Co.

Chili Line Brewing Co. specializes in small-batch smoked beer, and its flagship beers — such as Que Pasa Pilsner, with notes of kumquat, orange, lime, and berry, and Que Picante Red Chile, with Chimayo-roasted red chile — have tapped into a big fan base. Founded in 2017 with just a single beer, Hefeweizen, the downtown brewery grew in size, offering live music and great pizza, as well as other fare. Chili Line has opened a new tap room out in Lamy, inside an old luggage storage room in the Lamy Amtrak Station. Live music’s on tap there, too, as well as simple hearty fare. It’s the perfect place to sip your beer on the patio and watch the Southwest Chief pull into the station.

Hidden Mountain Brewing Co.

When you see “Smokehouse Pit, BBQ, and Brew Adventure” as a brewery’s tagline, you know there’s something delicious going on there! Enjoy Hidden Mountain Brewing Co.’s barbecue and other delicious items from the menu, with indoor and outdoor dining, takeout, or curbside pickup. The tempting menu includes everything from salads to seafood to BBQ to dessert and cocktails. Oh, what about the beers, you ask? How about Hoppy Bunches of Oats or Good Life Dubbel? Their Gatekeeper IPA won the 2018 New Mexico IPA Challenge and they also offer a few gluten-removed beers. There are 10 beers on their menu and you’re sure to find one to quench your thirst!

Written by Lynn Cline

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A Feast for Summer Solstice https://santafe.com/a-feast-for-summer-solstice/ Tue, 24 Jul 2018 16:17:30 +0000 A Feast for Summer Solstice

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Summer officially arrives tomorrow with the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. One of the great joys of the season is getting outdoors, whether to hike, bike, swim, picnic or simply sit on a patio , savoring  the fresh foods of summer. Cooking your own meal in the hot temps of June, though, can be a drag, so leave your own patio behind and head out to some of these places with lovely patios, where the cooking is done for you and the results are always sublime.

Happy Summer to us all! May our days be long and filled with feasts.

Canyon Road offers some wonderful shady spots where you can relish the fresh flavors of summer. The Compound’s patio, for instance, has an elegant Mediterranean feel, soft, earthy tones, a courtyard fountain and colorful flowers spilling over giant urns. This is a great spot to enjoy a jumbo crab and lobster salad, with mango, red onion and butter lettuce all tossed in a tangerine vinaigrette. Or try the tuna niçoise, a delectable combo of seared rare tuna, tomato, olives, hard-boiled egg, fingerling potatoes, green beans and red onion, all tossed in a Dijon shallot dressing. The chicken schnitzel is always in season, elegant and ethereally light. It’s served with capers, parsley, lemon and sautéed spinach. Add in a prickly pear margarita and you’ve got a delicious start to summer.

Geronimo’s portal is a hot spot for dining as well as people-watching. One of the most venerated restaurants in Santa Fe, it offers impeccable service to match its award-winniing fare. Start off with one of summer’s most popular foods —lobster. Try it as a lobster sweet corn crepe appetizer, with fresh peas, leeks and lobster bisque. Or dig into it as a main course of mesquite-grilled Maine lobster tails with Thai basil pasta, spinach, edamame and creamy garlic chile sauce. The Maryland Blue Crab cakes come with caviar-dill sauce, braised leeks and baby watercress, and the green miso sea bass is a delightful dish with bok choy, scallions, ramen noodles, truffle essence, lobster miso and citron rouille. End your evening with another salute to summer—the refreshing Meyer Lemon crepe, with lemon curd, crème fraiche and limoncello.

Take an outside table at The Teahouse and you can watch the sky change colors from turquoise to the brilliant streaks of sunset to the inky, star-studded dark of night. The food here is hearty and delicious, whether you drop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Don’t miss the the bacon, roasted pear and brie panini, a combo of  flavor and texture, or the addicting goat cheese and roasted pear panini with truffle honey and arugula. Or you could just sit and snack on sweets—a cranberry almond scone, raspberry cheese strudel, apricot almond twist—and sip hot or cold tea until the day is done.

