633317 Wed Jul 01 21:31:57 -0700 2009 11 6 Southwest 0 4823405 But there's a catch... we're taking my 90 year old folks and they don't do New Mexican cuisine. I'm thinking The Compound, Ristra, Bistro 315..... ? What do you think? I would like it under $40 PP with a glass of wine or 1/2 bottle and dessert. They love Il Piatta and have already been to La Boca (good) and Santacafe (didn't like it), so something different. Nothing too trendy or frou frou (?), just good food and a nice atmosphere. BTW, we're staying out at Buffalo Thunder resort so it doesn't need to be near the plaza. TIA! Deb Wed Jul 01 21:31:57 -0700 2009 22638 abqdeb 1 4823518 Hi Deb, I'm a big fan of Cafe Pasqual's off Water Street. It has a huge and varied menu, with a lot of options for people who don't want Mexican. If you've never been there, it's a fun, colorful, cramped, and cheerful. And they have very good food. A more sedate option is Casa Sena (next door to the Shed), which has a fantastic patio. Their menu is sophisticated and not the standard New Mex fare. If you go there, pop into Los Todos Santos for a chocolate. Santacafe is similar with a great patio. I also like the Coyote Cafe's rooftop cafe. They have an elevator (in case stairs are a problem) and it's a great place for late afternoon margarita. It may be too casual for pre-opera, but El Farol on Canyon Rd. has a good menu with a lot of tapas. Have fun! Here's a link to some other ideas: http://www.canyonroadarts.com/restaurants/index.html Wed Jul 01 22:53:54 -0700 2009 4823405 192069 suby 1 4825769 How about French? Paris Cafe on Burro Alley around the corner from the Lensic. Andiamo! is a new favorite of mine. Thu Jul 02 16:42:53 -0700 2009 4823405 42664 DebitNM 1 4826321 We've done a "picnic" at the site - kinda' like tailgating, and we brought a folding table, chairs and wine. I am at a loss to come up with the name of the caterer, but they are located in the Plaza, on the north side, near the soap shop (Soap Opera?). They also have a tiny wine shop in that location. We ordered in the AM and they had our order on site. Maybe someone can fill in the missing memory of this old guy. Anyway, the food was always great and very fairly priced. Doing a picnic at sunset at the venue was a real positive for us. Hunt Thu Jul 02 20:20:42 -0700 2009 4823405 11329 Bill Hunt 2 4826821 The SFO website has the caterer's contact info. Fri Jul 03 06:04:00 -0700 2009 4826321 69690 momadamsa 1 4826398 Bistro 315 would have been a great choice, but it is closed for remodeling. I think the Compound is too expensive for your stated budget. Ristra could be a great choice, but I would recommend the O'Keeffe Cafe. They got a new chef last year and the food finally matches the excellent wine list; and the patio is outstanding. Since your parents are in their 90's, they would have an easier time hearing on the patio here, as well. I will disagree with the recommendation of Casa Sena. The patio is probably the best in town, but the food is erratic and expensive. Some of the other recommendations, such as Pasqual's and Andiamo, have great food, but the noise level could be a problem for your folks. A final suggestion would be to look at the Pasatiempo supplement to the Friday issue of The New Mexican and look at all of the great prix fixe bargains that are being offered by many of the good restaurants now. You can get an excellent three course dinner for around $25, so with a glass of wine and tip, you could be at $40 per person. Thu Jul 02 21:00:56 -0700 2009 4823405 186288 lpsfnm 1 4826477 I think your best bet would be El Nido in Tesuque, about 5 minutes from the opera. Solid American food (steak, seafood,etc. ) nice adobe setting, plenty of locals, professional staff, and in your price range.A pre opera institution for 30 years. Thu Jul 02 21:57:21 -0700 2009 4823405 1090512 dpbabq 2 4827391 Thanks for all the great suggestions! I am now considering the O-Keefe Cafe and maybe Ristra. For various reasons tailgating is out of the question. I'd like to consider El Nido, but it really doesn't seem to get good reviews. lp, can you provide a link to the prix fixe deals? I can't find anything on line in the Pasatiempo. I had a previous post looking for prix fixe places, but really didn't get any leads. You are right, my folks do prefer the smaller, less noisy places although they managed fine at La Boca and they do love Pasqual's. Keep the ideas coming. I need to hurry and make reservations! Fri Jul 03 09:54:57 -0700 2009 4826477 22638 abqdeb 3 4828150 This is a link to today's Pasatiempo, http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Pasatiempo, but I don't know if you can see each page. My wife told me that Ristra had an ad for a $25 prix fixe. If you can't pick up a copy of today's New Mexican and physically look at Pasatiempo, I don't have another suggestion. If you don't know this, you can make reservations at a number of the good restaurants here at www.opentable.com. I concur with your judgment on El Nido. Their green chile cheeseburger is among the best in town, but most people I know give it double thiumbs down for anything else. I hope you and your folks have a great meal, where ever it is! Fri Jul 03 17:21:45 -0700 2009 4827391 186288 lpsfnm 3 4828398 We have dined at O'Keefe Cafe on two occasions, though not prior to the Opera, and have greatly enjoyed it both times. Loved the food, and the wines. Though the list is smallish, it was well thought out. Enjoy, and please report, as it was a full year ago, since we last dined there. Hunt Fri Jul 03 19:59:53 -0700 2009 4827391 11329 Bill Hunt 1 4829415 So I was all set to splurge on either Ristra or O'keefe and then we found out that some other relatives will be joining us as well, so now I think we have to scale down a bit. How's El Meson? Any comments? We love Il Piatto and are leaning toward going there, but we have been there so many times and wanted to try something new. I really hate being in charge of planning for a group with varying tastes! Can you help?? Sat Jul 04 10:58:48 -0700 2009 4823405 22638 abqdeb 2 4829865 I've heard good things about El Mason from a friend who knows a good meal in SF. Deb Sat Jul 04 15:17:14 -0700 2009 4829415 42664 DebitNM