It is (finally) chilly and the fall/winter menus are in full swing.  Here’s a little for you to nibble on in our local lineup:

Jennifer James 101 has a new menu heavily invested in roasts, comforting veggies, and luxurious soups.  PLUS, they are doing a winter Sunday dinner on 11/20 featuring the comfort foods of Italy.  With wine pairings included for $75, that’s a great pre-holiday stress season splurge for yourself.

In Los Lunas, you have to try the Greenhouse Bistro and Bakery – adorable space, friendly people and darn good food.  Plus, they’re doing a special cooking class next week featuring cured salmon.  Yum.

While the sun is out, follow the ABQ Food Trucks around town and snap up a tasty lunch or dessert with other devoted diners.

When you can no longer bear the chill in the air, about the warmest place I can think of is the “old” standby, Pars Cuisine (ack, turn off the flashing button!!!).  Bringing a tingle to your belly with Middle Eastern foods and belly dancers who show the right way to keep themselves warm, this is a great “destination” restaurant right in your backyard.

I’m off for a pig pig pig dinner, but have a great weekend and let me know if you spot great seasonal specials around town!

Thanks to a (finally) nudging forward economy, people are opening their wallets just a little bit more, and that’s benefiting some restaurants – if they’ve managed to stay open so far. Holiday eating-out traffic is probably merely stable this year, but the seasonal uptick is still occurring, especially with things like celebratory meals and gift certificate purchases. All good!

Cecilia’s downtown (a gem worth seeking out, even after the fame of Guy Fieri’s show) is cranking out hundreds of tamales for holiday orders, and Buffett’s Candies is doing well because everyone loves sugar.

Economists talk about the “lipstick index”, meaning that lipstick sales do well in recessions because it is a small luxury that won’t be done without even when times are tight.

In the food business, you might call it the “chocolate factor” – everyone loves sweets and chocolates, candies, and other confections are a cheap way to have a little treat and remind yourself that the world has not gone entirely into the crapper.  And thusly Buffett’s does well, Van Rixel Brothers is cranking along with awards all over the place, and the same goes for Cocopotamus – they’ve been featured in HUGE publications like Martha Stewart and other girly-type magazines as a healthy indulgence, and Theobroma is still one of the local torchbearers of chocolate.

All hail the locally-owned producers of deliciousness!

Just in time for all my friends (and myself) who are traveling to Chicago for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on 10/10/10, I’ve created a whopper document with tips on finding great local eats.

It is based on my own experience with lots of additional research from local food bloggers, foodies, gastronauts, and food snobs in general.

You’ll find italian and pizza, yeah. But you’ll also find a place that sells duck hot dogs, S’mores pancakes, and the diner open 24 hours for all the late-night corned beef cravings you can dream up.

Download Chicago 2010 Eats Guide (PDF)

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

Well, we need a guide and there really ain’t much out there, so I’m here to help, as best as I can.  Here in Albuquerque, or Burque as it can be know, or the Duke City, you are ready to take Mom out and possibly the rest of the family as well.

Where should you go?  Who has specials, and who is going to be crazily overrun with crowds and waits?  THAT’S what other guides won’t tell you, but I will.

All prices are for ADULTS – kids are much cheaper, usually under $10.

2009 Mother’s Day Restaurant Guide

My picks for the places that will not be crowded and you’ll have a grand time? Anything with more foreign words in their name and menu than English. Go for Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican (not necessarily New Mexican), Salvadoran, or Chinese. You will have a wonderful meal, support a small and local restauranteur, and have fun, too.  Please call to make sure they’re open!
Chopstix
Thai Tip
Pho Linh
Cafe Dalat
Pupuseria El Salvadoreno
La Nortenita
Lupe’s Antojitos
Bangkok Thai and Asian
Ming Dynasty
Thai Crystal
Cafe Trang
Guicho’s Mexican (I love Guicho’s, especially the lamb on Sunday!)
….anything at all (especially Mexican) in the South Valley. Mexicans love Sundays, love their Moms, and love for you to come visit.

Now, for those that are loudly advertising their featured Mom’s Day Events:

(this first group is likely to fill and are some local favorites, so call for reservations!)

