| Santa Fe Restaurant Reviews The Unofficial Guide to great Santa Fe, NM restaurants. |
| Santa Fe, New Mexico undoubtedly has more good restaurants per capita than any other city of 60,000. I dine out a lot, and I enjoy good food, and these are (in my opinion) some of the best restaurants in Santa Fe -- places where I take family and friends for a great meal. |
| Restaurant Reviews Dallas Tx Texas |
Mexican & New Mexican
Santa Fe is known for great Southwestern and "New
Mexican" food. And Santa Fe "Mexican" food is not like you
find in California or Texas or Mexico.
"New Mexican" has several characteristics (skip this if you
know). The enchiladas are usually flat, not rolled, one on top
of another with the filling in between. Some of the chips in
the basket may be dark purple in color, what they call "blue
corn". Same with the tortillas that make the enchilada. Blue
corn tortillas and chips are a Santa Fe signature. Blue corn
tastes the same as regular corn.
A chile pepper is spelled CHILE in New Mexico. Most chiles
are somewhat hot, but not as hot as jalapenos. They use them
a lot. New Mexico may be the only state where a chile pepper
is considered to be a "vegetable" and not a "spice".
When you order enchiladas, tamales, and other items that
come with chile sauce, your server will often ask you, "Red or
Green?" The red is a puree of red chiles; the green has diced
green chiles. They're both slightly hot. If you want both, say
"Christmas" (red and green) and they'll think you're a local.
The dish will come out half-and-half.
You may not find fajitas, which are a more recent creation
from the Texas Rio Grande valley, but try the Carne Adovada,
small chunks of marinated pork, baked or cooked stove-top in
a seasoned chile sauce until tender -- kind of a slightly spicy
pork stew. It's excellent. Or the Carnitas -- shredded and
roasted morsels of lean pork. Many authentic "New Mexican"
restaurants serve a sopaipilla with the meal -- a large puffed
pastry which you can dress with honey or butter.
Santa Fe style Mexican food may be different, but be
forewarned -- it's just as addictive as the rest.
Santa Fe is known for great Southwestern and "New
Mexican" food. And Santa Fe "Mexican" food is not like you
find in California or Texas or Mexico.
"New Mexican" has several characteristics (skip this if you
know). The enchiladas are usually flat, not rolled, one on top
of another with the filling in between. Some of the chips in
the basket may be dark purple in color, what they call "blue
corn". Same with the tortillas that make the enchilada. Blue
corn tortillas and chips are a Santa Fe signature. Blue corn
tastes the same as regular corn.
A chile pepper is spelled CHILE in New Mexico. Most chiles
are somewhat hot, but not as hot as jalapenos. They use them
a lot. New Mexico may be the only state where a chile pepper
is considered to be a "vegetable" and not a "spice".
When you order enchiladas, tamales, and other items that
come with chile sauce, your server will often ask you, "Red or
Green?" The red is a puree of red chiles; the green has diced
green chiles. They're both slightly hot. If you want both, say
"Christmas" (red and green) and they'll think you're a local.
The dish will come out half-and-half.
You may not find fajitas, which are a more recent creation
from the Texas Rio Grande valley, but try the Carne Adovada,
small chunks of marinated pork, baked or cooked stove-top in
a seasoned chile sauce until tender -- kind of a slightly spicy
pork stew. It's excellent. Or the Carnitas -- shredded and
roasted morsels of lean pork. Many authentic "New Mexican"
restaurants serve a sopaipilla with the meal -- a large puffed
pastry which you can dress with honey or butter.
Santa Fe style Mexican food may be different, but be
forewarned -- it's just as addictive as the rest.
| Some Top Santa Fe Restaurants |
| You can email me by clicking here. Last updated 07/05/10 All reviews and photos on this site Copyright © 2010 by Dallas Restaurant Reviews unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved. |
| Maria's - Mexican food and Tequilas |
| La Choza - Old-time Santa Fe "Mexican" |
| La Casa Sena - "new" Southwestern with great patio |
| Tia Sophia's - casual New Mexican diner downtown |
| Santacafe - New American & Southwestern |
| Cafe Pasqual's - New Southwestern |
| Coyote Cafe - Contemporary/Southwestern |
| The Compound - "contemporary American" |
| Beyond Santa Fe in Northern New Mexico - and worth the drive. |
| Trattoria Nostrani - world class Italian |