From the category archives:

1st edition (OLD--DISREGARD!)

Rail Runner service to Santa Fe has started!

December 18, 2008

in 1st edition (OLD--DISREGARD!)

The Rail Runner commuter-rail service between Albuquerque and Santa Fe has officially started. This is just about the coolest thing to happen in New Mexico in decades!

For visitors, this means you could take the dedicated shuttle from the ABQ airport to the Rail Runner, and hop on the train direct to Santa Fe. No rental car, no hassle–ideal especially for a weekend getaway.

I say “could” and not “can” because a lot depends on the train schedule–it doesn’t run super-frequently (about once an hour during rush hours, with only a train or two in between). The last train to SF departs the ABQ Sunport stop at 6:09pm.

But the trip takes a little less than an hour, and you arrive in style in central Santa Fe–suave! Roundtrip is $8.

For schedules and other info, see the Rail Runner website: www.nmrailrunner.com.

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Rancho de Chimayo

October 20, 2008

in 1st edition (OLD--DISREGARD!)

A little slow on this, but the restaurant Rancho de Chimayo had a fire this summer. It’s closed until at least April 2009.

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Cloud Cliff Bakery

May 24, 2008

This cafe in Santa Fe (p. 63) is closed.
(Thanks for the tip, Leo!)

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Jemez Corrections

April 30, 2008

On p. 176, I describe the Jemez State Monument as being south of Jemez Springs. In fact, it’s just north of the town. Also, the parking area for Spence Springs is more like 1.6 miles north of Battleship Rock.
This isn’t news, obviously–it’s just plain wrong. I have no idea how it happened, and I’m embarrassed [...]

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Katherine’s

April 30, 2008

This restaurant in White Rock (p. 73) is closed.

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Trinity Beverage Co.

April 30, 2008

This place in Los Alamos (p. 73) is shut.

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Santa Fe Farmers Market

April 26, 2008

This has been moving around a lot due to the construction on Railyard Park. Short-term: check the website (www.santafefarmersmarket.com) for locations. Long-term: there will be a permanent year-round market hall in Railyard Park, which will open sometime in late summer/early fall.

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Albuquerque Transit

April 22, 2008

Just FYI, ABQ’s transit system is now called ABQ Ride, not SunTran (p. 181). The Downtown-Old Town Trolley (p. 181) doesn’t run anymore, though. There is a free bus, called the Downtown Get-Around, that makes a big loop around downtown, between Lomas and Silver on 3rd and 5th streets.

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Albuquerque Restaurants

April 22, 2008

Chef du Jour (p. 161) has expanded, and chef Jennifer James (formerly of Graze) is now cooking here. The dinner menu (yes, there’s dinner now too) changes monthly, and is a great deal.
Ambrozia (p. 163) is closed. The chef now runs the new Nob Hill Bar & Grill, where Gulp/Graze used to be.
I reported earlier [...]

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Albuquerque Shopping

April 22, 2008

Nizhoni Moses (p. 153) no longer exists. There are now two Nizhoni galleries, with jewelry and RC Gorman work—one’s on Church St., one block behind the church.
Martha’s Body Bueno (p. 154) is closed. Martha’s products will be available at an upscale lingerie shop called Seventh Goddess, on Central a couple of blocks east of Carlisle [...]

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Albuquerque Entertainment

April 22, 2008

The radio station 104.1 (p. 149) is no longer “Latino and proud” format. I was enjoying 105.9 this time, though, which was a lot of contemporary Mexican pop and rock.
Gulp (p. 149) is closed. The whole Gulp/Graze compound is now the Nob Hill Bar & Grill, run by the chef from Ambrozia.
Gorilla Tango (p. 151) [...]

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Albuquerque Hotels

April 22, 2008

Hiway House (p. 159) has redone its rooms—not so retro, but the carpeting is fresher. Ownership is a little cagey about prices, however, which can be annoying. Feel free to bargain.
La Posada (p. 161) will be reopening as Andaluz—not sure when yet, however.

