A few weeks ago, I took a trip to New Mexico with the family and explored Santa Fe extensively. The trip was part of New Mexico’s True Flavors campaign.
That being the case, let’s start this travel piece with margaritas—because admittedly, it is the most memorable.
Let’s do this . . . Part I of a three part Santa Fe Travel Series. Yes, three parts, because there’s so much to share (recipes included, so don’t get squirrel-y).
Now with all the preamble out of the way, let’s do drinks at some of Santa Fe’s best destinations (I’m only doing drinks and food today, we will talk about the fabulous hotels associated with the restaurants in the next installment):
Fuego Restaurant at La Posada de Santa Fe
Look at the gorgeous colors of those margaritas! My favorite one was of course the Nason’s Fancy (top right one), the charred chile agave, orange bitters and smoked sea salt made it. While the Prickly Pear was beautiful in color it just didn’t have the depth the Nason’s. Runner up margarita: Chile Ristra (bottom most margarita) with pineapple puree, chipote chile-cilantro infused agave has me craving one now as I’m writing this.
As for the food – the pizza shown is a pretty standard southwest chicken and chile affair. My favorite thing above—the deep fried olives—the best snack-y bar food ever!
The Anasazi at Rosewood Inn of Anasazi
Okay, so the margaritas here were great, but the food was better. The empanadas are crazy good, the shell is soft and tender—not sodden or oily as I often find. Generally I’m not a gazpacho fan, but these (left side) were so good, I ate mine and some of Matt’s.
The small sampling here, really made me want to go back and do a full dinner, but our schedule was too tight. What I can say, is next time we are in Santa Fe—this will be one of our first stops for food. Small aside, I love that the menu’s vegetarian and gluten-free offerings aren’t after thoughts.
La Plazuela at La Fonda on the Plaza
Here we are at The Bell Tower in the historic La Fonda. The Bell Tower is roof top and offers one of the best views of Santa Fe. It also served my favorite margarita of the whole crawl—nothing fancy, no herbal infusion, no smoked salt or anything—just a straight-up solid jalapeno margarita. And the best part, they even gave me the recipe. How hospitable is that?
This is the kind of place that has that local feel. Everyone is cheerful, relaxed and gives you that feeling if they weren’t working they would just as easily saddle up next to you like you are a local or freely tell you how great Santa Fe is—because that’s one thing we found everywhere we went—people are Santa Fe proud.
Luminaria at the Inn and Spa at Loretto
Don’t you love the margarita presentation here? And yes, they were as good as they look.
By now this the fourth stop and I was feeling it. No, not the alcohol—I paced myself and kept to tasting portions. I was feeling the food. When it came to that, my pacing was way off. I couldn’t help myself, so when the sliders and fish tacos in the above picture came out, I probably should have given it a one-bite sampling. Instead, I cleared my plate (and maybe Matt’s). The fish tacos were the best I’ve had in long while—and that is saying a lot, being that I live in Southern California, taco capital of the nation.
De Charro at the Inn of the Govenors
This was the fifth and final margarita stop. Like professionals, none of us were crawling. We went into this with as much enthusiasm as the other stops—for the food and drinks. This was the loudest place of them all, but that’s the way it’s suppose to be. This is the place to go if you want to have a good burger with your drink. The prices are reasonable without compromise to the food and drink served.
In fact, I’m pretty sure Matt was thankful that regular size portions of burgers came out since he need something to offset the tequila swirling around in his belly.
And finally we ended the dinner with dessert here. Here’s where I’ve had hands-down the best coconut ice cream. It wasn’t dry, it didn’t taste like sunblock, nor did it leave a lint-like feeling on the tongue. In fact it was soft and creamy with a strong natural coconut flavor.
By now, Matt had walked back to the room and I stayed on with my two guides. As we all know, Matt doesn’t do dessert so of course with his exit, I settled in for what you see above: Banana Creme Pie. Yep, be jealous, it was so good.
