Albuquerque The Magazine, April 2021 by Albuquerque The Magazine

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

4 AP RIL 202 1 | ISS UE

ACTUAL PATIENT

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

A perfect smile makes every day feel less everyday.

Dr. Byron Wall | cosmeticdentistryofnewmexico.com | 505.883.4488 APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

HoustonWholesaleCars.com (505) 255-5200

PRE-OWNED VEHICLES SAVE THOUSANDS

4718 Lomas Blvd. NE

(505) 255-5200

HoustonWholesaleCars.com 4

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED DON’T GO THE WRONG WAY

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

CREDIT UNION FINANCING

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

505-294-1411 • info4030@merrymaids.net www.merrymaids-albuquerque.com

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

(505) 489-8034

pricklypearskinnm.com 1400 Jackie Road SE. Suite 105 | Rio Rancho WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM

| APRIL 2021

(505) 349-0839

APRIL 2021 |

bosqueaesthetics.com 1400THE Jackie Road SE. Suite 105 | Rio Rancho ALBUQUERQUE MAGAZINE

PG 76 Yes, our city is incredibly interesting. These out-of-the way attractions show the depth, texture and color of ABQ—and provide some destinations that even locals can put on their need-to-do list. By Ashley M. Biggers

PG 116

Noodle This, ABQ! Is there any other cuisine that flies under the radar quite like Asian noodles? The staple has roots that reach back 4,000 years, and yet modern recipes for it involve just a handful of basic ingredients. Here’s a rundown of the key noodle joints in the city that will have you slurping with a smile. And we included a bonus: a picture guide to a dozen types of noodles, just in case you don’t know your somen from your chow fun.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

DEPARTMENTS 22 Publisher’s Note 25 Tapas

P. 25

P. 94

Downtown sees the rise of the ABQ sticker wall, which is gaining national attention; drive-in theaters are back in vogue, thanks to social distancing; the city adds another bocce court.

34 Faces and Places 51 Datebook

93 People

94 Albuquerque the Interview With low inventory driving ABQ home prices up, we decided to check in with an expert: Kent Cravens, the CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors.

100 Personality

Eric Draper’s talent—and moxie— earned him an eight-year run as the personal photographer for President George W. Bush.

P.104

104 Behind the Scenes

What do we earthlings do with the data collected by our rovers on Mars? Local scientist Larry Crumpler knows—his experience with the Red Planet goes back to 1976.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 Volume XVII Number 11 PHOTO DIRECTOR

Don James don@abqthemag.com LEAD DESIGNER

Sheridan Young sheridan@abqthemag.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Candice Callado candice@abqthemag.com FOOD EDITOR

Zane Beal zane@abqthemag.com SHOPPING EDITOR

Kelli Trapnell kelli@abqthemag.com DATEBOOK EDITOR

Denise Meyer datebook@abqthemag.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Michael Jacobs michael@abqthemag.com CONTRIBUTORS

Tristen Critchfield Ashley Biggers Mel Minter

Albuquerque The Magazine (ISSN 1936-4350) is published monthly except January by Albuquerque The Media Corporation, 1550 Mercantile Ave. NE, Top Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87107. Periodicals Postage Paid at Albuquerque, NM 87101, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Albuquerque The Magazine, 1550 Mercantile Ave. NE, Top Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87107.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We welcome letters to the Editor. You may e-mail yours to editor@abqthemag.com, or submit it directly from our website, or via snail mail. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Our editorial calendar is available online at www.abqthemag.com/MediaKit.pdf. No phone calls, please. Unsolicited manuscripts require a SASE.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

INSPIRED SPACE S WORLD-CLASS COMPLIMENTARY INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE

DEPARTMENTS P. 128

P. 112 P. 108

107 Culture 108 Creatives

Jane Chevalier shows us the patience involved in creating her unique takes on the global tradition of egg art.

P. 115

110 Shelflife

Joaquín Ortega, by Russ Davidson; Steely, by Wally Lindsley.

112 Tiempo

A monthly check-in with longtime Tiempo editor Mel Minter on the new performers—and familiar faces—making waves in ABQ’s thriving local music scene.

115 Dish

116 Noodles, Etc.

We paused our regular features of Eats and Eats, Etc. this month to bring you the A-to-Z of ABQ’s noodle offerings. Our list takes you through nearly three dozen local noodle spots—plus we tossed in a visual guide to a dozen types of noodles. Enjoy!

128 From the Vine

A local distiller launches spirits that honor two of the city’s legendary fighters: boxing legend Johnny Tapia, and mixed martial arts warrior Diego Sanchez.

132 My Favorite Recipe

CNM nursing professor Diane Evans-Prior shares a healthy alternative to a high-calorie comfort food staple.

134 Bites

Info-filled nuggets about the city’s restaurants to take with you on the go.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

DEPARTMENTS 159 Fun

160 ‘Til You Drop

P. 160

Local experts weigh in on vein treatment options to get your legs summer-ready; goodies for those friends who can’t geographically place our enchanted state; a retailer who can rescue you when a perfect gift is needed.

166 Paws Button

Prepping our furry friends to get houseand human-ready is a fun (and cerebral) task for the Behavior Team at Animal Humane.

168 Pet of the Month This month’s winner: Louie

171 Piece of the Past At the eastern edge of the Barelas neighborhood sits a grand, two-story brick building with a rich history.

172 Passenger Window

P. 176

The ancient volcanoes that dot the West Mesa were the inspiration for the colorful median that divides Unser Boulevard.

175 Photo Contest

This month’s winner: Fire On The Mountain, by Jeff Puterbaugh

176 A Few Things You Didn’t Know About Me Fasten your seat belt for a fun ride through the far-reaching interests of local TV talk show host Gene Grant.

P. 166 18

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 Volume 17 Number 11 PUBLISHER

Larryl Lynch larryl@abqthemag.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Gena Goodson gena@abqthemag.com

SENIOR ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

Philip Kjelland philip@abqthemag.com Megan Life megan@abqthemag.com PUBLISHING ASSISTANTS

Dakota Lynn McCaffrey dakota@abqthemag.com Sakara Griffin sakara@abqthemag.com BUSINESS MANAGER

Renee Martinez business@abqthemag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Scott Davis (1966–2004)

o R r u o Y e k a M

w e N s A d o As Go

Enjoy Enj oy a Relaxing

Mother’s Day Treat!

3 Hour House Cleaning! Brunch Treat! Bouquet of Flowers! You get ALL of this for $150.00

HURRY! HURRY! RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! 505.266.5318 mrscleanco.com *Some Restrictions Do Apply SUBSCRIBE!

