Albuquerque, NM: what's new and great?

[redgirl]

haven't been back in 2 years and am going to visit my parents. what's new and wonderful?

[ma_bell_deve]

Try the St. Clair Winery and Bistro- wonderful food, HUGE wine selection ( all great New Mexico Wines) affordable, lovely service and great bread pudding for dessert! Its locally owned and definitly worth checking out.

[redgirl]

yikes. no replies???

[Erich]

There's a place called Whisque over on the West Side (Coors and Montaño) that's very big right now. Here's a link: http://www.whisque.com/

I've been there. The food and service is good. It's the usual Albuquerque new-and-popular mob scene, though, so it helps to know people to get in quick.

Have a nice trip.

[Erich]

Oh, and . . . two years. Hmm. Have you been to the Standard Diner?

http://standarddiner.com/

It's fun.

[pgerding]

Unforunately, the lack of replies isn't you - it's indicative of the ABQ food scene. The city is just not supporting "new" or "great" these days. There are some exceptions. My folks love the Gruet Steakhouse, in the old Monte Vista Fire Station. It's opened within the last two years and has great meats but I think way overpriced for the city. My wife had a great meal at the Slate Street Cafe downtown last year - it's fairly new and great food.

The West Side is a better bet, I think, for new more creative places. Downtown and the University area create some good lunch spots but can't support creative new dinner places. Uptown has some stuff around the new mall area between Winrock and Coronado, but mostly chains. In general, for the East Side, if it's not a chain, or not an institution (read: Paul's Monterey Inn, Scalo, Paisano's, etc), it's not happening.