Opening NEXT WEEK in Rio Rancho is the new spot opened by a Seattleite (they know coffee, don’t they?): Cafe Bella Coffee
According to their website and press info, Cafe Bella will feature locally-roasted beans (from where? I’ll find out!). But that’s not what interests me. What interests me is that the owner, Michael Gonzales, will be pulling shots on a crazy expensive Italian espresso machine, and also that he was trained by the Italian World Cup champion barista while they both lived in Seattle.
Will Guiseppe’s be feeling some competition? I hope so. This metro area is far large enough to support several excellent espresso shops. The cafe side of things will be featuring as much locally grown produce as possible, working with farms and small businesses to get the kitchen’s raw ingredients.
So, it all sounds good – I’ll haul myself up the hill and check the place out, and probably post photos to Twitter, too: @dukecityfood
And, STAY to the management and kitchen staff as they transition over to the Italian theme of Gregorio’s under the helm of Matt DiGregory. It’s the same people as Rodeo Grill, which are the same people as The Range, and the same as Standard Diner.
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.
I had mucho love for Frattelli’s Pizzeria. Shortly after I reviewed them they closed, which made me both unhappy and frustrated with the situation (landlord/tenant dispute). Not only that, I could no longer get the amazing NY Pizza that they churned out for legions of Rio Rancho fans.
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?
I keep tabs on news that filters up about new spots, chef departures, developing concepts and try to bring them in one non-paywalled placed, because I love you. Actually, I really like gossip, so let’s see what I have this week:
McGrath’s in the Hyatt. Ever eat there? Yeah, maybe once and you didn’t choose to. What did you eat? Who knows. It was fine. Finally the uninteresting is shoved out and a new contender steps in. It’s called Forque and whether or not they intend to compete with Lucia, it is always a good sign when new places open, especially in a down economy. Looks like steak . . . and stuff. Duck, ok, and some South American influences like chimichurri (one of the greatest condiments ever).
More hotel renovations: the downtown Hilton, home of the Rancher’s Club, is now rebranded as Crowne Plaza. Rancher’s Club stays, but the casual restaurant will be reopened as “innovative New Mexican” and called Stonestreet Restaurant.
East Mountain diners have one less spot to have drinks with dinner – the Backside Alehouse has been fighting for a liquor license but recently lost their legal fight, and as a result they will close down completely. Big bummer for the 10,000+ residents out there.
Hot dogs and burgers are recession food, so they say. Personally it seems more reasonable to me that true recession food would be beans and rice, or stew, or casseroles, or beans and beans and beans. Or maybe that’s depression food. Anyway . . .
If you have been missing Bob’s Fish n’ Chips near downtown, you still won’t be able to get the old school divey experience at 700 Central SE because it is now owned by a couple of chefs with experience at high-end joints in Santa Fe. What are they doing to the old place? Making burgers out of grass-fed beef, that’s what. Owner Chris Medina is calling the place “Holy Cow” and hopes to compete with the likes of BrGr, Standard Diner, and a host of others.
This is obviously a trend, whether or not it has anything to do with the recession. I applaud the increasing use of grass-fed beef, especially for “fatty” applications like burgers where you want the moisture but not all the icky hormonal junk that usually tags along in factory-farmed cattle meat. True grass-fed AND grass-finished beef’s fat is as good for you as salmon fat. Neato, eh? While Holy Cow’s grass-fed is probably grain-finished, it’s still a good start.
Open daily lunch through late with weekend breakfasts (maybe); 505-242-2991
Espresso Addicts to get Cafe Bella in Rio Rancho!
Opening NEXT WEEK in Rio Rancho is the new spot opened by a Seattleite (they know coffee, don’t they?): Cafe Bella Coffee
The cafe side of things will be featuring as much locally grown produce as possible, working with farms and small businesses to get the kitchen’s raw ingredients.
