New Mexico

Campo at Los Poblanos, Albuquerque, 3/29/25

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building – 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87107

Campo is the restaurant at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm.  Los Poblanos was designed by John Gaw Meem, the “Father of Santa Fe Style” in 1932 and now has 45 guest rooms, a working organic farm and special event spaces on 25 acres of property.  Set in the Rio Grande River Valley it has acres of lavender fields as well as gardens that supply herbs and vegetables to the restaurant . Head Chef Christopher Bethoney, a native New Mexican, has been there since the restaurant opened in 2017 and was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s 2024 Best Chef in the Southwest.  The family-run property calls itself “field-to-fork” in the creation of their menus.  There are animals on the property but only the eggs from the chickens are used here and other local farms and herdsmen supply the additional products.  Campo serves breakfast (Mon-Wed), brunch (Thurs – Sun),  and dinner (daily 5-9) with the Chef’s Table (Fri – Sat) which was covered in a post you can find HERE.  It’s a lovely property with a large casual dining space.  If you read the write up on the Chef’s Counter you know I endorsed it but the main restaurant is also worth visiting, so make a plan to visit both when you go to Albuquerque. Continue reading →

Duran Central Pharmacy, Albuquerque, 3/29/25

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exterior – 1815 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Duran’s Central Pharmacy founded in 1942 is on historic Rt. 66.  The family-owned and operated store has everything from drugs to gifts to a New Mexican Diner.  The soda fountain in the place was converted into a diner in the late 1960s and is famous for its red and green chile as well as its many house-made items.  Very popular, we lined up with many on Sat. morning to get the first round of seats at the small restaurant within the pharmacy.  It looked like they also had a patio for outdoor seating.  A tile floor, lower lighting, metal tables and no music set the atmosphere.  There are low stools at the counter if you choose not to sit at a table.  It felt like a place you’d eat regularly if you lived in town.  You should go by and grab a plate of New Mexican food when you’re in town. Continue reading →

Campo at Los Poblanos (chef’s counter), Albuquerque, 3/28/25

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building – 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, NM 87107
The restaurant at Los Poblanos is called Campo and on Friday and Saturday nights they offer a Chef’s Counter tasting for just 4 people.  You must reserve this well in advance; the tasting includes wine pairings. Los Poblanos is an organic farm with guest rooms and special event  areas.   We were fortunate to have 2 nights there so we could try one night at the Chef’s counter and another in the main dining room.  The menus are fairly different but both are based on New Mexican cuisine.  The 4 seats are right at the edge of the kitchen and many of the different staff presented dishes and interacted with us.  With just 4 people you get to know your counter-mates and we were very lucky to spend the evening with a delightful couple from Texas!  All the staff were very interested in talking about the preparation of our dishes and the sommelier picked fun but small pours to accompany each dish.  It was a fabulous evening and I’d highly recommend getting a reservation and doing a facility tour while there.  The food was great as were all the people working there, including Head Chef Christopher Bethoney, Wine Director Dylan Storment,  and Executive Sous Chef Kennedi Martinez.

Set-Up

kitchen
kitchen
coals
Sommelier Dylan Storment and Frankie

Food

Deviled quail egg was seasoned with house made pickles.  The eggs were garnished with dill and carrot tops along with black and pink pepper.  They had a great flavor and good herb content without it dominating.  Light and spicy – a great start.  Since we had pairings I’ll post the beverages with the course when possible.  We had a gin cocktail with these.

deviled egg
gin cocktail

 

Ash roasted beets with preserved lemon were on labneh topped with za’atar (spice mix).   The labneh was made with goat’s milk and fresh herbs and the za’atar included some sesame seeds.  The beets were roasted in the ash but you couldn’t taste the smokiness just the sweetness of the beets.  It came with a house-made toasted focaccia which I seemed to not get a photo of but it made a good conduit for the beets and yogurt.

Ash roasted beets
wine

Barramundi crudo was plated with fermented plum, lavender and chile oil. The Asian sea bass blended nicely with the fruit and tasty dressing. This was quite tasty.

