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Albuquerque
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7 Most Popular Places to Enjoy Food |
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Gordon
Biersch
ph:
(505) 796-7788
30
Rainbow Rd
Albuquerque, NM 87113-2156
American
- Moderately Priced
The Scene
An oasis of calm amidst the din of the bustling Sandia Casino
gaming floor. Once past the pressed-glass doors, there's relative
silence, and diners are free to appreciate the vaulted ceilings
and huge picture windows that look out to the Sandia Mountains.
Elegantly set and well-spaced tables are populated by locals,
tourists and pueblo officials.
The Food
Dishes avoid pretension and are simultaneously exciting,
inventive, comforting and satisfying. Though there is an emphasis
on Southwestern ingredients and dishes, those unaccustomed to the
heat of New Mexican chiles will be relieved by their relative
absence. Inventive appetizers, like truffled potato chips topped
with diver scallops and dill crema, are petite but pack a compact
punch of flavor. Entrees like the rib-eye steak with smoky tomato
butter and beer-battered onion rings are simple and delicious.
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Prairie
Star Restaurant
ph:
(505)
867-3327
255
Prairie Star Rd
Bernalillo, NM 87004
American - Affordable
The Scene
Located on Santa Ana Pueblo's lush green golf course and providing
a stunning view of the Sandia Mountains through a wall of
east-facing windows. The clientele is a mix of well-heeled
tourists and gussied-up locals out celebrating. For a romantic
setting, sit at the tables by the windows or by one of the two
kiva fireplaces.
The Food
The chef has a keen eye for the finest ingredients and uses them
in surprising, innovative combinations. Dishes like the
juniper-brined magret duck breast with parsnip ravioli, edamame
beans, curry oil, mint essence, dried cherry blatjang and
macadamia nuts sound so far out you think they'll never work, but
the flavors combine just right. The meat dishes are consistently
outstanding--from the Châteaubriand and bison rib-eye to the
Socorro chicken breast coated with onion and sage and served with
a mushroom and spinach tamale, tobacco onions and finished with a
crème fraiche.
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Lindy's
Diner
ph:
(505)
242-2582
500
Central Ave SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102-3114
Cafe-Desserts
The Scene
Located right on downtown's main artery, Lindy's has a clientele
of office workers, tourists, neighborhood locals and transients.
They come for the food, but also for the nostalgic feel of the
long lunch counter, the red vinyl booths and the vintage Coca-Cola
memorabilia that adorns the walls.
The Food
Humble but good stick-to-the-ribs diner fare. Breakfast comes in
all the familiar pancake, French toast, hash browns, chile, bacon
and egg combinations. The popular Pile-Up breakfast has hash
browns and bacon topped with eggs, chile and cheese. Lunchtime
offerings are broader, going beyond the good, greasy burgers to
classic sandwiches like a BLT with huge strips of crispy bacon and
ethnic dishes like the Greek chef salad that comes heaped with
gyro meat, olives and feta. Though the menu calls it Mexican food,
the red or green chile-topped enchiladas, tacos and tamales are
traditionally New Mexican in style and flavor.
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Bob's
Fish & Chips
ph: (505)
243-5936
700
Central Ave SE
Albuquerque, NM 87102-3604
Northwestern American
- Moderately Priced
The Scene
Bob's peeling paint, flickering fluorescent lights and its
location along a somewhat seedy stretch of Central Avenue, belie
the pure, honest home cooking and friendly service dished out
through the take-out window. Though it still looks like the
drive-in it used to be, Bob's is now strictly counter service
only. Eat in your car or sit at the picnic tables.
The Food
The menu offers an array of juicy burgers available with several
combinations of green chile, cheese and fixings like tomato,
lettuce, pickles and onions. The regular and foot-long hot dogs
have firm meat, squishy buns and a profusion of chile and cheese
on top. But it's Bob's namesake fish that'll keep you coming back.
Thin strips of mild, firm pollock are cut into little planks and
breaded with Bob's spicy, salty, secret recipe and fried to a
crispy delight. For a real nostalgic treat, substitute tater tots
for the fries.
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La
Crepe Michel
ph: (505) 242-1251
400
San Felipe St NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104-1370
French - Affordable
The Scene
Like all other buildings in Old Town, this restaurant has been
carved out of an old adobe house. The front dining room feels like
a cozy living room, complete with fireplace. The back dining room
is a glass roof-covered space between houses, making it a light
and airy sunroom. Most of the neighborhood regulars sit in the
front so the friendly chef/owner can come and chat when she has a
free minute.
The Food
Unpretentious French fare is the rule--no tiny architectural
spires of exotic ingredients. The small menu holds some delights
such as various quiches, soups and salads, but the most exciting
choices come from the large board of daily specials. All meals are
served with chunks of French bread .The generous portions of the
pâté are distinctly meaty but not livery. Save room for dessert
because the crepes are not to be missed.
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Giovanni's
Pizza
ph: (505) 255-1233
921
San Pedro Dr SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108-4815
Italian
The Scene
With red Formica booths, signed movie Mafioso photos on the wall,
and hard rock blaring from the kitchen radio, Giovanni's
atmosphere is reminiscent of a Roller King snack bar circa 1984.
Patrons are mostly neighborhood families and uniforms from the
nearby Air Force base.
The Food
The requisite toppings are available, but Giovanni's specialty
pizzas steal the show. The White Pie's three heaping layers of
cheese are too much of a good thing, but Giovanni's Spinach Pie is
nearly perfect, with a thick layer of bright, juicy (not soggy),
flavorful spinach. Even spinach haters will succumb. The Pummarola
pizza, with no cheese, extra garlicky tomato sauce, onions and
spices, is killer--you'll never miss the cheese. And the jumbo
calzones demonstrate truth in advertising.
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Scalo
Northern Italian Grill
ph: (505) 255-8781
3500
Central Ave SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Italian - Moderately Priced
The Scene
This is a long-standing, trendy spot in the city's cool Nob Hill
area, where local celebrity spotting is a favorite pastime. The
light, airy interior boasts a sometimes-noisy open kitchen and a
tiered dining room with a balcony and private dining room. There
is also a darker, more intimate bar. Part of its self-perpetuating
allure is that the place is always busy.
The Food
The Northern Italian cuisine is usually good, often great, but
never stellar. Pasta dishes are the best bet on the seasonal menu.
Although cream-based dishes are the most popular, lighter options
are available. Nightly specials are inconsistent, but the
thin-crusted brick oven pizzas with toppings like pancetta,
spinach, roasted red peppers and goat cheese, are both satisfying
and economical, as are the big salads like the generous chicken
Caesar.
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