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Tag Archives: Dining

April 2, 2012

Top 10 Vegetarian Lunches in Santa Fe

Health-conscious Santa Fe boasts plenty of restaurants with tasty vegetarian dishes. Here are a few best bets, in no particular order:

1. Le Pod: A new addition to the food-card scene, this dainty Airstream parks near the intersection of Old Santa Fe Trail and Paseo de Peralta, near the Roundhouse. It specializes in tasty French cuisine, including the vegetarian crepes with squash. Their soup of the day is often vegetarian and, if so, always delicious. Prices range from $5 to $8.

2. Vinaigrette: At this salad bistro, practically any of the menu items can be ordered to fit a vegetarian palate. I especially enjoy Eat Your Peas: fresh baby lettuce and sweet green peas, savory white mushroom sauté, and Asiago cheese with a tart vinaigrette—sans bacon and add grilled tofu, of course. 709 Don Cubero Alley, off Paseo de Peralta.

3. Body: This one-stop wellness stop (it has a fitness center, spa, and boutique on site) also features an elegant cafe featuring organic, raw, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and/or biodynamic dishes. It’s difficult to find something on this menu that isn’t delicious. I particularly enjoy the buckwheat soba noodles with vegetables. 333 W. Cordova Rd.

4. La Plazuela: Head to the former patio, now sunlight restaurant, of the historic La Fonda. Check out the vegetable tart or the vegetarian lasagna—both of which are tasty. 100 E. San Francisco St.

5. Santa Fe Baking Company: This bright gathering place offers homestyle fare and larger than life bakery items. Try the Cowboy Bowl with home fries and black beans topped with an egg, or the veggie burger. 504 West Cordova Rd.

6. Backstreet Bistro: This bustling lunchtime spot with excellent customer service offers a selection of soups daily—including vegetarian and vegan offerings such as Hungarian Mushroom. Before you go, check out their specials online. Backstreet only accepts cash, so come prepared! 513 Camino De Los Marquez

7. Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe: You can’t go wrong here with its menu of all-vegetarian dishes, many of which are also vegan. Additionally, the Ayurvedic food features herbs and spices that balance taste and rejuvenate. I usually opt for one of the three steamed vegetables of the day served with basmati rice, but menu offerings include several Indian dishes plus daily specials that draw from a variety of cultures. 1620 Saint Michaels Dr.

8. The Shed: The Shed serves some of the best chile sauce in the City Different. Bonus: It’s vegetarian. Try the enchiladas or the blue corn burrito plate.  113 1/2 E. Palace Ave.

9. India Palace: Indian food is the go-to cuisine for protein-balanced vegetarian dishes. The lunch buffet here offers several suitable options at an affordable price. 227 Don Gaspar Ave.

10. Guadalupe Cafe: Known for their excellent New Mexican food, this intimate cafe with a fab patio also offers a slate of family-sized salads. 422 Old Santa Fe Trail

January 30, 2012

Top Tea Houses in Albuquerque

Among those of us who live outside Britain, there’s some confusion over “afternoon tea” and “high tea.”  By whatever name you call it, the service at several Duke City tea houses is lovely. The ambiance at each is exceedingly girly (in a good way) with lace doilies, floral-patterned upholstery, and hats befitting the Royal Ascot ready for borrowing. Tea at each destination is a quiet, relaxing experience best shared with friends and family.

1. For an afternoon tea straight out of a Jane Austen novel, head to the St. James Tearoom. The space and menu are equally refined, offering nibbles in savory, bread, and sweet courses. Past menu items have included fennel orange salads, cucumber with grapefruit and mint butter tea sandwiches, butterscotch buns, and custard tarts.

2. Situated on the Westside, Devonshire Adobe Inn offers lovely views of the city. A working B&B, the inn also serves afternoon tea. The plates here also include savory, bread (read: scones), and sweet items; I find the single plates more filling than the petite servings at St. James. However, eating your fill isn’t necessarily what afternoon tea is all about.

(If you’re a vegetarian, be sure to let these two tearooms know in advance so they can ready a fitting menu.)

3. Mes Amis Teahouse in Nob Hill is your best bet if you want to drop in for a cuppa. The teahouse does offer a full afternoon tea with multiple courses, but they also offer single cups of tea and a la carte menu items such as pastries and scones. The traditional cream scone with lemon curd and clotted cream is especially delightful. (I know: “Lemon curd” and “clotted cream” sound rather unappetizing. I have taken to calling these condiments “lemony deliciousness” and “whipped cream butter,” which are far more accurate.)

Tea, aplenty:

New Mexico Tea Co. is an excellent spot to purchase loose leaf teas and teaware. They had a go at serving afternoon tea, but aren’t currently.

Bottger Mansion Bed & Breakfast in Old Town will also serve afternoon tea for a group of eight to 16 people if booked in advance.

Where’s your favorite place in Albuquerque for tea?