Barramundi crudo
wine

Tetela (triangular masa casing) was filled with Rosales Farms green chile and Tucaumcari cheddar on tepary beans, cabbage slaw and sliced butternut squash.  The lovely beans were perfectly cooked and great with the cheese-filled blue corn tortilla.  This course had fabulous flavors and textures and the local wine pairing complimented it nicely.

Tetela
moved
wine

Huitlacoche cappelletti was filled with goat cheese and decorated with New Mexican piñon nuts.  Some crispy sunchoke chips gave even more texture to the tasty tender pastas.  They were not too thick and rather retained a fine delicacy.   This was a great plate.

Huitlacoche cappelletti
wine

Shepard’s lamb neck tamal with mole negro was seasoned with a black garlic seasoning that took 5 weeks to make.  The organic lamb was tasty as was the tamal.  You really wanted to lick the wrapper clean on this one.  Yum.

Shepard’s lamb neck tamal
wine
Executive Sous Chef Kennedi Martinez and Frankie

Trilogy whole hog was with house tortillas and accompaniments.  This was 3 cuts of pork -flank, belly and chorizo and all were yummy but the belly was out of sight delicious.  The accompaniments included pickled onion, kimchi, salsa with peanuts, cilantro and lime.  The salsa had a bit of sweetness but I loved it with all the cuts of pork.  The kimchi was a fun addition because it added a nice spiciness.  The onions, lime and cilantro went with all. There were tender corn tortillas to wrap it all in and they had some blue corn mixed it.  It was a wonderful protein course.

Trilogy of whole hog
accompaniments
tortillas
wine

24-year aged Monticello balsamico was mixed with Hoja santa(heart-shaped leaf in the peppercorn family) on ice cream sprinkled with Los Poblanos pickled mulberries.  This was a fabulous melding of flavors.  Savory and sweet.

24-year aged Monticello balsamico on ice cream
pairing

New Mexico butter pecan semifreddo with mesquite caramel and brown sugar sablé.  The caramel was to die for as were the buttery cookies and pecan pieces.  This had sweetness and texture galore.  It was terrific.

New Mexico butter pecan semifreddo
wine front
wine back
little birthday celebration on a kitchen tour

Petit fours were a small box of goodies to take with you.  It included lavender bonbons, chocolate bonbons, pistachio pumpkin macarons, persimmon fruit jellies, blue corn lavender cookies, and rose sugar madeleines.  The cookies were lovely as were the chocolate bonbons.  Not a macaron lover but I still enjoyed these and the madeleines

treats to go
Head Chef Christopher Bethoney and Frankie

Barelas Coffee House, Albuquerque, 3/28/25

~ hsnixon ~ 3 Comments
exterior – 1502 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

Barelas Coffee House is in the Barelas neighborhood which Route 66 passes through.  It has been serving New Mexican food for 40+ years, starting in 1978 in a somewhat run-down part of town.  Revitalization has since changed that and now the guests include people like Presidents Clinton and Obama to governors and other notables.  It’s a large winding place(as it’s been added onto) with a very small parking lot.  Street parking is available but a sign on the door cautions you about using a fast food’s parking lot across the street where you’ll be towed.  Having incorporated some adjacent buildings they were able to open a central patio for additional seating.  As you enter you pass the check-out window piled with more snacks and candies and wait at the sign to be seated.  From there you’re quickly seated and your order taken.  They only serve breakfast and lunch, with most dishes created from family recipes of the Gonzales (owner) family.  Mike Gonzales with his brother opened the place while studying at UNM, on the advice of his father who owned a nearby grocery store.   Some of the rooms looked like they hadn’t been modernized but it all adds to the ambiance.  Light green walls with lots of plants in our ‘sunroom’ and no music in the background.  Service was friendly and super efficient and the food was solid versions of New Mexico specialties.  Visit and enjoy some history. Continue reading →

