jjones21's Profile
how is the food scene in taos?
We lived in Taos for a year before moving to Santa Fe. There are good fine dining options and cheap food also. In my opinion, what you will likely miss is ethnic food. You just don't have the variety you would find a place with a larger or more diverse website. The Chinese restaurant is okay, but nothing more. I am not a sushi person; there are a couple sushi places there, though. I heard bad things about the Thai restaurant, so I never went. FYI, last I knew Sheva Cafe (mentioned by Deb) was closed. I haven't been up to Taos in a while, so perhaps it has been revived. I much prefer the Taos Diner (in both food and ambience) to Michael's, which is always jammed with tourists. Cid's is a great independent grocery store in Taos.
Taos is an interesting place to live. I don't regret moving there, but I am also glad we moved away. It is VERY out of the mainstream of American life. Read the Taos News online for a while to get a sense of the local preoccupations. There are plenty of places to live in NM with access to outdoor activities, and Taos is a LONG way from most filming. You might look at some of the smaller towns around Santa Fe or Albuquerque: places like Pecos, Cedar Crest, etc. If you liked Madrid, that would give you pretty good proximity to filming (and restaurants!) in both cities, and I have heard of or seen a fair amount of film production going on in that area. For cost of living, I would suggest trolling some real estate listing websites, even if you are not looking to buy a house. It will give you an idea of relative prices. Good luck!
which brand of green chili in a jar is recommended
Although it is a little different from the green chile sauce you get in NM, this brand from CO might be a reasonable substitute. It's been a year or so since I tried it, but I thought it was good.
http://www.mirasolchile.com/
Non-New Mex advice in Santa Fe and other ?
Um, you may want to reconsider that. Check out Tecolote's most recent health inspection:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/HealthandScience/Food-service-inspections-1108
The word "slimy" is a disqualifier, IMHO.
Thanksgiving in ABQ or Santa Fe
FYI for those looking for SF Thanksgiving options: the Santa Fe New Mexican Pasatiempo supplement has a few Thanksgiving ads today, and they will likely have more in the next few weeks. To peruse online:
http://www.epasatiempo.com
Thanksgiving in ABQ or Santa Fe
Galisteo is about 20-30 minutes south of Santa Fe (though not on the way to ABQ), depending on where in town you are. It is south of Eldorado, if that is helpful. It feels futher away than that, however. Very bucolic.
Here is the restaurant website:
http://www.galisteoinn.com/meals.htm
The menu emphasizes local and seasonal ingredients, much more than most fine dining places in town. I think it would satisfy your rustic requirement, although it's not casual. We really enjoyed it last year. I suspect we would go there fairly regularly if we lived a little closer and had a little more $$$.
I can't remember what we paid last year. I think it was a prix fixe--maybe $60 or so per person? You can call and ask what they are charging this year.
Thanksgiving in ABQ or Santa Fe
Sorry, I have been meaning to reply for a few days. We went to the Galisteo Inn for Thanksgiving last year, and we are going again this year. It may be a little more expensive than mid-range, however.
From my research last year, I recall that the majority of options were hotel restaurants. Sunrise Springs had one of the more interesting menus. A non-hotel and less expensive option was the Zia Diner.
I haven't seen any restaurant ads for the upcoming Thanksgiving yet, so this info may not be current. Good luck!
good non-Mex dinner in Santa Fe?
I would recommend either Harry's Roadhouse or Mudu Noodles (www.mudunoodles.com).
Santa Fe chow/foodie (but non-restaurant) recs
I would choose Sage Bakery, the Chocolate Maven, and/or Clafoutis over Cloud Cliff and Santa Fe Baking Company.
Of course you should go to the farmer's market. If you can't make it to the market, La Montanita Co-op has lots of locally produced items that might interest you: jams, chutneys, mustards, etc.
Aquasanta - SF.......Would you recommend?