And that was the end of my second night in Santa Fe for the New Mexico True Flavors tour. It was an evening filled with beautiful tasty sips and some of the best food around. I’m going to predict that Santa Fe going to be the next big food scene.
Bell Ringer Margarita
Ingredients
- 1.25 oz. Tanteo Jalapeno Tequila
- .75 oz. Patron Citronage
- lemon and lime juice
Instructions
Sever over ice and salted rim glasses, garnish with jalapeno.
It all looks so good! I want some of everything, especially that banana cream pie!
I am not even a HUGE Margarita person, but I want to go to all of these places! I am sensing a little vacay in my very near future!
You seriously make me want to get up right now and leave for New Mexico. Those drinks and that food look insane!
What and incredible trip! I love all the vibrant colors…I mean those margs are gorgeous!
What an awesome trip! I’ve never been to Santa Fe, but I really want to go. All those colored margaritas are calling my name! 🙂
WOW! Sounds and looks like you guys had a BLAST! All your photos have me wanting to look up flights and hotels for an improptu trip to Santa Fe! The margaritas and food look incredibly delicious… I’ll take one (or two) of everything! Thanks for the sharing, now when I finally DO book that flight I will know exactly where to stop for great food and drinks! Cheers!
Santa Fe is amazing! Their outdoor Opera is not to be missed. Plus, the food…I need to go back!
Everything looked so good!!! I wish you had packed me in your suitcase 😉
Wow what a fantastic trip! I have never been to NM but it’s definitely on my bucket list. Even more so now, after reading this!
this is like a dream trip. . exploring and eating my way through Santa Fe .. because next to Asian food, I love Mexican. . and give me all the margaritas!!! love!
This is like margarita heaven!!! Oh my gosh!! Love this trip round up.
Okay, that’s it. I NEED to go to New Mexico! For the past several months I’ve been seeing and hearing so much about Santa Fe and I think it’s a sign…family vacation ahead!
Was such fun having you join us! So glad you enjoyed the green chile burgers and our selection of margaritas. Come visit, any time!
Thanks for sharing Santa Fe margaritas. Fuego no longer exits. It was replaced by Julia, a Spirited Restaurant at least a month ago. They have great margaritas- the Don Julie (I think it’s called) is a fiesta of taste and color- orange, lime, and lemon. Also the Anasazi Restaurant has reconceptualized with a smaller dining area and a larger lounge with a tequila table. Santa Fe is an ever-rchanging cit- you’ll just have to come back.
Note to self – Never read this blog before lunchtime.
Santa Fe Traveler is correct, Fuego is now Julia, a spirited restaurant and bar, with an amazing new chef, Todd Hall. Make sure you come visit the next time you’re in town.
How fun…and those deep fried olives, I must try!
Oh my goodness does this trip look tasty & fun!!
I feel like I was sipping every marg and eating every app with you! Love this photo essay of food!
All the margaritas!! How much delicious fun was that?! I’ve always wanted to see Santa Fe, looking forward to more from your trip!
I don’t think there a margarita that I won’t drink! The spread of food looks incredible. Santa Fe is on my list of places to visit and I think I need to visit soon!
Santa Fe is such a beautiful city. I traveled there a few years ago on a family vacation and we loved it so much. The food and margaritas you enjoyed look fantastic. What a great time you must have had.
So I seriously want to jump on a plane headed for Sante Fe right now just for this food and those margaritas! 🙂 Deep fried olives?? Oh my goodness! 🙂
One of everything, PUHLEAZEEEE!!! And TWO of those margaritas.
I grew up in New Mexico, about 3 hours from Santa Fe. I haven’t been to Santa Fe since I was a child, but I am now realizing that I need to get myself back there asap!!
How beautiful are those margaritas?! They look so vibrant and refreshing, can’t wait to try the Bell Ringer.
A margarita crawl sounds really fun! I’m not usually a big fan of coconut but that pie does look very yummy.
MARGARITA CRAWL is perfect. I ate for a long time But want to try it now