Bouche Bistro has one of the most romantic patios in all of Santa Fe, where you can dine on traditional French bistro fare. The ambiance and the food, such as the signature Black Mussels in White Wine and Red Chile, will make you feel as if you’re at a neighborhood Parisian bistro, the cozy, intimate kind where the locals hang out. Go with the one you love and share a plate of fresh oysters on the half shell with Champagne mignonette, cocktail sauce and extra horseradish. Or linger over the Charcuterie Plank, with San Daniele Prosciutto, Saucisson, Mortadella, Rillettes Maison and more. Small plates include Classic Escargots à la Bourguignonne and entrees include Wagyu Hanger Steak “Au Poivre” with Pommes Frites. For dessert, Porfiterole au Chocolat is always in season.

Perched on high at Rooftop Pizzeria, you can look down on the world as you dine on upscale pizza. The pie with fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella is a nice summery dish, with roast garlic spread on artisan crust. The green chile chicken option with toasted piñons and four cheeses on artisan crust is a locals’ favorite. You could splurge on the seafood specialty, piled with lobster and shrimp as well as bacon, mushroom, green onion, truffle oil and four cheeses on a blue corn crust. Or build your own creation, choosing from traditional as well as “over the top” toppings such as smoked duck, wild mushroom and the lobster. Rooftop’s menu includes a nice selection of antipasti—prosciutto-stuffed crimini with mozzarella, spinach artichoke dip with Parmesan and crostini—as well as an array of salads and pasta.

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A History of Christmas Feasts https://santafe.com/a-merry-christmas-feast/ Mon, 30 Dec 2019 23:48:42 +0000 Where and what to eat this Yuletide season

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Did you know that in medieval times, the Brits served peacock at their Yuletide feast, along with wild boar, swan and even partridges, probably plucked from a pear tree? Turkey had no place at the Christmas banquet table until the 16th century, when Henry VIII introduced what later became a holiday tradition on both sides of the pond. While turkey has long been the centerpiece of our holiday feasts in the U.S., it’s fascinating to discover other Christmas culinary traditions around the world.

In Southern Italy, for instance, seafood often takes the starring role during La Vigilia, or The Vigil, a Christmas Eve feast celebrating the wait for the midnight birth of baby Jesus. The tradition traveled to the U.S., where Italian-Americans around the country mark Christmas Eve with the Feast of the Seven Fishes, which typically includes lobster, mussels, squid, baccalà (dried salt cod), whiting, anchovies and even eel. Why seafood on Christmas Eve? If you’re Roman Catholic you likely know the answer. It’s because an ancient Roman Catholic tradition forbids eating meat on the eve of a feast day, making fish the perfect go-to food on Christmas Eve.

In Greece, the Christmas Day feast begins with avgolemono, a savory chicken and rice soup with the bright notes of egg and lemon juice. Then there’s stuffed cabbage, filled with minced meat and rice, as well as pork, which is the traditional holiday entrée. Sweet treats include melomakarona, Christmas cookies spiced with cinnamon, cloves and orange, dipped in a spiced syrup and sprinkled with nuts. On Christmas Eve, many Greeks bake a loaf of Christopsomo, or “the bread of Christ,” using only the finest ingredients and decorating it with a cross or an “X,” which is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ. It’s enjoyed on Christmas day, placed at the table and surrounded by nuts and dried fruits. Each slice is drizzled with honey.

In Greenland, the indigenous Polar Inuits embrace Christmas with an array of traditions that are familiar to us, including Christmas trees, advent calendars, gifts and feasts. But the foods at their table are not so familiar, such as barbecued caribou and reindeer and mattak, or whale skin with blubber that’s said to taste like coconut. On the other side of the world, Ethiopians celebrate the holiday with Doro Wat, a slow-cooked stew of chicken and boiled eggs seasoned with chili, garlic, berbere, cardamon and ginger and served with injera bread, which is the country’s national dish. And Puerto Rico is part of the U.S., but you wouldn’t know it from the island’s traditional Christmas meal, which includes lechon, roast suckling pig, served with pasteles, pork wrapped in plantain leaves. Additional dishes include octopus salad, yellow rice with pigeon peas, capers, olives and ham and a creamy coconut pudding for dessert.

