Where food is concerned, variety is indeed the spice of life. Albuquerque has all the diversity of cuisine found in larger cities, thanks to the flight of excellent chefs to the less hectic pace of the Great Southwest. Santa Fe is the grand lady of New Mexico, where dining is a big part of the social scene. Throughout the area, restaurants provide the diner with an overall experience, not just good food. So keep your eyes and ears open while you enjoy the great taste sensations.
SADIE’S (New Mexican) 6230 Fourth St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107 (505) 345-5339
Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Sun: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Located just a few blocks north of it’s original location (a North Valley bowling alley), Sadie’s is an undoubted Albuquerque dining tradition. Their down home New Mexican favorites are served fresh from the kitchen and topped generously with Sadie’s signature chile. Red or green, your choice. Just remember, whether you choose to enjoy a plate of carne adovada enchiladas in the dining room or outdoor patio or just have some chicken taquitos and chilled margaritas in the bar, no visit to Sadie’s would be complete without a basket of fresh, hot sopapillas with honey.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $20 - $30
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
SCALO NOTHERN ITALIAN GRILL (Italian) 3500 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106 (505) 255-8781
Scalo Northern Italian Grill is a rare and romantic fine dining getaway in Albuquerque’s fashionable Nob Hill district. Before dinner, take time to relax in the Il Bar, listen to some live jazz and select a glass or bottle of wine from Scalo’s extensive wine list. When it’s time to dine, you can decide between the many imaginative pasta dishes like penne with house-made pork sausage or one of Scalo’s other signature entrées. Perhaps the grilled double-cut pork chop served with polenta, honey-glazed peaches and pistachios? Whatever you decide, Scalo will be sure to accommodate you with a timeless meal from their open air kitchen and absolutely first-rate service.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
ROSCOE’S RIBBS (Barbeque) 3000-C San Pedro NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 884-7422
Hours:
Tue-Thur: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm Sat-Sun: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
The habanero barbecue sauce at Roscoe’s Ribbs (formerly Robb’s Ribbs) has twice won the Best Barbeque Sauce award at the National Fiery Foods Show. Achieving such a title in New Mexico is akin to winning The Nobel Peace Prize and the Congressional Medal of Honor on the same afternoon. Not ready to settle for just a great sauce, Roscoe’s Ribbs slow smokes their antibiotic-free, all natural meats over a fire built from their special blend of woods: oak, hickory apple and pecan. The end result is a luxuriously tender meat that still clings lightly to the bone.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $15 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
AMERASIA (Chinese) 301 Cornell, SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 266-8400
Have you ever found yourself in a Chinese restaurant, forced to decide among a huge list of delicious favorites, knowing in your heart that you really want to order them all? Well, at Amerasia in Albuquerque’s university district, you can. Their dim sum cart wheels out of the kitchen every few minutes, making its way from table to table filled with fresh Chinese temptations of every kind. From Chinese spare ribs to scallion pancakes to the best pot stickers ever created, you can have it all. Simply pick a couple of your favorites and Amerasia will serve you a single portion of each and leave you to enjoy. Don’t worry though. The dim sum cart will be back to satisfy you again and again.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $15 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
LA CREPE MICHEL (French) 400-C2 San Felipe NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 (505) 242-1251
Among the history and curio shops of Old Town Albuquerque you will find hidden La Crepe Michel, a charming little restaurant specializing in French cuisine. While their delicate crepes are clearly a specialty (and for good reason), don’t pass up the croque-monsieur sandwich, a grilled ham and cheese sandwich coated in béchamel sauce. Better yet, try the croque-madame. It’s the same sandwich topped with a fried egg. Then, of course, you’ll want to top off your meal with an order of creamy mousse a chocolat.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $15 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Located in the Downtown district, the Artichoke Café is a great spot for a business lunch or to meet a date after work. It features rotating art exhibits, relaxing atmosphere and an eclectic combination of French, Italian and New American food to please anyone's palate. Chef Pat Keene, trained in NYC, promises style and quality. Who wouldn't find something to their liking here?
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $15 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
YANNI'S MEDITERRANEAN BAR & GRILL 3109 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 268-9250
Amid the strolling shops of Nob Hill, Yanni's provides a continental setting for a pleasing dining experience. Featuring Greek and vegetarian cuisine, as well as seafood and black angus beef, Yanni's is a charming place to wind down and enjoy four-star dining. Guests may elect to dine on the patio or beside the wall of windows alongside the Mother Road, Route 66. The full service bar is prominently featured, and includes many fine wines.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $20 - $30
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Named for the patron saint of Mexican and New Mexican kitchens, the historic adobe café is located only one block off the Plaza and is adorned by hand-painted tiles and murals. Small and friendly, Pasqual's has the feel of a real Mexican café in the heart of Santa Fe. Everything from salsa to ice cream is made right there in their kitchen, so stop in for a treat.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Called the ultimate in Southwestern cuisine, celebrity Chef Mark Miller's Coyote Café offers a choice of an elegant fine dining experience or the casual Rooftop Cantina, where lunch is also served. Try the buttermilk corn cakes with an order of chipotle shrimp and you'll know what the food critics have been howling about for years. The Café usually stocks over 150 premium wines and a wide selection of Tequilas. Enjoy!
Located across the street from the San Miguel Mission, The Pink Adobe is named for the rose hue of the 300-year-old house, now a national landmark. A restaurant since 1944, diners may enjoy steaks, seafood or New Mexican fare beside a fireplace or tucked away in a quiet corner while enjoying the artwork of Rosalea Murphy. Whether you go before or after dinner, the Dragon Room Bar is an experience in itself and features live music Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Guests have included many visiting celebrities.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Estimated cost per person for dinner is based upon one entrée, one beverage, and 20% gratuity.
The Top List of Great Restaurants - Albuquerque/Santa Fe, NM