Taos - American Southwest - page 216

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wooden ones, which you should try to do, too. You order at a counter and the food is
served at your table relatively quickly. Paninis are a big draw here, the one with roasted
eggplant, roasted red bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, provolone, and pesto a real favorite,
as is the Wellington sandwich, which has sliced roast beef, caramelized onions, and sharp
cheddar on a ciabatta roll. The nightly blue-plate specials served after 4pm on weekdays
and all day Saturday may include all-American meat loaf with a twice-baked potato or
veggie lasagna, to name a few. A kids menu pleases the tots, and lots of good teas and
coffees wash it all down.
316 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. & 575/751-1280. Main courses lunch and dinner $5-$13. MC. V. Mon-Sat in
summer 11am-9pm; in winter Mon-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 11am-6pm.

Orlando's New Mexican Café Kids NEW MEXICAN Festivity reigns in this
spicy little cafe on the north end of town. Serving some of northern New Mexico's best
chile, this place has colorful tables set around a bustling open kitchen and airy patio
dining during warmer months. Service is friendly but minimal. Try the Los Colores, their
most popular dish, with three enchiladas (chicken, beef, and cheese) smothered in chile
and served with beans and posole (a Mexican stew). The taco salad is another favorite.
Portions are big here, and you can order a Mexican or microbrew beer, or a New Mexican
or California wine.
114 Don Juan Valdez Ln. (1 3 / 4 miles north of the plaza, off Paseo del Pueblo Norte). & 575/751-1450.
Reservations not accepted. Main courses under $12. MC, V. Daily 10:30am-3pm and 5-9pm.

NORTH OF TOWN
Taos Cow Kids DELI/DESSERT Set in one of my favorite villages, Taos Cow
offers fun breakfast and lunch fare in a relaxed atmosphere—and, of course, ice cream!
Diners order and pick up at a counter. A variety of sandwiches and soups are made with
fresh ingredients ranging from black forest ham to portobello mushrooms. The real rea-
son to come here is the hormone-free ice cream in a variety of flavors. My favorite is the
Cherry Ristra, with piñon nuts and chocolate chunks. Kids love their shakes. On chillier
afternoons, there's espresso, cappuccino, and hot chocolate to warm you after a day on
the slopes.
485 Hwy. 150, Arroyo Seco. & 575/776-5640. All menu items under $12. AE, DISC, MC, V. Daily 7am-
7pm in summer; 7am-6pm in winter.

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5 WHAT TO SEE & DO

With a history shaped by pre-Columbian civilization, Spanish colonialism, and the Wild
West; outdoor activities that range from ballooning to world-class skiing; and a clustering
of artists, writers, and musicians, Taos has something to offer almost everybody. Its
pueblo is the most accessible in New Mexico, and its museums represent a world-class
display of regional history and culture. In addition to the “Taos Attractions” map in this
section, see also “The Taos Area (Including Enchanted Circle)” map, on p. 227.

THE TOP ATTRACTIONS
Millicent Rogers Museum This museum offers a glimpse of some of the finest
Southwestern arts and crafts anywhere, but it's small enough to avoid being overwhelm-
ing. It was founded in 1953 by Millicent Rogers's family members after her death. Rog-
ers was a wealthy Taos émigré who, in 1947, began acquiring a magnificent collection of