Santa Fe, NM

Ideas for both food and lodging

We stopped at Dave's Not Here on a trip last June and loved it. Excellent food and friendly people. We posted a logbook on the site--the chile rellenos are a must!

Santa Fe offers a VERY broad spectrum of food and lodging options while still exuding an ambience of quaint small town atmosphere. You will be able to spend as much money as you wish or as little money as you wish, regardless, you will enjoy Santa Fe.
PS... Seek out NYNM, she's our ROADFOOD authority regarding Santa Fe.

It's a cart, not really a restaurant, but Roque's Carnitas out on the plaza is one of the best cheap eats I've ever had. I also had a breakfast burrito once at Tia Sophia's, another 'cheap eats' establishment. Also, I had an uneventful meal at the Blue Corn, which is more renowned for their beer.

This web site should help you. I believe there have been several threads here before on Santa Fe. Maybe a few more details, what time of the year, how long?

http://www.santafe.org/

For breakfast, it is very hard for me to choose between Cafe Pasqual's and Tecolote. You really can't go wrong with either one.

http://www.pasquals.com/

http://tecolotecafe.com/

quote:

Originally posted by rouxdog

Santa Fe offers a VERY broad spectrum of food and lodging options while still exuding an ambience of quaint small town atmosphere. You will be able to spend as much money as you wish or as little money as you wish, regardless, you will enjoy Santa Fe.
PS... Seek out NYNM, she's our ROADFOOD authority regarding Santa Fe.

SO KIND!! SF does have a very a broad offering - it is a sort of foodie town with places available at all levels. I am tempted to recommend a class at Santa Fe School of Cooking, becuase they cook for or with you, teach about the local foods and then serve a delicious meal with wine. It's usually a 2 or 3 hour set up, during the afternoon. They are located near the plaza on San Francisco. Most of their clientele are visitors who come for the day. Well worth it.

www.santafeschoolofcooking.com

There are also many places to stay. Most people like the downtown area, but I also suggest Sunrise Springs, about 15 min. south of SF which is a lovely, uncrowded conference center on its own pond. It has great food (Blue Heron Cafe), massage center, hot tub, etc.

www.sunrisesprings.com

Near Rancho de la Golandrinas, a lovely restored 17th century spanish settement.

www.golondrinas.com

(I am into an "alternative, non-tourist' Santa Fe stage (I'm in NY now, am going to NM for Christmas, actually we have reservations in Taos to see the Taos Pueblo sunset service; dinner the nex day at De La Tierra at El Monte Sagrado, 'spose to be good - I'll let you know.

OOPS!! The last website is supposed to be

www.golondrinas.org

and it is NOT "sexually explicit" like the one I put up by mistake (!?!)

quote:

Originally posted by NYNM

quote:

Originally posted by rouxdog

Santa Fe offers a VERY broad spectrum of food and lodging options while still exuding an ambience of quaint small town atmosphere. You will be able to spend as much money as you wish or as little money as you wish, regardless, you will enjoy Santa Fe.
PS... Seek out NYNM, she's our ROADFOOD authority regarding Santa Fe.

SO KIND!! SF does have a very a broad offering - it is a sort of foodie town with places available at all levels. I am tempted to recommend a class at Santa Fe School of Cooking, becuase they cook for or with you, teach about the local foods and then serve a delicious meal with wine. It's usually a 2 or 3 hour set up, during the afternoon. They are located near the plaza on San Francisco. Most of their clientele are visitors who come for the day. Well worth it.

www.santafeschoolofcooking.com

There are also many places to stay. Most people like the downtown area, but I also suggest Sunrise Springs, about 15 min. south of SF which is a lovely, uncrowded conference center on its own pond. It has great food (Blue Heron Cafe), massage center, hot tub, etc.

www.sunrisesprings.com

Near Rancho de la Golandrinas, a lovely restored 17th century spanish settement.

(I am into an "alternative, non-tourist' Santa Fe stage (I'm in NY now, am going to NM for Christmas, actually we have reservations in Taos to see the Taos Pueblo sunset service; dinner the nex day at De La Tierra at El Monte Sagrado, 'spose to be good - I'll let you know.

"
sorry folks...

I just got flagged at work for surfing porn!!

Just kidding!

(It happens)

Fellow New Mexicans, you are coming through to assist our visitor!
NYNM, you're the real deal! I knew you'd have good suggestions!
Sunrise Springs is FANTASTIC!

You are the man! (excuse me, you are the woman)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What about Leonas in Chamayo I have always heard of it but never tried it. Any opinions.

http://www.leonasrestaurante.com/index.htm

joe

quote:

Originally posted by rouxdog

Fellow New Mexicans, you are coming through to assist our visitor!
NYNM, you're the real deal! I knew you'd have good suggestions!
Sunrise Springs is FANTASTIC!

You are the man! (excuse me, you are the woman)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(The Woman)

Texianjoe, haven't eaten at Leonas. I'm a Rancho De Chimayo loyalist. Perhaps someone will give us an objective report.

quote:

Originally posted by rouxdog

Texianjoe, haven't eaten at Leonas. I'm a Rancho De Chimayo loyalist. Perhaps someone will give us an objective report.

