Dining

Vinaigrette

Vinaigrette is a chic and green Albuquerque / Santa Fe bistro that raises the “salad bar” with bold and delicious entrée salads. Featuring innovative flavor combinations and the option to add savory protein accompaniments like diver scallops, lemon-herb chicken or grilled hanger steak, these tantalizingly hearty yet healthy creations allow for guiltless and delicious eating at the same time. Much of the restaurant’s organic produce is grown on owner Erin Wade’s 10-acre Nambe farm, Los Portales, harvested within hours of arriving at Vinaigrette’s kitchen. When not grown at the farm, the restaurant strives to source local and organic ingredients. As one local publication put it “Eating well never tasted so good.”

Check out their delicious menu and farm here.

Dog House

The Dog House Drive-In boasts it has “the world’s best chili dogs” and who am I to argue.  Fans of the TV show “Breaking Bad” have seen Bryan Cranston chow down at this legendary eatery on the show and many others can attest to this foot long delight of greasy goodness before, during or after a night of carousing.

This Route 66 landmark has endured partly due to nostalgia, but mostly due to the fact that folks have a Dog House addiction and have yet to seek out a cure.  We suggest all research into curing your obsession with Dog House cease and just embrace it.

Little Red

Little Red Hamburger Hut possesses what has been called “over the top” service paired with the quintessential green chile burger makes this a required stop for burger lovers.  The phrase, corection, their matra “satisfaction guaranteed” will be repeated several times during your visit.

Great place to bring out-of-towners.

Flying Star Cafe

Many local Duke City residents are familiar with the Flying Star Cafe after winning Best Desserts 5 years in a row. Actually, I think it was for winning Best Burger in Albuquerque. Come to think of it it was most likely for winning Best Coffee & Espresso, or Best Grilled Cheese. Whether it is their long list of awards, their loyal following or even the odd proposal on Yelp to marry the restaurant.

You get it. It’s awesome. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert or whenever you go, you really cannot go wrong.

Flying Star Cafe website: http://www.flyingstarcafe.com/

Vinaigrette

Vinaigrette is a chic and green Albuquerque / Santa Fe bistro that raises the “salad bar” with bold and delicious entrée salads. Featuring innovative flavor combinations and the option to add savory protein accompaniments like diver scallops, lemon-herb chicken or grilled hanger steak, these tantalizingly hearty yet healthy creations allow for guiltless and delicious eating at the same time. Much of the restaurant’s organic produce is grown on owner Erin Wade’s 10-acre Nambe farm, Los Portales, harvested within hours of arriving at Vinaigrette’s kitchen. When not grown at the farm, the restaurant strives to source local and organic ingredients. As one local publication put it “Eating well never tasted so good.”

Check out their delicious menu and farm here.

Church Street Cafe

Casa de Ruiz, which literally translates to “the house of Ruiz”, has a long and distinctive history. Unfortunately much of this history has been lost with the passage of time and that which remains is at best uncertain. The house was built during the founding of Albuquerque sometime after 1706. This would make Casa de Ruiz the oldest residence in Albuquerque and one of the oldest structures in the state of New Mexico.

If you enjoy sitting al fresco, or in the cozy historic building in the heart of Old Town while enjoying a pitcher of sangria while nibbling on a chile con queso, then this might be your place.

Bonus: Happy Birthday- If it is your birthday dessert is on Church Street. Do not forget to bring your I.D. This offer is good for one person.

Church Street Cafe on Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/church-street-cafe-albuquerque

Slate Street Cafe

Slate Street Cafe is a sleek, contemporary eatery that combines big city ambience with inspired, modern cuisine. From the smoked salmon fritatta to build-your-own bruschetta to mouthwatering Ahi tuna, their culinary flair will tantalize and delight from breakfast through dinner. Locally owned and centrally located in downtown Albuquerque, Slate Street Café features a cool, spacious interior, our award-winning Wine Loft, and shaded patio dining in the fresh New Mexico air. Serving beer, interesting wines, exceptional food, and housemade gourmet cupcakes seven days a week

Slate Street Cafe works with local farmers and producers to offer fresh, high quality ingredients. They believe in supporting our local community of farmers and suppliers. You will see this theme throughout their menus. From organic eggs at breakfast to heirloom tomatoes at dinner, their passion for food is present in every dish

Seasons Rotisserie

Located just north of historic Old Town Plaza in Albuquerque New Mexico, Seasons provides casually elegant dining with the feel of California wine country. Or, relax on the patio in our rooftop cantina. If it’s private dining you’re looking for, our Magnum Room is the premier venue for your event.

