Deciphering the Santa Fe Restaurant Menu
Many of the items on menu at Santa Fe restaurants have familiar names: enchiladas, tacos, tamales. New Mexico imprints its own traditions on each of them, and those traditions almost invariably include chile peppers. Other menu items and terms that may be unfamiliar include:- Chile - Red or green peppers, with varying degrees of hotness.
- Christmas - An easy way to order both red and green chile sauce.
- Posole - A corn product similar to hominy. Served cooked as a side dish or as the main ingredient in a tasty stew.
- Pinon - The nut produced by the pinon pine tree. Used to flavor coffee and other food items.
- Sopaipilla - A puffy fried pastry. Usually filled with honey and eaten as a side dish or dessert.
Favorite Santa Fe Restaurants
When I'm in Santa Fe, I consume as much chile-based foods and regional cuisine as I can, so I can't comment on any of the many fine restaurants serving other cuisines. These restaurants are some personal favorites, but there are many more excellent choices.- Geronimo - Innovative cuisine, understated elegance in a historic Canyon Road Adobe. Very romantic. Pricey.
- The Shed - Best for lunch when they serve enchiladas, posole and green chile stews. Their menu also includes non-New Mexican items.
- Maria's - Consistently voted the best margaritas in Santa Fe. They have excellent fresh chips and salsa, fresh tortillas and great barbecue.
- Cafe Pasqual's - Recently received the James Beard America's Regional Cooking Classics Award. Innovative menu served in an exuberant setting. Good for breakfasts, too.
- Gabriel's - Located north of Santa Fe near Camel Rock Casino, Gabriel's made-at-your-table guacamole is unsurpassed.
- Santa Fe School of Cooking - What fun! You learn how to cook a Southwest or New Mexico-style meal, then are served a full meal composed of the dishes you just learned about. It's a relaxing, fun and some say it's the best lunch in Santa Fe.
Can't Take the Heat?
Green chile is usually milder than red. Milk-based products help cool the fire of chiles.The Shed's menu includes hamburgers and salads in addition to the spicy stuff, and Pasqual's also serves non-chile dishes. Other popular and well-reviewed restaurants include SantaCafe, Bull Ring (steak), Cowgirl Hall of Fame (barbecue) and Vanessie's (American).
Enjoy!