I went there for lunch last year and had a pizza I really enjoyed. I have been meaning to go back but haven't made it yet. It is a small place with an open kitchen. Not sure if it what you have in mind when you say fun atmosphere -- it may be a little subdued for you. Maybe you should try it out for lunch, so you won't have to make much of a time or financial commitment while you audition it.
Health food/vegetarian in Santa Fe
Some links and a correction:
- Annapurna
http://www.999dine.com/nm/annapurna/
- Body
http://www.bodyofsantafe.com/body_cafe.html
- Treehouse Pastry Shop **Treehouse is located at Plants of the Southwest, NOT Agua Fria Nursery. **
http://www.treehousepastry.com/
I would add Mu Du Noodles to this list:
http://www.mudunoodles.com/
Delicious Dives in Santa Fe?
Here is info on the new restaurant in the Dave's Not Here location:
http://www.nmgastronome.com/nm/latino/tune-up.htm
Gil's website is useful; you should take a look at it.
And it never hurts to call to make sure a restaurant mentioned in a guidebook hasn't closed!
Delicious Dives in Santa Fe?
Dave's Not Here closed earlier this year. I read an article (in the New Mexican, I think) that said the couple who took over the location planned to keep some menu items, including the burger. I haven't been.
New Mexico sans chiles - is it possible?
Wherever you go, you need to emphasize your husband's requirements to your server. Chiles have a way of sneaking into everything around here.
Santa Fe -- Harry's Roadhouse; Chocolate Maven for breakfast/lunch. The Zia Diner is dependable and has some good choices. Tesuque Village Market would probably work for you if you find yourself in the neighborhood.
Bernalillo -- A friend who was in the area on business went to the Range Cafe and really enjoyed it.
Taos* -- Graham's Grill; Taos Diner (breakfast/lunch); Chef Damon's; Dragonfly (breakfast/lunch); Downtown Bistro. You may like the Old Blinking Light as well.
*I have not been up to Taos in a while, so you should double-check to make sure these places are still around.
Thanksgiving in Santa Fe
Last Thanksgiving we went to the Galisteo Inn and really enjoyed it. It may be a trek for you if you are staying in central Santa Fe. Of course, you could just stay there and not worry about driving.
http://www.galisteoinn.com/meals.htm
Do you add salt to boiled water for pasta?
Actually, that's why I've become more consistent about using salt. We moved to a high altitude and I read that it helps speed the pasta along. Still takes longer than the package says, though. :(
Santa Fe and Taos ... Your Recommendations
There a bunch of posts from visitors asking the same question, so you will find lots of info if you search the southwest board. Here is a current thread:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/513109
Also check out:
http://www.nmgastronome.com/
http://sfreporter.com/articles/publish/BOSF-072507-food.php
planning cooking ahead of time
I have taken 2 basic approaches, although I am being kind of lazy about planning at the moment.
Option 1: Farmer's Market
- shop at farmer's market for produce
- after returning home, plan meals for the week based on produce bought
- go to grocery store for staples and anything special needed for the week's meals
Option 2: Revolving Meals (I used this when I was working crazy hours)
- I made a list of easy dishes for weekday dinners
- I created a spreadsheet with those dishes and their ingredients
- Each week I decided which meals to make and printed out those ingredients from my spreadsheet. That was my grocery list.
I cook for 2, and I end up having leftovers for lunch pretty often. Also, I freeze leftover soup and pizza and pita dough.
Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos Recs
Aqua Santa in Santa Fe and Joseph's Table in Taos focus on local, seasonal ingredients. Chef Damon's in Taos is another --- I have seen Damon at the farmer's market, so I know he is serious! You might consider the restaurant at the Galisteo Inn (outside Santa Fe) as well, although that is a bit of a drive.
The Treehouse Cafe is just that-- a cafe, not a restaurant with a wide selection of dishes. However, it is a nice spot for breakfast, a snack, or a light lunch. They are very devoted to serving organic food, local when possible. It is located on the grounds of Plants of the Southwest; the nursery carries some interesting books.
