***** (5 stars)
This is a lovely resort with very nice accommodations scattered around a lushly landscaped campus. The bar is a very nice place for cocktails and live piano music.
The restaurant seems underutilized, and doesn't serve lunch, which is a bit odd.
The staff is very welcoming.
El Monte Sagrado
317 Kit Carson Rd
Taos, NM 87571
**** (4 stars)
This place offers wonderful small plates and excellent cocktails. The pistolet was a highlight, as were the Moroccan lamb chops.
The wine list is beyond eclectic, which is odd since the restaurant is attached to a wine shop with plenty of more interesting offerings.
Service was efficient. The smaller rooms can get loud if there is a noisy group.
Medley
100 State Rd 150
El Prado, NM 87529
***** (5 stars)
We were tipped off to this great restaurant/wine shop by a sommelier at a restaurant in a different city. It was a great referral, as the food is superb.
The grilled artichoke made a nice starter, and the house-made chicken liver was wonderful. We also really enjoyed the spring salad.
The chicken had a great coating of Indian spices, and the halibut also offered a nice medley of flavors.
Of course, being attached to a wine shop, there are lots of nice selections on the wine list, although we would have liked to have been able to browse in the shop and then take a bottle into the restaurant. Wine prices aren't exactly bargains, but it is a ritzy part of Santa Fe.
Arroyo Vino
218 Camino La Tierra
Santa Fe, NM 87506
***** (5 stars)
This is a nice place right near the center of old Santa Fe, with quite a bit of patio seating, most of it well shaded by umbrellas.
We had the breakfast sandwich and the breakfast burrito. Both were good, and fairly similar, except that the sandwich was grilled and the burrito was covered in green chili sauce (which is optional, but was very good).
Service was friendly.
The Pantry Rio
229 Galisteo St
Santa Fe, NM 87501
***** (5 stars)
This was a real treat! Capturing all the ambiance of an old Fred Harvey Hotel, this place is definitely worth a stop on Route 66.
The food and cocktails were excellent, and the service was truly friendly. We shared pork carnitas, and smoked grilled ribs. Both were terrific.
The Mexican Firing Squad is a serious drink, and the Turquoise Margarita is a fun one.
After your meal, the parking lot is easy walking distance to the famous corner in Winslow Arizona for your photo op.
The Turquoise Room
303 E Second St
Winslow, AZ 86047
***** (5 stars)
Excellent food is topped by truly great service at this fine dining but not stuffy restaurant right off historic Route 66.
The real standout here was a special appetizer using ladyfingers(!), feta, apples, and bacon. It sounds weird but it was fantastic and unique.
Meals include a soup or salad. The gaspacho was nice and spicy, and the Caesar salad was classic, but with the dressing on the side. The salmon and ribeye were both very good.
The wine list is great, and really concentrates on the complex chewy reds that we love.
Our server's wine knowledge was truly impressive, and he offered us a ton of great tips for visiting the area.
Seared
119 San Pasquale Ave SW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
**** (4 stars)
This is a nice little coffee and cafe place convenient to the Sandi's Peak Tramway. The usual selection of coffe drinks is available, plus good made to order food like bagels and crepes. Service was friendly although prep times can be long.
The Burrow Cafe
12501 Candelaria Rd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87112
***** (5 stars)
We came here for the amazing 360 degree views, but the food is really good, too. I just sat at the bar and had the chip trio, but the people around me were raving about the wings, meatloaf, and other dishes.
My Ten 3 Margarita was excellent.
Service at the bar was great.
Ten 3
30 Tramway Rd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87122
**** (4 stars)
This trendy place offers a new take on traditional Mexican dishes such as Carnitas and Mole. For example, The Mole Poblano features Buffalo. The sauce is quite flavorful, but the accompanying rice and refried beans would not pass muster at the most pedestrian of Mexican restaurants.
Given that the dish is the restaurant's namesake, the Elotes are a particularly good appetizer. They are served in the increasingly popular deconstructed style (essentially really good creamed corn), which makes them much easier to eat.
There are a wide variety of made-to-order Margaritas.
Service at the bar was extremely friendly and attentive.
It's expensive but, hey, this is Sedona.
Elote Cafe
350 Jordan Rd
Sedona, AZ 86336
***** (5 stars)
This nice little coffee shop is just off the main road through Sedona. They have a nice selection of locally made pastries, plus the usual coffee drinks. It's nice to patronize local business rather than the chains.
Cuptown
274 Apple Ave
Sedona, AZ 86336