The Compound - Santa Fe; been lately?

[DebitNM]

Thinking about doing a "big" birthday dinner in May at The Compound. Despite living here for 10 years, have never been there.

It is now on Restaurant.com where you can buy a $75 certificate for $6 [must spend $150, which I don't think that will be hard to do].

It was also part of Restaurant Week this year.

I often think that when top restaurants participate in those kind of programs, it means they are slipping and seeking to get people in that would not usually go there [like ME].

I know that there was a James Beard nomination earlier this year, which negates my above concern.

Has anyone been there lately? I have looked on here and yelp, opentable and tripadvisor for reviews, but would like my trusted chowhounds' opinions.

Thanks!

[DebitNM]

OK, we didn't make it for my birthday but we did go last night for our wedding anniversary.

I made reservations and asked for an outdoor table. We got one of the 3 tables actually set out IN the garden.[There are several tables under the portal, with fans above] It had been a very hot day and was a warm night but it was lovely in the garden.

We started with drinks - I had a Prickly Pear Margarita and hubby had a scotch. We were served some nice whole wheat bread and olive bread with some nice, soft, easy to spread butter. The waiter told us he would time out the courses so as to not rush us and we appreciated that very much.

Hubby had Sweetbreads & Foie Gras - Cėpes, Cayenne and Spanish Sherry and I am not a sweetbread fan but I have to say this was an amazingly complex, rich dish that made me consider giving up my self imposed ban of organ meat! I had Seared Diver Sea Scallops with
Fava, Pea and Mint Pea Emulsion and Lemon Vinegar. The 2 nice sized scallops were golden browned and crisp on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.

For entree, hubby had Rack of American Lamb, Served off the bone, Caramelized Onion Hummus with Baby Tomatoes, Olives, Lemon, Basil and Ricotta Salata. He was over the moon with his choice. I seconded that emotion!

I had Muscovy Duck Breast with Honey & Vinegar Glazed Carrots
& Golden Beets and with a Rhubarb & Chinese Hot Mustard drizzle. Delish! Sweetness from the carrots and beets and a bit of heat from the drizzle.

We had 2 sides - creamed spinach and wild mushrooms. The mushrooms were rich and deeply flavored and a good choice; the spinach not so much. It was the only miss of the night. It lacked any true flavor or complexity. Sometimes a bit of mild is ok, but this was simply bland.

For dessert, we split a Liquid Chocolate Cake with Grasshopper ice cream, YUM! The cake was melt in your mouth nirvana.

The service was spot on, bread, water replaced as needed. [The bread girl could have smiled a bit, she had a very stern look on her face all evening]. The hostess [Maria ?] was most gracious and our server Jack was there when we needed him and not overly in our face.

This was one of the nicest meals we have had, worldwide and to imagine it was in our own backyard! It makes it into our top 3 meals [the other 2 being Chez Panisse and Alan Wong's Honolulu]

Can't do this weekly, but it should be a "don't miss this one" for sure on your bucket list.

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Compound Restaurant
653 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501

[Erich]

What a great report and pix - thank you so much for taking the time. Actually, this would be another contender for Gina's retirement dinner. :-)

[DebitNM]

Absolutely! You would love it and Gina so deserves it!

[Erich]

It's been a while for me, that's for sure. Mentioned it to Gina and she told me that her friends are taking her for her retirement lunch, so back to Nostrani if I can forbear from my S. Italian tendency to bathe in cologne . . . .

;-)

[askrula]

Yes I think your instincts are correct. The Beard nomination, I believe was a service not food nomination. I think thay need some new energy in their menu, some of the menu items seem a bit tired.