**OLD (1st & 2nd editions)

Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill

August 27, 2011

The Albuquerque branch of this taco place is closed. But the Santa Fe ones are still open.

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Questa changes

August 23, 2011

The Northern New Mexico museum in Questa is closed. Questa Cafe is closed.

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Taos changes

August 11, 2011

Fernandez de Taos bookstore/newsstand is closed. Parks Gallery moved from Bent Street to Paseo del Pueblo Norte, just north of the intersection with Kit Carson Road, on the west side of the street. Laughing Horse hotel/hostel is closed. Rellenos Café is now La Cueva, though the menu and food is largely the same. Loka coffeehouse [...]

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Santa Fe CVB

August 11, 2011

There’s now a tourist info office in the Rail Runner depot in the Santa Fe rail yard–handy.

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Dar al Islam

August 11, 2011

The directions to this retreat center in Abiquiu are not quite right. After a few miles on County Rd. 0155, you must turn right through a marked gate (always open), then continue another mile or so to a fork. Bear left to get to the Dar al Islam gate. Bear right to get to Plaza [...]

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Santa Fe changes

August 11, 2011

Plaza Café is closed temporarily, due to a fire, but should reopen by the end of 2011. Corazon bar/club is closed. The Ore House bar has moved off the plaza. It’s now around the corner at 139 W. San Francisco Street (formerly/still sorta Milagro). Annapurna has moved to 1620 St. Michael’s Drive. Linda Durham gallery [...]

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Outside Santa Fe: changes

August 11, 2011

Embudo Station in Embudo appears to be shut. Matilda’s restaurant in Espanola is closed.

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Albuquerque changes

August 11, 2011

The shop Que Chula is no longer open in Nob Hill—it only runs an online shop now. Atomic Cantina downtown is closed. The Aztec Motel has been demolished. Sad!

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Public Lands Information Center

August 9, 2010

The office in Santa Fe has moved–it’s no longer on Rodeo Road, but out of the city a little way. The address is 301 Dinosaur Trail. Where is that, you might ask? It’s just south of where Highway 14 meets I-25. (People who know the area will know it got its name from the dinosaur [...]

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Galisteo Inn

August 7, 2010

Old news by now, but this hotel outside of Santa Fe (p63) is closed.

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Shaffer Hotel

July 19, 2010

This place in Mountainair has changed hands, and the rooms have gotten pretty sketchy. I wouldn’t recommend pre-booking here–take a room only if you can inspect it beforehand. The cafe seems to be open regularly, though, for late breakfast and lunch every day but Tuesday. I also noticed Alpine Alley, just north of Mountainair’s main [...]

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Albuquerque Restaurants

July 19, 2010

The Route 66 Malt Shop is closed. Theobroma’s downtown branch is shut, as is Cake Fetish.

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Albuquerque hotels

July 19, 2010

Sandia Mountain Hostel in Cedar Crest, in the mountains east of Albuquerque, is shut. The URL for Sarabande B&B is incorrect. It should be www.sarabandebnb.com.

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Albuquerque shopping changes

July 19, 2010

In Nob Hill, Stone Mountain Bead Gallery has moved down to the east end of the neighborhood, at 4008 Central Ave. Seventh Goddess has moved west, opposite Flying Star, to 3503 Central Ave. Downtown, Visiones Gallery is shut. And maybe I’m repeating myself, but Saints & Martyrs in Old Town is also closed.

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North of Santa Fe

June 14, 2010

O Eating House, in Pojoaque, is now a fairly upscale Italian restaurant (but it has the same name). It looks good, if completely different! The stock at Chimayo Trading Post has dwindled significantly. The owner (his partner passed away) is quite old and doesn’t seem to be restocking the place. Still, if you’ve never been, [...]

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Santa Fe changes

June 14, 2010

As I noted before, the NM history museum is now open. Signage is not quite as detailed as I’d like, but otherwise it’s a nice introduction. The exhibits in the Palace of the Governors (now accessible via the history museum) are the same, fortunately–I find these more interesting. Walking tours run by the museum go [...]