Annual subscriptions to Albuquerque The Magazine are $19 for 11 issues. You may subscribe directly from our website. Send check or money order to:

Albuquerque The Magazine 1550 Mercantile Ave. NE, Top Floor Albuquerque, NM 87107 phone: 505-842-1110 • fax: 505-842-1119 www.abqthemag.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

e’re serious about food here at ATM. So, I’m going to ask you a question, and I want an honest response: Is there any food more comforting and satisfying than Asian noodles? Yup, no answer necessary—we also feel the same love for noodle dishes. And luckily for us, ABQ is home to dozens of restaurants that specialize in the fine art of flour/rice/eggs/water/starch. We figured we could do our part and provide the who/what/where/when/how of the noodle equation, which resulted in our Guide to ABQ Noodles (page 115). We emphasized the places that are dedicated to the art, but also included restaurants that meld noodles into a broader menu. The list should make you an instant expert next time you’re yearning for the fresh, healthy culinary pleasure of noodles. Plus, we figured now would be a good time to provide a roadmap to help us distinguish the varieties—why is chow fun typically the star of heartier dishes with proteins, while somen plays better with only a light broth or dipping sauce? Test your noodle knowledge on page 127. Our other feature story in this issue comes courtesy of Ashley M. Biggers, a fantastic writer, published author, ABQ native, and longtime contributor to ATM. But before I tell you about that story, I’d like to tell you a little story about Ashley. You see, in an age where the Internet has provided a home and forum to anyone wanting to call themselves a ‘writer,’ Ashley is actually a true journalist at heart. She earned a master’s degree in communications from the prestigious Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. Before that, she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications. In junior high, she joined the school newspa-

per, and continued as a student journalist through graduation at Albuquerque Academy. But here’s the part where you really get a sense of Ashley’s love for writing: in elementary school, she started a neighborhood newspaper. She would write stories about a neighbor’s new dog, or how the trash cans on her street were getting dinged up with use. “I would draw out one (newspaper) by hand, and my mom would take me to the store to photocopy them,” says Ashley, who then put her publication in neighbors’ mailboxes. Her love of—and talent for—writing is why she’s able to freelance for publications full-time; her work regularly appears in New Mexico Magazine, Southwest Art, Fodor’s Travel, and various other publications, including the one in your hands. Her story on the hidden, fun, out-of-the-way and quirky destinations in and around ABQ begins on page 76. The tale is derived from Ashley’s book, “Secret Albuquerque: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure,” which can be found on Amazon.com and other places books are sold. Enjoy! We hope you enjoy this issue of ATM; we’re already working on the next one for you!

Sincerely,

Larryl Lynch Publisher

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

presents

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

TINY BITES OF EVERYTHING TO SEE, DO AND BUY IN ALBUQUERQUE

STICKY COLLAGE

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

a fresh, quirky tourist attraction, and so the ABQ Sticker Wall was born. Clearly, there’s something to this whole sticker wall business. The first stickers—maybe ten or so—went up at the tail end of February. By early March, there were a couple hundred. By the time we took our photo—around the middle of March—there were hundreds more. Based on our internally-constructed, super-sophisticated mathematical projections, the entire wall should be made of stickers before May.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

What does it take to start a sticker wall? Well, a wall, for starters. And stickers—stickers are definitely key. But what else? How about a stencilled hashtag, inviting people to use the world’s favorite information vector—social media—to spread the idea around and let everyone know that there’s a new place in town to stick your, uh, stickers. Done, done, and done. The folks behind 505 Central Food Hall—the recently opened indoor dining operation that brings together everything from fresh oysters to meaty burgers in one convenient downtown location—decided Albuquerque needed

—ZB

Goodwill Industries International Inc.—yep, that’s the official name— started in 1902 as a project of Methodist Reverend Edgar J. Helms. In the decades since, the organization— more commonly called Goodwill—is known chiefly through the storefronts they operate throughout the United States and a handful of other countries. Each store operates as a semi-autonomous community organization, selling affordably priced donated goods while providing employment and job training for hundreds of thousands of people each year. Now, Goodwill is launching a mammoth e-commerce effort. The program will work a little like eBay, with customers bidding on items from Goodwills throughout the United States. “We will be listing on several dif-

ferent online marketplaces,” explains Pamela Russom, Marketing Manager for Goodwill Industries of New Mexico. “Our main focus is to list on shopgoodwill.com. This platform was created by Goodwill of Orange County to provide an online marketplace community for Goodwill agencies. You will be able to see items listed from over 120 different Goodwills around the country. You will be able to see our offerings on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Shopify and more.” This gives shoppers a chance to score high quality goods at otherwise impossible prices. At the same time, generated proceeds fund programs that help New Mexicans find jobs, with a goal to help as many as 18,000 unemployed people in New Mexico in 2021. —ZB

DRIVE-INS: the sequel

BR A GGING

ABQ

Margaret Smith

Associate Broker, Realtor Coldwell Banker Legacy “The Los Poblanos Open Space off Montano is my happy place. It’s such a serene, beautiful place to walk, and the view of the Sandias is stunning. I love seeing the sandhill cranes in winter, and now that the seasons are changing, the meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds are in residence.” Start Bragging ABQ is a campaign to tell everyone what you love about our city. Got a brag about ABQ? Send it to us at editor@abqthemag.com.

A good movie is a good movie, however you watch it. But for many, nothing beats the communal experience of watching a film on the big screen—something health and safety precautions have made impossible across most of the United States for over a year. That hasn’t stopped innovative cinephiles from finding work-arounds, including resurrecting a platform most movie-goers thought had been driven to extinction: the drive-in movie. This past February, the Village of Los Lunas Recreation Division opened the Badlands Drive-In, offering motorists the chance to watch classics new and old at a rate of 10 bucks a car. Tijeras recently got in on the drive-in action as well, officially launching the Tijeras Park and View at the tail end of February. The project got a boost from PNM, who donated a half dozen power poles for use in erecting the screen. Those who wish to get their cinema fix without leaving the Duke City proper can check out the Balloon Fiesta Park Drive-In, currently up and operational with a full schedule of showings, including new releases. —ZB

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

COURTESY IMAGE

GOODWILL GOES DIGITAL

START

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

BURQUE BOCCE call it a bocce complex, and it is first class, with three regulation bocce courts and coverings for the sun and the rain.” If you’ve heard of bocce, you’ve probably heard it anglicized as bocce ball. That ball at the end is both informative and redundant: if you’ve don’t know much about bocce, it clues you in on the kind of sport we’re talking about, but if you already know the game, you know bocce without balls is impossible. Originating centuries ago, bocce sits somewhere on the same athletic family tree as bowling. Not a descendant, to be clear, but a distant cousin in a wide family of sports built around rolling balls at or around targets. In a game of bocce,

there are two teams. One tosses a small ball, called a jack, out into a zone at the far end of an established bocce court. From there—setting aside a number of important details and caveats—the two teams compete to see who can get the most balls (each team gets four) closest to the jack. The new court was dedicated in honor of Joe Marchese, who, at 91, is renowned as the Duke City’s best bocce player. Marchese christened the new court, tossing out the jack and throwing the first bocce ball in an impromptu game against Berry. Marchese, adhering closely to his reputation, pulled out a win. —ZB

