Restaurants

Cafe Da Lat: Albuquerque’s Hot-Spot for Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine

January 29, 2013 by greystar

Albuquerque's Café Da Lat is a friendly, family-owned spot is a favorite of locals who are more than happy to scarf down authentic Vietnamese fare like banh mi — lemongrass pork or beef layered with daikon, cilantro and hot peppers and sandwiched between two pillows of French bread. Or try a whole catfish fried to a golden brown and served with ginger dipping sauce. If that doesn’t suit your fancy, how about spicy eggplant with pork, or crispy Vietnamese crepes stuffed with meat and veggies accompanied by a scrumptious dipping sauce? Café Da Lat’s simple chic décor and friendly service makes it versatile enough for an evening date or a quick lunch. Prices are reasonable, with entrees ranging from $7 to $12.

Café Da Lat
5615 Central Avenue NE

Albuquerque, NM 87108

(505) 266-5559

By stuart_spivack [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Albuquerque Dining, Cafe Da Lat, Restaurants in Albuquerque, Vietnamese Food

Farina Pizzeria & Wine Bar: Gourmet Pizza at its Best

January 16, 2013 by greystar

Diners are raving about Farina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar. "Best pizza in Albuquerque" – if not the world — seems to be the general consensus! In addition to Italy’s original pizza, the Margherita, there are other selections like the ‘Bianca’ with fresh mozzarella, parmigiano, ricotta, truffle oil, sage and artichoke hearts. Carnivores should try the ‘Carni Curate’ with pepperoni, prosciutto, salami and mozzarella. Pair your pizza with an antipasti or salad and wash it down with a selection from their extensive wine and beer selection. If you have room for a bit of dolce (sweet) after your meal, try the coffee granita with vanilla bean cream. Yum. Yes, it’s a bit noisy and the tables are elbow-to-elbow, but isn’t that what a true Italian trattoria is all about?

Farina Pizzeria & Wine Bar
510 Central Avenue SE
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 243-0130

By Myself (It's mine) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Albuquerque Dining, Farina Pizzeria and Wine Bar, Pizza, Restaurants in Albuquerque

Dog House Drive In: When Nothing Will Do But A Hot Dog

December 24, 2012 by greystar

This Albuquerque landmark is easy to spot with its neon ‘wiener dog’ sign that signals a classic greasy spoon drive-in from days of yore. Locals flock to the Dog House Drive In mostly for their foot-long chile cheese dog, a guilty pleasure that satisfies like no other. Out-of-towners be aware that the chili bears no resemblance to the brownish, watery glop that passes for a dog topping in parts other than New Mexico. This is the real deal, deep red and smoky, with a fiery bite that makes your ears buzz and your forehead perspire. If you can’t handle the heat, pair it with a frosty cherry shake to cool things down, or try a regular dog with ketchup, relish and mustard, or a classic cheeseburger and fries.

Dog House Drive In
1216 Central Avenue SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 243-1019

By Richard Eriksson from Vancouver, Canada (Icelandic Hot Dogs) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Albuquerque Dining, Dog House Drive In, Drive Ins, Restaurants in Albuquerque

Chama River Brewing Company: Craft Beers and Great Food in the Duke City

December 18, 2012 by greystar

Chama River Brewing Company is an upscale brewery and restaurant in Albuquerque’s North Valley that's catching on with local diners who like their hand crafted beer alongside a menu that’s casual, but sophisticated. Whether you’re in the mood for a Stout Rueben Sandwich, with corned beef braised in stout, or a Grilled Sirloin with red chile demi-glace, the food aims to please with a wide array of choices for hungry diners. If you’re not in the mood for food, just sidle up to the huge copper clad bar and focus solely on the beer selection, with yummy favorites like Broken Spoke Honey Wheat Ale and Rio Lodo Brown Ale, plus four seasonal specialty beers always on tap. Wine aficionados, take heart, Chama River Brewery also has a great wine list, plus a full bar of cocktail choices. Blackberry Pear Mojito, anyone?

Chama River Brewing Company
4939 Pan American W Freeway
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 342-1800

By SilkTork at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-2.5], from Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Albuquerque Dining, Chama River Brewing Company, Gastropubs, Restaurants in Albuquerque

Jennifer James 101: Award-Winning New American Cuisine

November 20, 2012 by greystar

Who is Jennifer James? All you really need to know is that she’s been a semi-finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in the Southwest Award for the past two years. Add on the fact that her restaurant — Albuquerque's Jennifer James 101 — received a nod as one of Travel and Leisure’s Favorite U.S. Restaurants and you’d be crazy not to go there. It’s upscale American cooking at its best, with seasonal menu featuring entrees like Grilled Tuna with Leeks and Tomatoes and Braised Bison Short Ribs. Dishes feature mostly local ingredients. In addition to regular seating, you can reserve a place at the restaurant’s community table, which offers eight diners a three-course specialty menu for $35. Hoards of fans claim this is the best fine dining establishment in Albuquerque. Find out why.

Jennifer James 101
4615-A Menaul Boulevard NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 884-3860

By Rick Audet from San Francisco, USA (tuna tartar) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Albuquerque Dining, Jennifer James 101, New American, Restaurants in Albuquerque

Restaurant Reviews Are On The Way…

February 4, 2012 by

Check back for full reviews of the best places to eat in your area. Thanks!

Filed Under: Restaurants