Real Food Nation restaurant - Closed - Now is Cafe Fina Santa Fe (Las Vegas: sales)
Santa FeSanta Fe County
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Does anyone know what's happening with the former Real Food Nation on Old Las Vegas Highway? I have noticed people in and out of the restaurant building for the past two weeks, and yesterday I saw a guy with what looked like rolled up plans. Today there's a contractor looking truck there.
Any word on whether it will reopen as RFN or something new?
Santa Fe New Mexican
Closing time for Real Food Nation
Owners throw in towel, citing 'novice mistakes'
By Anne Constable 3/27/2012
In messages to friends, the owners suggested they had reached a tipping point and could no longer continue putting their own money into a losing venture.
Both establishments drew customers who made the short drive outside the Santa Fe city limits, but for those who live in the Eldorado area, the announcement that the restaurants had closed came as a blow. The cafe, in particular, had come to be a community gathering place and was one of the few choice dining locations southeast of the city.
Timken, who owns the 10-acre property with two buildings and a 1-acre garden with her husband, largely blamed herself. This was her first restaurant enterprise. Although her husband has been a pastry chef for 33 years, Timken's only prior experience in the food business was helping to run a restaurant in Tanzania for six months and briefly working as a server at El Mesón as a favor to a friend.
"I made novice mistakes that made it more difficult for us," she admitted.
Timken said a restaurant consultant hired in January showed them they would have to grow their business by 33 percent to make any money.
If she were to do it over again, Timken said, "I would hire a really experienced general manager. We were trying to mom-and-pop it, and that doesn't work -- unless you've been in the business 15 years."
It did not mention what was currently happening with the place...
Last I heard the owners were planning on leasing the building to someone, but had no intention of returning to the restaurant business. Don't know who is leasing it, but I'll do some digging.
Last I heard the owners were planning on leasing the building to someone, but had no intention of returning to the restaurant business. Don't know who is leasing it, but I'll do some digging.
Thanks Dogmama! It was such a big surprise when RFN closed; many of the neighbors found out when they woke up to the front page in the New Mexican that Poncho copied. And there's been almost no news since...
I've asked a friend who is in food sales and he doesn't know who's going in there yet either. When we were in town a couple months ago we were told a very different story than what was spun in the paper, much more personal than business. I'm sure the truth is somewhere in between the two.
Just in case anyone is interested, Cafe Fino has opened in Real Food Nation's spot out on Old Las Vegas Highway. It's being helmed by a guy who used to associated with Cafe Pasqual and several other Santa Fe restaurants. I was told his name today, but forgot it. Anyway - Cafe Fino will be a breakfast/lunch spot to start, and the soft opening was today. There's a big grand opening planned in a few weeks.
I've heard it's good. I want to try it next time I'm hiking in the Galisteo Basin. I'll have to talk friends into skipping the Legal Tender--they love that place--I think for the atmosphere. I wasn't that impressed with the food --they did have excellent coleslaw but it is a cool building.
I like Cafe Fina. They have a limited menu, and limited hours, but I think that's probably a safer way to start a business. Their baked goods are pretty tasty and they have a good selection of made to order items.
Good riddance to Real Food Nation. That place was too expensive for what you got. I haven't tried Cafe Fina yet... there hours don't mesh well with mine. =(
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Cafe Fina Santa Fe
