Best Restaurants in Santa Fe area (Albuquerque, Agua Fria: neighborhood, wedding reception, theater)

[ABM]

Out of towner here. Will be traveling through your fair city from Atlanta (heading to Oregon.)

So, then...

Have any of you tried Dinner For Two? If so, comments/thoughts?

Our criteria will be:

1) Local flavor a MUST

2) Romantic

3) Drinks

4) Affordability

Thanks!

ABM

[cynanthus]

Originally Posted by Towanda

Still on my list of places I have not been to yet:

Santa Fe Baking Company
Tia Sophia's
Bobcat Bite
Bert's Burger Bowl
Jinja's
Whole Hog Cafe
The Cowgirl
Steaksmith at El Gancho
Copa de Oro (a place out here in Eldorado)
El Parasol
Cafe Pasqual's
Tesuque Village Market

You have several of my favorites on your list! Santa Fe Baking Company is wonderful for a casual lunch. The prices are reasonable and the food is tasty and fresh all at the same time. Bobcat Bite is truly the best burger I've ever had. Their papitas were so-so, I won't get them again. But really, the burger, oh - the burger! I love Cowgirl too. The food is good, not amazing. The atmosphere is fun, though, and you can just sit back and watch the world go by outside or see all of the locals (and some tourists) inside. Steaksmith, I have to say, was a disappointment. It's expensive! And the food was kind of bland and corporate. Copa de Oro in Eldorado was a great evening. The restaurant staff were friendly and the food was nice. Prices are reasonable for Santa Fe. I had expected to spend a little less than we did but it was still worth the price.

[Towanda]

We actually did have lunch at Copa de Oro several weeks ago, and since the restaurant has changed ownership several times and didn't always have a great reputation, I wasn't sure what to expect....but it was really good!

The waiter was very friendly and efficient and the food could not have been better. We'll be going back ... hopefully after the weather gets warmer, so we can sit outdoors on the patio.

I have heard good and bad about Steaksmith ... but we have been driving past the place for about 30 years now, and I just want to try it one time. I have told my husband that is where I want to go for my birthday in April.

[mimimomx3]

I really enjoyed Cafe Pasqual recently. The hostess was very friendly and accomodating, the menu was different and delicious. Kind of pricey and the seating policy was strict, but we really had a great time.

[Towanda]

We ate at Cafe Castro for lunch today -- it was the first time we've gone there.

WOW - it was awesome. I had tamales with green chile -- along with beans and rice and posole. My husband had carne adovada.

Also sopapillas...huge and flaky-perfect.

In fact everything was perfect. The service was friendly, their new place on Cerrillos Road is decorated with bright colors. Prices are cheap.

We'll be going back a lot. Two thumbs up.

[WasSoggyInSeattle]

I have friends from Seattle coming in next week and we are going to (of course) visit Santa Fe - what would be a good place on/near the plaza for lunch or dinner (not sure when we'll get there). I would like local flavor but they are certainly not the 'spicy' people we are... But don't let that stop you from making suggestions.

[Towanda]

Sogs -- I don't really eat on/near the Plaza (too expensive), so I really can't make any recommendations. Sorry.

[Nedely]

Originally Posted by Towanda

I have heard good and bad about Steaksmith ... but we have been driving past the place for about 30 years now, and I just want to try it one time. I have told my husband that is where I want to go for my birthday in April.

Have you tried The Bull Ring? It's a prime steak house. Pretty much the same as Ruth's Chris, and very pricey! $$$$$

I've had better steaks, but for Santa Fe (and more than likely ABQ) this is as good as it gets. Despite the price, it's manageable once a year for that special day.

[greycar]

I recommend breakfast on the patio at La Posada when the weather warms up. It's a little pricey, but the food is good and the patio is so beautiful. Ate once at Fuego, also at La Posada, it was incredible- incredibly good food, incredibly expensive. Luckily I didn't have to foot the bill .

[Towanda]

I never make it a practice to eat and pay for incredibly expensive food.

I'm kind of cheap like that. I prefer the little inexpensive joints. Then I feel like I am getting my money's worth.