Sadie's Dining Room--Albuquerque

Sadie's Dining Room was not so much a find, as a re-find. It had been a long time since we'd eaten there, and one day a power outage caused us to decide to eat out. In a two week time we had heard from two different friends how much they liked Sadie's. Time to check them out again.

It easy to find--6230 4th NW, nestled back off the road, on the east side of the street. The parking lot was crowded, and the restaurant was as well. But they found us a seat right away. Before we even got into the booth a young waiter brought salsa and chips and water. All the wait staff were flying around in busy mode, but took our order quickly--and the food came quickly, too.

Everything, from the enchiladas to the sopapillas, was delicious. And our water glasses never got down to half full before they were filled again. Good thing too--the salsa is hot as well as tasty. I'm so impressed. It had been awhile since we'd eaten there. But it won't be as long before we go back. Another Albuquerque treasure. We're fortunate to have so many.

Bobcat Bite- outside Santa Fe

A little rundown, a little out of the way, limited seating, and busy. Do these sound like attributes for a place you might like to visit? Bobcat Bite on Old Las Vegas Highway just outside Santa Fe is one of those places. And it is worth a visit. This is another find due to Food Network. This tiny, and I do mean tiny, place was listed in the top ten hamburger joints in the US. As soon as we saw the show we had to go--and it was worth the trip.

When you first pull up you see people sitting in their cars. Strange? Not really. On the wall is a sign-in board and you run up and list your name and the number in your party and they call you when they have room for you. Did I mention tiny? The seating is limited to a counter and 3 little tables. And your food takes a few minutes to arrive, because it's cooked to order. Nothing fancy. No gourmet anything. Just a delicious, juicy old-fashioned hamburger. Worth the wait and worth the trip.

Here's the link to their website, so you can plan your visit. As you might expect the hours are limited. Did I remember to say it's worth it?

Santa Fe Restaurants

Santa Fe is a charming city to visit, the art galleries are amazing, and there are some really good restaurants. My very favorite is THE SHED. It's in an old house in a courtyard behind Palace Ave., just mere steps off the Plaza. My mouth is watering as I write. You'll love this place! They have WONDERFUL blue corn enchiladas, a green bean salad that I'm positively addicted to. Great margaritas. And the service is good. And the historic old house is a treasure. Just watch your head, the ceilings are low. The Shed serves some of the best food I've ever had. But when you combine the whole package; history, beauty, great food, and attentive service, you'll understand why it's the place we head to the most often.

My second favorite is a few blocks off the plaza in the old train station. TOMACITA'S (500 S. Guadalupe) is a Santa Fe landmark. It's common to experience a short wait for dinner, but it's worth it. Just get one of their really good margaritas and that wait will be painless, if you can survive all the good smells surrounding you. Their specialty is chili rellenos and they're wonderful, but so are the enchiladas. But then, so is everything I've eaten there. I especially like their red chili sauce. It has that roasty-toasty chili flavor that makes me very happy. My husband is a green chili lover and he's a happy man over a platter of Tomacita's green chili enchiladas.

My third favorite is the COWGIRL HALL OF FAME. They have yummy Mexican food, yummy burgers, yummy steaks. And I love the early west decor and all the pictures of cowgirls that line the walls. I don't think I've ever had a drink there, although they have a busy bar. But I can tell you that their buffalo burger is an experience not to be missed. It's also a few blocks off the Plaza at 319 S. Guadalupe. I never would have found this place except for seeing it being reviewed by Rachel Ray on Food Network. So the next time we went to Santa Fe we found it and we've been back many times since. It's good and a unique experience.

So now when you're going to Santa Fe, and please do yourself a favor and go, you'll be armed with three great restaurants to try. Enjoy the whole of Santa Fe. It's a wondrous treat for all the senses.

Santa Fe--Feast For Many Senses

We're so lucky in Albuquerque. We live in a big and thriving and vibrant city--and we're just a mere fifty miles from the City Different. That's what Santa Fe calls itself and boy, are they right on the money. It's a treat for anyone to go there. Some of my favorite sights are the Plaza, the La Fonda (on left), and the lovely oft-photographed St. Frances Cathedral (on right). The Plaza area of Santa Fe is a walking town. The rest of Santa Fe is like Albuquerque--a strung-out driving town. But the Plaza is just like I like it--a place to walk and look, taste, hear, smell and touch.

Coming from Albuquerque we always park in the Water Street lot if we can. For a few $$$ you have a central location to leave your car. There are so many art galleries and shops in Santa Fe that we divide the Plaza area into quadrants and Canyon Rd. in half. To do too much in one day is to miss things, and especially to miss the soft mountain air, and the lovely adobe and territorial style buildings, all the Native American vendors with their exquisite wares. One quarter of the Plaza area, or a half of Canyon Rd. is a full day.

