Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
160
The menu changes seasonally; on one of my visits, I started with a smooth and flavorful
lobster bisque and moved on to lamb chops served with a tart mustard sauce and mashed
potatoes. My favorite dessert here is the flourless chocolate cake: not too sweet, and lus-
cious. The wine list includes over 250 offerings from France to California to Australia.
315 Old Santa Fe Trail.
&
505/986-9190.
www.315santafe.com. Reservations essential. Main courses
$9-$17 lunch, $20-$29 dinner. AE, DISC, MC, V. Summer Mon-Sat 11:30am-2pm, Sun-Thurs 5:30-9pm,
Fri-Sat 5:30-9:30pm; winter 5:30-9pm daily.
Moderate
Cowgirl Hall of Fame
Kids
BARBECUE/CAJUN/NEW MEXICAN This rau-
cous bar/restaurant serves decent food in a festive atmosphere. The main room is a
bar—a hip hangout spot, and a good place to eat. The back room offers more quiet, with
wood floors and tables and plenty of cowgirl memorabilia. The brick patio provides the
best setting, lit with strings of white lights during the warm season. Service can be
brusque, and the food varies. In winter, my favorite is a big bowl of gumbo or crawfish
étoufée, and the rest of the time, I order Jamaican jerk chicken or pork tenderloin when
it's a special. Careful, both can be hot. The daily blue-plate special is a real buy, especially
on Tuesday nights, when it's chile rellenos. There's even a special “kid's corral” that has
horseshoes, a rocking horse, a horse-shaped rubber tire swing, hay bales, and a beanbag
toss. Happy hour is from 3 to 6pm. There is also live music almost every night, a pool
hall, and a deli.
319 S. Guadalupe St.
&
505/982-2565.
www.cowgirlsantafe.com. Reservations recommended. Main
courses $7-$13 lunch, $8-$23 dinner. AE, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11am-midnight; Sat 8:30am-midnight;
Sun 8:30am-11pm. Bar Mon-Sat until 2am; Sun until midnight.
7
Il Piatto Cucina Italiano
Value
NORTHERN ITALIAN This simple Italian
cafe brings innovative flavors to thinner wallets. It's simple and elegant, with contempo-
rary art on the walls—nice for a romantic evening. Service is efficient, though on a busy
night, overworked. The menu changes seasonally, complemented by a few perennial
standards. For a starter, try the grilled calamari with shaved fennel and aioli. Among
entrees, my favorite is the pancetta-wrapped trout with grilled polenta and wild mush-
rooms, though you can't go wrong with the jumbo scampi risotto with sweet peppers.
The Gorgonzola-walnut ravioli is a favorite of many, though not quite enough food to
fill me up, so I order an appetizer. A full wine and beer menu is available.
95 W. Marcy St.
&
505/984-1091.
Reservations recommended. Main courses $15-$22. AE, DISC, MC, V.
Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm; daily 5:30-9pm. Closed July 4.
Railyard Restaurant & Saloon
Finds
NEW AMERICAN Santa Fe locals'
most talked-about newer spot, the Railyard is a fun and thoughtful addition to the res-
taurant scene. Set in one of the city's old railroad buildings, the place offers a comfortable
ambience and imaginative food at not-too-steep prices. The space has clean lines, with
maroon walls and spacious booths and tables set under an industrial ceiling with visible
ductwork. Service is friendly and knowledgeable. This is the creation of Louis Moskow,
who put 315 (see above) on the map. Here, he's offering a slice of Americana, with cre-
ative twists. At lunch you might try shrimp tacos with black beans and rice or one of the
excellent burgers or salads. Dinner might start with crispy calamari and move on to
dishes such as an outstanding rib-eye and tasty pan-fried pork chop, but also some less
American fare such as, my favorite, sesame-and-panko-crusted tuna. All menu items are
a la carte, but the side portions you'll order separately are large enough to share. Select
from a carefully considered wine list or from the full bar. An excellent but more limited
