rpl's Profile
What restaurants in Albuquerque are truly good and not just good for Albuquerque?
I can report that the Truffle Frites were definitely gone when we visited this restaurant last and saw Claus there (some weeks ago). So much of the prior menu was gone that it was difficult to figure out what to order. I ended up getting Steak Frites. The disappointment was immense, as the frites I was served were overcooked "battered" fries. Crispy, but awful. I felt more than disappointed, I felt insulted. I won't be back.
Santa Fe Fine Dining that isn't Stuck in the '90s?
extramsg, I don't think the molecular gastronomy movement ever got a foothold here in mostly rural New Mexico. It may be getting past it's prime now elsewhere too.
New Mexican consumer's of New Mexican food do not expect their Chile to be "seasoned". In fact, in many quarters, a hint of cumin in New Mexico red is considered heretical.
Also, expecting local and seasonal food to show up on menus here at this time of year is problematic primarily because of the location and the season. Albuquerque is a mile high, Santa Fe and Taos higher still, and late spring is not really harvest season in mountain or desert. I wish I could help with Santa Fe recs, but I don't have much knowledge to impart, except overheard strongly negative feelings many have expressed about Cowgirl. Since you probably want to maximize your positive experience time, I would suggest you skip that one.
If you were still in Albuquerque, or when you come back through, you could try Los Equipales for upscale Mexican mexican. It is quite good "for Albuquerque". Agree with you on Frontier, it is a nostalgic College student hangout with good people watching, but mostly mediocre food.
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Los Equipales
4500 Silver Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
Green Chili Cheese Burger
extramsg, did you have that GCCB at the Owl Cafe in Albuquerque, or at the Owl Bar in San Antonio, NM? The Owl Bar is the original, and serves the superior product. To get there though, you have to travel South to Socorro, NM then East to the crossroads at San Antonio, about 90 minutes drive. I don't think the Owl Bar serves much other than the GCCB and fries, but you can get other items at the Owl Cafe. The Owl Cafe does a pretty good Milkshake IMO, but that's about it.
ABQ- Zinc and Church street Fail
As I recall, Church Street cafe in Albuquerque serves a tourist oriented style of New Mexican food. I don't think they do Southern food or remoulade at all. They serve Carne Adovada, Chile Rellenos and such. It's not Southern food, and not even Southern New Mexico style food. I haven't eaten there in years, but Finlero, could you have your restaurants mixed up, or am I just totally missing your point?
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Church Street Cafe
2111 Church St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
Looking for Good Food between ABQ and Cuba
It's a long deserted stretch from Bernallilo to Cuba. Bernallilo is a few miles north of Albuquerque and will be the place you leave I-25 to head to Cuba. In Bernallilo, I would recommend The Range Cafe as a fun lunch stop with a diverse menu including some good New Mexican choices.
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Range Cafe
925 S Camino Del Pueblo, Bernalillo, NM 87004
Albuquerque: vegetarian and New Mexican?
Not in Old town, and not nearly the best New Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque, IMO, Juan's Broken Taco on Wyoming does not use lard and does offer Vegetarian options, including a Vegetarian chile.
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Juan's Broken Taco
2740 Wyoming Blvd NE Ste 8, Albuquerque, NM 87111
2010 survey of Santa Fe Reporter readers "best of" - article linked
I would be cautious about the recommendation for Flying Star cafe, This is a local NM chain, originating in Albuquerque and, in Albuquerque it has been recently poorly reviewed and seems to be on a downhill slide. It might be fine in it's Santa Fe location, but I would not count on it.
Chicharrones Stuffed Sopaipilla, Casa de Benavidez in Albuquerque
Melanie, I don't think your tastebuds were off, or that you misordered. The fact is that Mary and Tito's is a James Beard award winning "American Classic" restaurant. Casa de Benevidez has a very pleasant shaded patio that is comfortable for a warm summer's day lunch, but pretty ordinary food of the Albuquerque New Mexican genre.
Albuquerque to Sedona to Kayenta and back
The level of hospitality from the Navajo residents in the 4 corners area will no doubt be variable. Unfortunately, there is a strain of racism among some Anglo residents in that part of the State. Down here in Albuquerque we see the news reports of white on red violence around Farmington. The Navajo are looked down on and even viciously beaten up for sport. Usually the victims have had too much to drink and cannot defend themselves. Perhaps you had the misfortune to come upon some people whose cousin or uncle has been recently abused. There are also many Navajo who are hospitable and friendly. Regardless, it is not a bountiful chowhounding area. The grand scale of the scenery is much more likely to impress than is the food.
French restaurants in Albuquerque?
Cafe Jean Pierre recently opened and is the best choice for French in Albuquerque, IMO.
Uncle Sam's BBQ: Albuquerque
It seems nonsensical to promote any BBQ from Albuquerque as something special. Uncle Tom's? Does not exist.
As DebitNm stated, Dickey's and Rudy's are both in Albuquerque. But both are out of State chain restaurants. Powdrells is not bad and is an Albuquerque original, but is not particularly special. Oversauced and undersmoked, IMO. County Line also can be good, but is an outpost of a Texas chain.
Albuquerque is not really at the center of any BARBQ universe.
Updated - My Albuquerque Pics
Deb, there are probably 8 or 10 Vietnamese restaurants scattered about town in Albuquerque. There is a lack of consensus about which is the "BEST", but it is a category that should be favorably mentioned on any Chowhound list for ABQ, at least IMO.
My 2 current favorites are Cafe Da Lat and Viet Taste.
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Cafe Da Lat
5615 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
Viet Taste
5721 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Taos restaurants
We were in Taos in late August and had two great meals at Grahams Grill, Dinner, and right back for Lunch the next day. Highly recommended for quality original food, well prepared . At least as good and more original cooking as at Joseph's Table, which we sampled on the same trip.
It sounds like you intend to, but stay away from Apple Tree and Doc Martin's.
Albuquerque: Best of?
DebitNM, your list is very thorough and will be helpful to visitors to Albuquerque, Much credit for your work on this. As a resident here, there are a few problems that have crept into the list lately however. In order not to mislead the visitor, I will note that:
1. Ambrozia is closed and former Chef Sam Etheridge is now at Nob Hill Bar and Grill.
2. Nob Hill Bar and Grill is located where Graze used to be and former Graze Chef Jennnifer James is now at Jennifer James 101 on Menaul Boulevard.
3. Great American Land and Cattle is defunct, as is Robb's Ribbs BBQ.
4. There are some new spots in town that are pretty good, but I won't presume to add to your list.
Chinese restaurants in Albuquerque?
Chop-stix is actually located at San Pedro and Lomas (not Candelaria). It is in the Fair Plaza shopping center.
Powdrell's. Any recent visits?
Robbs Ribbs (which for a little while was Roscoes Ribbs) is no more. Powdrell's is not bad, but not that great. I think Quarter's has gone way downhill.
Upscale Kona Recs
The Restaurant at Kanaloa at Kona has reopened, cleverly named "Grill and Bar" and the menu states that they are now "affiiliated" with Jameson's by the Sea. The food looked good the night we went (last week), but I had a nasty "Hawaiian cold" and couldn't really taste it to evaluate it . My spouse liked her Ono dish, but felt it was somewhat overcooked compared to an Ono dish she had at Kenichi Pacific in the nearby shopping center, earlier in the week. Kenichi Pacific has no Ocean View at all, but has great Pacific Rim food in addition to an impressive Sushi menu. Kanaloa at Kona's Grill and Bar has the outstanding view, but the food might dissapoint a bit.