A loyalist huh. It must be as good as they say. I try it next time.

joe

I've been to Leona's a few times. You have to understand that its just a "hole in the wall" - a take out counter, a few tables (I'm not even sure there's table service). Great tamales and other foods, but nothing fancy. Also a big freezer to take home frozen tamales in all sorts of flavors. Ya gotta go to Rancho de Chamayo just down the road for a "dining experience."

Rancho de Chimayo is just a great dining experience and is easily in my all-time top 10 Roadfood places. As good as the food is, the atmosphere is even better.

The last time I ate there, we stayed at the little inn right across the street. Thoroughly enjoyed that, too.

Leona's sure looks good, too!

Buff, I think you nailed the Chimayo lodging/dining experience. We're happy New Mexican retirees. Off and on we've lived in the Land of Enchantment for 15 years.
Chimayo continues over these years to be magnetic to me.
I encourage all to visit "Ortega's Weaving Shop" in Chimayo. 100% wool handwoven items. I had to go get a little rug I purchased a few months ago from these fine folks to write this message.
If you have the opportunity to visit northern New Mexico, I suggest you take a day trip on the narrow two-laner from Pojoaque up to Taos. Visit Nambe(ware), do lunch in Chimayo, visit the several great weavers, beautiful old churches as well as many other landmarks along the way will make your trip an unforgettable experience.You'll be able to visit with the folks in Truchas, Penasco as well as the other many villages. You might top off the day by staying at the Sagebrush Inn on the south end of Taos. The Sagebrush is my home away from home when I'm in Taos.

My two favorite places are, Number 1: Cafe Pasquals. It's the best! You will love it! Especially for breakfast.
Number 2: I'm afraid I've forgotten the name but, there is a place on Guadalupe Street that serves THE BEST green or red chile I have ever eaten. it's positively addictive. Ask in your hotel for the name. Come to think of it, I believe it's called the Guadalupe Cafe.

Let us all know how you did with these suggestions.

I just Googled Guadalupe Cafe and, that's the correct name but, they have moved from Guadalupe Street to, Old Santa Fe Trail. You have just got to go there. Great for lunch!

I'll chime in too on Rancho de Chimayo, great food and a beautiful location. Last visit we ate on the upper patio but enjoyed going through the dining rooms and looking at the old family photos. In SF, Tia Sophias and the Plaza are our favorites for breakfast. We have stayed at many different places around SF but really enjoyed our stay at Water Street Inn, just a few blocks off the Plaza.

http://www.waterstreetinn.com/

quote:

Originally posted by rouxdog

Texianjoe, haven't eaten at Leonas. I'm a Rancho De Chimayo loyalist. Perhaps someone will give us an objective report.

Rouxdog,

I am going to be in the area a few days before Xmas, and I really want to take my mom to this place. I have two small children though (5 and 3) do you think we will be okay going to Rancho De Chimayo?

I don't think children are a problem there. Scroll down to the bottom of this web page for their hours and phone number.

http://www.ranchochimayo.com/Ranchodechimayorestaurant.htm

Edited to ad this website. The young lady pictured here was our server last visit.

http://www.ranchodechimayo.com/

quote:

Originally posted by kland01s

I don't think children are a problem there. Scroll down to the bottom of this web page for their hours and phone number.

http://www.ranchochimayo.com/Ranchodechimayorestaurant.htm

Edited to ad this website. The young lady pictured here was our server last visit.

http://www.ranchodechimayo.com/

Thanks for the info Kland01s. They really aren't bad kids at all, nonetheless, I wanted to make sure they would be welcomed. I wasn't sure how fancy the restaurant was, nor the entire contents of the menu.

Rancho de Chimayo, lvely as it is, is definitely a family restaurant. In fact it is family owned by the Jamrillo family and most of the staff are family. Mayor Jamarillo, a controversial mayor of Santa fe a few years back was, I believe, from this family (a Hispanic woman as mayor of Santa Fe??? ?)
They have a great breakfast at the Rancho, too,

www.ranchodechimayao.com

Tam, your children will be welcome at Rancho De Chimayo. The restaurant has been described very well by posters above. Great tasteful New Mexican cuisine in a lovely casual setting.

rouxdog


Texianjoe, haven't eaten at Leonas. I'm a Rancho De Chimayo loyalist. Perhaps someone will give us an objective report.

RouxDog,
 
You finally got your Wish. See Today's Featured place! We're going to Santa Fe/Taos over Thanksgiving! I sent a PM to our Guardian Angel, NYNM, seeking her sage advice. Anxiously awaiting her reply!

Rancho de Chimayo just reopened a few months ago after being closed for a year and a half due to a kitchen fire. I haven't heard anything about anyone revisiting since the re-open. It's a lovely setting and I hope not much has changed.

Cafe Pascal and, Guadalupe Cafe! You will love them. Especially, Cafe Pascal!

Bobcat Bites in Santa Fe.

You must stop at Chimayo to see the shrine even if you are not Catholic.  It is an interesting experience.  I've eaten at Leona's, but the last time I went through Chimayo, I wanted to stop at Rancho but they were still closed due to the fire, so I have no reference between the two.  Also, stop at Sugar's in Embudo if you have the chance.













Bread pudding at Leona's












Beef Brisket Burrito at Sugar's