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Miscellaneous Taos changes

June 14, 2010

Fernandez de Taos bookstore has moved around the corner, onto Paseo del Pueblo Norte just next World Cup coffee. The road running along the Rio Grande gorge on the west side has been paved, so you can head down this way and then jog over to Ojo Caliente and on south to Santa Fe–another scenic [...]

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Taos restaurants

June 14, 2010

Joseph’s Table is shut! Sad. Sabor de Antonio, a Mexican-style seafood and steak place, is now in the space–which is funny, because this is the second time Antonio has taken over Joseph’s Table’s old space. Dragonfly Cafe is no longer open for breakfast, except for Sunday brunch. Now it does lunch and dinner (and is [...]

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Taos lodging

June 14, 2010

The Laughing Horse Inn is no longer particularly cheap, which is odd. I now think the Taos Inn has one of the better deals for solo travelers. The Paragon Inn has changed names and is embroiled in a bit of a local scandal, and I can’t really bring myself to recommend the place. Mountain Light [...]

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Tres Piedras

June 14, 2010

The Pink Schoolhouse Gallery is shut. Which means…there appear to be no functioning businesses left in Tres Piedras.

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Enchanted Circle changes

June 14, 2010

In Red River, Texas Reds moved across the street and east about a block, and The Hole Thing is shut. In Questa, Paloma Blanca coffeehouse has shut–it is now an all-purpose restaurant that doesn’t look particularly notable.

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Jemez changes

June 14, 2010

Consetta’s, the Green Restaurant, is shut. And sincere apologies–the area code here is 575, but I failed to update many of the businesses listed.

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Albuquerque restaurants

June 1, 2010

I’m sure there will be more changes as I continue this trip, but here are two: Chef du Jour restaurant is shut. (Jennifer James is now cooking at her own place again, Jennifer James 101–and she got nominated for a James Beard award!) Relish sandwich shop is shut.

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Rt 66 Hostel

June 1, 2010

This hostel on N. Hwy. 14 in the East Mountains outside Albuquerque has shut.

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Sunshine Cafe

December 8, 2009

This little cafe in downtown Albuquerque is closing. Sniff.

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Direct flights to Santa Fe start

July 24, 2009

American Eagle (the American Airlines subsidiary) has finally started direct flights between Dallas and Santa Fe. Response has been enthusiastic, so it looks like the flights will be a permanent thing, beyond the 60-day trial. Direct flights from Los Angeles to Santa Fe are set to start in November.

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New Mexico History Museum

May 20, 2009

The New Mexico History Museum, an extension of the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe, opens this weekend.

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Shuttle Service to Taos

May 20, 2009

Taos is jumping on the successful Rail Runner link between ABQ and Santa Fe: Starting June 4, Taos Express will run a shuttle bus will between Taos and the Santa Fe Rail Runner depot, timed with the train’s arrival, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Round-trip price is $10, and you can transfer to the Taos [...]

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Hotel Andaluz

April 29, 2009

This hotel in Albuquerque–the renovated La Posada/former Hilton–will finally be opening in September of this year, and the website is taking reservations.

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Rancho de Chimayo

April 29, 2009

Per a reader comment, it looks like this restaurant in Chimayo will reopen in July, after the fire that had shut it for a stretch. (Thanks, Terry!)

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National Atomic Museum

April 21, 2009

This museum in Albuquerque has moved to its new, bigger location at 601 Eubank SE. It has also changed its name to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. More info here.

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2nd edition is here! (plus transport updates)

March 13, 2009

The second edition of Moon Santa Fe, Taos & Albuquerque is available now! Fortunately, no obvious corrections to be made yet. But I’m sure a few will appear shortly. The big news in the area is twofold: 1) The RailRunner commuter train now connects Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Schedules are here. Note that, as a [...]

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Rail Runner service to Santa Fe has started!

December 18, 2008

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 [...]

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Rancho de Chimayo

October 20, 2008

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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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.) Currently [...]

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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 bar food–smaller [...]

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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, unfortunately.

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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 [...]

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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 used homemade bread.

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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) [...]

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