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Taos Restaurants

April 22, 2008

Gypsy 360 (p. 120) is now the Maverick County Café—totally different menu, but very good. Open only for long lunch (11am–4pm or so).
El Pueblo (p. 121) is not open till midnight in the winters—my mistake. It closes at 10pm.
Antonio’s (p. 121) is closed; fortunately, you can still get his chiles en nogada at the much [...]

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Taos Hotels

April 22, 2008

Fechin Inn (p. 117) is now the Wyndham WorldMark, a timeshare resort.

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Taos Shopping

April 22, 2008

Blue Rain Gallery (p. 111) has moved to Santa Fe.
FX/18 (p. 111) has moved to Bent St, east end, closer to Taos Inn.

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Taos Sights and Activities

April 22, 2008

Winter hours from the Blumenschein Museum (p. 98) are 10am to 4pm Tues through Sat, and noon to 4pm on Sun. (I’m remiss in posting this—someone alerted me to this months ago!)
The address of Gearing Up bike shop (p. 113) is 129 Paseo del Pueblo _Sur_–it’s just south of the intersection with Kit Carson Rd.

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Santa Fe Restaurants

April 22, 2008

Coyote Café (p. 60) is no longer owned by Mark Miller, and has been taken over by the same restaurateur who owns Geronimo. I enjoyed my meal there, but the menu is completely different and the cooking—while ambitious on the surface—is actually pretty standard stuff. It’s certainly the place to schmooze in Santa Fe right [...]

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Santa Fe Hotels

April 22, 2008

Budget Host (p. 53) is now a Red Roof Inn.
El Rey Inn (p. 54) is incorrectly placed on the map—it’s actually about midway between Llano St and 2nd St, so closer to the plaza than on the map.
Chapelle Street Casitas (p. 54) has changed its name to Adelante Casitas.
La Tienda and Duran House (p. 54) [...]

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Santa Fe Shopping

April 22, 2008

Addison Arts (p. 46) is shut.
Meyer-Munson Gallery (p. 46) is now called Meyer East. Little has changed, though.
Chuck Jones (p. 46) has moved up to Palace Ave, downstairs from Fusion (ex-Swig).
Maya (p. 47) is open only till 6pm, at least this time of year. That 9pm closing must be only for summer high season—sorry about [...]

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Santa Fe Entertainment and Bars

April 22, 2008

Rooney’s (p. 41) changed into LeMoyne’s Landing (reported earlier), but it’s now a French café called Clafoutis, serving breakfast and lunch till 4pm. Tasty and fresh, and good pastries.
Rodeo Nites (p. 41) is shut.
Jean Cocteau cinema (p. 42) is now the Film Museum—more of an organization, and not-very-frequent screenings.

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Santa Fe Sights and Activities

April 22, 2008

The Awakening Museum (p. 35) is shut.
Sun Mountain Bike Co. (p. 51), now better known as Mellow Velo, has moved to 638 Old Santa Fe Trail—that’s just a couple of blocks south of Paseo de Peralta. It’s also phasing in a new phone number: 505/995-VELO.
More roads have been paved en route to Diablo Canyon [...]

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Doing Research Now…

April 13, 2008

I’m in NM, and I have a lot of changes to post for Santa Fe and Taos (and probably more for ABQ to come), but I won’t get to it for a few more days. If you’re just about to leave for a trip, email me and I can tell you–otherwise, check back in another [...]

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Launchpad / Golden West / El Rey

February 28, 2008

A big fire gutted Golden West (p. 146), in Albuquerque, and the neighboring Launchpad and El Rey are at least temporarily shut from damage as well.

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Taos Ski Valley

December 15, 2007

Taos Ski Valley will start allowing snowboarders on its slopes as of March 19, 2008. Truly a major change.