Savoy Bar & Grill:

Brunch Specials starting at 10:30 a.m., plus a 3 course Tasting Menu for $21 – (505) 294-9463

Artichoke Cafe:

Extended hours with lunch starting at 2 p.m., specials include fried avocado, seafood crepe, and chef’s special duck!  (505) 243-0200

Slate Street Cafe:

Downtown!  Per Myra Ghattas, “We are open and serving our regular Sunday Brunch on Mother’s Day!”  That would be from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. with things like lamb and killer goat cheese frittatas.  (505) 243-2210

Standard Diner:

Buffet Brunch $24.95, including flowers for Mom and goodies like crab benedict, omelet bar, stuffed french toast, the works.   9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.  (505) 243-1440

Scalo Northern Italian:

Nob Hill’s classic.  Definitely call ahead for reservations: (505) 255-8781

Zinc Wine Bar & Grill:

Brunch starting at 10 a.m., specials like gazpacho and chicken fried eggs benny, plus a dinner tasting menu seating at 6 p.m. for $38.  (505) 254-9462

Seasons Grill:

Pre Fixe Brunch at 11 a.m. for $29, special menu in the main dining room as well.  (505) 766-5100

Nob Hill Bar and Grill

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; 3128 Central SE   Always a Sunday brunch at Nob Hill, but Sam Etheridge will make it super special for the Mom in your group.  He’s good for inventive food and unique flavors.  (505) 266-4455

St. Clair Winery and Bistro

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.;  901 Rio Grande NW  (505) 243-9916;  $26.95
Buffet Brunch featuring prime rib, maple ham, shrimp, roasted chicken, a pasta station and fresh seafood.

(out of the way joints that *might* not be overrun, call for info)

Greenside Cafe

Cedar Crest:  Buffet Brunch $15.95  8 a.m. – 3 p.m. with pastries, omelets, smoked salmon, biscuits & gravy, etc!  (505) 286-2684

Blade’s Bistro

When: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: 221 Highway 165, Placitas
There’s a new place to eat and drink in Placitas with a seasoned chef and real potential.
$22.95 (505) 771-0695.

Ezra’s Place and Sophia’s Place:

I’ve been informed both North Valley establishments will have special brunch menus on Sunday, and their food is always ridiculously good.  The service is up and down, so sip your coffee and chill while Dennis makes your delectables.  (505) 344-3935 for Ezra’s and (505) 345-3935 for Sophia’s

Vernon’s Hidden Valley Steakhouse:

Three separate four course meals with seatings at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.; 6855 4th St NW; adjacent to Calico Cafe in Los Ranchos – (505) 341-0831

Taj Palace:

Lunch Specials starting at Noon – 10 p.m., honor your Mom with some of the best Tikka Masala in town (505) 296-0109‎

Pars Cuisine:

Four separate Mother’s Day seatings at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. 4328 The 25 Way NE (near Jefferson & I-25); (505) 345-5156‎

Paul’s Monterey Inn:

Lunch & Dinner Buffet Specials starting at Noon – 8 p.m., specials include Prime Rib and one of the most family-friendly dining rooms in town – (505) 294-1461

Calico Cantina and Cafe

8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.;  6855 4th Street NW.  Featuring triple berry pancakes, fish, enchiladas, and a steamship round of beef.  (505) 890-9150
$24.95, includes beverage.

Prairie Star Restaurant and Wine Bar

hours unknown; Up North of town in Bernalillo. Four courses for $39. (505) 867-3327

Corn Maiden Restaurant

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Tamaya Resort in Bernalillo; $60.  Probably one of the most chichi options, with pepper frittata, lemon grass soup, sea scallops and lamb medallions.
Reservations are a must; (505) 771-6037.

Other Options – Huge Venues

Aggregated listings that I found on the ‘net.  These are hotel or casino or “big” places that I don’t particularly endorse for crowd reasons, but they are options nonetheless:

Embassy Suites Hotel

When: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: 1000 Woodward Place NE, at Lomas and I-25
$34.95 for adults, $27.95 for seniors (60+), and $14.95 for children 6-12. Reservations are highly recommended; call 245-7100.

Garduno’s on the Green

When: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Balloon Fiesta Park
Live entertainment, patio seating, and for mom, free mimosas with purchase after noon.
$16.95 for adults, $8.95 children 12 and under. Reservations are recommended; call (505) 797-9222.

Hilton Albuquerque Champagne Brunch

When: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: 1901 University NE
$29.95 for adults, $25.50 for seniors, and $14.50 for kids.

Hyatt Regency Albuquerque

When: 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Hyatt Downtown, 330 Tijeras
$34.95 for adults, $24.95 for seniors, $14.50 for children, and kids six and under are free.
Call (505) 843-2684 to make a reservation. The Hyatt offers validated self parking.

Isleta Casino & Resort

When: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Isleta Casino and Resort
Prices are $17.95 for adults, and $9.95 for children.

Marriott Pyramid North Sandia Grill

When: 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: 5151 San Francisco NE
$34.95 for adults, $27.95 for seniors, $16.95 for children 5-11. Children under 5 are free.
Reserve by calling (505) 821-3333; seating times available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Santa Ana Cafe

When: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Tamaya Resort
Reservations can be made by calling (505) 771-6037.
$45 per person, 12 and under half price.

TIWA Steakhouse

When: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Isleta Casino and Resort
$28.95 per person, and children’s selections are $9.95.