PHOTOS BY DON JAMES/ATM

Albuquerque bocce players have cause to celebrate. The City of Albuquerque has built a third regulation bocce court, officially opening the new facility in a ceremony held March 13, 2021. There, a crowd of bocce enthusiasts—players and fans alike—gathered to share their enthusiasm for the ancient Italian sport. “On behalf of the avid bocce players here today and those yet to come to some of the games and fall in love with it, I would like to add another layer of heartfelt gratitude to the City for this incredible complex,” Maria Berry, President of Italian Festivals of New Mexico, said in dedicating the new court. “Now, with the addition of the third court, I think we can

ATM DEFINITION OF THE MONTH 28

Chairdrobe (n.)

piling clothes on a chair in place of a closet or dresser, similar to floordrobe. Usage: You are likely to find your favorite jeans in your chairdrobe, since they never make it all the way into the dresser.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

Elle Bousliman Age: 14 School: 8th grader at Desert Ridge Middle School Likes: Grey’s Anatomy, track & Girl Scouts Frowns upon: Mushrooms, dad’s cheesy jokes, and when stepmom dances in public. Future plans: Aspires to have a career where she can help people. Her story: After she got her first paycheck from babysitting, Elle decided to use the money to help others during the pandemic. Her stepmom, Cristin Heyns-Bousliman, was quick to help. “We reached out to my sister-in-law, a healthcare worker at UNMH, and found out that they desperately needed snacks that they could grab and eat quickly between cases,” says Cristin. “I doubled her money and we went to the store.” Elle even made posters with messages thanking the workers. “She stood out there for about an hour holding up her ‘thank you’ sign for all of the healthcare workers that walked across that skybridge at UNMH,” says Cristin. This isn’t Elle’s first shot at lending a hand, either—last year she and Cristin helped pack 200 goodie bags for the homeless. “She has a heart of gold,” says her stepmom, “and is always thinking of how she can help others.”—SG

Submit your Incredible Kids at incrediblekids@abqthemag.com

NM Philharmonic NMSecond Philharmonic Digital Second Digital Performance Series Second Digital Performance Series Performance Series

Things are looking better and better for a world in which we can all go outside without too much fear of breathing in a dangerous pathogen, but we’re still not quite there yet. Recognizing that we’re all still itching for stimulation while we wait, the New Mexico Philharmonic has launched a second round of virtual concerts. Ongoing since early March, the orchestra has a strong lineup of performances scheduled through May. On April 3, the NMPhil will present performances by the 2020 Jackie McGeAPRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

hee Young Artists’ Competition winners for Strings and Piano. Gabriel Ingliss will perform the first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 on piano, while Lorenzo Gallegos Jr. will take on the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with his violin. Other performances will include Rachmaninoff ’s Piano Concerto No. 2 as executed by Russian pianist Simon Karakulidi and portions of Piazzolla’s Bandoneon Concerto with bandoneonist Peter Soave. For additional information, check out nmphil.org. —ZB

THEY’RE BAAAAACK... Those with a hankering to explore the frontiers of science and natural history can once again get their fix in person, right here in Albuquerque. Following a handful of precautionary closures, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science has re-opened. Indulge your curiosity about the growth and development of prehistoric life at the travelling “Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies” exhibit, examine the fossilized remains of the critters who called New Mexico home tens of millions of years ago in “Back to Bones”, or trace pioneering steps in the history of space exploration with “Many Inspired Steps: Apollo 11 50th Anniversary.”

And, of course, there are the permanent exhibits. Watch the animatronic “Bella the Bisti Beast” roar and then explore pivotal moments in the history of the universe, from the Big Bang to the present day, in “Time Tracks: A Walk Through Time.” The New Mexico Museum of Natural History will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admit 75 people at a time. Check out nmnaturalhistory.org to grab your tickets. —ZB

Diego Martinez & Dyson Martinez

Ages: Diego, 13 and Dyson, 11 School: Desert Ridge Middle School (Diego, 8th grade & Dyson, 6th grade) Likes: Both boys enjoy sports in their free time and are on the Desert Ridge football team. Dyson enjoys basketball and other activities, such as surfing and boating. Diego’s passion is driving. He’s often followed by a trail of dust when he goes off-roading on local mesas with his family. Dislikes: Both boys mentioned homework, vegetables and picking up after the dogs. Future plans: The boys share the goal of becoming an entrepreneur. Their story: Diego and Dyson are two untiring workers who managed to remodel a 1951 Ford Truck—all on their own. When COVID forced everyone to stay at home last year, the boys’ father, Bennie Martinez, was quick to think of something that would keep them occupied. “They took raw metal and did all the fabrication and welding on the truck as well as the paint job,” said Bennie, who said the big project took the boys five months to complete. The outcome turned out to be extraordinary. The video went viral within the car community, even attracting attention from the likes of comedian Jay Leno. “The truck turned out amazing,” said Bennie, “and it now sits out in front of an Airbnb (rental) of ours.”—SG

Submit your Incredible Kids at incrediblekids@abqthemag.com 30

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

START BR A GGING

ABQ

Ian Robertson

Director of Marketing & Communications Titan Development “I’m passionate about anything involving Route 66. From Nob Hill, all the way to the new El Vado Motel and retail development. I can’t get enough of the neon, low riders, and diners.”

EMPOWER PILATES STUDIO

Lourdes Avitia CPI-CPT-CMS-CHT Certified Certified Certified Certified

Medical Support Hypnotherapist Pilates Instructor Gyrotonic®, Gyrokenesis® Trainer Personal Trainer, BARRE, TRX Instructor

Follow me!

TEXT or Call 505-550-5759 | empowerpilatesstudio.com

Start Bragging ABQ is a campaign to tell everyone what you love about our city. Got a brag about ABQ? Send it to us at editor@abqthemag.com.

Each year more than 1 billion people mobilize on April 22 for Earth Day—considered the launch of the environmental movement in 1970.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

IN-PERSON

Week-long learning adventures where science comes to life!

JUNE 1 - AUGUST 6 Summer Camps

Grades Pre-K - 7th | 7:30am - 5:30pm

NEW MEXICO MOTHER OF THE YEAR American Mothers—founded back in 1931 as a way to bring aid and attention to mothers and children in need—honors mothers throughout the United States with their annual Mother of the Year awards. They’ve been passing them out since 1935, adding individual state-by-state recognitions as the years progressed. This year, American Mothers honored Albuquerque mother Tiffany Gravelle as their 45th annual New Mexico Mother of the Year. Mother and stepmother to two teenagers and three adults, Gravelle is a published author, professional events planner, and seasoned business consultant. Basically, she’s the sort of person who gets more done in a day than actually seems humanly possible—even taking time to launch programs like the Make Merry Project in December 2020. “It provided a gift, a book, and stocking stuffers to APS Title 1 homeless children ages two through 18,” explains Gravelle, who published her first book, Blended Not Stirred: Real Life Tips for Blending Your Bunch, in 2020. “We served over 850 children and families in our first year.” The event afforded parents an opportunity to select gifts for their children and see them gift-wrapped while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with a generous side of holiday cheer. “The importance of being a mother and motherhood in all of its many forms is that you have the ability to create long lasting, positive change in the world through the lessons you teach your family and the way you coach and love your children,” says Gravelle. “Every moment becomes a teachable moment. Every act of parenting (including discipline) can be based in love, respect, kindness and consideration of others. You are raising our future. There are no small acts of service.” —ZB