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Moon New Mexico on the horizon…

September 16, 2007

If Moon Santa Fe, Taos & Albuquerque isn’t enough for you, get ready for Moon New Mexico, with many pages devoted to the farthest corners of the state. It comes out September 28. And there’s an update page set up for the book, just waiting for news!
I talk (and talk and talk) about New Mexico [...]

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Two great tastes…

August 27, 2007

Jennifer James, formerly of Graze (p. 166), will be cooking at Chef du Jour (p. 161) starting September 4–this is great news! (Thanks, Duke City Fix.)

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Route 66 Hostel

July 23, 2007

This hostel in Albuquerque (p. 158) now has a website: www.rt66hostel.com.

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Blue Dragon

July 22, 2007

This cafe in Albuquerque (p. 164) is closed.

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Rt. 66 Malt Shop

March 18, 2007

It looks like this great little diner in Albuquerque (p. 162) is closing! Very sad.
Thanks to Duke City Fix for the tip.
UPDATE: Actually, no–just closing for a few months. It should reopen with a patio area, and maybe even a deep-fryer!

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The Diner

February 14, 2007

The diner in Tres Piedras (p. 105) is closed.

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Xocoatl update

February 13, 2007

This chocolate shop (p. 119), and La Folie Restaurant, which I mentioned in previous updates, is now completely shut.
But fortunately you can still get the Xocoatl chocolates at Cid’s grocery store and Taos Home Grown, on the plaza.

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Dragonfly Cafe

February 13, 2007

This place in Taos (p. 120) no longer serves dinner.

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Taos Bakery

February 13, 2007

Also closed, both locations (p. 119). It’s like there’s nowhere to get a pastry there anymore!

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Sweetgrass Cafe

February 13, 2007

This place in Taos (p. 120) is closed.

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Recreation in Taos

February 2, 2007

The Kit Carson Park Ice Rink (p. 114) is no longer, nor is Don Fernando Swimming Pool. The Taos Youth & Family Center, 407 Paseo del Canon, on the south side, has combined both of these functions, with a bigger indoor pool, as well as an ice rink–probably better for the community, but less fun [...]

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Brooks Street Inn

February 2, 2007

This B&B in Taos (p. 116) is shut.

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Kit Carson Park Ice Rink

February 2, 2007

The skating rink in Taos (p. 114) is no longer in Kit Carson Park–there’s now a new rink in the Taos Youth & Family Center, 407 Paseo del Canon, on the south side.

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Sweeney Center

January 31, 2007

The convention center in Santa Fe has been torn down, so the tourist info kiosk mentioned in the book (p. 48, 85) is no longer there. You can pick up brochures and maps at the CVB offices in the Santa Fe Arcade on the plaza, 60 E. San Francisco St.

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Historic Los Luceros Museum

January 31, 2007

Mary Cabot Wheelwright’s home in Alcalde (p. 84) is unfortunately no longer open–the whole place is up for sale. Too bad, considering all the work that went into the renovation.

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Matilda’s

January 31, 2007

Sorry–I listed the wrong phone number for this Espanola restaurant (p. 76)–it should be 505/753-3200.

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O Eating House

January 31, 2007

This cafe in Pojoaque (p. 70) is no longer open for breakfast. Hours are:
11:30am-2pm and 5:30-9pm Mon-Fri
11:30am-2pm and 5:30-10pm (maybe later) Sat

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Sol Cafe

January 31, 2007

This restaurant on Canyon Road in Santa Fe (p. 62) has changed hands–it’s now called the San Miguel Restaurant, and is open only for lunch, 10am-3pm. I don’t know yet if it’s any good, though.

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Kasasoba typo

January 31, 2007

No, this Japanese restaurant in Santa Fe (p. 61) does not open at 5:30 in the morning on the weekends, as you might’ve guessed. Correct hours are:
11:30-2pm and 5:30-9pm Mon-Fri
5:30-9pm Sat and Sun

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La Casa Sena

January 30, 2007

This Santa Fe restaurant (p. 60) now serves brunch all year-round.

