City: Santa Fe, NM

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (505) 471-7120

Address: 720 St. Michael’s Dr.

Description: Even though it looks like a shopping center storefront, Chow’s offers gourmet Chinese food in a calm, upscale setting. The contemporary, eclectic Chinese cuisine is a long way from steam-tray chow mein. Appetizers include firecracker dumplings filled with vegetables, ground turkey, and chile, served with a pesto dipping sauce and wonderful barbecued ribs. The Santa Fe Won Ton Soup features turkey dumplings, sliced chicken breast, wild mushrooms, and fresh spinach in a light chicken vegetable broth. The Pearl River Splash, a steamed whole boneless trout in a delicate ginger and scallion sauce, makes a light healthy choice. The noodle dishes satisfy the appetite and the eye, and interesting vegetarian choices are available. Chow’s makes everything without MSG. It’s open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Beer and wine are available with meals in this smoke-free restaurant. Credit cards are accepted only for meals that cost more than $20.