I love Santa Fe. This is a place with great art, adobe architecture, and desert landscapes. This was my second visit and I can understand why artists come here to paint because every hour the sun changes the colors of those beautiful desert mountains. The sunsets are dazzling.
Here is a place where three cultures have blended together: Native American, Anglo and Hispanic. And it has been this blend of cultures that has created the wonderful New Mexican cuisine. They call Sante Fe the "City Different".
First, head for the Plaza, the center of downtown Santa Fe. Facing south toward Mexico City, is The Palace of the Governors, built in the early 1600s as headquarters for the Spanish governors. It is now a museum. In front of The Plaza native craft vendors form area pueblos, displaying handmade jewelry on colorful blankets. These vendors sit under the covered walkway from one end to the other. I understand they conduct a lottery to determine who sells each day.
Their turquoise earrings are outstanding. Whether you're in the mood to shop or not, it's worth a stroll.
Don't miss the four museums under the general title "The Museum of New Mexico". 505 827-6463. You can buy a four-day pass for $10 and see all the museums. They are The Museum of Fine Arts; The Palace of the Governors; Museum of International Folk Art and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. Also do see the Georgia O'Keefe Museum 505 995-0783.
I stayed at The Inn of the Anasazi, 113 Washington Avenue 800 688-8100. My room offered a great view, four-poster bed, fireplace, luxurious leather and wood furniture and a beautiful tiled bathroom.
The Anasazi Restaurant is New Mexico's only Mobil 4-star and AAA 4-diamond restaurant. It is a spacious room with adobe walls decorated with paintings by local artists. The restaurant is famous for its combinations using the best of nature's bounty with emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables.
My dinner included grilled corn tortilla soup which came with ginger-port pot stickers, Ancho Chile and fresh scallions; and for my entree herb marinated grilled natural lamb chops with sun dried tomato-mint salsa. This came with whipped green chile sweet potato puree. Dessert was Victoria's mint chocolate mousse with chocolate Amaretto cake.
Two other restaurants deserve a visit while in Santa Fe. Santacafe is located in a beautiful adobe setting with nouvelle dishes. Our entrees here included pan seared salmon with Gremolata new potatoes and a filet Mignon with Persillade with green chile mashed potatoes. There is a lovely courtyard which is heated in winter. Call 505 984-1788.
I also visited Coyote Cafe where the staff wear blue denim shirts and bolos. Here I had a cowboy steak with chile onion rings, proceeded by a green soup of Chayote squash and goat cream.
Santa Fe is a wonderful town with friendly people and so many interesting things to do. And the cuisine is great.
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