One of the unlikeliest Christmas culinary traditions is found in Japan, where a KFC advertising campaign launched a lasting trend. Back in the 1970s, the fast food chain began pushing chicken as a Christmas dish, because turkey wasn’t readily available. The company’s slogan was “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!” (Kentucky for Christmas!) and the idea took flight. Today, some 3.6 million Japanese families feast on KFC during the Christmas season, when a set KFC holiday meal includes cake and champagne. This deal, though, is available only in the Land of the Rising Sun.

In Santa Fe, you’ll find some of these traditional Christmas foods on the holiday menus of some of our finest restaurants this season. Read about a few Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus below and explore SantaFe.com’s Dining section for more holiday dining ideas. Don’t forget to make your reservations now as these restaurants tend to fill up during the holidays.

The festive Christmas Eve and Christmas Day feast created by Chef Sean Sinclair for Luminaria Restaurant and Patio at the Inn & Spa has nary a sign of turkey, and it creatively spans the globe. Start off with a dish bearing the colors of Christmas—Tender Brussels with crisp Brussels leaves, red grapes, chestnut and a honey dressing. The second course offers a choice of Pheasant Shu Mai and the Italian pasta classic, Cacio E Pepe. There’s an entrée for everyone, from Herb-Roasted Black Angus Prime Rib of Beef with Yorkshire Pudding to Crab-Capped Baked Flounder with Duchess Potato; Huckleberry Marinated Duck Breast; and Butternut Squash “Steak.” Tantalizing dessert options include Pumpkin Crepe Cake with French Vanilla Crème Anglaise and Cinnamon Sugar; Nutella Semi Fredo; and Pecan Mille Fuille with Eggnog Anglaise.

At Trattoria a Mano, you can have your own feast of fishes on Christmas Eve with several of the delectable seafood dishes on the four-course prix fixe menu. You could start with the Lobster, Treviso and Arugula Salad served with roasted beets, toasted pignoli nuts and Old Balsamic. Or begin with Chestnut Soup, with celery root gnocchi, pomegranates and fried sage leaves. The second course includes Pappardelle with Wild Mushroom and Boar (there’s a nod to the ancient Briton feasts). For your entrée, Grilled Branzino with broccolini, white beans and pancetta continues the Feast of the Seven Fishes theme, or you can opt for Classic Porchetta, an herbed pork tenderloin with agro-dolce vegetables and local mushrooms. Dessert will be a difficult choice between Zuppoa Inglese, sponge cake with orange and pistachio, or a Baked Caramel Apple with anisette ice cream. Buon Natale!

La Casa Sena‘s three-course menu, served on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, is full of elegant surf and turf offerings. You could begin with Cognac-Lobster-Butternut Squash Bisque, or Ahi Tuna Niçoise Salad or try the Beef Cheek Ravioli or Roasted Acorn-Butternut Squash Salad. Entrée options include a Grilled Cold Water Lobster Tail or Pan Seared Sea Bass, if you’re craving seafood. Meat-lovers can opt for Grilled New Mexico Buffalo with sautéed mushrooms, creamy fingerling potatoes, horseradish crema and beet-port puree; or Pork Osso Buco with jalapeño grits, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagus and brown gravy. For dessert, honey lavender panna cotta with blackberry coulis and honey ice cream sounds heavenly, but chocolate-lovers won’t want to miss Chocolate Paradise, a chocolate tulip with chocolate mousse, chocolate ice cream, pecans, caramel and fresh berries.

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A Short History of Santa Fe’s Dining Landmarks https://santafe.com/dining-in-local-landmarks/ Thu, 30 Jan 2020 07:00:00 +0000 Dining in Local Landmarks

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In America’s oldest capital city, dining out can take you to some fascinating historic places. These include one of the country’s few remaining Harvey House hotels, a fashionable 18th-century downtown hacienda and and a stylish restaurant with interiors by acclaimed designer Alexander Girard. A meal at any of these local landmarks will leave a lasting impression, and not just because of the acclaimed cuisine served there.

