Every time you rise 1000′ in elevation it is normal to lose 5 degrees or more in temperature.  When it is blazing hot in Albuquerque, head east and just 10 minutes from town is the micro-community of Cedar Crest, home to one of the best homestyle and quirky cafes around:  Greenside Cafe.

This week there are some really amazing specials (like a Cantaloupe Bisque TODAY), so take a quick little drive and check out Jay’s cooking skills.  He’s open every single day with the latest hours on the mountain – that’s great news for you, even on a “school night”.

Greenside Cafe

Open weekdays at 7am, weekends at 8am, and open until 8pm weekdays, 9pm weekends.  Here are some other of the nifty specials this week (via Facebook):

Seabass Tacos:  Seared Pacific seabass, served with white corn tortillas, black beans, rice, fresh avocado and spicy grilled pineapple salsas

Buffalo Tortilla Burger: Grilled onions, pepper jack, all rolled up in a flour tortilla with a grilled 1/3 lb hamburger.

Watermelon Gazpacho

Beer poached bratwurst with saurkraut served OR Hebrew National Hot dog topped with homemade chile.

Oh, and don’t forget – Jay makes his own ice cream!!!

Yeah, its that time of year again.  Wasn’t it just 2008?  2005?  Sheesh.

If you want to do something a little different but not crazy over Valentine’s Day, head out of town just a few miles to the green pine trees of Cedar Crest and the Greenside Cafe.

The owner/chef Jay Wulf is of the Range Cafe / Standard Diner clan and has been giving those in the East Mountains a better alternative for the last few years, with reliable morning-noon-night hours that keep nearly everyone happy.

On top of that, Jay likes to do wine dinners and special  occasions like he’ll be doing for Valentine’s Day.

Some teaser menu items from the evening pre-fixe meal:  crab cake salad, homemade truffles, pepper steak….

Here’s his info from the website (greensidecafe.net):

http://www.greensidecafe.net/valentine.pdf

At the downtown growers’ market this a.m., I talked with a friend who said that Azu Cappuccino Cafe in Cedar Crest is now open, after some permitting issues that left all of us wondering what the heck was up with the signage and no action.

For months already, Fat Boy Cafe has been plying locals with sandwiches and homemade pastries in addition to the already spank-your-cheeks good roasted coffee.

Gordon’s italian opened in the previous Kokopelli’s (previously Pete’s Home of the Halfbreed), by Vivace’s Gordon Schutte.

And…. now we have North Inspired Cuisine in the old Chilepeno’s Bagel spot in the A-Frame up near the ski turn-off.

It shall be a good fall, friends.  Reports to follow, but comment away if you’ve been!

I’m the maid of honor for my brother’s wedding and as part of my tasks I am making all kinds of snacks for the guests to nibble on the evening of the reception as we wind down, keep drinking, and listen to the music while (hopefully) dancing and having a grand old time.

In the list:

• Marshmallows in funky flavors to make Smores
• Truffles, more decadent than imaginable
• Crackers, from olive cheddar to savory herb
• Mexican Wedding Cookies, natch
• Roasted/spiced nuts, at least 3 kinds from sweet to spicy to savory and combinations thereof

I love making snacky foods – it is such a personal touch.  Local bakeries could provide this, and if I were going that route I’d call up Flying Star, Le Paris, Just a Bite, and a few others to supply those treats.

Seriously, why does anyone need cow juice when you can get this amazing frozen delight made with the world’s best “nut” at about a dozen locations all over Albuquerque???

My local grocery store implored customers to buy it by putting up a hand lettered sign saying, “better than ice cream!!!”, and hopefully the message will get through to those a little shy about paying the admittedly steep $6/pint for the ambrosial dessert.  It taps into a recent trend giving gluten and sometimes dairy the cold shoulder, while embracing healthy fats from nuts and fish – including coconut.  Purely unsweetened coconut would fit into a primal diet, and this ain’t unsweetened, but in a showdown vs. regular ice cream, I think you’re in safer territory here.