Pick up a copy of Edible Santa Fe magazine for info on the sustainable food scene.
Cooking under the Arctic Circle
If frozen vegetables are going to be a staple, she should check out an article Mark Bittman wrote a couple years ago about cooking with them. If you go to the NY Times website and search, you should be able to find it.
Good/Interesting Fondue Ideas
Artisanal Restaurant in NYC has great fondue. Here is a recipe from their chef:
http://www.artisanalcheese.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NP1002
Annual Bastille Day Party Planning...
I was just reading something about brioche a tete. Could brioche be decorated with Marie Antoinette-style dresses and hairdo's? Hmmm.
Challenge $35 for a week 3 meals a day for 2
Karykat is referring to Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, a cookbook by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois.
Their website: http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com
If you go to the NY Times website and search for their names in the archives, you will find an article that includes one of their recipes.
Chowhound thread: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/483709
Ideas for breakfast that can be made at home and taken to/eaten at work
You can approach this from a different angle and just keep your breakfast foods at work. An old boss of mine kept a box of cereal in a filing cabinet, and I followed his example and brought in a container of homemade muesli. We ripped off milk from the office's coffee set-up, although I sometimes brought my own soymilk instead. I went through another phase where I kept single servings of instant hot cereal in my desk drawer. Fruit (fresh or dried), nuts, and granola bars can all be kept at your desk. If your office has a fridge, you can bring in yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, etc.
For me, this is a better solution than trying to put together a breakfast (even a quick one) before leaving home.
Turkish tea -- what is it?
Siyah cay literally means black tea. Definitely not apple tea!
Saveur's Injera: Have you tried?
This begs another question: assuming you don't live near an Ethiopian restaurant or market, where would you buy teff? Is there an online source?
Saveur's Injera: Have you tried?
I looked at it and decided that, if I was going to be ambitious enough to try injera at home, I might as well use a recipe that actually includes teff. However, if you have had bad luck in the past, you might try the Saveur recipe as a starting point. If it works for you and you want to make it more authentic, you can always include some teff after you have the recipe worked out.
New Mexico this weekend - HELP!!!!!
I beg to differ on the Taos Inn, unless you mean the bar. Food is far superior at Joseph's Table.
Orlando's is closed Sunday (like many smaller places in Taos), so you are out of luck there. You might try a late brunch at the Dragonfly instead.
New Mexico this weekend - HELP!!!!!
I think you mean The Shed, which I have always enjoyed. La Choza, mentioned below, is owned by the same people and has similar food.
Taco place in Taos was probably Antonio's, or maybe Orlando's. Both good.
Your thoughts on the balanced diet?
I agree. Also, I would ask, Balanced for what? Your health? The Earth? Social impact?
I do not eat meat -- largely out of habit, but also for environmental reasons. When I shared an office with an Atkins adherent, I couldn't help but think about the resources needed to eat that way. And, not all meat is created equal: Manure from feedlots can contaminate groundwater. Grass-fed beef, from what I understand, is much more benign.
I agree that it is important to eat real foods in proportions that feel right for your body. But, ideally, you should feel good about your diet's impact on the world around you as well.
Do wedding cakes ever taste good?
I agree that wedding cakes separate the chowhounds from the civilians. Being both a chowhound and a cheapskate, I got my wedding cake from Whole Foods (chocolate with chocolate ganache). We had two round cakes decorated with fresh flowers on a tiered cake stand to serve as the "wedding cake" for photos, plus a couple sheet cakes which were cut in the kitchen and distributed to guests.
I decided on this route after reading Bridal Bargains -- a great resource for anyone planning a wedding on a budget. The book describes why there is often an inverse relationship between wedding cake cost and flavor. Shortly after I got married, a co-worker's fiancee insisted on getting a cake from one of Manhattan's celebrity wedding cake designers. With all the drawings faxed back and forth, you would have thought the woman was creating a house, not a cake!
