Spring is here and summer is to follow in Santa Fe. This is some of the most comfortable weather of the season. It is the time of year many of the restaurants who have outdoor dining dust off the furniture, sweep the patio, and hang the ristras in order to prepare for the outside diners.
The weather in the Spring is between the temperatures of 60 -80 degrees as a high and 35 – 52 as a low (April to June). In the Summer the temperatures are 74 – 91 degrees as a high and 49 to 57 degrees as a low (July thru September) Although it is very warm (it is a dry heat –ha ha) at times, the breezes are common and of course the restaurant owners consider their guests, and have adequate umbrellas or awnings.
Being in the pristine arid environment beckons you to eat out of doors. There isn't a bug problem here, so no mosquito nets or citronella candles or bug zappers will be seen.
In one dining establishment or another you can find you can dine out of doors for either breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Breakfast
Grant Corner Inn - Although this is a small B and B, there is a lovely veranda outside this Victorian style building that is very inviting. You are close to the Plaza, and can watch people walk by and take in the fragrant scents of spring and summer.
Morning fare includes fresh fruit Frappe, fresh Orange Juice, the "Fruit and Cereal Board" including the Inn's Homemade Granola and Yogurt. Gourmet entrees change daily and may include Fruit-Filled Dutch Babies, Roasted Hatch Green Chile Black Bean Burrito, Pumpkin-Raisin Pancakes or Artichoke Basil Eggs Benedict. Homemade Breads, Muffins and Jams are always included.
Guadalupe Café This café is open for breakfast lunch and dinner. The view is of the Old Santa Fe Trail in the older section of town, but still only a few blocks from the plaza and 2 blocks form the historic Loretto Chapel.
The Guadalupe café has excellent breakfast tostadas. They can be ordered with red or green chili, stuffed with pinto beans, sausage, and ham, spinach/cream sauce, topped with your choice of eggs. Red fried potatoes (home fries) and bread. Full and half orders; so order the full order and take some home with you.
Lunch
Bishop's Lodge - This lodge and retreat originally was the retreat for Bishop Lamy the first bishop of Santa Fe. This lodge is nested in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and is listed as one of America's finest resorts. It is a location perfect for everything from meetings to weddings to spa getaways and family vacations.
The restaurant is open for all three meals but a leisurely afternoon lunch in the newly remodeled patio overlooking the delightful grounds of the resort would be enjoyable. Afterwards you could go horse back riding or hiking in the foothills.
At Las Fuentes restaurant where Executive Chef Alfonso Ramirez, through years of working in some of the country's most prestigious resorts and hotels, has developed his own unique style of Nuevo Latino Cuisine. This conglomeration of all Latin cuisines features the foods of Cuba (tostones, mariquitas, fufu de platino and ropa vieja), Puerto Rico (tomato sauce), Argentina (chimichurri), Salvador (pupusas), Columbia (aropas), Mexico (flautas) and other countries of Central and South America and the Caribbean.
If your ideas for the afternoon are to go gallery hopping on Canyon Road, than lunch could be enjoyed at a few restaurants on Canyon Rd with outdoor dining.
The Compound has a beautiful garden patio to have lunch in.
The Compound Restaurant features Contemporary American Cuisine, paired with a thoughtful selection of 200 wines and classical service in a relaxed atmosphere. Signature dishes include; Crispy Sweetbreads with Foie Gras and Slow Baked Salmon with Lobster Risotto
El Farol a truly Spanish restaurant known for their tapas and paella has out door seating at the front with a view of Canyon Road and all the passersby, and out back in a patio atmosphere.
Dinner
In another part of town closer to the plaza and the Georgia O'Keeffe museum is O'Keeffe Cafe.
This classy Santa Fe local is right next to the Georgia O'Keeffe museum. Inside, the walls have Georgia O'Keeffe mementos of her life in Northern New Mexico. Outside the seating is situated under a 150 year old box elder where the contemporary southwestern cuisine and extensive wine offerings can be enjoyed.
The Restaurant at Loretto at the Inn at Loretto
Experience Contemporary American Cuisine with regional and international influences.
Here in the heart of downtown Santa Fe you can enjoy the warm breezes of Spring and Summer in their outdoor patio.
Palace Restaurant and Saloon
The property originally was a saloon. In fact the original door knocker can be found hanging on the wall of the saloon.
This popular Santa Fe establishment with its ambiance of the Old West is presided over by the Pertusinis of Lake Como, Italy. The food is typically Northern Italian. The pasta is freshly made on the premises. The outdoor patio combines all the Santa Fe Charm of the Spring and Summer evenings with a touch of Italy.
315 Restaurant and Wine Bar
French Provençal cuisine in a warm, cozy setting with friendly service. This cozy restaurant offers the and ambience of Old Santa Fe Trail- one of the oldest centers of town
El Fuego at La Posada Resort
At Fuego, innovative foods are infused with regional ingredients and flavors. You can also choose from a selection of traditional and contemporary cuisines
The stunning outdoor patio with its captivating fire fountain is open for all meals that are enhanced by the outdoor kiva smokers
No matter the meal, no matter the place, you will remember dining outdoors in Santa Fe in the Spring and Summer as some of your fondest memories.
Eileen Richardson
