Duke City Food » new restaurant

So Many New Restaurants, So Little Thyme

Andrea Lin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:14:28 +0000

Seriously, I think thyme is an underrated herb. But anyway, I’m excited about the slew of restaurants that are brazenly opening up as we try to shake off this recession.

On my radar slash hit list in recent weeks and upcoming months:

What else? New stuff I haven’t yet spotted? Lay it on me!

La Oja Opens in the Doubletree

Andrea Lin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:31:36 +0000

So, hotel restaurants. Good? Bad? ”Meh”?

Regardless, they’re opening left and right here in Albuquerque. Al Bilotti’s Lucia in the Hotel Andaluz (more about *that* later), and now in the Doubletree, home to fresh baked cookies at check-in, we have a New Mexican-Californian restaurant called La Oja.

No word on menu specifics. I hope it will be decent combinations of our own local treasures with some of the stereotypical California touches – goat cheese enchiladas?

Good luck to Chef Alberto Mendez – let’s see what ya got!

http://albuquerque.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2009/11/09/daily31.html

Veggie Lovers: More Salads Coming to Albuquerque

Andrea Lin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:13:27 +0000

In a development that I can only describe as surprising yet good, Albuquerque will soon be home to a new restaurant whose concept is. . . salads.

Salad Bowl, a small franchise with only 5 locations so far across Texas and Colorado, has set their sights on many locations right here in New Mexico, with the first to be on San Mateo & Academy (is this the old Sweet Tomatoes location? Nope, looks like a former massage therapist.)

Whoa. In this economy, with food prices at record highs and dining options getting tighter? I hope they do well, but in the “more is more” eating mantra I fear that many diners will check them out a few times, then retreat to Sweet Tomatoes or Souper Salad for volume.

Best of luck to Salad Bowl – I’ll be there checking out the variety!

Salad Bowl Business Information

Rise of East Mountain Eats

Andrea Lin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:05:05 +0000

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!

Nick and Jimmy decide Greek won’t hold them back

Andrea Lin — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:14:23 +0000

In the old Johnny Carino’s space at I-25 and Jefferson, the Yanni’s team is set to open a new restaurant, called Nick and Jimmy’s Bar and Grill, serving more of the usual ‘comfort’ food that diners gearing up for a movie are usually craving.

Steaks will be broiled in their 1400-degree drawer, and the interior got nearly a million dollars’ worth of upgrades overall. Yikes.

But, sales are already up at Yanni’s, so Nick and Jim are hoping the upturn will continue to bring eaters back to their usual habits of sitting down for an enormous bowl of pasta or some meat & potatoes.

Employees are being trained already, so the open date should be soon!

New Restaurants in this Economy?

Andrea Lin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 03:13:00 +0000

Farina Pizzeria opened this weekend to preliminary rave comments. The masterminds of Artichoke Cafe had planned this extension of their talents for well over a year, and it has finally made it to completion.

Due to the skills of Stew with his wine pairings and the cooking abilities of the entire staff, Terry Keene predicted even before opening that things would go well.

I certainly hope so, as I love a good chewy pizza crust, and I also love to see a small business succeed, no matter what the economic climate.

No Hot Dogs for You!

Andrea Lin — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:37:11 +0000

Not in front of The Frontier, anyway:

Daily Lobo feature about forbidden hot dog dude

Scram, hot dog man! I admit I have not eaten a vendor cart hot dog in Albuquerque. Time to change that?

The Best Reason (this week) to be Downtown

Andrea Lin — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:39:43 +0000

New sushi restaurant, that’s why!

It looks good, I’ve heard reports that it is pretty tasty, the interior is lovely, and the have happy hour every day from 4:30-7:30. Now, how can you beat that?

By having really great quality fish, of course. I’ll let you know…

Sushi Hana

Downtown Deep Sea Dining

Andrea Lin — Sat, 10 May 2008 00:25:46 +0000

How cool – there is yet another sushi joint open in the downtown area for MY mackerel eating pleasure. It is called Sushi Hana (as opposed to the very good Sushi Hama in the Northeast Heights), and is located at 6th & Central, right in the pit of downtown bar scene. I’m pasting right in their press release, which I received today:

“Kathy Chao, owner of Sushi Hana located on the northeast corner of 6th and Central would like to announce the restaurant’s opening to the Downtown community.

Come and try a variety of sushi roles and menu items for lunch or dinner all seven days of the week. Set in a Modern Asian atmosphere with bar and table service available, Sushi Hanna features the freshest product on the market, assembled by a team of experienced sushi chefs.

Open weekdays 11:00a.m-9:30p.m and weekends from 11:00am-10:30p.m.”

More Beer For You

Andrea Lin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:24:29 +0000

The brewpub’s popularity cannot be stopped.

Case in point: Kelly’s patio on any evening that is not 5 degrees and snowing.

Case in point: An hour-long wait at Chama River most evenings.

Case in point: A NEW brewery and restaurant, called Marble Brewery is opening just north of the downtown area, quenching the thirst of all of we office workers whose drive home looks long when viewed from happy hour.

The owners (part of the Rio Chama group) will keep things simple, offering their own crafted beers along with a small menu of sandwiches from Chama River, completed onsite. The location couldn’t be more convenient – between Lomas and Mountain on Marble Ave, perfect for these summery evenings as the sun is getting golden.

Soft opening (which means they’re testing the waters and the menu) was yesterday evening, and once things really start rolling I hope the feedback is all good.