I have definitely had the issue of their stuff going bad really quickly, as can happen when things are not ultra-pasteurized. I had heard hearsay (which I still want to find out if it is more than hearsay) that they had issues with nearby beekeepers because of pesticide use that drifted far away from their land into other areas... Hmm.

Argh. I've also heard that the standards for saying "grass-fed" are changing legally. Perhaps that means places have been getting away with too much up until this point....

Food Hole on Carlisle ALSO has Kahlona's heavy cream (but a full quart!) and recently I believe I've spotted full-fat milk and cottage cheese.

I do not know what the credentials of Rasband Dairy are, but I've heard scuttlebutt about them using pesticides on their land so that doesn't bode well for their general practices.

Anyway, the brand Kahlona Supernatural is not local, but IS most definitely grass-fed and carried at the co-op, Sprouts, and Vitamin Cottage. I think the latter is the only place to get heavy cream in a small bottle.

In big brands, Organic Valley is grass-fed most of the year and the best bet if you have no other choice.

Gin Palace - gotta love that name if they back it up in bottles. :-)

I disagree that there is not much "really great Mexican" in Albuquerque. OK, it's true that this is not Southern CA and not actual Mexico, but there are some fantastic dives with the foods regular Americans will say "icky!" to, like offal meats and such.

Antojitos Lupe (and) Lupe's Antojitos - two locations, same folks. Delicious across the board and not a cheese-smothered platter to be found.
Birrieria y Taqueria el Alex - CLOSED, best I can tell.
El Paisa - tacos, late night
La Isla - divey, tacos, etc
Chicharroneria Orozco - come on, doesn't the name make you want to check it out???

More seafoody:
El Zarandeado
Mariscos La Playa

And, I second the recommendation for Pro's Ranch Market for the cafeteria and for the foodstuffs you can purchase to take home! (not produce but rather dried goods)

Hope this helps...

Kathryn! Oh my stars, what a GREAT list. I think I should buy you a cocktail when I'm in town as thanks!

I am definitely into the idea of a 'bitters bar'. I'll start a new topic on that.

Is there anything from this list you'd strike as of March 2013 (due to closure or recent suckitude)?

Yes, yes, yes, a million times yes. The food is wonderful, the owner-brothers are gracious and excited to be there, and even the "ambiance" is nifty (a little tented dining area in the midst of a grocery store).

They've mentioned that due to all of the great word of mouth and published reviews they are expanding! Woot.

And yeah, I talk them up big time in my book.

I've talked with Eric and he DOES have a stupidly sensitive nose - it's not a bad thing as a chef but it can be crippling for him to concentrate when all he can think about is the wafting smells coming from folks' perfumes and such (and they do lay it on heavy in that town).

So.... yes he does get testy when his rules are tested, but there's a good reason for it and it's his restaurant(s). His cooking skills are worth experiencing at either spot.

Thanks for the tip! I have come to agree on a lot of local coffee places (unfortunately) and find that Michael Thomas does a lot for me, especially his Ethiopian Sidamo.

I made them back in 2006 and one of my friends is STILL talking about them. Extremely persnickety to make but the cookie afficinadoes will love you.

This "fried rice" recipes is from the bestest Paleo foodie blogger out there (foodie as in real honest-to-bourdain foodie):
http://nomnompaleo.com/post/319509830...

I appreciate this response. :-) Cheat days can be one's undoing if prone to bingeing.

Ok, I went to G&B and wowee wow. Good stuff, and the hipster factor is off the charts. I still think I've had a better pull of espresso in New York, but these guys know what they are doing and can chat about all things caffeinated at the drop of a hat.

I am overly used to Reddit nowadays, so I want to upvote the heck out of this topic! :-)

I don't live in L.A., but when I visit I am an espresso and gooooood coffee hound, so this weekend I'll be checking out GB and Bru, possibly one more. Dittoes on the 'loving the 3rd wave' sentiment. Intelligentsia and Groundwork used to be my go-to spots before the 3rd wave took hold, but GB is looking awesome. Bummer that I can't hang out and stalk hipsters. Hmm.

Yeah, a shame. I've heard amazing things about this guy and his craft. In a weird twist of the universe, I am literally right now watching the No Reservations show from Austin 2012, in the JMueller section, no less, when reading this thread.

Argh, and yow.

Franklin is quite amazing but without JMueller it seems the BBQ world is lacking.

I concur. And the spread of noshes at the Lappi restaurant looked awesome. Does reindeer taste like elk?

Neptune rocks my world and I hope to eat there at LEAST once in the next few days (visiting from New Mexico until Sunday).

Regional cuisine has a new representative: Casa Chimayo on Water Street. Northern New Mexican from a family that are descendants of the Spanish settlers. Oh, and they'll talk your ear off about that family line if you let them. :-) The posole is flaming hot and fantastic.

Casa Chimayo, 409 W Water Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501; (505) 428-0391; fb.me/casachimayo;

Now that I've been to Restaurant Martin . . . Yes, that. If you want to see what the best of the techie-wizardy-best are doing, that is.
If you want a real New Mexico experience, nix my final line and add in Bobcat or Horseman's Haven.

Is it just me, or is there a seeming boom in the number of restaurants offering blue corn pinon pancakes with breakfast or brunch in the last year?

There was even an old topic: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/636065

If this is the new current trend, I like that better than cupcakes. Here's what I found in the tri-city area.

Casa Chimayo
Ezra's Place
Sophia's Place
Tecolote Cafe
Cecilia's Cafe
Santa Fe Baking Co & Cafe
Pueblo Harvest Cafe
Plaza Cafe
Michael's Kitchen
Joe's
Luminaria

Who else?

La Choza is less "traveled" so wait times should be better. The Shed's margaritas are famous. I do not think you can BYOB at many places, especially Bobcat.... they do have like two tables outside if I remember correctly.

Coyote Cantina lunch is fine, but very busy in good weather.

Oh yeah, I know. :-) I like to unearth old topics now and then. Thank you!

Wow, great topic. I learned so much in 10 minutes reading this. :-)

Dragon Room's Herradura Silver Coin was my first and I loved it. Had no idea El Farol coined it.

I nominate Love Apple as "best in Taos", respectfully.

Cafe Pasqual's
La Choza
Tomme
Geronimo OR Coyote Cafe

:-) Details upon request, but if you've been reading the board you know why I chose those.

Agreed on 2nd Street Brewery - I'm not even a big beer gal but I can find stuff that is delicious and the folks are friendly. Even the menu is well-done and better-than-your-average-pub.

If you visited Trattoria Nostrani and liked it, AND you like Japanese, go to the next door sister restaurant, Shibumi Ramenya. Perfect for solos and delicious.

I've since been to Graham's, Dragonfly, and Love Apple and all three are fantastic. Love Apple is one of the best destination restaurants in the state. Yep.

Vinaigrette is another one that might be thriving well past 2 years with high prices and local focus. Perhaps it's just that to survive you can't be decent - you have to be OMG GREAT, and that justifies the prices.

So Pasqual's = Vinaigrette = Geronimo, dollar for dollar.