Santa Fe Hospitality Group

Summer in Santa Fe

Is close to perfection.

We could use some rain but skies are blue, mountains clear, land is dry and the lakes and streams have fish.

Fishing's pretty subjective - but hey - that's what travel experiences are all about.

Santa Fe's world renowned International Folk Art Market kicks-off Friday,July 8th on Museum Hill.  You can scope it out

online for tickets and event times and dates.

There's something special happening virtually everyday - go to www.santafe.org and you can pull up events and activities.

Most importantly - plan to enjoy your stay in Santa Fe.

From the office of http://www.santafehospitalitygroup.com

Santa Fe Restaurants - Totally unbiased reports on the new and the tried and true.

Newcomers to Santa Fe won't want to miss a few of the local dining hot spots... So since you've asked - each week we're going blog and offer our insider's view (yes, we are definitely foodies) of a couple of Santa Fe area dining choices... eat hearty, healthy and often... Enjoy.

Keep in mind that some of these places may not offer food that's comparable to international three stars, toques, diamonds or whatever other measurement rules the culinary planet for the day.  But what they do offer is special ambiance and character that is reflective of our region in the world... and as a testimony to their customer appeal - some have been in business for more than fifty years. Many of the dining selections are from produce from local growers; make sure to visit the Santa Fe Farmer's Market.

Maria's New Mexican Kitchen - 555 W. Cordova Road - Santa Fe - is a local's gathering place with equal numbers of out-of-towners.  Owners Al and Laurie Lucero have the best Margarita selection on the planet. Al has become an internationally renowned speaker on the finer points of discerning a $5 shot of tequila from the $100 shot variety.  If you call far enough in advance - and are willing to keep your group small (6 people +/-) you may be able to convince Al to educate you on the finer points of tequila in a small room created just for this singular pleasure.  While you're in Santa Fe - make sure you pick-up a copy of "The Great Margarita Book" with a foreward by Robert Redford and authored by Al.  In fact, as a service to guests, you can even have an autographed copy of the books added to your check. Foodwise, Maria's has a great selection of New Mexican food, tortillas hand-made on site - and excellent green chile cheeseburgers. Check them out at www.Marias-SantaFe.com.  FAMILY.  Affordable food, wine and margaritas.

Galisteo Bistro - near the intersection of Galisteo and Alameda - is a relative newcomer to the Santa Fe Dining scene - although the owner/executive chef, Robert Pickering has enjoyed a strong presence in Santa Fe for years. The bistro offers an eclectic selection of absolutely wonderful food as well as a collection of local wines mixed with some excellent - but limited availability wines - from throughout the world.  The Bistro is located a couple of blocks off the plaza near the intersection of Galisteo and Alameda.  The food is unsurpassed in Santa Fe; it became popular with "foodie" locals almost immediately - reservations are definitely recommended - especially during the upcoming holiday season.  They are only open for dinner - so check out their website at www.galisteobistro.com, make your reservations and prepare to enjoy great food in a charming, intimate atmosphere.  ADULTS and very well behaved children. Mid-price range.

 Enjoy.  We'll have more next week.  Maybe some hotel and special seasonal adventures, too.

From the desks of www.santafehospitalitygroup.com

Hospitality was bred into me. The desire to make friends and friends-in-the-making happy, relaxed and comfortably sated with fine food, shared experiences and soothing drink is in my blood.

I attribute it to my grandmother.  I don't know why I woke up this morning and decided to blog about Mammy, but I did.  You can either bear with me - or jump off here.

Mammy journeyed to New Mexico via covered wagon from Texas on a cattle drive in the late 1800s.  She and her family settled in Lincoln County New Mexico when she was five years old; she attended New Mexico Normal College and was teaching school when she was seventeen.

She and her husband traveled by covered wagon from Lincoln County to a town called Gibson just north of Gallup where they opened a general store.  She taught school, birthed two children and became central to a community that no longer exists; the family moved on to Arizona.

Nothing fancy or pretentious about it.

From the Office of www.Santafehospitalitygroup.com

Santa Fe Community Gallery - Easy to Miss - Impossible to Forget

Santa Fe is blessed with over a hundred fine art galleries, hundreds of artist's studios. memorable museums featuring folk art,  Georgia O'Keeffe, Native American arts, history and far, far more.  Regional studio tours, Native celebrations and gallery walks  and learning opportunities span the calendar year 'round and offer selections and collections that are appealing to a wide range of incomes, tastes and values.

Often overlooked - but never forgotten once experienced - is the Santa Fe Community Gallery -  located at 201 W. Marcy (Marcy and Sheridan)  just a couple of highly wanderable blocks off the plaza near the center of town.  The Gallery is tucked under a portal and part of the beautiful new Santa Fe Community Convention Center - which also features some incredible installation art from artists like Roxanne Swentzel and numerous famous others.

Santa Fe Community Gallery's  Manager, Rod Lambert, masterfully gathers works from professional artists of all kinds that are thematic - like the Watershed - or Women's Emerging Arts - and rotates shows throughout the year.  The gallery is free. It  has a small collectors gift shop that sells one-of-a-kind, affordable - and often functional - works from New Mexico Artisans.

You can check current exhibitions and gallery hours at www.santafenm.gov/communitygallery. Note the gallery is generally closed on Sunday and Monday so plan accordingly - but don't miss it! Enjoy!