As you sit in these storied spots and savor the memorable flavors of upscale Southwestern cuisine along with contemporary, global and eclectic fare, you can’t help but note the remnants of past eras that surround you. From ancient architecture to thick adobe walls, traditional kiva fireplaces and rambling outdoor gardens, this rich history is uniquely Santa Fe’s. And it elevates your dining experience with an ambience is just as alluring as the food. Here’s a look at some of Santa Fe’s lively local landmarks that are known as much for their past as they are for a place to enjoy culinary excellence.

Geronimo

Up on Canyon Road sits a handsome adobe house built in 1756 by Geronimo Lopez, a soldier in the Spanish army. His property included an apple orchard and farmland. More than 250 years later, his residence is home to Geronimo, one of Santa Fe’s most storied restaurants, where fresh fruits, vegetables and other fare are served in dishes Lopez could never have imagined. Geronimo’s award-winning cuisine, from executive chef Sllin Cruz is served in romantic surroundings of rustic wood beams, kiva fireplaces and thick adobe walls. Dining in the front room, imagine what a gathering of New Mexico politicos may have looked like in the 19th century, when the prominent Borrego family owned the house and renovated it with Territorial-style architecture. Or take a seat beneath the long portal, and envision what Canyon Road was like when it was just dirt trail leading from the mountains to the downtown plaza.

Geronimo’s elegant ambiance blends well with its history and even though the creative cuisine is contemporary, the menu gives a nod to the area’s past. You may find a few seasonal ingredients like the ones Lopez grew on his farmland on the menu here. Try the New Mexico Four Corners grilled rack of lamb, served with fresh pea purée, Parmesan polenta cakes, roasted leeks and Merlot-lamb reduction, or the Telicherry rubbed elk tenderloin, with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, applewood-smoked bacon, sugar snap peas and a rich brandied mushroom sauce. As you leave, marvel that Lopez’s adobe house has stood for so long, in the same way that Geronimo—recipient of the AAA Four Diamond—has reigned over Santa Fe’s dining scene for more than two decades.

La Fonda on the Plaza

The stately La Fonda on the Plaza occupies what is likely America’s oldest hotel corner. Various inns have stood on the southeast end of the Santa Fe Plaza ever since Spanish colonists established the first lodging in 1610. In 1925, the Atchison, Topeka Fe Railway purchased the hotel and leased it to Fred Harvey, who turned it into one of his famous Harvey Houses, built to serve the railway line and known for its high standards and outstanding hospitality. Step inside this historic treasure and you’ll travel back through history to the Harvey House heyday. Distinctive interiors created by Harvey’s architect and interior designer Mary Colter, with the help of Santa Fe architect John Gaw Meem include Pueblo and Spanish styles. Highlights included a 25-foot cathedral ceiling, hand-carved beams and stained glass skylights. La Fonda was Santa Fe’s gathering place. “You never met anybody anywhere except at La Fonda,” syndicated newspaper columnist and New Mexico resident Ernie Pyle once wrote, “You never took anybody to lunch anywhere else.”

Take a seat in La Plazuela, located on the hotel’s original 1920s patio, for an innovative twist on New Mexican cuisine. Executive Chef Lane Warne continues the high standards of Harvey House chef, Konrad Allgaier, who combined his classical European training with the flavors of traditional New Mexico cuisine at La Fonda for nearly 25 years. Dishes such as the table-side guacamole, classic French onion soup and Dungeness crab cakes are items that may have appeared on the Harvey House menu. Or you can try chef specialties such as pan-seared Alaskan sockeye salmon and venison loin. Northern New Mexico dishes include red chile pork tamales, enchiladas del Norte and rellenos de la Fonda.