Market Steer Steakhouse (update), Santa Fe, 9/16/24

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exterior – 213 Washington Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Market Steer Steakhouse was started in 2018 at the St. Francis Hotel by Chef Kathleen Crook and Kristina Goode.   You can see Frankie’s visit to  the old location here but this trip it had relocated last July to a new 4,500 sq. ft. building with a separate bar area and extensive sound proofing in the main dining room.  They did 4 months of remodeling to the structure before moving in and so were able to address the noise level of the older location.  Adding a bar allowed them to offer craft cocktails and have a place to display the equestrian and rodeo roots of the Chef.  The 60-seat dining room is adorned with a 600 piece hand blown amber glass chandelier and wall sconces made of horse hair ties.  The bench seating along the walls was well padded and matched with closely set 2-top white cloth-covered tables.   Larger tables were in the center on the old wood floor with music in the background.  The ceiling was lined with wood beams and much of the art on the walls was from local galleries with the price list on the back of the wine list.  It was a room of soft tones with friendly and excellent service.  The food was quite good, so if you are ready for a steak dinner put this on your list. Continue reading →

Geronimo (update), Santa Fe, 9/15/24

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exterior – 724 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Geronimo has long been a standout place to eat in Santa Fe.  It’s in the “Borrego House” that was built by Geronimo Lopez in 1756.  Frankie visited and wrote it up on 11/19 and again on 9/23, which you can click on if you want to see more photos of the place. Located on the busy Canyon Rd where there are tons of art galleries, they do have valet parking if you aren’t close enough to walk.  It’s a quiet and elegant place with music in the background, white cloth-covered tables and art on the walls.  There are seating options outside, at the bar and in a number of interior rooms.  Reservations are a necessity.  Service is friendly yet polished and professional.  Our fine server, Jay has been working here 25 years or as he put it, “he came with the building.”   We passed on dessert but I got a photo of the menu for you.  The place has never let me down and I know it won’t disappoint you either.  Put it on your list. Continue reading →

Joseph’s Culinary Pub, Santa Fe, 9/14/24

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exterior – 428 Agua Fria St, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Joseph’s Culinary Pub was the creation of Chef Joseph Wrede, Food & Wine‘s Best New Chef 2000 and winner of several AAA Four Diamond awards as well as being featured on The Food Network’s Triple D.  The restaurant started in Taos in 1995 and moved once more before settling in the present location about 10 years ago.  The place had multiple rooms as well as outdoor seating and a bar counter.  The room we were in had bench seating around the perimeter and free-standing tables in the middle.  Several windows contributed natural light to the electric lights which were well dimmed.  Antique copper pots hung decoratively along one wall and other art was on the walls as was a chalkboard with a drawing of the fish featured in the daily special.  Service was super friendly and the food was innovative and tasty.  Our two main plates had too many ingredients but they all blended into successful flavors.  There are daily specials and changes to the menu with the seasons but some items have been on the menu for 25+ years.  This place is worth a visit. Continue reading →

La Choza (update), Santa Fe, 9/14/24

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
exterior – 905 Alarid St, Santa Fe, NM 87505

La Choza was located in the old adobe headquarters of Mercer Ranch with a large adjacent parking lot.  The name means “the shed” which is the name of their sister restaurant in the historic square.  Frankie has visited both but prefers La Choza.  You can read about a past visit here.  They do not take reservations so go into the building to get your name on the list as soon as you park your car.  There are options to sit at tables inside or outside as well as seating at two bars.  (I even heard someone request a patio seat where they could have their dog with them).  The place has multiple indoor rooms all enhanced with colorful decorations.  We were meeting friends there so I got to take photos of some other plates and everyone agreed the food was quite good with generous portions.  The red sauce is supposed to be the spicier of the two but both had a good bit of heat, at least initially.  I found as you ate the hot portion rounded off into simply lots of flavor.   The heat aspect varies with the chilies used that day.  Service was great and I’d easily recommend this place to anyone for lunch or dinner. Continue reading →

Geronimo (update), Santa Fe, 9/15/23

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entrance – 724 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501

