Taos

I went to the Taos Diner for breakfast and had the Huevos Rancheros. The red Chimayo chile was still superb.

For lunch we went to La Cueva, a small Mexican restaurant on my friend's recommendation. The Corn Chowder with rajas of Chile Poblano was delicous and the other food was all good.

We then headed to Eske's Pub next door and had the Green Chile Beer which was suprisingly spot on in their extraction of that fresh chile essence into the beer.

Santa Fe

Cowgirl BBQ was tasty and had great live music for dinner. Only complaint was that the BBQ was served lukewarm.

For breakfast we went to the Pantry and back to Tecolote. I think I prefer the Pantry. The breakfast potatoes and green and red chile were much more memorable to that of Tecolote. My last breakfast was at Tia Sophia's which was just ok.

Had a quick dinner one evening at the Plaza Cafe of a Chile Bowl with Calabacitas and sopapilla. The chile sauces here were both very good and the squash was cooked perfectly.

My favorite Meal was at Tomasitas. The red and green stood out among the rest of the places I tried and it tasted like care was put into the food. Great sopapillas and a fantastic all female Mariachi band too.

Thanks for your recommendations so far. I hope I will get to try them. I ll let you know!

One of those stuffed sopapillas with green chile is sounding so good right now.

I am guessing that because there is an indigenous Hispano-Native cuisine already entrenched in New Mexico, it has altered the perception of what Mexican food 'should' be or have to taste like.

It's quite the same here in California where the simple food of the Jaliscan Braceros in the first half of the 20th Century and the equally entrenched Californio (from the 18th and 19th century settlers) culture gave birth to the combo plate. Spanish rice, beans and some sort of fried masa became the constitution for Anglo-Californians of what Mexican food has to be.

This has left little room for subsequent waves of migration from diverse regions of Mexico to market their regional Mexican foods to the American populace unwilling to part from what they are used to.

If you look to Chicago where the Mexican immigration is relatively recent you will see much more diverse offering in the Mexican restaurants of that city.

That is a shame that they have given up on offering Pueblo cuisine. Is there any other place where you could try it? I recall reading about a place at Acoma.

Hi PaulJ - How did you like the food at the Pueblo Center?

Hi. I'm from San Diego and making the trip out to New Mexico for the second year because I enjoyed it so much last time out.

The food I am only interested in eating is New Mexican, so please critique my choices and/or recommend me your favorites.

I will be in Taos for the first night and plan to go to the Taos Diner again for Breakfast where I really liked their red chile sauce. I was also thinking about going to Taos Mesa Brewing. What are people's thoughts on El Taoseno? Any other stand outs?

Going to be spending the rest of the time (2-3 nights) based in Santa Fe, perhaps a night in Albuquerque.

I am planning on El Tecolote for Breakfast. Is there any other Breakfast place recommended?

We went to The Shed last time which I thought was pretty good and the Tune Up Cafe was thinking of going to La Choza this time. Tomasitas? Tia Sophia? Are these Worthwhile? What dishes are good at these places?

Will also be in Bernalillo to visit Coronado State Monument, Chimayo, Pecos and possibly Abiquiu.

Finally, where can I try green chile beer?

Much Thanks!

There are Northgates, former El Tigre's in Vista, Escondido, and Fallbrook if thats closer.

Has anyone seen anymore Hatch being sold. I fear they disappeared already.

My 'skewering' i felt was deserved and I hardly ever skewer. I went to the old Viks the two times previous when I lived up there. It was hyped and still mediocre - Ill take Surati any day over that place. Trust me I wanted to like it - I saw the check please, bay area episode of it and drooled before i went thats why I went back 2 more times to make sure I wasn't tripping.

I like that you Saltyraisins called the posting bombastic though.

Vik's sucks so bad. I've tried them three times and every time they disappoint.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/696772
An emperor with no clothes.

I don't think that dosa and idlis are what they do well at Surati Farsan either. Its fore-mostly a gujarati snack shop.

http://www.10news.com/news/29918874/d...

I was going to go yesterday too. Crazy video. I hope they get back in business soon.

I don't think that Whole Foods is sending that message, nor do I believe eating locally is affordable to the average consumer here in San Diego.

The clientele at Whole Foods and those who shop the farmers markets are primarily from the same general [upper middle, wealthy] class echelon. I think that claim is bolstered because the prices for local produce are not all that different between the two. It is also important to consider the convenience of always having access to that produce at WF, the fact that WF is a customer of these same farmers, as well as their labor policies (health benefits and a closer to an above- the-poverty-level wage) which I think would be relevant to people who are fighting for the local/organic/sustainable movement.

Granted that there are programs trying to change that reality - such as what they have at the City Heights Farmers Market - you can't deny that eating healthy and local is still not quite in the reach of the masses.

PS I recognize that there are a lot of customers who shop Whole Foods that are not in that class range I described - that sincerely struggle to shop only there because what they offer is just that "whole foods" and wont settle for less for their families.