Age: 18 School: Senior at Belen High School Likes: Wrestling, painting and animals Her story: At just three years old—when most people can barely walk—Cailean started to wrestle. “When I was younger, I would go to the practices with my brother,” she says. “But we were too little to start wrestling. We would always practice on the sides.” Cailean continued to wrestle, eventually becoming the first female from Belen High to earn a college wrestling scholarship (from Texas Weslyan University). “It took me a long time to get recognized for what I was doing because of the fact that I’m a girl. I always had to deal with a bunch of people saying I couldn’t do it and that it’s a boys sport,” she says. “I do wrestling to show women that you can do something, no matter how hard someone tries to tell you that you can’t, and to show them that girls can succeed in a boys sport as well.” After college, Cailean hopes to become a criminal psychologist. “Hopefully,” she says, “for the FBI.”—SG

Submit your Incredible Kids at incrediblekids@abqthemag.com 32

PHOTO COURTESY OF REV. MELANIE E PHOTOGRAPHY

Cailean Aimee Romero

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

START BR A GGING

ABQ

Kristi Wills

Director of Product Execution Inovalon “There’s something about Albuquerque’s ever-changing skies that are always inspiring, whether it’s a rainbow in the middle of an afternoon storm, or the sun shining through with snow coming down.”

Start Bragging ABQ is a campaign to tell everyone what you love about our city. Got a brag about ABQ? Send it to us at editor@abqthemag.com.

April was the second month of the year until Roman King Numa Pompilius added January and February to the mix around 700 BC.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

NOT LONG AGO

Centennial Celebration On February 7, 2019, Albuquerqueans attended a gala at Southwest Capital Bank to celebrate and honor the 100-year anniversary of the Christina Kent Early Childhood Center. Attendees were able to show their support for the Center, which is the oldest early childhood services center in Albuquerque. 1. Patty Timpane, Paul Timpane, Amy Hughes Maxwell, Jay Maxwell 2. Martha Benn, Myra Grayson, Jonell Shepherd, Michelle Macy-Stuart 3. Mary Bliss, Katrina Huffaker, Allison Hendricks-Smith, Wendy Antonio 4. Jacque Pena, Gisela De Palma 5. Christina Duran, Esmeralda Ayala, Kelsey Munger 6. Amy Liotta, Summit Liotta (baby), Jessie Hunt 7. Theresa Soto, Andrew Martinez, Jeany Baines, Mary Anne Giangola

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

NOT LONG AGO

TEAM’s 3rd Annual Tennis Scramble Anyone for tennis? On February 23, 2019, Albuquerque’s tennis fiends came out to the 3rd annual tennis scramble. Proceeds went to benefit the Supportive Housing Coalition. Attendees brought common household items to donate and then played a little tennis- all for a good cause. 1. Kathy Swanson, Sandy Salm, Laurie Frappier, Patty Jones 2. Rachel Kennedy, Diane Del Frate, Marina Lainer, Terri Stewart 3. Ellen Goldstein, Kathy Barrett, Rayme Romanik, Pam Sullivan 4. Mitch Levick, Nicole Cosper, Melissa Clark 5. Robert Sacks, Ron Samples, Tony Musarra, Valkyrie Musarra 6. Susie Beavis, Bob Beavis, Christi Byrd, Hal Byrd 7. Greg Cunningham, Linda White, Jaime Gomez, Miriam Vanvliet

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

NOT LONG AGO

At Glam Nail Bar & Spa, we will pamper and keep your hands, feet and nails... HEALTHY, BEAUTIFUL & ATTRACTIVE !!!

Walk-ins and Appointments Welcome 8224 MENAUL BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87110

(505) 835-5040

Heart on Your Sleeve Jeff Highlander Memorial Fashion Show It was posh, it was fancy, and it was all to support the New Mexico chapter of the ALS association. On February 7, 2019, at Hotel Albuquerque, the city turned out for an evening of fine dining, cool drinks, and plenty of beautiful fashion. 1. Katie Couch, Jill Sivage, Rebecca Dumas 2. Mikayla Padilla, Jeannine DiLorenzo, Loretta Garrett, Frannie Holmes 3. Jessica Rule, Susan Atchley, Sonia Torres, Berdel Boulanger 4. Gilbert Valladares, Brittany Trujillo, Trish Esquibel, Anthony Reyna 5. Audrey Blea, Donna Carter, Sherman Carter, Jordin Marr 6. Joe Cordova, Dawn Goodrum, Kenton Van Harten, Ben Walton 7. Rob Burpo, Greg Templeton, JJ Griego, Mark Wiggins, Tom Cress

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

NOT LONG AGO

National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show On March 1, 2019, it was time once again for the spiciest event of the year. This fiery event highlighted some of the best cooks and chefs in New Mexico. This was the 31st year for the “Hottest Show on Earth” and Sandia Resort and Casino was as packed as ever. 1. Brenda Rule-Osburn, Lisa Grier 2. Travis Tyler, Isabel Montano, Ned Montano 3. Marcie Morrow, Kim Conley 4. Matt Kuerbis, Catharine Sutherland, Amanda GoodFox, Josh GoodFox 5. Elmer Martinez, Jordan Gonzales, Dennis Garcia 6. Ernie Rodriguez, Karen Rodriguez, Jesus Rodriguez 7. John Hard, Wendy Clinco, Sue Hard

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

NOT LONG AGO

Governor’s Special Hunt Auction & Banquet On February 16, 2019, Albuquerqueans put on their banquet suits and headed out to Expo NM for this outdoorsman’s dream event. The program: eat some food, have some drinks, and bid on some of the State’s top hunting and fishing packages. Hosted by New Mexico Game & Fish, this event benefited the Game Protection Fund of New Mexico. 1. Craig Sanchez, Tristanna Bickford, Mike Sloan, Stuart Liley 2. Ted Schnack, Connie Almacin, Amanda Garcia, Joe Garcia 3. Kami Elsisie, Mahting Putelis, Kelly Babincsak, Jarrett Babincsak 4. Jeremy Romero, Jesse Deubel, Brian Kurzel, Andrew Black 5. Ray Trejo, Ben Neary, Thomas Gomez, Jeremy Vesbach 6. John Pearce, Teri Pearce, Chanda Tatum, Greg Romero 7. Storm Usrey, Robert Griego, Tim Cimbal, Jeremy Smith

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

SENIOR LIVING SPLASH +3

SENIOR

Living

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

m o o l B e f i L IN

Make a

Springtime Move

6th Mon t h

t F r e ed Rmemn unity e

Fee Waiv

24/7 Care Managers Theatre/Chapel Salon Fitness Center iN2L Interactive Software Courtyards, BBQ & Fire Pit Washer/Dryer in most AL suites All Day Dining Near Rust Medical Center

505.305.1311

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE of RIO RANCHO

2301 Golf Course Road SE | MorningStarSeniorLiving.com

APRIL 2021 ALBUQUERQUE THE by MAGAZINE For those who| take financial possession April 30, 2021

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

More than a moving company

TO P 5

we move hearts, not just boxes

aboutseniorsmoving.com 505-550-8790

I t’s about helping the whole person live the whole life. To learn more about our services, from home care to senior living to skilled nursing, call (505)256-6216.