We last ate at Geronimo in 2019 and as usual, had a fine meal in this 1756 adobe home built by Geronimo Lopez.  The menu doesn’t change much here but you can expect an elegant atmosphere, lowered lighting, music in the background, art on the walls, white tableclothes, valet parking and friendly professional service.  Everytime I visit I seem to get the foie gras and Elk steak so tonight I went off script and ordered differently as did my husband.  It ended up nice but not as satisfying as my usual order.  Either way, it’s still a very fine meal and one I’d recommend if you can get there. Continue reading →

The Shed, Santa Fe, 9/14/23

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exterior sign – 113 1/2 E Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501

The Shed is an institution in Santa Fe.  Its sister restaurant La Choza (opened in 1983) is frequented more by locals whereas The Shed is on the main Square and has been there since 1953.  There are nine rooms within and a patio on the outside.  They are known for their blue corn options and red chile as well as margaritas.  Very popular, they do take reservations for dinner and otherwise be prepared to wait.  The bare wood tables are in rooms filled with paintings, not for sale, and plants. The bar has a large selection of tequila and mescal as well as some wines.  Chips are not included in your meal but can be ordered separately.  If you get to Santa Fe you must eat here, it’s a great starting point for your journey through New Mexican food. Continue reading →

Trading Post Cafe, Taos, 9/14/23

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exterior – 4179 NM-68, Ranchos De Taos, NM 87557

The Trading Post Cafe was an eclectic cafe with a deli offering meats and cheeses by the pound as well as coolers selling produce and other supplies.  There were several rooms with the main one having a long bar in front of the grill area.  The aroma of cooking burgers greeted you when you walked in.  We were there to have a snack and mostly visit with some friends so we didn’t try too many things.  I gather it’s only recently opened as they did not yet have a license for beer or wine, but that is in the process.  Also when I googled it to get details it sent me to a coffee roasting site and then another linked me to an Italian restaurant.  Regardless, if you’re in Taos and looking for a little spot to eat I’d give this one a try. Continue reading →

Sazón, Santa Fe, 9/13/23

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exterior – 221 Shelby St, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Sazón was started by Chef Fernando Olea in 2015.  He originally was from Mexico City and incorporates the indigenous and culinary traditions of Old Mexico into his fabulous foods.  He started cooking in 1991 with a green chili cheeseburger at Bert’s Burger Bowl.   In 2022 he was the winner of James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southwest.   The many rooms feature the work of some Mexican artists, many of which are for sale, white tablecloths and napkins, Spanish music in the background and lowered lighting.  The menu is fairly small but they also offer a Chef’s Degustation Tasting Menu at 5:00 and 7:30 if reserved in advance.  They also offer a curated tequila, mezcal and wine pairing or a large menu of wines from Mexico as well as other countries.  There is no printed menu for the tasting and some of the courses are not on the menu but I highly recommend it as a way to sample this chef’s excellent cuisine.  Olea presents a wonderful depth of flavor to his dishes as well as a healthy dose of spice and richness.  I enjoyed it immensely. Continue reading →

Tomasita’s, Santa Fe, 9/13/23

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exterior – 500 S Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Tomasita’s serves New Mexican food in Santa Fe as well as Albuquerque.   Named for Tomasita Leyba, the original cook at the place and whose recipes are still served 40 years later.  It started as a small café on Hickox Street in 1974 when Georgia Maryol took over the dying restaurant. Together they built a customer base that outgrew the space and in 1979 it moved to the 100-year old red brick building in the Santa Fe Railyard.  Georgia’s son now owns the restaurant and opened a branch in Albuquerque in 2017.  The railyard location was a large place with rooms scattered around set with bare wooden tables and chairs and a patio.  Music was in the background, there was a large adjacent parking lot, art decorated the walls and statues were on the patio.  Chips and salsa are not included in the meal.  The service was super friendly and efficient but the food was mixed. Continue reading →

Geronimo, Santa Fe, 11/1/19

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IMG_1969
building

Geronimo is a large place in an old building spread over several rooms.  The tables are fairly close and set with white cloths and napkins.  The lighting is lowered, music is in the background, candles are on the tables and in the old fireplaces, art and mirrors decorate the walls and bench seating is on some walls.  There is a room with a bar at the front of the place with a couple tables and bar seating, but it was quite crowded when we got there.  They offer an a la carte menu or a vegetarian tasting, that has optional wine pairings.   They also had some nightly specials.  Service was helpful, extremely friendly and well paced. Continue reading →