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Steepings, Tribes

January 30, 2007

Steepings, the tea place near the plaza in Santa Fe (p. 57), is closed. And it seems like Tribes (also p. 57) is as well, as the phone number has been disconnected. If someone knows different, please email me!

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The Cowgirl

January 30, 2007

Either hours have changed significantly for this Santa Fe restaurant/bar (p. 41, 61), or I was totally confused when I wrote the book. Er, also, the phone number is for the takeout line–call the resto at 505/982-2565.
Here are the proper hours:
11am-2am Mon-Fri, kitchen closes at midnight
11:30-2am Sat, kitchen closes at midnight
8am-midnight Sun, kitchen closes [...]

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Price-Dewey

January 30, 2007

This Santa Fe gallery on the plaza (p. 46) has effectively shut. The new incarnation is Victoria Price Contemporary Art & Design, at 550 S. Guadalupe St. in the railyard–and, as the name suggests, the emphasis is much more on new work, rather than the rugs and turquoise jewelry.

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EVO Gallery

January 28, 2007

This Santa Fe gallery (p. 46) has moved from Canyon Road: it’s now at 554 S. Guadalupe St. Its hours have also changed: 10-5 Mon-Thurs and Sat, 10-6 Fri.

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Counter Culture

January 28, 2007

This Santa Fe cafe (p. 62) serves dinner as well, Tues-Sat. Prices are very reasonable–nothing’s more than about $15. Good crowd, and a great bargain. Cash only.

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The Palace

January 28, 2007

This restaurant in Santa Fe (p. 59) is significantly changed (it goes by the name Senor Lucky’s), and I wouldn’t characterize it as family-friendly any longer….especially now that they’ve installed the mechanical bull. (Yikes.)
UPDATE: This place has closed very suddenly, as of 2/15/07. (Thanks for the tip, Woody!)

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Ristra

January 28, 2007

This Santa Fe restaurant (p. 61) added a very nice bar area–you can order the full menu here, or just have some of the delicious snacks.

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Swig

January 28, 2007

This bar in Santa Fe (p. 41) has changed hands, and the new management has lowered the drink prices; happy hour is $4, and the rest of the time cocktails max out at $10, making this place much more accessible. (No reports on whether this has resulted in a lower rate of celebrity sightings.) [...]

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Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

January 27, 2007

This Albuquerque sight (p. 138) has changed the schedule of dance exhibitions slightly: summer schedule is only through October, not November. Museum admission is up to $6. The website is www.indianpueblo.org. And the Pueblo Harvest Cafe (also on p. 162) now opens at 8am, not 7.

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Route 66 Hostel

January 27, 2007

Prices at this Albuquerque place (p. 158) have gone up just a tiny bit, to $18 for dorm beds and $24-35 for private rooms. It’s not much, but it can make a difference to those on a serious budget.

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Tinkertown

January 27, 2007

I realize I left out a crucial detail on this cool museum outside Albuquerque (p. 173)–it’s open only April through October. I hope no one’s been caught out by that one. Oh, and admission is $3.

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Graze

January 27, 2007

This nice little resto in Albuquerque (p. 166) is closed (as of today). The adjacent bar, Gulp, is still open.

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Al’s New York Pizza Department

January 27, 2007

This place in downtown Albuquerque (p. 163) is now called JC’s New York Pizza Department and has added a nice little bar area, with arcade games and good beers on tap. Hours have changed too: now 11am-11pm Sun.-Thurs, 11am-3am Fri. and Sat. (Yes, 3am–very handy after the bars.)

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Rooney’s

January 26, 2007

This semi-Irish pub in Santa Fe (p. 41) is shut. It has been replaced by LeMoyne’s Landing, a New Orleans resto relocated here after the hurricane, which is so far getting fairly decent reviews.