La Casa Sena

Just off the Plaza sits a fashionable Territorial style hacienda built in the mid-1800s by one of Santa Fe’s wealthiest families. Major Jose Sena and his wife, Isabel expanded their home over the years to accommodate their 11 children, eventually creating 33 rooms. The property boasted a second-story ballroom on the west wing, along with servant quarters, a coach house and stables. In its heyday, the house at Sena Plaza was a popular place indeed. Today, the hacienda still draws crowds to visit the various shops that occupy the hacienda’s old rooms, to enjoy the

lush, beautiful gardens that fill the courtyard and to dine at La Casa Sena. Chef José Rodriguez’s New American cuisine incorporates the ingredients and influences of global as well as New Mexican cuisine. Some of the items on his menu may well resemble what the Sena family might have eaten at family meals or fed their many guests, including grilled Colorado lamb rack, pan-seared Ruby trout and traditional enchiladas.

The Compound

One of Santa Fe’s most venerated restaurants, The Compound is widely celebrated for its creative cuisine from owner/chef Mark Kiffin, winner of the coveted Best Chef Southwest James Beard Award. But it’s also revered for the artistry of its interior, created more than 50 years ago by acclaimed designer Alexander Girard, who donated more than 100,000 pieces from his collection to the International Folk Art Museum.

The restaurant occupies what had been the centerpiece of the McComb Compound, a group of 20th-century houses on Canyon Road. When the house was converted into a restaurant more than half a century ago, the owners commissioned Girard to do the interiors. Any visitor who’s been to Santa Fe’s folk art museum will recognize some of Girard’s private folk art collection incorporated into his designs here. He also designed The Compound’s logo along with dinnerware, napkins and other details.

Girard was well known for his the restaurants he designed, including La Fonda del Sol and L’Etoile in New York City, but The Compound is the only remaining one. A meal here—featuring such signature dishes as Maine lobster carbonara, wild mushrooms and organic stone ground polenta with black truffle relish, and the beloved chicken schnitzel—is more than just a sumptuous feast, it’s a chance to admire work by one of the 20th century’s most influential designers.

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A Short History of The Mine Shaft Tavern https://santafe.com/the-mine-shaft-tavern-madrids-culinary-treasure/ Sat, 30 Nov 2019 07:00:00 +0000 The Mine Shaft Tavern: Madrid's Culinary Treasure

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If you’ve been to Madrid (and not the one in Spain), then you most certainly have been to the The Mine Shaft Tavern. This historic watering hole—one of Santa Fe County’s oldest continuously run taverns —began serving Madrid miners back in 1947. Today, it’s recognized by the New Mexico Tourism Department as a culinary treasure, a mecca for musicians, bikers, movie stars and more.

Mine Shaft Accolades

For foodies, The Mine Shaft Tavern may be most prized for its Mad Chile Burger, listed on the New Mexico Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail. It’s also ranked No. 6 among the 10 Best Green Chile Cheeseburgers in the state by 10Best, USA Today and Sandwich America readers. Made with a whopping half pound of Black Angus chuck, topped with roasted Hatch green chile and a battered, fried Hatch green chile, it also has cheddar cheese and chipotle dijonnaise, all piled high on a brioche bun. This burger is so darn good it won the People’s Choice Award at the 2014 Santa Fe Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown.

History

But it’s the tavern’s history that intrigues locals and visitors alike. The town’s colorful past stretches back to 1835, when coal mining took off in what was then known as Coal Gulch. Around 1895, Coal Gulch gave way to Madrid, a company town that owned the tavern built around the same time. For decades, that tavern was a gathering place for miners and their families until it burned down on Christmas Day in 1944. A new tavern was built—The Mine Shaft Tavern—and when it opened in 1947, it boasted the longest stand-up bar in New Mexico. Forty feet long, the bar was a place where fatigued miners could prop themselves up after a long day spent doubled over in the mines.

During the 1950s, most mines shut down, leaving Madrid a veritable ghost town. In fact,The Mine Shaft Tavern reputedly is Madrid’s most haunted residence. Its website reports odd “occurrences that are noticed—glasses falling from their shelves; doors opening and swinging back and forth; mysterious sounds; furniture unexplainably moved to other locations and orbs showing up in photography.”

