Albuquerque

66 Diner
1405 Central Avenue NE
Phone: 505 247-1421
Fun and good food sum up this nostalgic favorite on historic Route 66. My personal favorite in this homage to roadside eating and 50s culture, is the "Pile Up" and its smaller version "Fender Bender" with pan fried potatoes, chopped bacon, chopped green chile, two eggs, cheddar cheese and red or green chile sauce. But it's all good at this casual 1950s feel eatery. The burgers, sandwiches and Blue Plate Specials offer comfort food 7 days a week.

And we definitely need to mention the luscious pies and milkshakes. Yes, indeed, whether you were there, or just have a hankering for waitresses in blue uniforms and potsy (or hopscotch) floor tiles, you'll have a great time.

Church Street Cafe
2111 Church St. NW
Phone: 505 247-8522
This New Mexican restaurant (and outdoor dining patio) in the heart of Old Town is a favorite both for the food and the atmosphere. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner specializing in traditional New Mexican dishes (including a New Mex take on old favorites). Sandwiches, hamburgers, and soups, and salads. And, fajitas, chile smothered steak, carne adovada al horno, vegetarian rellenos (two large green chiles stuffed with cheese dipped in egg batter and fried) and old fashioned chile rellenos (made the old Spanish way with meat and cheese, lightly dipped in egg batter, fried and topped with green chile). Did we say Yum? Well, it is.

The ambience comes from its history. The property was originally a residence built by the Ruiz family in the early 1700s, and it remained so until Rufina G. Ruiz died in 1991 at the age of 91. The house is built of terrones -- a type of adobe brick that was used prior to the 1820s. In places the walls are over 2 feet thick -- built to be warmer in winter and cooler in summer. The rooms are cozy and meander throughout the building, and eventually lead to a cozy outdoor dining patio.

La Provence Brasserie Restaurant
3001 Central NE
Phone: 505 254-7644
We were standing outside reading the menu and trying to decide whether to go in or not. The menu looked great but would the food live up to it? As we stood there, a man walked up and urged us inside to try it. A dedicated patron who lived in the neighborhood, he swore that we would soon make La Provence our favorite restaurant. We followed him inside and met one of the owners, Marc Maurin-Adam with his warm and quirky sense of humor. How did he come to open a French restaurant in the middle of Albuquerque? Love. His wife is from Albuquerque and he followed her back to New Mexico. And opened a low-key, friendly, and excellent restaurant. Soft jazz plays in the background and touches of France grace the walls.

The menu (with the exception of a few items) and the prices are the same for lunch and dinner. There are quiches and crepes, as well as a special burger, and some classic French dishes, and French-inspired dishes on this eclectic menu. Our favorite so far is Saumon Manon -- Fresh pan seared Atlantic salmon over herbed Israeli cous cous topped with fresh tomato basil, served with Balsamic glaze and toasted baguette points. The wine is sold by the bottle, with a nice selection sold by the glass as well. Sophisticated and friendly. A winning combination.

Mykonos Cafe and Taverna
5900 Eubanks Blvd. NE
Phone: 505 291-1116
The taste, feel, and atmosphere of Greece, in the middle of northeast heights. This is a true Greek restaurant, from the old country with white walls, blue accents and clay tile floors. It was the first place I ate when I arrived in Albuquerque, fresh from New York, and it was a taste of home. It's all delicious.

Range Cafe
With several locations in the Albuquerque/Bernalillo area, you're never far from one of the friendly, funky, and really good places to eat.
4200 Wyoming Blvd. NE (Albuquerque)
Phone: 505 293-2633

2200 Menaul Blvd. NE (Albuquerque)
Phone: 505 888-1660

925 Camino del Pueblo (Bernalillo)
Phone 505 867-1700

This place is pure comfort food in a colorful, friendly, and funky atmosphere. Their motto serving ordinary food done extraordinarily well, sums it up. It ain't fancy, it's just delicious. Breakfast items include huevos rancheros (with blue corn tortillas), omelettes, waffles, and more plus their Home on The Range -- Bowl of hot oatmeal topped with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream, chopped walnuts and fresh strawberries. Since it's a New Mexican influenced menu, their North of the Border dishes include burritos, blue corn enchiladas chimichangas, chile rellenos, fajitas, and combination plates. Most come with either chicken, shredded beef or sauteed veggies, and choice of chile. The marinated shredded beef is my personal favorite in any way it's served. But you can also find meat loaf, chicken fried steak, fish and chips, and much more. We've never made it to the dessert menu, but we will one day. They sound mouth-wateringly good.