The Compound, Santa Fe, 11/3/19

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IMG_2561
building

The Compound is a large old building with the sign on Canyon Road, but you have to walk/drive down a little ways.  The adobe structure is made up of several rooms with one room having a wavy plaster ceiling and another having squares of different colors.  (One of the fun features is the painted snake that runs over the waves of plaster.)  The walls hold lots of art and press coverage for this long running restaurant that opened over 50 years ago.  Chef/Owner Mark Kiffin has run the place almost 20 years and won the James Beard Best Chef in the Southwest award in 2005.  Music is in the background, the lighting is lowered and the white clothed tables are widely spaced.  Bench seating is around some of the walls which is opposite the comfortable chairs on the other side of the table.  Service was excellent with good pacing.  The menu is all a la carte. Continue reading →

Cafe Pasqual, Santa Fe, 11/3/19

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IMG_2421
building

Cafe Pasqual is almost an institution in Santa Fe.  They don’t take reservations so be prepared to wait an hour for a table.  They have a list that you get on at the door and they call your name when it’s your turn to enter the medium sized place.  The tile walls add to the colorful interior that is decorated with lace things hanging from the ceiling and t-shirts and calendars.  There is a large communal table in the center of the downstairs and a few tables are up a couple steps at the front of the place.  At the front counter they have desserts to go but also sell many souvenirs.  Tables are of unvarnished wood, there is music in the background and the floor is wood and tile.  Tables are closely set and relatively small and set with paper napkins.  Service is efficient but it takes a while as the crowd is pretty much non-stop.  When we ate there years ago the food seemed worth the wait but now I’m not sure I’d wait again for it.  It was good, it just didn’t have the soul that some of the other New Mexican spots we visited. Continue reading →

Market Steer Steakhouse, Santa Fe, 11/2/19

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IMG_2422
building

Market Steer Steakhouse is in the St. Francis Hotel in downtown Santa Fe.  It is a good sized room and has an additional entrance if you don’t want to cut through the hotel. The bare wood square tables are set with room to get between the large chairs and there are a couple booths along one wall.  At the end of the room is a stone wall with a large mantle and fireplace.  Windows to the street occupy 2 other sides of the room.  The floor is a wide plank wood one and the noise level was fairly high.  They had been open just over a year when we visited.  They serve all prime beef that has been age 24 days and it looked to be a success, as it was busy.  It’s interesting that 2 women run the place,  Executive Chef and co-owner if Kathleen Crook and General Manage and co-owner is Kristina Goode.   Everything is a la carte, so with your steak you can order separate sauces and all vegetables are by separate order.  Service was helpful and friendly. Continue reading →

Palacio Cafe, Santa Fe, 11/2/19

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IMG_2218
building

Palacio Cafe is a small family run place.  Windows to the street bring in lots of light to the colorful room.  Art is on the walls and a counter is opposite the street windows for service and pass through to the kitchen.  Some tables were also out front if weather cooperates.  Music was in the background, plants were hanging from the ceiling that had wood logs crossing it – the room had a good feel.  Service was efficient, friendly and the portions generous.  The food was well seasoned, not fancy but really good. Continue reading →

La Choza, Santa Fe, 11/1/19

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IMG_1964
building

La Choza is the sister restaurant of the ever popular The Shed, located in the old town square.  La Choza is out of town but not a bad distance and way less crowded, but plenty of people still are there.  They have their own parking lot behind the adobe building.  The dining areas take up several rooms and there is also a large bar area.  Beams of wood line the ceilings and colorful art adorns the walls.   The tables are bare wood, there are lots of windows to the outside and a large variety of tequila, margaritas and mezcales to chose from as well as draft beers.  Service is friendly, efficient and helpful.  Portions are large and the food is wonderful, with a good amount of flavor and texture in every bite. Continue reading →