Haunted Mine Shaft

If ghostly spirits are your thing, then head on down to Madrid for the Haunted Mine Shaft, on view through Halloween. Go ahead, view the decorations…if you dare. And come dressed to kill for the parties and costume contests. The first takes place on Saturday, Oct. 28, featuring rockin’ Americana music by Damn Union starting at 8 pm. The second is held on Halloween Night with music by DJ Oona starting at 7 pm.

New Mexican Roadhouse Cuisine

Be sure to bring your appetite, too, as The Mine Shaft Tavern serves up some tasty New Mexican roadhouse cuisine. Start the fun with a Mad Chile Margarita, a hair-raising concoction of agave tequila and cucumber jalapeño muddled with lime and served in a red chile-rimmed glass. Try appealing apps such as Panko-breaded Fried Artichoke Hearts with ranch dip, or Green Chile Blue Crab Cake with chipotle dijonnaise. The Habanero Poppers are a hot dish here, as are the Chicken Tenders, and both come with ranch dip.

For more of a meal, the Green Chile Stew is spiked with smoked pork and served with a tortilla. The Wagyu Steak Salad features local Lone Mountain Ranch sirloin with mixed greens, caramelized onions, roasted red bell peppers, blue cheese, tomatoes and cucumber, all tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette.

If it’s pizza your pining for, try the Pepperoni and Green Chile, made with tomato sauce, pepperoni, Hatch chile and mozzarella. The Greek is layered with pesto sauce, feta, pepperoncini, artichoke hearts and tomato,. Hearty sandwiches include BBQ Pork or Brisket heaped with barbecue sauce on ciabatta and grilled chicken breast with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, roasted red bell pepper, bacon and chipotle dijonnaise on ciabatta with mixed greens

Live Music & Microbrews

The Mine Shaft Tavern is also famous for its vibrant live music scene every weekend, which takes place both inside the tavern and outside, at The Mine Shaft Cantina. Here, you can enjoy the same elevated pub fare and New Mexican microbrews served in the tavern along with splendid views of the town of Madrid.

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A World of Flavors at the International Folk Art Market https://santafe.com/a-world-of-flavors-at-the-international-folk-art-market-heating-it-up/ Wed, 06 Jul 2022 15:24:52 +0000 https://santa-fe-com.local/?p=90895 This week welcomes Santa Fe’s International Folk Art Market, running Thursday through Sunday, July 7 to 10, 2022, to Museum Hill. It’s a joyful kaleidoscope of folk art and activity, but it’s also truly something of a miracle. This year, 164 artists from 43 countries will gather, from the Mexican highlands of Chiapas to Fatumnasi Village in Indonesia, to Ukraine’s Carpathian Region. Even during last year’s pandemic, which saw numbers of artists and shoppers greatly reduced, and staggered over two … Read More

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This week welcomes Santa Fe’s International Folk Art Market, running Thursday through Sunday, July 7 to 10, 2022, to Museum Hill. It’s a joyful kaleidoscope of folk art and activity, but it’s also truly something of a miracle. This year, 164 artists from 43 countries will gather, from the Mexican highlands of Chiapas to Fatumnasi Village in Indonesia, to Ukraine’s Carpathian Region. Even during last year’s pandemic, which saw numbers of artists and shoppers greatly reduced, and staggered over two weekends, the market generated approximately $2.2 million in sales. Most of this money goes back home with the artists. There, it’s reinvested in their local communities and co-ops. Often, artists make more during the few days of the International Folk Art Market than they can selling by more traditional means the rest of the year.

THE FOOD FEST Chef Dhiru graphic

Visitors to the market can sample food from around the world, too. I spoke with Adrienne Murray, the market’s director of marketing and community engagement, about this year’s Food Bazaar. “We’re excited to once again offer a global cornucopia of cuisines. The vendors are all small, independently owned restaurants from Santa Fe and surrounding areas, but serve up a world of flavors. I want to give a shout-out to Brian Graves, the volunteer coordinator for the Food Bazaar. We couldn’t do it without him, as well as the chef vendors who supply massive quantities of special dishes to shoppers, artists, and our 800-plus volunteers.”