But if you don't have the luxury of time-- hurry and absorb all you can. Santa Fe is truly a special place. Next- the tastes of Santa Fe.

Taqueria Mexico-A Taste of Heaven

I'm about to share a very special place with you. It's called Taqueria Mexico (415 Lomas Blvd NE) and it's big (huge) on flavor, but not exceptional on atmosphere. Driving to a patient's house three times a week I would pass this tiny little unassuming, ex-Tastee Freeze place, located in the Martineztown barrio. And I'd think "someday I'll stop there".

One day I was starving, and with several more patients to see, I decided it was time to stop and check it out. After perusing the menu I ordered carnitas tacos. The wait and kitchen staff were friendly and efficient, and the aromas all around were making me even hungrier.

When the meal came I was impressed at how fresh everything looked. No gummy cheese and heavy fat here. Just a yummy, healthy-looking plate of tacos. After my first bite I immediately understood that I'd happened onto a special place. The salsa was fiery and fresh, the tacos (soft) were succulent and perfect, and the building, while old, was very clean. Those all around me were Hispanic. Who better to judge good Mexican food, right?

In the fifteen years or so since that first taste of heaven I've gone back many times. And I've taken many people there, and to a person they have pronounced it delicious. Taqueria Mexico is a family operation, the food is consistently excellent, and the prices, while not cheap, are fair. They're only open for breakfast, and lunch--but it's simply the best Mexican food I've ever eaten. Ever! I'm making myself hungry. It's time for a visit--and three carnitas tacos, please! Yum. Hope I see you there! For a better chance at a seat, go before 11:15 or after 1PM. It's a tiny, very busy place, but so worth stopping in.

Restaurant Review--Blade's Bistro in Placitas

Have you been in NM long enough to remember Placitas as a sleepy little hippy commune? Well, it's not that anymore. It's now an upscale bedroom community just a few miles north of Albuquerque. And it sports a very good restaurant--Blade's Bistro, located in the Homestead Shopping Center. We went last night and we're already planning the next visit.

I had two appetizers--the classic wedge salad and the roasted beets. Both were very delicious. The salad greens were fresh and crisp, the blue cheese dressing was creamy and delectable, and sprinkled with a generous amount of real bacon pieces. So good! And the beets almost defy description. They were roasted to perfection, then topped with goat cheese-then toasted and drizzled with a balsamic glaze. Oh yummy! I could not have been happier with my choices.

Another of our party ordered the baked mushroom appetizer and pronounced it rich, satisfying, and savory. My husband ordered the London Steak, which was served with well-seasoned potatoes and green beans, and was a happy man with his choice. One taste of his steak and I could see why he was happy. Tender, juicy, and delicious.

The food and the ambiance were both perfect. We sat on the sail-shaded patio, listened to the two Michaels (Anthony and Olivolo) playing enchanting soft jazz, enjoying the soft NM breeze. Now all that is left is to decide when we go back. I vote for soon!

Albuquerque

Sometimes I take my adopted home state of NM, and especially Albuquerque, for granted. But we have an abundance to savor, too. For those who love walking around old town areas I think our Old Town is charming. Lots of good shops to browse, and a favorite restaurant, the Church Street Cafe. The food is good, and the patio is beautiful and the tables are shaded. So from late spring through fall we sit on the patio and listen to the fountain, and watch the birds, and just generally enjoy the meal and ambiance.

An unrivaled experience is our aerial tram, the world's longest. It goes from the foothills to the Sandia Crest, which is a 10,800' mountain. The tram ride is not to be missed and the view from the top is stunning. Dress warmly, even in the summer. The Crest is always cold and windy! Also at the top is a pretty good restaurant called High Finance. The food is tasty, well-priced and plentiful, but I'm always wishing they'd wash their windows a little more often. But I guess with a view like that you can't have everything.

For those traveling with children, our Explora museum is a delight for the whole family. Our little ones sure liked it! Our Albuquerque Museum is also worth seeing with good permanent exhibits, as well as new and changing exhibits that reflect various aspects of Albuquerque's history. But the NM Museum of Natural History is my absolute favorite. They have worthwhile exhibits, as well as a Dyna-Theater with constantly changing films, and a planetarium.

So, savor the miles along the way, and then stop in and see the Duke City, named for the Spanish Duke Of Alburquerque. (We dropped the first R). We have great shopping, especially for Native American Jewelry. A good variety will be on display right in Old Town Plaza. Stop and chat and check out their wares.