We were expecting Santa Fe to be a food highlight of the trip and it was! We very much want to return to Santa Fe when the world has returned more to normal and we can safely enjoy peak activity time here. Capturing here what we enjoyed (most all of it), but we also enjoyed having time in Santa Fe to cook a bit more ourselves.

New Mexican Food:

• The Farmer’s Market – Open Tuesdays and Saturdays – we visited the Farmer’s market twice and can imagine going every week if we lived here. Many great local produce stalls, red and green chile products and a fun setting in the Railyard. Loved the stand with vegan/veggie breakfast burritos, tamales and the amazing warm salsa.

• La Choza – This was the first place we tried – takeout on our first night in town. I ordered poorly (fish tacos / they weren’t amazing) and William had v. yummy enchiladas (Christmas style – red and green chile!). Expect with a different order, we both would have loved this place.
• The Shed (same owner and similar menu to La Choza) – this is a fun setting and has a great courtyard. We went for an early drink before a dinner we weren’t sure the boys would love — and let them have food there. I loved my mezcal negroni and William had a great blood orange margarita.

• Tia Sofias – just off the Plaza – this was our favorite food-wise – very chill/casual setting. William’s smothered burrito was delicious and I loved the huevos rancheros!

• Tomasitas – Takeout on our second to last night of the trip — I loved the build your own chile bowl, Sean enjoyed their chicken flautas special and William their “Tuesday” (but really every day) special.
• William’s amazing enchiladas with local red chile powder and a play on huevos rancheros– My favorite enchiladas of the trip were… William’s! He scouted out some local red chile powder (we brought some back from the Farmer’s Market to recreate in Jax),

Other GREAT spots:

• Ten Thousand Waves – Izanami – our favorite meal of the trip . This is an upscale version of an izakaya located in a Japanese spa and makeshift Japanese village, just north of Santa Fe. We all tried A5 Wagyu beef for the first time (nearly melts like butter) and had so many other amazing tastes here. Shepherd asked if we could go back for the Wagyu! The sake selection was really impressive.

• Paloma – modern Mexican – Outside of Izanami, this was my favorite restaurant visit of the trip. Amazing salsas, fish tacos, huitlacoche blue corn quesadilla + drinks! Love Shepherd’s expression here – feels like it captures his storytelling.

• Cowgirl – Great Margaritas (says William) and tons of options – this was the best menu for the kids — Salmon, mashed potatoes and other veggie options. Low key spot and nice outside patio area with heaters.

• Dr. Fieldgoods – casual lunch spot with great sandwich options and brick oven pizza. The boys loved their pizza with fresh mozzarella and crispy crust (#2 best ever said Shepherd) and now we know they will happily eat beyond the fast food options. Kimchi spicy potato salad and a bacon burger were other highlights.
• Raaga – This place is always a take-out spot and we enjoyed everything we ordered, although realized how lucky we are in Jacksonville to have so many great Indian spots – this was the only option here that we came across. The chef was apparently on some Food Network specials including Top Chef

• Kohnami – Sushi on our last night — we needed something easy and we were looking for a change in pace. We were surprised by how much we enjoyed this place — special option: Shrimp + Green Chile tempura roll.

Sweet treats:

• The Chocolate Maven – we picked up William’s 40th birthday cakes here: flourless chocolate torte and tres leches cake – both great!

• Kakawa Chocolates – amazing local chocolate spot – really great. Bringing home their chocolate elixir beverage to share with the cousins. Their chocolate peanut butter and chocolate pistachio log-shaped candies were heavenly.

Places that were recommended that we didn’t make / would love to in the future: Compound restaurant (off canyon road), Geronimo (also canyon road, close to Compound), Restaurant Martin, Sazon (this was supposed to be William’s 40th birthday treat – cricket tacos – ha!), Los Poblanos (restaurant associated with a lavendar farm ~an hour outside of Santa Fe), Opuntia and Tea House (Canyon Road)