Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
330
the many sandwiches is a good bet. I've enjoyed the turkey pancetta on foccacia, with
house-made fries or a salad. The pasta Alfredo with grilled shrimp is also nice. At dinner,
the seafood
puttanesca
has a nice bite, and the roasted grouper is delectable. An extensive
wine and beer list, with organic options, accompanies the menu, as do a variety of house-
made desserts.
303 Jones St.
&
575/894-9866.
Reservations recommended Fri-Sat. Main courses $6-$10 lunch; $10-
$23 dinner. AE, DISC, MC, V. Wed-Mon 11am-4pm; Wed-Thurs and Sun-Mon 5-9pm; Fri-Sat 5-10pm.
La Cocina
Kids
AMERICAN/NEW MEXICAN A real locals' place, this restaurant
serves decent New Mexican food in a festive atmosphere. The
tostadas
(crispy tortillas
covered with beans and meat) and chile rellenos are tasty, but my favorite is the cheese
enchiladas. For dessert, try the
sopaipillas.
Kids like the big booths and their own quesa-
dillas and tacos.
1 Lakeview Dr. (at Date St.).
&
575/894-6499.
Reservations recommended Fri-Sat. Main courses $8-$20
lunch and dinner. DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 10:30am-9pm; Fri-Sun 10:30am-10pm.
Los Arcos Steak & Lobster
AMERICAN This spacious hacienda-style restau-
rant, fronted by a lovely desert garden, is intimate and friendly in atmosphere, as if you're
at an old friend's home. Its steaks are regionally famous; my choice is always the filet
mignon, served with salad and your choice of potato or rice. The fish dishes are also
good. You may want to try a fresh catch, such as walleye pike or catfish, served on week-
ends. The restaurant also has a fine dessert list and cordial selection. During warmer
months, diners enjoy the outdoor patio.
1400 Date St.
&
575/894-6200.
Main courses $11-$40. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 5-9:30pm; Fri-
Sat 5-10:30pm.
11
11
LAS CRUCES
60 miles SW of Alamogordo; 112 miles S of Socorro; 180 miles S of Albuquerque
Picture a valley full of weathered wooden crosses marking graves of settlers brutally mur-
dered by Apaches, and behind them mountains with peaks so jagged they resemble organ
pipes. Such was the scene that caused people to begin calling this city Las Cruces, mean-
ing “the crosses.” Even today, the place has a mysterious presence, its rich history haunt-
ing it still. Reminders of such characters as Billy the Kid, who was sentenced to death in
this area, and Pancho Villa, who spent time here, are present throughout the region.
Established in 1849 on El Camino Real, the “royal highway” between Santa Fe and
Mexico City, Las Cruces became a supply center for miners prospecting the Organ
Mountains, and for soldiers stationed at nearby Fort Selden. Today, it's New Mexico's
second-largest urban area, with 86,268 people. It's noted as an agricultural center, espe-
cially for its cotton, pecans, and chiles; as a regional transportation hub; and as the
gateway to the White Sands Missile Range and other defense installations.
Las Cruces manages to survive within a desert landscape that gets only 8 inches of
moisture a year, pulling enough moisture from the Rio Grande, which runs through, to
irrigate a broad swath of valley.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE
From Albuquerque, take I-25 south (4 hr.). From El Paso, take I-10
north (
3
/
4
hr.). From Tucson, take I-25 east (5 hr.).
