Las Cruces Dining

[tecpatl]

TKO, while we're on the subject of over-hyped and undeserving restaurants, the only place that can give La P. a run for it's money in this category is Double Eagle, just around the corner. I love the Victorian bar and the great margaritas, but my meals there have almost always been disappointing. TONS of effort put into decor, PR and advertising but sorely lacking competence and inspiration in the kitchen. A good, competent chef could make this place a landmark, but right now it's a great place for a drink and that's it. My wife insists I mention that Sunday Brunch at D E is pretty good. That, the over-the-top decor and the margaritas are the high points, however. As mentioned elsewhere, the Lorenzos (de Mesilla) off Avenida de Mesilla is pretty good, and SI Italian Bistro behind Albertsons is pretty good as well. In the corner of the Albertsons parking lot is a pretty good Middle Eastern restaurant but the name escapes me at the moment Nellies is, of course, very good but sooo crowded. The Shed on Valley is a great breakfast and lunch place, though I wish it was still in Mesilla (as Mesilla Pastry Cafe). I usually take guests down to Chope's in La Mesa for some real local flavor, and they are delighted with the food and amused by the crowd scene at opening hour.

[LasCrucesOne]

I have to add a rave in here about Sestri, the Italian restaurant that came in where Jaan Indian restaurant used to be. It's in the little strip mall across from the Sam's CLub on Telshor. Excellent Italian food, good ambiance. Expensive for Las Cruces, which means that it won't last--but get in there for a special occasion while you can.

[tecpatl]

I've just returned from a great (but very meat oriented) lunch at Beltran's Meat Market & Cafe on El Paseo, just north of Idaho. A wide variety of Chihuaha style ranch food, centered, of course, on meat dishes, including some rarely seen cuts and more than a few offal dishes for the adventurous chowhound.
The decor is simple, done by someone with a big Pancho Villa fetish, and the place is clean as a whistle.

Wife and I split a Parillada for two, which would have fed four. Grilled and chopped seasoned beef and chicken breast chunks cooked wiht onion, green and red mild chiles shared a sizzling metal serving dish with 2 baked potatos, a dish of muy sabroso queso fundido and some very fine and fresh tortillas de maiz. Like Andale in Mesilla, they have a salsa bar with a number of different salsas, chopped cilantro, etc. All the salsas were freshly made and tasty.
I'll be going back soon, as well as shopping their meat counter, and we brought home lunch for tomorrow (the rest of today's) in a to-go box.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by tecpatl

I've just returned from a great (but very meat oriented) lunch at Beltran's Meat Market & Cafe on El Paseo, just north of Idaho. A wide variety of Chihuaha style ranch food, centered, of course, on meat dishes, including some rarely seen cuts and more than a few offal dishes for the adventurous chowhound.
The decor is simple, done by someone with a big Pancho Villa fetish, and the place is clean as a whistle.

Wife and I split a Parillada for two, which would have fed four. Grilled and chopped seasoned beef and chicken breast chunks cooked wiht onion, green and red mild chiles shared a sizzling metal serving dish with 2 baked potatos, a dish of muy sabroso queso fundido and some very fine and fresh tortillas de maiz. Like Andale in Mesilla, they have a salsa bar with a number of different salsas, chopped cilantro, etc. All the salsas were freshly made and tasty.
I'll be going back soon, as well as shopping their meat counter, and we brought home lunch for tomorrow (the rest of today's) in a to-go box.

OMG, that sounds wonderful.....do they have cabrito (goatmeat)?

[tecpatl]

I didn't see cabrito, but I suspect there may be some seasonality to that. On my next carnivoracious visit I'll ask both the waitress and the butcher what's up and report back here. My Kathy (the Cabrito queen) wonders the same thing....it's her traditional birthday dinner.
We're both pretty adventurous diners, so we'll be checking out Beltran's more exotic offerings before long.
Cathy4017 (and any other Mexi-chowhounds).....what's the weirdest Mexican food you've eaten??? I've got a couple of good ones, but will wait for others to chime in.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by tecpatl

I didn't see cabrito, but I suspect there may be some seasonality to that. On my next carnivoracious visit I'll ask both the waitress and the butcher what's up and report back here. My Kathy (the Cabrito queen) wonders the same thing....it's her traditional birthday dinner.
We're both pretty adventurous diners, so we'll be checking out Beltran's more exotic offerings before long.
Cathy4017 (and any other Mexi-chowhounds).....what's the weirdest Mexican food you've eaten??? I've got a couple of good ones, but will wait for others to chime in.

This is not going to seem weird to others, but to me it was....menudo. I have had it both in a restaurant...and homemade!!!

It's a texture thang!! The flavor/broth is delicious, even my own....but as soon as I run into a piece of tripe (which is cubed cow's stomach, easily available at nearly any market in Texas/NM), that's it. It is like trying to eat a dishrag. I thought maybe it was the way in which it was prepared....nope, I just don't like it!

When I made it myself, I drained off the delicious broth....I washed the tripe well and gave it to the dogs. They thought they'd died and gone to heaven...

[tecpatl]

So....I guess sweetbreads (calf thymus and pancreas) are off your list of things to cook? ohhh you're missing something!
I think that the tripe eventually tenderizes somewhat with cooking...but your right; it's a texture thing for most people. Not sure where the reputation of being a hangover cure comes from though.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by tecpatl

So....I guess sweetbreads (calf thymus and pancreas) are off your list of things to cook? ohhh you're missing something!
I think that the tripe eventually tenderizes somewhat with cooking...but your right; it's a texture thing for most people. Not sure where the reputation of being a hangover cure comes from though.

I would not buy and cook sweetbreads myself, but I would try them if someone else cooked them properly.

I don't know where the so-called hangover cure came from either.....dang, if I tried to eat menudo while I was hung over, I just very well might toss my cookies...uggh. LOL!!!

[tecpatl]

Well...you've got guts! LOL (sorry, couldn't resist that.)
Actually, I've only had sweetbreads twice in Mexico. Both times they were great, though I think the best sweetbread recipes are French. I find people love them as long as they don't know what they are.....kind of like Rocky Mountain Oysters.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by tecpatl

Well...you've got guts! LOL (sorry, couldn't resist that.)
Actually, I've only had sweetbreads twice in Mexico. Both times they were great, though I think the best sweetbread recipes are French. I find people love them as long as they don't know what they are.....kind of like Rocky Mountain Oysters.

Mountain oysters are delicious.........battered, fried, dipped in either ranch dressing, cocktail sauce....tabasco...or just plain ketchup!!

Most people gag at that.....when they find out what it is....succulent!!!!