I do remember your picture of it from the Esco Swap Meet!

I've been to El Super and it honestly reminded me of Food 4 Less. There are a few interesting things available but Northgate is better.

Its called "camote del cerro" and Ive seen recipes for it from the State Of Michoacan that called for it to be cooked " capeado" (battered like a chile relleno and served with a sauce).

count me in if we organize something

Never been to Stazione but I think you would be pleased with what they are trying to do at Sospeso. The owner sat down with us and gave us a tasting of multiple coffees - the best for me being from Moyobamba Peru, another from Guerrero state, and another from India thats flavor had been affected by monsoon. There's another special brew thats almost whiskey like that takes 8 hours to extract/brew.

I dont think El Taller is in the same league as Mision 19 - its more like La Querencia baja med.

La Corriente is 6th and Madero I believe
Jan listed their other Mazatlan restaurant this is the link to the Original TJ one: http://www.facebook.com/LaCorrienteCevicheriaNaisTJ

They have a cool little intimate mezcal bar in the back where are friend DJs http://www.facebook.com/Eltinieblomez...

I recommend the Tostada de Red Snapper - its their most famous dish and they are somewhere in the 20-30 thousand sold range according to the number on the wall. I liked all the mariscos there - a tj style paella, chorizo de abulon sopes etc. etc. Its kitschy and cool

Sospeso is incredible you order by where you want your coffee from - seriously some of the best coffee ive had. its behind the calimax in zona rio

I didn't go to the restaurant but saw it on the menu and have read that they prepare it to the standards of Cardini.

The hotel is great for the price - clean spacious and cheap. We wanted to book a second night but they sold out.

La Sexta - 6th street has a killer night scene - went to some cool bars like Don Loope and an old school one next to Mezcalera. So many people out enjoying themselves.

You need to check out La Corriente and El Taller and this Cafe called Sospeso.

Ceasars on Revolucion is open and making their salad - just stayed at hotel connected to it last week

I've been getting them from Whole Foods - they carry Suzie's locally grown Padrons and they are incredible.

No way - K's is beginners banh mi. and bread is better at cali

Its the best in town I have had and my favorite right now. Bread is tasty and texturally spot on, veggies and meats super fresh. Saigon Sandwiches, Cafe Dore are close to it though.

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Cafe Dore
4135 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105

There was a little panaderia that made them on Imperial Ave. but it was underwhelming and this was a few years back. The best one I've had recently was from Cemitas Pal Cabron in Los Angeles.....divine!

New Cali Baguette on Convoy for their Special Dac Biet $3 - this is my new personal favorite banh mi in San Diego - super fresh bread and ingredients

Spicy Tako hand roll from Nijiya Market $2.49

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Nijiya Market
3860 Convoy St # 109, San Diego, CA

Hi !

Just wanted to let you all know about a this new restaurant I went to a few nights ago off Fletcher Parkway.

It seems like the owners of the former Pomegranate restaurant split and opened their own restaurants. One part opened the next door Petrushka while the former chef and other owner now have The Village House Kalina.

The restaurant definitely has that Eastern European aesthetic to it, with its exposed wooden celing and samovars strewn about . It is also definitely a mom and pop - husband in the front waiting and wife in the kitchen doing the cooking.

> No Liquor license yet, so we tried the mildly fermented russian rye bread soda - Kvass - which I've had from the russian delis in San Francisco. Its root beer reminiscent for sure and I don't know if its for everyone.

> They make a wonderful butter with garlic and fresh dill and its brought out with fresh baked bread.

> We ordered the sampler salad plate which is exactly the same as what was served at Pomegranate. It is all delicious - especially the eggplant and carrot salads.

> The Ukranian borscht was fantastic with a great textural mix of potatoes, cabbage, and beef .

> The hand made perogis were delicate and filled with potatoes and mushrooms and topped with carmalized onions.

I can't wait to go back they have a 7.99 lunch three course that looks worth checking out. With a Russian/ former USSR countries emigre population in San Diego at 60,000 its great to have this restaurant to represent their presence.

8302 Parkway Dr
(between Jackson Dr & Buckland St)
La Mesa, CA 91942

(619) 461-1100
www.kalinavillagehouse.com

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-village-h...

I have the waldmeister syrup now I am just looking for this low alchol cloudy sour wheat beer. I know Dogfish makes one but I want it unflavored or with the traditional raspberry or wladmeister flavouring. Hve you seen it?

Honestly I think everything here is 'just ok' - you really need to cross over to Tijuas if you want a true experience. Mexican bread brought to the table. Fresh juices of papaya, tangerine, guava etc. Fresh made thick corn tortillas, and the unmistakable scent of Mexican coffee with cinnamon.

I might be getting over there late morning tommorow for an amazing bowl of menudo, breakfast of champions!