| Santa Fe Restaurant Reviews |
| The Anasazi Restaurant New American / Global 113 Washington Ave., Santa Fe, NM 505-988-3030 |
Santa Fe Restaurant Review:
The upscale Anasazi Restaurant is -- in my mind -- one of the Big Four in Santa Fe, along with
the nationally-known Coyote Café, The Compound, and Geronimo.
SETTING - The restaurant is at the front of the famed Inn of the Anasazi in the heart of
Santa Fe, just off the plaza, facing the historic 400 year-old Palace of the Governors. The
57-room boutique hotel has the only Mobil 4-Star hotel rating in New Mexico. The Anasazi
Restaurant has its own front door (on the left, above), through a small patio in front and then
through the cozy, atmospheric bar (highly recommended for a pre-dinner drink).
APPETIZERS - The menu evolves. You might look for the Chilled Cucumber and Avocado Soup
with Glazed Mexican Prawns. The Maine Lobster Crepe Cannelloni with Wild Mushrooms
(priced at $18, the top end) is right up there with the legendary Lobster Taco served at their
sister luxury hotel in Dallas, The Mansion on Turtle Creek.
FOOD - The list of entrées ($30-$45) is short but solid, nine items such as pan-seared
Halibut, Venison Loin, Duck, Lamb, Scallops, and Steak. The Anasazi Restaurant’s signature
dish is the Grilled Colorado Rack of Lamb in Mustard Pepper Glaze (just a whisper) with Olive
Tapenade – three exceptionally tender and juicy pieces arranged on well-seasoned mashed
potatoes. I shamelessly gnawed the bones. Also recommended are the Pan Seared Diver Sea
Scallops with Foie Gras and the King Salmon in Rosemary Butter and Plum Tomato Compote.
WINE - An extensive list ranging from $40 to $300. The wine glasses are sheer, clear-
ringing crystal. There’s also a wine cellar downstairs which seats up to 12 for a special dinner.
AMBIANCE - Tasteful, upscale Southwestern, with a log viga ceiling, stacked sandstone
walls, and earth-toned murals reminiscent of the large rock paintings (petroglyphs) left behind
by the ancient Anasazi. The lighting is low and the mood is relaxed. Attire is dressy but casual.
PARKING - Valet parking (by men who look like the black-clad Paladin in Have Gun, Will
Travel) is not cheap – but if you’re dropping $100 per person for a first-rate dinner, who
cares?
RESERVATIONS - Not a bad idea, especially during high season (summer plus the winter
holidays). Also open for lunch and breakfast. To find out more about the restaurant and to
see photos, click here.
BOTTOM LINE - Compared to the dazzling, high-energy Coyote Café, the elegant and
expensive Anasazi Restaurant comes across as confident and relaxed. The focus is on the 4-
star dinner (with service to match).
The upscale Anasazi Restaurant is -- in my mind -- one of the Big Four in Santa Fe, along with
the nationally-known Coyote Café, The Compound, and Geronimo.
SETTING - The restaurant is at the front of the famed Inn of the Anasazi in the heart of
Santa Fe, just off the plaza, facing the historic 400 year-old Palace of the Governors. The
57-room boutique hotel has the only Mobil 4-Star hotel rating in New Mexico. The Anasazi
Restaurant has its own front door (on the left, above), through a small patio in front and then
through the cozy, atmospheric bar (highly recommended for a pre-dinner drink).
APPETIZERS - The menu evolves. You might look for the Chilled Cucumber and Avocado Soup
with Glazed Mexican Prawns. The Maine Lobster Crepe Cannelloni with Wild Mushrooms
(priced at $18, the top end) is right up there with the legendary Lobster Taco served at their
sister luxury hotel in Dallas, The Mansion on Turtle Creek.
FOOD - The list of entrées ($30-$45) is short but solid, nine items such as pan-seared
Halibut, Venison Loin, Duck, Lamb, Scallops, and Steak. The Anasazi Restaurant’s signature
dish is the Grilled Colorado Rack of Lamb in Mustard Pepper Glaze (just a whisper) with Olive
Tapenade – three exceptionally tender and juicy pieces arranged on well-seasoned mashed
potatoes. I shamelessly gnawed the bones. Also recommended are the Pan Seared Diver Sea
Scallops with Foie Gras and the King Salmon in Rosemary Butter and Plum Tomato Compote.
WINE - An extensive list ranging from $40 to $300. The wine glasses are sheer, clear-
ringing crystal. There’s also a wine cellar downstairs which seats up to 12 for a special dinner.
AMBIANCE - Tasteful, upscale Southwestern, with a log viga ceiling, stacked sandstone
walls, and earth-toned murals reminiscent of the large rock paintings (petroglyphs) left behind
by the ancient Anasazi. The lighting is low and the mood is relaxed. Attire is dressy but casual.
PARKING - Valet parking (by men who look like the black-clad Paladin in Have Gun, Will
Travel) is not cheap – but if you’re dropping $100 per person for a first-rate dinner, who
cares?
RESERVATIONS - Not a bad idea, especially during high season (summer plus the winter
holidays). Also open for lunch and breakfast. To find out more about the restaurant and to
see photos, click here.
BOTTOM LINE - Compared to the dazzling, high-energy Coyote Café, the elegant and
expensive Anasazi Restaurant comes across as confident and relaxed. The focus is on the 4-
star dinner (with service to match).