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La Mancha

January 25, 2007

The restaurant at the Galisteo Inn (p. 64) is open on Tuesdays now as well, and has a direct phone number for reservations: 505/466-8200. The prices have also gone up significantly–$20 is the low end for entrees, and they range up to $38. But there’s a smaller “tapas” menu, which is really just [...]

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O’Keeffe Cafe

January 25, 2007

This Santa Fe restaurant (p. 60) no longer has the “No Higher Than Twenty-Six” category on its wine list, and its overall menu looks a fair bit duller than it used to. I haven’t had a chance to eat there again recently, but these two factors knock it out of the “top pick” category, [...]

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A couple of Santa Fe changes

January 24, 2007

First, Cookworks (p. 48) is closed, and that is not news at all, since it happened in late 2005. I just haven’t had my eyes open wide enough the past few times I’ve driven through town–sorry.
Prices on the four city-managed museums–Palace of the Governors, Museum of Fine Arts, Folk Art, and Indian Arts & [...]

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Martha’s Black Dog

December 17, 2006

This cafe in Socorro (p. 170) is closed–it has been replaced by nice coffee place, Manzanares Street Coffee.

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More news on the way…

December 4, 2006

I’m starting another trip to New Mexico tomorrow, so stay tuned for more updates.

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Carlos’ Gosp’l Cafe

December 4, 2006

This cafe in Santa Fe (p. 58) has closed at its downtown location, but fortunately has reopened in the Design Center, 418 Cerrillos Rd.

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Sheva Cafe in Taos

October 4, 2006

Never mind the move to the Overland complex reported below–Sheva Cafe (p. 120) is now completely closed, “under mysterious circumstances,” according to the Taos News.

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Mariscos La Playa in Albuquerque

October 1, 2006

An outpost of Santa Fe’s popular Mexican seafood joint Mariscos La Playa (p. 63) is opening soon in Albuquerque, on Central Ave. west of the Rio Grande.  It’s very near Sandia Peak Inn (p. 159), on the same side of the street.

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Casa Vieja in Albuquerque

October 1, 2006

I ate at this restaurant in Corrales (p. 166) on this past research trip, and the menu has changed substantially from what’s described in the book.  It does have a few mid-range New Mexican items, but the bulk of the menu is $20-and-up entrees.  My group and I had salads and the green-chile-chicken stew, and [...]

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Other ABQ changes

September 29, 2006

Greyhound/TNM&O buses now arrive at a new depot across 1st St., next to the Amtrak station.
Re: Tingley Aquatic Park (aka Tingley Beach, p. 158), I spoke too soon–the landscaping is still nowhere near finished, though I did see people fishing in the ponds, and the train to the zoo is running.
Re: Faulty Trail (p. 157), [...]

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Albuquerque hotel news

September 29, 2006

El Vado Motel (p. 159) is closed.
La Posada de Albuquerque (p. 161) is also closed, but is under major renovation.  This is great news, because the place was on its last legs.

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Albuquerque restaurant news

September 29, 2006

Chef du Jour is now open for dinner Thurs.–Sat., from 5 p.m. on, but it is closed entirely on Monday.
And the phone number is 247-8998–my mistake.
La Posada de Albuquerque (p. 149) is closed—it looks like it’s undergoing big renovations.
Monte Carlo Steakhouse (p. 162) has helpfully labeled the entrance to the place.

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Taos hotel change

September 29, 2006

Budget Host (p. 115) has a fresh coat of paint and wireless Internet access. Prices are now squarely in the $50–100 category—a double room is about $65 now. But it’s still the cleanest budget motel in Taos. Try to get one of the back-facing rooms, for less traffic noise, and if you want a non-smoking [...]