FROM THE AMERICAS

Sabor Peruano will have empanadas, and their papas rellenas, potatoes stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef, eggs, olives, onions, raisins, and then deep-fried. Don’t miss these! Another intriguing option will be the Peruvian beverage made from purple corn, chicha morada, a drink from indigenous Inca Natives. The corn is boiled down with pineapple skins, cinnamon, cloves, and sugar to make a sweet and refreshingly cool beverage, not to mention one with amazing color. Sisters Adriana Brawley and Susana Hamilton, both originally from Peru, own the restaurant.

Platero Fry Bread & Navajo Tacos sells exactly that. Dora Platero and Shawna Platero Jiron serve up golden platter-size discs of fried dough, alternately flaky, crispy, chewy, and tender, depending on the particular bite. The family also offers lamb fajitas and blue corn fry bread.

If you’re one of those folks who thinks “funnel cakes” and other “fair food” whenever attending a sizable celebration, there’s a vendor for you too — the popular Ortega’s. Should you just need a quick pick-me-up snack, check out Selena’s Biscochitos or the samplings from New Mexico Sabor Salsa. Quench your thirst with a Mexican popsicle from the Paleta Bar or something fresh-squeezed from the Serum Juice Bar.

FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD

Jambo Cafe’s lamb sandwich, sweet potato fries, and dipping sauces.
Jambo Cafe’s lamb sandwich, sweet potato fries, and dipping sauces.

Two different restaurants will be serving Indian foods, both with an emphasis on fresh market ingredients. Paddy Rawal, the chef-owner of Raaga-Go, will be offering bento-style boxes that include items like his popular house-made samosas and chaats. I adore the creative mix of ingredients included in any chaat blend, a multi-textured almost salad-like toss-up. Chef Paddy’s dishes are inspired by his Mumbai roots but incorporate a contemporary flair.

From a newer chef on the Santa Fe scene, will be dishes from the Aruna Café. Aruna owner, Chef Dhiru, hails from south India, so his food reflects a slightly different and equally tasty combination of flavors. He came to Santa Fe a few years ago to help open Paper Dosa and ended up staying. Aruna serves just take-out meals available on Fridays, so this will a treat to get their dishes each day during market.

Chef Nath’s Khmer Cuisine will be providing a mix of Cambodian and Thai dishes, including the ever-popular pad thai. A constant for many years at market has been Ahmed Obo’s Jambo Café who once again will be serving his Afro-Caribbean curries and more.

I can’t wait to sample it all. See ya there!

THE DETAILS

International Folk Art Market: July 7 – 10, 2022
Museum Hill, Santa Fe
Advance tickets required, with timed entries, available at Folkartmarket.org
Tickets are $15 – $25, depending on day and time, plus processing fees
Free parking and shuttles at the Midtown Campus at 1600 Saint Michael’s Dr., east of Cerrillos Road

Food options include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Actual dishes may vary depending upon availability and the chef’s whim.

Cheryl Alters JamisonStory and photographs by Cheryl Alters Jamison. 

Four-time James Beard Foundation Book Award-winning author Cheryl Alters Jamison is the host of Heating It Up on KTRC and is now the “queen of culinary content” for SantaFe.com. Find new stories about the Santa Fe food scene each week on SantaFe.com.

Read Cheryl Alters Jamison’s bio here!
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ABBAcadabra: Santa Fe’s 3rd Annual Halloween Fundraiser! https://santafe.com/abbacadabra-returns-santa-fes-3rd-annual-halloween-fundraiser/ Tue, 17 Sep 2024 20:16:56 +0000 https://santafe.com/?p=101796 Get ready to dance, jive, and have the time of your life at Santa Fe’s most anticipated Halloween celebration! The Human Rights Alliance Santa Fe (HRA) proudly presents the 3rd Annual ABBAcadabra, a night where ABBA meets Halloween in a fun and festive fundraising event. Event Details: Event Name: ABBAcadabra Date: October 11, 2024 Time: 6:30 PM until late Location: The Mystic Santa Fe Admission: General Admission: $20 – Enjoy the live concert and dance party until 10 PM. Concert … Read More

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Get ready to dance, jive, and have the time of your life at Santa Fe’s most anticipated Halloween celebration! The Human Rights Alliance Santa Fe (HRA) proudly presents the 3rd Annual ABBAcadabra, a night where ABBA meets Halloween in a fun and festive fundraising event.