Seasons of Albuquerque offers casually elegant dining in an atmosphere buzzing with excitement and heavenly aromas.

Antiquity Restaurant

Continually voted “Albuquerque’s Most Romantic” dining establishment, Antiquity Restaurant has been serving Albuquerque and surrounding area for over 58 years.

The charming Antiquity Restaurant located close to the Old Town Plaza in Albuquerque features freshest Seafood, Lobster, Steaks, Veal, Chicken & Pork. Enjoy excellent food while dining in a historic adobe house.

Antiquity website: http://www.themenupage.com/antiquityrestaurant.html

La Crêpe Michel

La Crêpe Michel is located in an 18th Century adobe tucked into an Old Town alley, but it is definitely worth finding . The intimate dining room is complimented by an enclosed garden room that showcases a complete living tree growing through the roof…très magnifique!

La Crêpe Michel has the traditional French fare that you would expect, but it is present with flair and loving care.

Golden Crown Panaderia

Please put on your helmet and fasten your chin strap, because this place will blow your mind.  The rustic pink adobe exterior should be an indicator that the Golden Crown Panaderia has a heritage and on the inside you will find artisans that maintain tradition and elevate it to an art form.

Wait… aren’t we just talking about bread?  Don’t look at me in that tone of voice.  This place is special, and this is more that just bread.  Throw in handmade pizza with blue corn crust, empenadas, cookies and biscotti and it wil ruin you next time you walk in your supermarket bakery section.  We have no problem living with that.

Featured on the Food Network.

Read their menu and even order online.

*Unfortunately, they don’t do deliveries.

Cocina Azul

Get your chile on!

This former corner store brings great service, legendary chiles and a wonderful atmosphere where it is considered a mortal sin to not sample the sopapillas without the usual prerequisite of honey on your first bite.

Many locals have Cocina Azul on their regular dining rotation and some visitors have stumbled upon this treasure strictly by accident. Regardless of your intent, we recommend you create your own adventure at Cocina Azul.

Monroes

Since 1962, Monroe’s has been serving the best in New Mexican cuisine to local residents and their families. Monroe’s began as a small drive-in near Old Town in Albuquerque, specializing in reasonably priced, high quality New Mexican food served with a dash of good fun. As Monroe’s expanded to be the “nationally known” restaurant it is today, we have never forgotten our roots as a neighborhood gathering place. We want you to make yourself at home, have fun, and help us get to know you and any special needs you may have.

Garcia’s Kitchen

Garcia’s Restaurants has proudly served those with a taste for fresh, hand-prepared, New Mexican cuisine at a reasonable price since 1975.

Brightly and festively decorated, each Garcia’s location has an atmosphere that is unique to the neighborhood that it is serving. The personality of the owner, Andy Garcia, is also evident in every aspect of a Garcia’s dining experience, from the bright paintings of himself, to the colorful Fiestaware dishes, and of course to the great food.

Garcia’s Kitchen website: http://www.garciaskitchen.com/home.html

La Placita

La Placita Dining Rooms are locally owned and provide a homey, relaxed atmosphere for all their clients, whether local residents or tourists. Their services extend from friendly meal service and full bar service to traditional home-style recipes cooked to perfection.

For our diners, the focal point of the restaurant structure is the center courtyard patio with the old courtyard shade tree still growing in the center of the area. It makes for one of the most rustic, warm and appealing dining areas in Old Town.

Besides serving our clients in the restaurant, La Placita also caters for banquets, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, weddings and private parties.

La Placita Dining Rooms website: http://www.laplacitadiningroom.com/

Duran Central

Wait…what? I thought the same thing, but do not be swayed by the whole pharmacy title. Duran Central Pharmacy is the go-to place for old-timers who know their way around a blue-corn enchilada, and their low key setting where the patrons give their food the total attention it deserves. I respect that.

Duran’s is an expanded Old Town lunch counter with a dozen tables and a tiny patio just might serve the best tortillas in town. Be sure to leave some browsing time for the pharmacy’s book section: Duran’s has a good selection of not easily found history and coffee-table volumes covering Albuquerque (actually and its those in the know call it “Duke City”) and its colorful past.