Part French bistro, part speakeasy, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro is a unique dining destination in Albuquerque. Here, the focus is on French fare with an American twist; local meats, cheeses, and produce are sourced locally whenever possible. Dinner is served seven days a week, starting at 5 p.m. The baked brie and almond bruschetta are popular appetizers, especially when followed by a bite of the crispy duck confit eggrolls. If you're craving something a little heartier, go for the herb crusted pork tenderloin, the zucchini and quinoa fritter cakes, or the seared sea scallops.

Underneath the main restaurant, you'll find Zinc's "speakeasy," which boasts a lounge atmosphere and is a good place to meet friends for tapas and a post-work cocktail. You'll find over 20 wines by the glass here, complemented by a lengthy list of signature cocktails and bar bites that are served until midnight.

Don't miss Zinc's weekend brunch, which is served 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro
3009 Central Avenue
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 254-9462
www.zincabq.com

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr James E. Petts

Experience authentic Asian cuisine in Albuquerque at Sushi Xuan. Translating to “spring," Xuan implies a time of freshness and vibrancy, which is perfectly captured in the vibrant flavors and colors of their food.

Enjoy handmade sushi, sashimi, and traditional dishes, all made with fresh meats, seafood, produce, herbs and spices. Start with shrimp tempura, spicy crispy rice, or Japanese egg rolls, followed by teriyaki, orange chicken, or sizzling beef, all made with varying levels of spice to fit everyone’s palate. Try classic sushi favorites and special rolls like the popular Sushi Xuan Roll, made with lobster salad, green chili tempura, tuna, avocado, cucumber, crab, and chef special sauce. Pair your meal with a cold draft beer, wine, or a traditional sake.

Stop by for lunch or dinner, for a perfect break from work, or a great night out with friends or a special date.

Sushi Xuan
417 Tramway Blvd NE, Unit 3
Albuquerque, NM 87123-2162
(505) 200-2477
www.sushixuannm.com

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Alpha

Photos, posters, artwork… Some things lend themselves to framing and mounting—but what about houseplants? Epiphytes, like the popular staghorn fern, are perfectly suited to the framing treatment as they draw water and nutrients from the surrounding air (read: no soil required!). Store-bought mounted ferns can be costly, but you can easily create your own at home with a few supplies and a little elbow grease. Here's how:

1) For this project, you'll need a mounting surface, typically a wood board or plaque or a shallow crate. You'll also need clear fishing line, a picture-hanging kit, sphagnum moss, nails, and, of course, a staghorn fern.

2) Lay your mounting surface on a table, then hammer four nails into its front, in the shape of a square.

3) Wet your moss, then wring out extra moisture. Create a moss "bed" for your fern in the area between the four nails. Position your fern upon the moss, then wrap fishing wire around the nails and across the fern to affix it to the board.

For the rest of the tutorial, click though to How To Mount a Staghorn Fern on Apartment Therapy.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Choking Sun