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Lunch in Red River

September 29, 2006

Texas Reds (p. 126) is up and running, rebuilt after its fire. But it’s open only for dinner, starting at 5 p.m. I just cruised through town during lunch, and tried Mountain Treasures, a little gallery/café just west of Brandenburg Park, across from The Lift condos. The deli sandwiches were good, and [...]

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Taos restaurant news

September 29, 2006

Momentitos de la Vida (p. 122) is closed. It has been replaced by something called Sabroso—not sure yet if it’s good.
Sheva Café (p. 120) has moved into the Overland Sheepskin Co. shopping complex, up the highway, closer to the “old blinking light” intersection, on the east side of the road.
Antonio’s (p. 121) is still serving [...]

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Closures in Madrid and Cerrillos

September 20, 2006

In Madrid, the shop Woofy Bubbles (p. 175) is shut, as is Talking Bridge Gallery (same page), which had the old soda fountain in it.  Chances are, whoever rents that space next will operate the soda fountain as well, so all is not lost.
And I thought Madrid was looking a little tidier than usual…and it [...]

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Back to NM

September 17, 2006

I’m heading back to NM for another research trip on Tuesday–so expect some new information to be posted here.
For more detailed reports about my trip, which will cover the northeastern part of New Mexico (Las Vegas, Capulin Volcano, Cimarron) as well as the area northwest of Taos (Tierra Amarilla and Chama), see my main blog, [...]

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Hotel Blue: warning

August 13, 2006

A reader just dropped me a note to say his experience at the Hotel Blue in Albuquerque (p. 159) was far less than satisfactory: the pool was closed, the airport shuttle was discontinued “until further notice,” the shower didn’t work, and his non-smoking room had an ashtray in it and smelled smoky. And then there [...]

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No more air service to Taos

June 16, 2006

Westward Airways is officially no longer serving Taos (p. 129). A business consortium in town is lobbying for service from another airline, but so far nothing has been arranged.

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La Fonda de Taos

June 11, 2006

The hotel (p. 117) alerts me that not only is No. 301 a balcony room, but so is No. 302–which doubles your chances of securing a good deal and a view!

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New Sky City Cultural Center open

June 11, 2006

The new entry point to Acoma Pueblo (p. 169), which includes the Haak’u Museum, is now open. Firsthand reports say the building is very impressive, especially compared to the portable trailer that had been the starting point for bus tours.

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News from Taos

May 29, 2006

Rita’s (p. 122) has opened as a proper restaurant, down in Ranchos de Taos (4133 NM Hwy 68). I haven’t checked it out yet myself, but if the tamales are the same, I can’t imagine what could go wrong.
All summer long, there’s music on the plaza every Thursday from 6pm to 8pm–apparently a fun scene [...]

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Changing focus

May 29, 2006

Alma del Monte in Taos (p. 118) will no longer be functioning as a B&B after October 6, 2006–it’s shifting to a full house rental, for weddings, retreats, etc. So if this place sounds appealing, book your visit now…or plan on renting it out later with your whole gang of friends.

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I forgot to mention…

May 29, 2006

…that Rancho Jacona (p. 55), just outside of Santa Fe, has a swimming pool, which the makes the place even more desirable. Not the spot for people looking for a city break, but really a good deal for those who want a little bit of country life not far from all the sights, especially for [...]

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Closed

May 29, 2006

Grant Corner Inn (p. 56 and p. 58) in Santa Fe is closed.

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Name change

May 29, 2006

San Juan Pueblo, north of Santa Fe (p. 70), is now officially known as Ohkay Owingeh, the original Tewa name (“strong village”).

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A few changes around Albuquerque

May 8, 2006

Martha’s Body Bueno in Albuquerque (p. 154) has moved to 3901 Central NE.
The awesome tastiness of Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill, till now only in Santa Fe (p. 59), is coming to Albuquerque: one branch is opening right across from Flying Star in Nob Hill, at Central and Amherst.
Pearl’s Dive in Albuquerque (p. 163) is closed. [...]

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