All faiths or beliefs are welcome.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

TAKE THE WORK OUT OF EATING.

Let The Kitchen @ Meals on Wheels cook for you. Freshly prepared meals—hand made for you and delivered to your home. We’re great for those wanting to remain healthy and independent, those recuperating after hospitalization or illness, or those requiring a medically-tailored diet.

Better food without the hassle. Call The Kitchen @ Meals on Wheels today! ANY AGE, ANY REASON.

(505) 823-8060 or mow-nm.org

DISCOVER

extraordinary and innovative Assisted Living and Memory Care in Northeast Heights.

6901 San Vicente Ave. NE • Albuquerque, NM 87109 505-445-9200 • watermarkcommunities.com ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

THE BUZZ AROUND ALBUQUERQUE: YOUR GUIDE TO EVERYTHING HAPPENING THIS MONTH

TOP PICK wednesday 7 | 6:30 pm Vastness Premiere. NDI NM, partnering with NMPBS, premieres “Vastness” on YouTube and Facebook. This short film with original choreography and music features 50 student dancers, 13 to 18 years of age, from Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and was shot outdoors in three iconic New Mexico locations. Also, see the listing on April 17 for Behind the Scenes clips. Info: ndi-nm.org or nmpbs.org.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

wednesday 21 10–11 am

Early Stage Alzheimer’s Social Hour-Virtual Field Trip. Presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter, this event allows isolated seniors to engage while visiting museums, zoos and other destinations virtually. Info: nmprograms@alz.org, 800-272-3900. Free.

tuesday 6 1–2 pm

The Lord of Cries: The Wolf-Prince, Ecstasy and Ruin. In the lecture series “Opera Virtually Unveiled,” Desirée Mays discusses “The Lord of Cries.” Composed by John Corigliano and libretto by Mark Adamo, this opera makes its world premiere in Santa Fe on July 17, 2021. It contrasts extremes of restraint and repression with unfettered freedom. Info: guildsofsfo. org/santafe/events. Register - tinyurl.com/ lordofcries, Zoom format.

saturday 10 9 am–3 pm

Cactus and Succulent Society of New Mexico Sale. Vendors provide a wide variety of cacti and other succulent plants available for purchase, from bargain plants to spectacular specimens. Information about how to grow them will be available, in person at the sale and online at the Society’s website. Info: Albuquerque Garden Center parking lot, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE, new-mexico.cactussociety.org. Free admission.

saturday 17- saturday, june 12, 2021 tuesdays– saturdays 9 am–5 pm

Aimless Wandering. This exhibition of paintings and photographs by Alice Webb and Margot Geist entitled “Aimless Wandering” was inspired by natural landscapes of the beautiful bosque. Info: Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center, 6500 Coors Blvd. NW, cabq.gov/openspace, 768-4950.

saturday 17 6 pm

Shaken, Not Stirred Celebrating Mexican Modernism. At the Museum Foundation’s fundraising event, attendees will receive a Party Pak that includes appetizers, makeyour-own cocktail kits, instructions on how to participate in a mixology class, and preview of a curator-led tour of the exhibition “Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism.” Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road SW, cabq.gov, 2437255. Tickets: $75.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

please note

At the time this listing was produced, many events were being cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus. Please be sure to check the status of any event and venue to ensure that the event is still being held as scheduled. Trust us, these are but a few ABQ events YOU CAN'T MISS. 9

thursday 1–saturday, may 15 wednesdays–sundays 11 am–4 pm Altered Landscapes by Michael Namingha. Namingha’s (TewaHopi) works are abstract, photography-based works that juxtapose geometric shapes in neon colors against black-andwhite aerial landscapes from the Four Corners region. They address the environmental impact of the oil and gas industry. Info: North Gallery, Institute of American Indian Arts, 83 Avan Nu Po Road, Santa Fe, iaia.edu, 424-2300.

friday 23 and saturday 24 various times

Virtual Gathering of Nations Powwow. This year’s virtual experience will feature live singing and dancing via Zoom. The Indian Traders market will be virtual online. Info: The first day will be free to the viewers and is an interesting perspective of the Gathering of Nations. The second day is a pay-per-view of $9.99 and will feature Live Competition Dancing. It is best for all viewers to enter the streams via gatheringofnations.com.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

friday 23 and saturday 24 friday 1–6 pm saturday 8 am–12 noon

Albuquerque Garden Council’s Spring Plant Sale. This annual sale will offer a huge plant selection, just in time for spring planting. The sale supports the Council of Albuquerque Garden Clubs, a Non-Profit organization. Info: Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE, albuquerquegardencenter. org. Free admission and free parking.

saturday 24 – saturday, july 3, 2021 tuesdays–saturdays 9 am–5 pm

Pollinators of the Rio Grande Valley. “Smaller in Nature” is a photography exhibit focused on pollinators of the Rio Grande valley, presented by Chadwick Williams. Info: Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center, 6500 Coors Blvd. NW, cabq.gov/openspace, 768-4950.

thursday 1 | 4–5:30 pm

The Intersection of Arts and Justice Virtual Panel Conversation. Artists, scholars, and community present perspectives on the intersection of arts and justice, highlighting Keshet’s 24 years in the juvenile justice field and discussing justice reform goals through dance and the arts. This program is supported in part by the New Mexico Humanities Council. Info: keshetarts.org/ celebrating-keshets-25th-anniversaryseason/. Tickets $0-$10.

saturday 3 | 2–4 pm

The ABQ Graphic Novel Book Club Meeting. This club is meeting virtually to discuss “Trillium” on Zoom. Info: Usual meetings are held at the Lomas-Tramway Public Library, 908 Eastridge Dr. NE, goodreads.com/ group/show/176142-abq-graphic-novelbook-club.

tuesday 6 | 10 am

Albuquerque Newcomers’ Club Welcome Coffee. Come learn of the club’s varied activities. Membership is open to residents of Albuquerque for less than five years or residents experiencing major changes in their lives. The club is not affiliated with the church. Info: Sandia Presbyterian Church, 10704 Paseo del Norte NE, albuquerquenewcomersclub.org, 321-6970.

wednesday 7 | 4:30–8:30 pm

4 Directions Projection. The rich tapestry of First Peoples and First Nations continues to survive and thrive by passing on ancestral knowledge and continuity. We invite those interested in learning more from 4 Directions presenters who share their projects on land, agriculture, arts and wellness stewardship. Info: Zoom meetings, Wednesdays through April 28. Register: iaia.edu.cecourses.

friday 9 | 7:30 pm

Albuquerque Science Fiction Society Meeting. This virtual Zoom gathering is with Colorado author Carrie Vaughn on her forthcoming novel, “Questland.” This longrunning NM science fiction club has author readings, science talks, films and discussions. Info: Our usual location is the Activity Room, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 5301 Ponderosa Ave. NE, bubonicon.com, 2668905. Free to newcomers.