Event Details:

  • Event Name: ABBAcadabra
  • Date: October 11, 2024
  • Time: 6:30 PM until late
  • Location: The Mystic Santa Fe

Admission:

  • General Admission: $20 – Enjoy the live concert and dance party until 10 PM.
  • Concert + Afterparty: $30 – Continue the party with access to the late-night festivities.
  • VIP Admission: $75 – Experience the ultimate ABBA fun with food, two drink tickets, and exclusive access to VIP areas all night long.

A Groovy Night for a Great Cause

ABBAcadabra isn’t just another Halloween party – it’s a celebration of love, inclusivity, and the LGBTQIA+ community. This unique event blends a Halloween costume contest with a queer-friendly dance party, all set to the iconic music of ABBA. Your participation supports HRA’s mission to establish an LGBTQIA+ center in Santa Fe.

Kevin Bowen, Executive Director of the Human Rights Alliance, shares his excitement: “We’re so excited to bring our Annual Halloween Fundraiser and Costume Contest back for its third year. This event is truly a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community and the inclusive spirit of Santa Fe.”

What to Expect

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be transported to a world where disco meets spooky delights:

  • Live Music by ABBAquerque: This tribute band will bring ABBA’s greatest hits to life with energetic and authentic performances.
  • Costume Contest: Show off your best ABBA-inspired or Halloween-themed costumes for a chance to win fabulous prizes. Judging begins at 9:30 PM.
  • Family-Friendly Fun: Enjoy the festivities until 10 PM.
  • Late-Night Dance Party: After 10 PM, continue the celebration with an adult-oriented afterparty.

Tickets and VIP Experience Secure your spot early to avoid higher prices at the door:

  • General Admission ($20): Access to the live concert and dance party until 10 PM.
  • Concert + Afterparty ($30): Includes access to the afterparty and continued dancing.
  • VIP Admission ($75): Includes food, two drink tickets, and exclusive access to VIP areas throughout the night.

Purchase your tickets now at bit.ly/abbacadabra and prepare for a night of ABBA-solutely amazing fun!

Supporting LGBTQIA+ Rights in Santa Fe

By attending ABBAcadabra, you’re not just having a blast – you’re making a difference. The Human Rights Alliance Santa Fe has been a steadfast advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and equality in the community for over 30 years. Proceeds from this event will directly support HRA’s ongoing projects, including the establishment of a dedicated LGBTQIA+ center in Santa Fe. This center will provide vital resources, services, and a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies in the community.

Get Involved

Want to make an even bigger impact? Consider becoming a sponsor! Sponsorship opportunities start at $1,000 and include perks like event tickets, VIP access, and enhanced visibility. To learn more about sponsorship options, contact Kevin Bowen at kevinb@hrasantafe.org or call 305-335-9864.

A Night to Remember

ABBAcadabra promises to be one of the year’s most exciting and meaningful celebrations. Whether you’re a die-hard ABBA fan, a Halloween enthusiast, or someone who wants to support LGBTQIA+ causes, this is your chance to let your hair down, have fun, and make a difference.

Don’t miss out on this spectacular event that brings together music, costumes, and community spirit. Grab your tickets, dust off your dancing shoes, and get ready for a night of ABBA-mazing fun that supports a crucial cause.

Join us on October 11th at The Mystic Santa Fe for ABBAcadabra – where the music never dies, and the spirit of community shines bright!

For more information about the Human Rights Alliance Santa Fe and their ongoing initiatives, visit www.hrasantafe.org.

THIS ARTICLE IS SPONSORED BY
Santa Fe Human Rights ALLIANCE

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