There is a lot you can find about restaurants in Santa Fe. For such a small town of under 70,000 world class eateries abound. But I wanted to write about the unique restaurants to Santa Fe that may be something visitors may want to try to get a taste of the mixtures of cultures here.
Here is a short list that by no means represents everyone, but it is a start:
Native American / Northern New Mexican Food
Hacienda - Hotel Santa Fe
This restaurant uses classic technique, contemporary flair, and fresh seasonal ingredients from traditional American Indian fare.
Chef Dominic Geraghty creates innovative dishes sure to please any palate. This restaurant highlights local pueblo and Northern New Mexican influences, as well as regional foods from around the U.S. The casual, inviting atmosphere keeps the focus on fine food and conversation, and the restaurant opens onto a patio for seasonal outdoor dining.
Coyote Café - 132 W Water Sreet
Coyote Cafe serves a unique style of Southwestern cooking that has its origins in Hispanic-New Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Pueblo Indian cuisines. Mark Miller sees the value of featuring locally grown and organic produce at his restaurant.
Southwestern / New Mexican
The Pink Adobe - 406 Old Santa Fe Trail
The fare here is eclectic-continental and New Mexican. Steak Dunigan, is smothered with green chiles and mushrooms. Finish off your meal with The Pink's renowned French apple pie with hard sauce and hot brandy sauce. (The crust is made with lard, New Mexican style).
Geronimo - 724 Canyon Rd.
Rated my epicurious.com as one of Santa Fe top restaurants they say Geronimo's Southwestern dishes, with a touch of northern New Mexican cuisine, deliver knockout flavors. Menu items are stupendous, such as mesquite-grilled prime filet of beef with a spinach and Yukon potato flan and grilled "fiery" chile-honey-basted prawns with a toasted almond jasmine rice cake, spicy pea shoots, bitter greens, and roasted green onion sauce. Believe it or not, they're as good as they sound.
Western/ Santa Fe BBQ Style - Cowgirl Hall of Fame - 321 S. Guadalupe St.
In their own words the Cowgirl offers a unique blend of features to satisfy many different tastes. The true-pit mesquite smoked Barbeque is unequaled in the Southwest. Ribs, chicken and brisket are slow-cooked daily to give you the big Texas flavor you love. Grilled specialties like salmon soft tacos, jerk chicken and of course, big tasty T-bones are favorites with the locals. And our New Mexican specialties add diversity to a menu already brimming with regional American choices. The made-from-scratch Chiles Rellenos with green chile is one of the favorites only the Cowgirl can deliver.
Rio Chama Steakhouse - 414 Old Santa Fe Trail
Named after a major tributary of the Rio Grande, which flows through some of the state's best cattle country. According to Yahoo restaurant reviews the Rio Chama Steakhouse serves melt-in-your-mouth aged beef in a classy, romantic setting. The menu offers plenty of steakhouse fare including rib eye and prime rib, as well as specialty dishes such as Rocky Mountain Lamb Chops, Black Skillet Trout and stuffed shrimp. There are many dishes prepared with the southwest flare or chile somewhere in the ingredients.
Contemporary Southwestern
Anasazi Restaurant - Inn of the Anasazi
The Anasazi Restaurant is one of Santa Fe's most highly acclaimed. According to their advertising this 92 seat restaurant serves an exciting combination that honors the culinary legacies of the Southwest. Foods of the earth from the Native American, foods of the soul from the Northern New Mexican and foods of substance from the American Cowboy. Chefs take advantage of New Mexico's abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as organic meats and poultry, when available to create culinary delights daily at this award winning restaurant.
La Casa Sena - 125 E Palace
la Casa Sena is located just off the Plaza, this restaurant and cantina is a favorite. Its charming New Mexico-themed atmosphere creates a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The menu is diverse, offering contemporary meals with a Southwestern flare. The trout, which is slow-cooked in a clay pot, is one of the house specialties. The wine list is one of the most extensive in the Southwest. Next door to the restaurant the cantina singers, who double as waiters and waitresses, perform Broadway tunes.
These are just a few suggestions of restaurants in Santa Fe which are unique to this area and really must be tried. Bon appetite!
Eileen Richardson