Whole Hog Cafe
9880 Montgomery, NE
Phone: 505 323-1688
Barbeque lovers, rejoice. This is the finest BBQ in the city, and probably the state. We've been smitten by the tender yet lean and perfectly delicious pulled pork. The brisket is rubbed to perfection then gently smoked. It's tender but with just the right texture and chew. The potato salad is a bit too heavy with mayo for our taste (we prefer the mustardy version), but clearly above commercial grade. We will be working our way through the entire menu because we do love 'que. As an aside -- the website is filled with accolades for the barbeque, and you'll also find other locations. Apparently this is a franchise/licensing operation.

Santa Fe

We haven't made it up to the state capital often enough (or for long enough) to do justice to the diversity and quality of the restaurants, but we expect to remedy this.

Rio Chama Steakhouse
414 Old Santa Fe Trail
Phone: 505 955-0765
Although ostensibly a steak house, this warm inviting adobe-style restaurant next door to the Roundhouse, offers far more than its famous delicious beef. Chef Tom Kerpon presides over the kitchen and has created a menu that includes game, fish, and vegetarian elements. And the atmosphere is as inviting as the food. Owned by the Gerald Peters Gallery, gorgeous art graces the walls.

On a recent visit, we ate on the outdoor patio and bar (with fireplace to warm the evenings), but the restaurant also offers an outdoor courtyard, several indoor dining rooms and a large rockin’ bar as well as space for private dinners and corporate events. There’s also a cigar bar (and the only cigar bar in Santa Fe attached to a restaurant) for those wanting a nicotine break and a drink.

Their wine list is extensive and impressive, and the new cocktail menu delivers distinctive drinks. In particular the pomegranate cosmo was a winner, as was their five fruit sangria, but we were sadly unable to drink our way through the entire menu – although we did consider it.

The First Courses also deliver yummy dining. Braising is a favorite technique and the Buffalo Short Ribs – slowly braised and served with balsamic grilled peach – was tender and delicious. On the seafood side, the One and a Pair was another winner with a grilled diver scallop, and a pair of sauteed shrimp with spicy mango rum sauce.

Opting for meat for the entrees, the Slow Braised Niman Ranch Lamb Shank served with natural jus was fall-off-the-bone luscious. Although the Angel Hair Pasta with Lump Crab tugged at the crustacean lover in me, I couldn’t resist the Cinnamon-Chile Rubbed Beef Tenderloin Medallions – Sterling Silver natural fed Angus beef grilled to order with chipotle cheddar mash, almond green beans and mango salsa. The perfectly cooked tender beef with the winning cinnamon-chile to give it a lovely bite, paired with the other distinctive flavors was inspired.

Try to save room for the desserts. From the pecan pie served with creamy cinnamon ice cream to the intensely rich chocolate coffee pot each was a lovely end to a sumptuous dinner.

Whole Hog Cafe
3006 Cerrillos Road
Phone: 505 474-3375
Yes, the same place we loved that just opened in Albuquerque is also in the City Different. We haven't tried it, but how could it be anything but delicious?

Cowgirl Hall of Fame (and Grill)
319 S. Guadalupe Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Phone: 505 982-2565
For down home delicious barbeque and more, both inside, or on their streetside patio. The Hall of Fame part refers to the memorabilia decorating the interior rooms (and worth a visit) but the long community-eating tables outside in front (although they do have smaller tables as well) are for eatin’ and listening to the music. Mesquite smoked chicken, ribs, and brisket are excellent, and so is the joint-rocking music. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and then music until 2AM, making it one of the rockingest happeningest places in town. They also have the texas onion loaf – and a whole slew of other entrees so it's a great place for group dining.

Tularosa

Maria's Hiredhand Cafe
905 Central Ave.(HWY 70)
Phone: 575-585-5574
Here motto is "Always Something Different Happening Here." Excellent Catfish Fridays, wonderful burgers, full menu and terrific atmosphere. Lots of parking. Owner: Maria D. Gerbitz (Thanks RA in Alto for this review)

---