saturday 10 | 2–3:30 pm

Keshet 25th Anniversary Retrospective – KP3 Reflections. Join Keshet staff and alumni for conversations and dance footage from Keshet’s Pre-Professional Program (KP3) throughout Keshet’s first quarter century. Info: keshetarts.org/celebratingkeshets-25th-anniversary-season/. Tickets $0-$10.

saturdays 17 and 24 9:30 am–12:30 pm

Casa San Ysidro Docent Training. This Museum, a satellite of the Albuquerque Museum, welcomes thousands of school children and visitors yearly. Docents make its tours and programs possible. Training Dates/ Topics: April 17 - history of NM and Casa San Ysidro; April 24 - Techniques for Interpreting Objects, Themes, and Engagement. Info: Casa San Ysidro, 973 Old Church Road, Corrales. Register: oneabqvolunteers.com.

saturday 17 | 4 pm

Behind The Scenes on Channel 5. NDI NM, along with NMPBS, presents interviews and clips of the COLORES! series film entitled “Vastness.” This short features 50 student dancers, ages 13 to 18, from Albuquerque and Santa Fe, shot outdoors in 3 beautiful New Mexico outdoor locations, with original choreography and music. Info: ndi-nm.org or nmpbs.org.

saturday 17 | 7–8:30 pm

New Mexico Performing Arts Society Recital Series 3. Hear the music of Richard Strauss, including “Four Last Songs,” with lyric soprano Esther Moses Bergh and pianist Franz Vote. The recital will be live streamed from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel in Santa Fe. Info and tickets: nmpas.org, Hold My Ticket 877-466-3404.

ALBUQUERQUE

Assistance League Thrift Shop | 5211 Lomas NE | Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday 10am - 2pm

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

sunday 18 | 2–3 pm

Chamber Music Concert. ChamberCHOPS will present this virtual chamber music concert. Info: chamberchops.org or Facebook page for the link.

ONGOING: daily | any time

At-Home Movies. Enjoy a variety of streamed movies and documentaries presented by Guild Cinema. Keif Henley, the cinema owner, reminds folks that the streaming option offers a safe home viewing experience while a portion of the online streaming fee goes directly to the local independent cinema. Info: guildcinema.com.

daily | various times

NAMI NM and NAMI Albuquerque. We have many support programs available weekly through zoom, at no charge. We also offer 8-week classes on mental illness that are available at no charge to family members and people with a mental health condition diagnosis. During trying times, stress, anxiety, depression and anger are prevalent. Info: naminewmexico.org, namialbuquerque. org, 260-0154. Free.

daily | various times

Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen– Meetings. This is an anonymous fellowship of relatives and friends of problem drinkers. Meetings are held on various days and times. We come together to share our experience, strength and hope to recover from the effects of another person’s drinking. Info: AlAnon Information Service, aisnm.org, 2622177.

daily

Help for Sleep Apnea Sufferers. Lovelace Silver Elite Online presents Advancements in Sleep Apnea by Dr. Elchin Zeynalov. Inspire Therapy® is offered only at Lovelace Sleep Center in the state of NM. Silver Elite offers free seminars and VIP benefits. It is open to anyone 60 and over regardless of insurance. Info: lovelacesiverelite.com, 727-5502.

daily

Albuquerque Apparel Center and AAC School of Fashion Design. Melissa Lea, president and founder of AAC and awardwinning fashion designer, offers a variety of industry-based fashion design classes, seminars, retreats, and more. Couture, costume, and custom clothing design services, alterations, and patternmaking services are also available. Info: abqapparelcenter.com, 803-6966.

daily

Agora Crisis Center Volunteers. Are you a compassionate, non-judgmental person who wants to help others? Learn new skills, make friends, earn class credit, and be a part of a rewarding organization. Info: Agora Crisis Center, agoracares.org.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

daily

Animal Humane’s Free Behavioral Helpline. This free service is available to all pet owners who are experiencing behavior problems with their dogs and cats. Animal Humane New Mexico’s trained behavior coaches answer questions and provide tips on everything from housetraining to living with multiple animals. Info: 938-7900.

daily |

Donate Blood. Someone needs it every day. Info: 843-6227, unitedbloodservices.org.

daily

Epilepsy Support and Education Services—Meeting. For meeting time and place, please contact the office at 243-9119 or check the website for more details. Info: epilepsysupportnm.org.

daily

Rattlesnakes. See different species of live rattlesnakes displayed in recreated natural landscapes. We are dedicated to conservation and preservation through education. Info: American International Rattlesnake Museum, 202 San Felipe Road NW, rattlesnakes.com. Tickets: adults, $6; seniors, military, students, teachers $5; children, $4.

daily

Roadrunner Food Bank. Volunteers are needed to help prep food for distribution, repack and sort items, and other activities while helping New Mexico’s hungry. The gift of your precious time helps solve hunger for so many people. Volunteers must register in advance. Shifts are available in two-hour increments, Mondays–Saturdays. Info: 5840 Office Blvd. NE, givetime@rrfb.org, 3495358.

daily

Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico. We provide a “home-awayfrom-home” for families whose children are in medical treatment. Operating the 30-guest-room Yale House, 20-guest-room Highlands House, and the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at UNM and Presbyterian Hospitals, volunteers make a vital difference in the lives of the people they serve. Info: Volunteer Coordinator, rmhc-nm.org, 8428960, volunteer@rmhc-nm.org.

daily

Explora. The museum brings out new activities in the “Working Together to Build a Village” exhibit area in its Rotary Pavilion, offering hands-on activities related to construction, architecture, and engineering, and Sketch Aquarium and Curious Bubbles in the Explora Theater. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, explora.us, 224-8300. Cost: Included in admission.

daily

“We Are of This Place: The Pueblo Story” Art Exhibit. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center celebrates its 40th anniversary with this permanent museum exhibit that represents all 19 Pueblos and builds upon the IPCC’s 40-year history of telling the story of Pueblo people in their own voices. Hear stories in Pueblo languages from artists and elders, interact with art and artifacts, learn about the Pueblo people’s history of resilience, and experience traditions that have been passed down for generations. Info: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW, indianpueblo.org, 843-7270. Free with museum admission.

daily 8 am–5 pm

Albuquerque Art App Led Scavenger Hunt. Albuquerque boasts incredible sculptures. On this fun-filled walking scavenger hunt, journey around downtown’s historic buildings, green spaces and meet the locals who built the city. Info: Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts, starting point - 391 3rd Street NW, letsroam.com, 833-202-7626. $13.

daily various times

Explora’s STEAM Enrichment Programs. Explora has limited in-person and virtual STEAM enrichment programs happening throughout the fall. Info: explora.us for details. Prices vary.

daily 9 am–3 pm

Veterans Presentation. Listen to veterans tell about historical events or their personal experience in the service to our country. Speakers represent WWII, Korean, Vietnam, and War on Terror experiences. Also tour the museum, gardens and amphitheater. Info: New Mexico Veterans Memorial Park, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE, 256-2042. Free admission. Donations requested.

