Santa Fe is a wonderful combination of mountain coolness and desert aridness. It is also a popular place for honeymooners and girls’ trips. When driving up from Albuquerque, take the long route. We stopped in Madrid, a coal mining ghost town, nestled in the Ortiz Mountain Valley to shop in one of their many galleries. There is the oldest honky tonk restaurant (The Mine Shaft) located here. www.themineshafttavern.com
I had the pleasure of staying at The Bishop’s Lodge. www.bishopslodge.com. Note to the wise – their rates change on a daily basis. Ask for the newly renovated rooms at the top of the property. They are smaller but much nicer. The power went off when we were there so we spent an evening sitting on the porch watching the sun set.
People come here to relax and get away. Our first day, we toured the remote “local” areas. Breakfast of migas with green chiles at Tesuque Market. www.tesuquevillagemarket.com. Then a tour of the Shidoni Foundry and Gallery. This is one of the few internationally acclaimed state of the art foundries in operation. It pours and average of 10,000 pounds of bronze a month. www.shidonifoundry.com. Just down the road is another artist haven – Tesuque Glassworks. They offer apprenticeships for emerging glass artist.
The Tesuque Flea Market is truly a sight. There are more arts and crafts than a flea market. You can find petrified wood bowls, crystals, cowboy/girl hats and a special Tibetan artifact stall. Many a good purchase was negotiated. I know it looks desolate, but this food trailer had great tacos!
Speaking of food – Two of my favorite restaurants in Santa Fe are La Boca and Café Pasqual’s. La Boca specializes in Spanish tapas. The bruschetta~ with crimini mushrooms, cream, and fried egg, topped with truffle oil & reggianito cheese was out of this world! The local flat-iron steak~ with smoked sea salt caramel, or cabrales butter tapa topped off the evening. Don’t laugh, but I signed up for the chef’s food blog. www.labocasf.com
For breakfast Café Pasquals is the place to go. Chile Relleno con Huevos y Frijoles Negras y Salsa. An Anaheim Chile Filled with Jack, Omelette-Style, Topped with Two Eggs, served with Black Beans and Sauced with Tomato-Jalapeno Salsa and a Sprinkle of Cotija orHuevos Motulenos Eggs Over Easy on a Corn Tortilla with Black Beans Topped with Sautéed Banana,Feta, Green Peas, Roasted Tomato-Jalapeño Salsa, Green or Red Chile or Tomatillo Salsa with a Side Corn Tortilla. Am I making you hungry yet? www.pasquals.com
Now the real reason a girl goes to Santa Fe is to shop! Jewelry, leather, art, boots etc. I can just go on and on until I can’t carry anymore. It is a paradise of beautiful things at Sante Fe Dry Goods, Street Feet and many others.
