That’s all a long way of saying that less than six months after Casa Vieja closed, the main gastronomic mind behind the kitchen is now in a new kitchen at Desert Fish just east of Nob Hill. Given that Desert Fish has impressed me mightily, I have to check out what Josh Gerwin is going to do with the place. And of course, I’ll have to find out where or where the previous chef/owner went.  I can barely keep tabs on these folks!

Here’s the short scoop, over at Larry’s website: Josh Gerwin rises again!

The wine and cocktail mistress from Casa Vieja is also branching out – rumor has it that the talented Kate will be emerging into a new venture. When I know, you will, too!

Bringing together everything from farm advocates to the highest chichi restaurant chefs, it will be three weeks of crap to do – starting on November 1st and concluding on November 23rd.  Here’s a short list:

• TONS of cooking classes all over the city
• Chef competitions
• Amateur (that means YOU) cooking competitions
• Cocktail competitions
• Discounts at local restaurants (minimum discount is 10%, but that includes places like Coyote Cafe!)
• Grand finale dinner (extra charge)
• Food & Wine Expo with 50 vendors

A basic pass to everything but the big meal and the Expo is $35 – a great bargain that includes a $10 donation to Cooking With Kids, a pretty nifty organization that teaches a BASIC LIFE SKILL to young’uns.  The super-mondo pass is $160 but that includes both the Expo (normally $50), and the huge dinner ($175 on its own).

Here’s my issue:  They’ve been open ONE WEEK.  Urbanspoon already has 4 reviews both great and bad.  Give it some time, folks . . . even experienced restauranteurs need time to get things flowing.  Go visit, take notes, wait, go back, think about it…. and then post a review.

Thanks.

P.S. I’m not saying that Gregorio’s is getting any different treatment than most new and hyped joints in town, but this one happened so quickly that I wanted to object in public to the general practice of lobbing critique at brand new restaurants.

First and most importantly, let’s talk coffee. Cafe Giuseppe has changed ownership. I’m frankly terrified of any reduction of espresso quality, so I’ll have to go check ASAP to make sure the same folks are employed and/or any new baristas know what they’re doing with those gorgeous old style Italian machines.

Four Aces lost their King. Saul Paniagua has left Four Aces Grill on 4th Street. This is breaking and I haven’t heard yet what happened and where he might be headed next. His menu was fantastic. Bravo, Saul, and hope to see you soon.

New management means kitchen changes at St. Clair Winery & Bistro – Chef W. James LaDuke is no longer in St. Clair’s kitchen after some menu rejiggering and new cuisine philosophy. He cooked great food for many years there, so I hope to see him in a new post as soon as possible. (Any fine dining spots looking for a chef? Get in touch with me or James!)

And, last AND certainly least:  Chipotle is on the way.  Did you hear a big resounding “MEH” from me?  Yes, yes you did.  They’re even hiring management, so anyone that wants an hourly “seasonal” job in one of the toughest industries in this country, go for it.

This summer, another Pizzeria opened in the same space (near as I can tell from the address): Bambino’s Pizzeria.

No one has yet posted reviews, though one guy apparently loves it and has posted a tantalizing photo of some massive slices:

With more reviews and more feedback, time will tell if this place is decent or even (hope, hope) the same folks as Frattelli’s. So, has anyone been? Good stuff or just oversized triangles of aspiration?

New feature coming your way: Albuquerque restaurant websites that make me wince.

No one will be spared.

First up: my favorite chef in town. Ouch.

I have been a guest once (soon to be twice), and it is always a great time and a FAST hour.

The previous guests have all been excellent resources and interesting personalities.  I hope that this continues and we are able to keep hearing the voices of local restaurant owners, those interested in food, and even those who have a stake in farming, business and the future of our food supply.

Here’s the impressive guest list so far:

Gil Garduno (Albuquerque food blogger)
Cheryl Jamison (author and New Mexico foodie treasure)
Kate Manchester (editor of Edible Santa Fe)
Fran and Kevin Hopper of Local IQ
Nicole Villareal of Nicky V’s Pizzeria and Larry McGoldrick (food blogger)
Ari LeVaux (Alibi food fanatic and writer, TWICE)
Billy Baldwin of Billy’s Long Bar, Horse & Angel Tavern, AND Stone Face Tavern
Maxime and Daniela of Torino’s @ Home (the best Italian joint in the whole darn city)
Chris Morales of Golden Crown Panaderia
Cheri Frost (food blogger and traveler)
Saul Paniagua of 4 Aces Grill
Matt Rembe of Los Poblanos
Tim Harris of Tim’s Place Cafe
John Calvin of Casa Rondena Winery
Omar and Tony Neshiewat of Times Square Deli Mart and Sahara Middle Eastern Eatery

Here’s what Creative Albuquerque says about themselves, “Creative Albuquerque’s mission is to grow the creative economy to ensure a more dynamic and prosperous city.”

Here’s what I say about bRgR:  ”. . . you could imagine yourself at an eatery in Denver until you spot the Chile Bliss burger ($6), accented with smoked cheddar for extra punch . . .”

This week one of my favorites touches a huge pet peeve of mine – incompetent sign makers.  I see so many horribly misspelled signs that I wonder how these places stay in business.  But Bandido’s Hideout across from UNM is making use of their screw-up to get more people engaged and in the door.  Good work, guys!

A Chicago-area paper that I hadn’t even heard of – Journal Online – did a nice little feature on our Duke City attractions.  They mentioned the usual tram, Balloons, El Pinto, et cetera.  But special attention was given to a few of my personal favorites here in town:  St James Tearoom (now with a new location on Osuna!), and Torino’s @ Home (quite simply the ONLY good Italian restaurant in Albuquerque).

Next month will be the annual Equestrian Cup event – think of it like the Albuquerque the Magazine Best of The City party, except it’s outside and there are horses!  Basically it’s hobnobbing with tons of local go-getters, eating samples of food by some of the best restaurants in town, and enjoying the show.  It is put on by the 20/30 Club, a group of business-active folks in their – you guessed it – 20s and 30s.  Tickets are $50 but you can afford that, especially since it goes to support the All Faith Receiving Home’s Children’s Safehouse.

But they are also huge winos.  I mean, wine freaks.  I mean, fermented grape hounds.  Yeah, that’s it.  Jillian Oaks of the Local IQ has a great profile on them and their plans to take their uncle Roger and father Richard’s Roessler Cellars to a new level with a second venture called R2.   This focus will bring even more varietals of wine to the restaurants and making dining all the better.  Salud!