Antiquity Restaurant: Uncommon Elegance

There's nothing run of the mill about Albuquerque's Antiquity Restaurant. This upscale eatery serves gourmet cuisine that utilizes the freshest ingredients and most innovative cooking techniques. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, recalling a laid back European bistro. The menu is equally impressive, featuring perfect cuts of meat perfectly cooked. Tenderloin au Poivre features a brandy based sauce infused with green peppercorns and mushrooms. The Spiced Shrimp is sautéed with beer and New Mexican red chili. This one is a real scorcher. The Chateaubriand for two is carved table side, while the pork Normande is made with brandy and sliced apples in cream sauce. For dessert there is Polyczenta, which is ground walnuts and cream wrapped into a crepe, as well as crème brulee and chocolate mousse. Along with a glass of wine from Antiquity’s stellar wine list and you have a world class meal at your fingertips. Be sure to call ahead to arrange seating, Antiquity can get full pretty fast.

112 Romero Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 247-3545
 

The Owl Cafe: A Tasty Albuquerque Diner

The Owl Café is becoming an Albuquerque standby. It’s modeled after the original café located 150 miles south near New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range. It might be a 1990s copy of a diner, but locals and visitors alike rave about their mountainous green chile cheeseburgers that leave them sated and addicted. The breakfast burritos, chicken fried steak smothered in chile, chocolate shakes, and quesadillas also get good reviews. Table top juke boxes add to the 1950s diner atmosphere and the giant neon owl sign out front is a hoot. Good food and low prices – what’s not to like? Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Owl Café
800 Eubank Boulevard NE
Albuquerque, NM 87123
(505) 291-4900

Thai Vegan: Healthy Thai Fare

Finding food that is both tasty and healthy can be a challenge. Thai Vegan in Albuquerque makes it easy. The food is so good and full of flavor you'll be shocked that you're eating vegan fare. Even meat lovers will enjoy the classic, fresh flavors bursting with spices. The interior is comfy and intimate with touches of gold tones throughout. The menu is packed with Thai classics like curries, pad Thai, spicy eggplant, and faux chicken dishes. There are even "burgers" to enjoy. Enjoy a tasty Thai Iced Tea or Thai Coffee as you savor your meal. No matter what you get your taste buds will thank you. The generous portions are enough to fill you up but because it's healthy you can leave the guilt at the door. After just one visit you are sure to become a regular.

Thai Vegan
5505 Osuna Rd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 884-4610
http://www.yelp.com/biz/thai-vegan-albuquerque-2

Marble Brewery: Great Craft Beer and a Laid-back Vibe

Joining the burgeoning trend of brewpubs crafting their own beers, the Marble Brewery has fast become one of Albuquerque’s favorite chill spots. A friendly atmosphere, ten beers on tap and a menu of sandwiches and snacks keeps customers coming back for more. Try the Marble Red Ale brewed with caramel malt, or a chocolaty Oatmeal Stout that’s practically a meal in itself. Sit out on the patio, belly up to the 40-foot bar, or choose a table inside and play one of their board games with friends. You can tour their brew room too, but call ahead to make sure one is available when you drop in. Check out the Marble Brewery's website for a schedule of live performances. Carry out beers are available in six-packs, growlers, and kegs.

Marble Brewery
111 Marble Avenue NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 243-2739

Golden Crown Panaderia: A Neighborhood Jewel to Savor

Don’t let the plain exterior of the Golden Crown Panaderia fool you. This neighborhood bakery in the Old Town section of Albuquerque is a local favorite, beloved for making tasty baked goods for three decades. Green chile bread is their standby, but other favorites are their empanaditas (half-moon-shaped turnovers filled with fruit), biscochitos (Mexican anise cookies), pecan cakes, and sandwiches. They’ve recently expanded their repertoire with the addition of fresh-baked pizzas. Choose green chile, blue corn, spelt or whole wheat crust and top with Genoa salami, cheddar, asadero or provolone cheese. Cozy up inside at one of their three small tables, chill out on the patio, or take it home. Pizzas take 45 minutes to prepare, so call ahead to avoid a long wait.

Golden Crown Panaderia
1103 Mountain Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 243-2424

La Crepe Michel: Authentic French Fare in an Old Town Hideaway

Tucked in a courtyard just off the plaza in charming Old Town Albuquerque, La Crepe Michel offers authentic French cuisine with reasonable prices and friendly service. Chef Claudie Zamet-Wilcox’s culinary expertise runs to more than just crepes, although they are by all accounts divine. Crepes can be savory, filled with luscious combinations of seafood, meat, cheese and vegetables, or sweet – try the one filled with chocolate mousse.Daily specials offer dishes like Marmite du Pecheur (stew with fresh fish, shellfish and tomatoes) and Filet de Boeuf (beef tenderloin with Roquefort cheese or black peppercorn cream sauce). Pair your entrée with one of their great authentic French wines for the perfect meal at La Crepe Michel!

La Crepe Michel
400 San Felipe Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 242-1251

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

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

Farina Pizzeria & Wine Bar: Gourmet Pizza at its Best

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

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

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

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

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

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