Slow-roasted breast of lamb with honey- cumin glaze

 

Featured Restaurant

Il Piatto

Farm-to-table Italian in the heart of Santa Fe

Il Piatto calls itself the Italian Farmhouse Kitchen, and I find that a spot-on description. Step into the restaurant, just a block from the Santa Fe Plaza, and you’ll be surrounded by the charmingly rustic atmosphere created by chef and owner Matt Yohalem and his wife, Honey. The artistic dishes change with the seasons and the local farmers’ bounty. You can pretty much count on a silky chicken liver mousse, lovely salads and an abundance of vegetables, a trout preparation, usually sautéed or grilled, and an array of pastas, from classic spaghetti with meatballs and red sauce to arugula and goat cheese cannelloni. I like that the pastas can be ordered in appetizer or entrée portions. Expect an array of preparations for chicken, lamb, pork, and seafood as well. Chef Matt sneaks in some playful touches such as red chile linguine, or fresh green chile accompanying the gnocchi, always to good effect. Watch for squash blossoms a little later this summer.

Il Piatto is open 7 nights and 6 days a week. The bar’s a lively spot to hang out most evenings. The convivial restaurant always provides good value, but also offers some excellent off-hours specials on food and wine. Check out ilpiatto.com for details.

— Cheryl Alters Jamison

 

June, 2013

Farmers markets all over the state are booming with the season's bounty, and our chefs are all too happy to take bushels of fresh produce and meats off the growers' hands and transform them into exquisite, unforgettable meals that taste even better when eaten out-of-doors in a restaurant's sun-dappled patio, or under a portal, or on a rooftop ...

$ Entrees less than $15 $$ Entrees less than $15–$25 $$$ Entrees more than $25

 

Restaurant Listings

 

Albuquerque

CHURCH STREET CAFE
Web address: www.churchstreetcafe.com

Only steps away from Old Town Plaza in the heart of Albuquerque. Enjoy two outside patios and a waterfall in an early–18th–century adobe home. Try the old–fashioned chiles rellenos, or the carne adovada burrito, to have a true New Mexico gourmet experience. Open daily, 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with a full selection of breakfasts, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and a daily special, all priced to please. $

2111 Church St. NW, Albuquerque
(505) 247-8522

PUEBLO HARVEST CAFÉ
Web address: www.indianpueblo.com

The cafe's native-fusion cuisine is inspired by the traditions and ingredients cultivated by Pueblo ancestors. For 35 years, the eatery has been a favorite dining place for Albuquerque and surrounding-area locals, as well as for visitors who seek a culinary experience full of rich indigenous ingredients. Located inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, open daily, indoor or patio dining for breakfast, lunch, dinner. $$

2401 12th St. NW, Albuquerque
(505) 724-3510

ST. CLAIR WINERY & BISTRO

Web address: stclairwinery.com

St. Clair Winery & Bistro near historic Old Town offers a full lunch and dinner menu of French country dishes paired with our award winning New Mexico Wines. We have a relaxed comfortable dining area and two refreshing outdoor patios. With a private room for meetings, parties, and private gatherings, we are perfect for special occasions. We offer wine tasting, local microbrews, live music, and a gift shop. Open Sun-Thurs 11-9, Fri & Sat 11-10; 505-243-9916;  $-$$.

 

Mesilla

DOUBLE EAGLE
Web address: www.double-eagle-mesilla.com

Famed for Mexican food and steaks since 1939, this centuries-old historic adobe compound is "Still Everyone's Favorite Stop on the Old Butterfield Stagecoach Line." Offering award-winning Mexican food, steaks, and margaritas. Private dining rooms, outside courtyard, two cantinas, gift shops, lobby full of tropical birds and fish. Open seven days a week for lunch, and dinner. Now serving breakfast weekends and holidays. $$

On the Plaza, Old Historic Mesilla
(575) 523-6700

LA POSTA DE MESILLA
Web address: www.laposta-de-mesilla.com

Famed for Mexican food and steaks since 1939, this centuries-old historic adobe compound is
“Still Everyone’s Favorite Stop on the Old Butterfield Stagecoach Line.” Offering award-winning
Mexican food, steaks, and margaritas. Private dining rooms, outside courtyard, two cantinas, gift shops, a lobby full of tropical birds and fish. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. 
Now serving breakfast weekends and holidays.