daily 9 am–5 pm

“The Original Instructions: Pueblo Sovereignty and Governance” Exhibit. This Indian Pueblo Cultural Center exhibit re-examines the role and symbolism of the Lincoln canes in the history of Pueblo people, within a larger discussion about sovereignty, governance, and leadership from a Pueblo perspective. Info: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW, indianpueblo.org, 843-7270. Free with museum admission.

daily | 10 am–5 pm

Adopt a Pet. Find your best pet ever. Adopt a dog, cat, puppy or kitten from Animal Humane New Mexico. Adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations, and a microchip. Info: 615 Virginia Street SE, 10141 Coors Blvd. NW, animalhumanenm.org.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

daily | 10 am

Watermelon Mountain Ranch Animal Center. New Mexico’s largest no-kill animal shelter seeks loving homes for rescued dogs and cats. Adoptions are at select Petsmart locations and Watermelon Mountain Ranch on various days from 10 am–8 pm. Donations, fosters, and volunteers are always welcome. Info: wmranch.org, 771-0140, wmranchnm@ aol.com.

every fourth monday 6:30–8:30 pm

Bead Society of New Mexico Monthly Membership Meeting. The BSNM’s purpose is to promote the members’ and the public education, appreciation, and involvement in the field of beads and bead-related subjects. No meeting in July or December. Info: North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, 7521 Carmel Drive NE, beadsocietynm.org.

daily | various times

Explora’s Experiment Bar. Fruit and veggie batteries, thaumatropes, invisible writing, electromagnetics, DNA extraction or spin art? Visit Explora’s website to see which of our hands-on activities are happening. Activities change weekly. Mondays through Saturdays at 10 am and Sundays at noon. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, explora.us, 224-8300. Free with general admission.

mondays–fridays various times

Ninja Park Obstacle Course Fitness Center. TAK Fit is Ninja Park’s fun and functional fitness style that utilizes calisthenics exercise, dynamic lifts, and obstacles to create a unique and balanced workout that you will not find anywhere else. Join and have fun getting fit. Ages 16 and older. Classes are 6:30 to 7 am, 12:30 am to 1 pm, and 6:30 to 7 pm. Info: ninjaparkabq.com, 883-9203.

mondays | 5–6 pm

Geeks Who Drink. Test your knowledge while enjoying a unique evening’s experience. Free of charge and open to anyone 21 and older. Prizes awarded to winning teams. Only one table allowed per team. Warning: this quiz contains adult themes and adult language. Info: O’Niell’s Heights, 3301 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, oniells.com, 293-1122.

mondays | 5:30 pm

The Red Bucket Book Club. Join this group and dive into fun-tastic fiction discussing and reading a variety of fabulous books. Info: Barnes & Noble Coronado Center, 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, bn.com, 883-8200. Free.

every second monday 6:30 pm

“The Lyin’ Dog” Interactive Game Show. Aux Dog Theatre Nob Hill, in association with Empire Board Game Library, presents “The Lyin’ Dog,” an interactive game show. Three storytellers—two are real, one’s a liar— can the audience tell the difference? Info: Empire Board Game Library, 3503 Central Ave. NE, auxdog.com, 254-7716. Admission: $5 cash, food and beverages also available.

every second monday 6:30–8 pm

Outcomes Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Come for discussion and support groups. Info: Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8600 Academy Road NE, 243-2551 to reserve a space. Free childcare provided. Free.

every third monday 6–7:30 pm

Outcomes Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Attend discussion and support groups. Info: West Mesa Community Center, 5500 Glenrio NW, 243-2551 to reserve a space. Free childcare provided. Free.

NOW offering nbr hair extensions 423 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 | (505) 242-4549 | inspiresalon.net

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

mondays–saturdays 10 am–5 pm

Exquisite Turquoise in the Castle. This extraordinary German-style castle is the museum setting, featuring rare turquoise specimens, lapidary demos, history and geology, a mine tunnel replica, hands-on activities for kids, and silver smithing. Info: The Turquoise Museum, 400 2nd Street SW, turquoisemuseum.com, 433-3684. Tickets: $16, discounts for AAA, over 55 and military.

tuesdays | 12 noon

tuesdays | 6 pm

ABQ Scrabble Club. We have been playing weekly for over 30 years. Come join us. Info: Chili’s, 6909 Menaul Blvd. NE.

tuesdays | 6:30–9:30 pm

Beginning Square Dance Lessons. Lessons are available for singles, couples, and families. Dress is casual and no experience is required; offered by the Crazy Eights Square Dance Club. Info: Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins Street NE, 881-0137, hornytoad@q.com.

Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque Zoom Meeting. Come join us every Tuesday for a lunch meeting with interesting speakers to learn how you can help the children of Albuquerque and surrounding communities live better lives. Info: Currently on Zoom, when meeting in person: Embassy Suites Hotel, 1000 Woodward Pl. NE, facebook.com/Kiwanis-Club-ofAlbuquerque-1495809687323742/

tuesdays 6:30–9:30 pm

tuesdays | 2–3 pm

Tango Club of Albuquerque’s Weekly Milonga. This is an Argentine Tango social dance party. Info: Lloyd Shaw Dance Center, 5506 Coal Ave. SE, abqtango.org. Guided Practica, 7:30 to 8 pm; Milonga 8 to 10:30 pm. Tickets: $3-$5.

Caregiver Support Group. Caregiving for a loved one can be overwhelming and isolating. This group provides a compassionate space for caregivers to gain emotional support and information. Facilitated by Erin Tarica, LMSW. Info: Jewish Community Center, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Preregistration required, call 348-4451. Free.

tuesdays–saturdays 9 am–5 pm

Art and History Exhibitions at Albuquerque Museum. See our website for the current listing of exhibitions. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq. gov, 243-7255. General Museum admission: $3-$6. $5 exhibition surcharge applies.

tuesdays–saturdays tuesday–fridays 9:30 am, 1:30 pm, saturdays 10:30 am, 12 noon, 1:30 pm

Open Drawing with the Model. Info: Harwood Art Studio, 1029 6th Street NW, harwoodartcenter.org. Admission: $10 per session; five sessions for $35.

Casa San Ysidro Tours. Take a tour of this late 19th century building in Corrales filled with an excellent collection of New Mexico vernacular art. Info: Casa San Ysidro, 973 Old Church Road, Corrales, cabq.gov/ casasanysidro, 898-3915.

tuesdays 7:30–10 pm

tuesdays–sundays 10 am–5 pm

National Hispanic Cultural Center Exhibits. See our website for the current listing of exhibitions. Info: National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth Street SW, 246-2261, nhccnm.org.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

tuesdays, thursdays, fridays, sundays 11 am

Historic Old Town Tours. Explore historic Old Town on foot with our informative docents who will provide insight into the people and places that shaped our early community. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq.gov, 2437255. Tour included with paid Museum admission, $4-$6, Sundays free.

tuesdays, thursdays, and saturdays various times

every fourth tuesday 7–9 pm

Duke City Story Slam. This monthly storytelling event is where people tell truelife stories, without notes, on that month’s theme. Attendees can reserve a 5-min Open Mic slot between the featured storytellers. A friendly panel of judges scores each story; the winner takes home a prize. Info: Canteen Brewhouse, 2381 Aztec Road NE, storytellersofnewmexico.com, facebook. com/newmexicostorytellers.

every last tuesday 6–7 pm

Murderinos Book Club. This free true crime book club meets monthly and Book Club purchasers get 10% discount at Bookworks. Info: Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, bkwrks.com, 344-8139. Free to attend.

