Southern New Mexico - American Southwest - page 310

107 Sierra Blanca Dr., Ruidoso, NM 88345. & 866/211-7727 or 575/258-5500. Fax [phone]. www.
thelodgeatsierrablanca.com. 120 units. $149-$169 double; $169-$189 suite. Rates include full breakfast.
AE, DISC, MC, V. Take Mechem Dr. 5 min. north of Sudderth. Pets allowed ($50 per stay). Amenities: Golf
course; exercise room; courtesy computer; Jacuzzi; indoor pool. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, microwave,
Wi-Fi.

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Camping
Lincoln National Forest has more than a dozen campgrounds in the region; four of
them are within the immediate area. The Smokey Bear Ranger Station, 901 Mechem
Dr., Ruidoso ( & 575/257-4095 ), is open Memorial Day to Labor Day from 7:30am to
4:30pm Monday through Saturday; closed on Saturday the rest of the year.
Where to Dine in Ruidoso
Casa Blanca Kids NEW MEXICAN/TEX-MEX This is a real locals' favorite for
the margaritas and fun Tex-Mex and New Mexican food. You can count on a good meal
here, as the food is made with fresh ingredients. The decor is casual—four rooms in a
sprawling house on a hill within town, each with brick or tile floors and colorful art on
the walls. The garden room and patio are my choices. All of them can get a little noisy
from the many kids who like the menu selections here. Your efficient and friendly server
will start you out with complimentary chips and salsa. The best bet here is the chicken
enchiladas with sour cream, or the beef or chicken fajitas. Recently I enjoyed some excel-
lent chicken tacos as well. For dessert? Try the chocolate flan cake.
501 Mechem Dr. & 575/257-2495. Main courses $5-$10. AE, MC, V. Mon-Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11am-
8pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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Cattle Baron Steak House SEAFOOD/STEAK This is the place to go if you
really have an appetite. It's a casually elegant restaurant, part of a chain with six locations
around the Southwest, that may not serve the best steaks and seafood you've tasted, but
it still provides good-quality food. It's decorated in an opulent Western style with lots of
burgundy upholstery and brass. Often the place is busy and festive, so it's not ideal for a
romantic getaway. Service is efficient and friendly. For lunch, try the turkey and avocado
sandwich or the teriyaki kabob. For dinner, I usually order the filet mignon or the shrimp
scampi. An extensive salad bar dominates the main dining room, and a comfortable
lounge sits near the entryway.
657 Sudderth Dr. & 575/257-9355. Reservations recommended for 6 or more. Main courses $8-$12
lunch, $12-$22 dinner. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs and Sun 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10:30pm.
Le Bistro FRENCH In some kind of alchemistic feat, Chef Richard Girot has
transformed casual into elegant in this downtown cafe set in an oddly round building.
Decorated with French posters, the place is laid-back enough for folks walking in off the
street, but the food is more refined—bistro-style fare similar to what you might find at a
streetside cafe in France. Still, it's usually a quiet place, and it's a good spot for a roman-
tic dinner. The service is friendly, though at times overworked. Try the pork tenderloin
with rosemary and whipped potatoes, or one of the daily specials, such as seafood-stuffed
sea bass. All dinners come with baguette-style bread and a salad. Finish with a chocolate
or strawberry crepe. Wine and beer accompany the menu. The patio offers a front-row
view of the busy downtown Ruidoso scene.
2800 Sudderth Dr. & 575/257-0132. Reservations recommended for dinner. Main courses $6-$10
lunch, $9-$18 dinner. AE, MC, V. Mon-Sat 11am-2pm and 5-9pm.