On the Plaza in Historic Old Mesilla
(575) 524-3524; $

 

Santa Fe

IL PIATTO
Web address: ilpiattosantafe.com

Il Piatto Italian Farmhouse Kitchen, one block north of the historic Santa Fe Plaza, has been a local favorite for over 17 years. Featuring local produce, everything made in house, a banquet room, wine cave, wine bar and sidewalk patio. Il Piatto has been featured in numerous local and national periodicals. Follow the restaurant on Facebook, Twitter & Foodspotting. Il Piatto serves lunch until 4:30 and features two daily happy hours, 4:30–6 p.m. and 9–10:30 p.m. for 7 days. Open 11:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Sunday.

95 W. Marcy St., Santa Fe
(505) 984-1091. $$

MARIA'S NEW MEXICAN KITCHEN
Web address: www.marias-santafe.com

"Hands down the best margaritas in the world!" according to the Santa Fe Reporter. "The Great Margarita List" has grown to more than 200 premium margaritas, each of which is hand shaken with 100-percent agave tequila and no added sugar. Maria's traditional New Mexican cuisine replicates the menus of 1950, when Maria's started at this same location. Lunch (all afternoon) and dinner daily. $

555 West Cordova Road, Santa Fe
(505) 983-7929

PALACE RESTAURANT AND SALOON
Web address: www.palacesantafe.com

This downtown legend is just two blocks west of the Santa Fe Plaza. Once a bordello and a gambling hall, The Palace is a local favorite featuring a dark,welcoming saloon and a bright, elegant dining room. The hidden outdoor courtyard hosts seasonal feasts by chef Ryan Gabel and live music scoots the boots after the dinner rush. $-$$

142 W. Palace Ave., Santa Fe
(505) 428-0690

RANCHO DE CHIMAYó RESTAURANTE
Web address: www.ranchodechimayo.com

A timeless tradition and treasured part of New Mexico's history and heritage serving world-renowned native New Mexican cuisine derived from treasured family recipes in an exceptional setting since 1965. Try Rancho's specialty Carne Adovada—marinated pork simmered for hours in a spicy, red-chile-caribe sauce. Open at 11:30 a.m.; seven days May to October, and six days (closed Mondays) November to April. Breakfast served on weekends. $

300 Santa Fe County Road 98, Chmayó
(505) 984-2100

San Antonio

OWL BAR & CAFÉ
Web address: www.soccorro-nm.com/owlbar.htm

For over 66 years, the Baca family has been serving the world’s best green chile cheeseburgers, featuring a fresh, melt-in-your-mouth all beef patty, tangy cheese, and spicy, New Mexico green chile on a steamy bun. Add fresh hand-cut fries and wash down with a cold beer or your beverage of choice. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; closed Sunday.

Ten miles south of Socorro, off I-25 (Exit 139) and N.M. 380
(575) 835-9946; $.

Taos

DOC MARTIN'S RESTAURANT
Web address: www.docmartinsrestaurant.com

Conveniently located in the Historic Taos Inn, offering American and Southwest flavors with a local flair in a casual fine-dining atmosphere. Kitchen garden on site and produce sourced from regional farms. Enjoy our chile rellenos, our signature dish and a customer favorite. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch. Reservations recommended. $–$$

125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos
(575) 758-1977

GRAHAM'S GRILLE BY LESLEY B. FAY
Web address: www.grahamstaos.com

Experience honest, creative, not-fussy food. Voted Taos' best restaurant, best ambiance, best chef and best customer service. Award-winning wines and beer complement every memorable meal. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner inside, or on our outdoor patio while perusing Chef Lesley's cookbook, Straight from the Heart. $$

106 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos
(575) 751-1350

SABROSO
Web address: www.sabrosotaos.com

In the picturesque rural village of Arroyo Seco, outside Taos, Sabroso offers exquisite American and global cuisine nightly for dinner. Dine fireside, on the patio, or in the intimate piano bar, where live entertainment can be enjoyed Wednesdays and Sundays. Private dining room available for special events and parties. Spectacular wedding venue in the plum grove. Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. Full bar, package sales, on- and off-site catering. $–$$$

470 NM Hwy. 150, Arroyo Seco
(575) 776-3333