Ninja Park Obstacle Course Fitness Center. First place winner of the 2015 Women’s Area Qualifier in the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association (UNAA) competition, Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor Jessica Lucero teaches fun and challenging back-toback classes every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: Body Blast, 6 to 7 pm; Obstacle Technique and Efficiency, 7 to 7:30 pm; and Foam Rolling and Stretching, 7 to 7:30. Try one, two, or all three classes for free (firsttime participants only). Info: 883-9203, ninjaparkabq.com.

every first tuesday 1–2:30 pm

Spanish Language Alzheimer’s Support Group. This meeting is for Spanish-speaking individuals caring for a family member with dementia. Info: Alamosa Community Center, 6900 Gonzales Road SW, Suite C, 363-8499 or (800) 272-3900. every first and fourth tuesday | 10 am–2 pm Rug Hookers Demonstration. Join the Adobe Wool Arts Guild for a monthly demonstration of rug hooking in the Heritage Farmhouse. Info: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW, 848-7180, abqbiopark.com. Tickets: Included with admission.

every second tuesday 11 am–1 pm

Stitching Group. Knitting, crocheting, embroidering, tatting, spinning, crossstitching and more. Join in the fun, share ideas, patterns, and experiences. All ages and experience levels welcome. Info: Wyoming/Hillerman Library, 8205 Apache Ave. NE, 291-6264.

every second tuesday 6–7 pm

Outcomes Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Attend for discussion and support groups. Info: Tijeras-East Mountains, Los Vecinos Community Center, 478 1/2 Old Highway 66, Tijeras, 243-2551 to reserve a space. Free childcare provided. Free.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

wednesdays 9:30 and 11 am

Stories in the Sky: Weekly Story Time. Activities for toddlers and parents include stories about science, flight, geography, the seasons, the environment, astronomy and more. For toddlers through age 6. Info: Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE, 768-6020. Admission is free for the children and an adult.

wednesdays 10 and 11 am

Japanese Garden Tours. Join docents on the Hanami Flower Tours through the Sasebo Japanese Garden. Learn about the garden’s many varieties of flowering cherries and other blossoms, and the history of Japan’s Hanami celebrations. Info: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW, abqbiopark.com, 311.

wednesdays 10:30 am

Good Morning Storytime with Ms. Dakota. Join us for a story, a snack and a fun activity. For toddlers and preschoolers. Info: Barnes & Noble, Coronado Center, 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, bn.com, 883-8200. Free.

wednesdays and saturdays 11 am

wednesdays 6–9 pm

wednesdays 12 noon–1 pm

wednesdays 9 pm

Sculpture Garden Tours at Albuquerque Museum. Enjoy a pleasant stroll in our sculpture garden with a friendly docent who will share stories on the artists and their works. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq.gov, 243-7255. Tour included with paid general admission.

Kiwanis Club of Sandia. Join in for lunch, listen to interesting speakers, and learn how you, too, can help the children of Albuquerque and surrounding communities live better lives. Info: Wecks, 3913 Louisiana Blvd. NE, facebook.com/sandiakiwanis.

wednesdays 12:30 and 1:30 pm

Music in the Sky: Weekly Music Time. Activities for toddlers and parents include music and movements. Info: Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE, 768-6020. Admission is free for the children and an adult.

Albuquerque Dance Club. ADC offers social dancing every Wednesday to a variety of music mix including swing, country, Latin, ballroom, and tango. No partner needed, over 21 only, ID required. Info: The Dirty Bourbon, 9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 2993737. $5 cover.

Geeks Who Drink. Join the best Pub Quiz in town. Bring your friends and create a team of up to six people. Info: O’Niell’s Nob Hill, 4310 Central Ave. SE, 256-0564, geekswhodrink. com/blog, oniells.com.

every first wednesday 9 am–5 pm

Free First Wednesday. Start your month off right with free admission to Albuquerque Museum and sculpture garden tour. $5 additional special exhibit surcharge may apply. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NE, cabq.gov, 243-7255. Free general admission.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

every second wednesday 6:30–7:30 pm

Bookworks Book Club. Bookworks Book Club meets monthly and Book Club purchasers receive a 10% discount at Bookworks. Info: Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, bkwrks.com, 344-8139. Free and open to the public.

every second wednesday 6:30 pm–8:30 pm

Rio Rancho Art Association (RRAA) Monthly Membership Meeting. RRAA’s mission is the cultural and educational enrichment of the community and surrounding areas by providing opportunities for artists and the public to collectively participate in fine art events and programs. Info: Don Chalmers Ford Community Room, 2500 Rio Rancho Blvd., 301-2009, rraausa. org.

every second and fourth wednesday | 10 am–2 pm

Quilters Demonstration. The New Mexico Quilters will be working on their Botanic Garden quilt and other projects in the Heritage Farmhouse. Info: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW, 8487180, abqbiopark.com. Tickets: Included with admission.

every fourth wednesday and thursday | 12 noon–2 pm and 6–8 pm

Polka Dot Powerhouse Albuquerque Monthly Business Connects. Polka Dot Powerhouse is a closely linked family of extraordinary women—a world of fun, business growth, and connection. Learn, network, and be inspired with other area professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. Guests are invited to attend their first meeting for free. Info: Managing Director Barbra Portzline, bportzline@comcast.net. Register at polkadotpowerhouse.com.

thursdays | 10 am–12 noon

Prehistoric Preschool for Families. Explore the most dynamic dinosaurs that roamed New Mexico. Learn to balance like Seismosaurus, hunt like Coelophysis, and stomp like Tyrannosaurus through imaginative play. Info: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, nmnaturalhistory.org, 841-2848. Tickets: see cost information online.

thursdays | 10:30 am

Story Time at the Zoo. Info: ABQ BioPark Zoo, 903 10th Street SW, abqbiopark.com, 764-6200. Included in admission.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

thursdays 3–5 pm

Class with Explora Maker-in-Residence. Explore the science of sound and make a musical instrument with Daveed Korup. Most Thursdays 3-5 pm; call to confirm. Limited places, first-come first-served at class time. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, explora.us, 224-8300. Included with general admission $6-$10.

every thursday 6 pm

Stand-up Comedy at The Stage. This is a fun date night. Enjoy great food and drinks, and the nation’s best comics. Seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 6 pm, comedy starts at 7:30 pm. 21 and over. Info: Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Road, Santa Ana Pueblo, 7715680. Tickets: $10.

every thursday 6–9 pm

Dance Club. Albuquerque Dance Club offers social dance classes in two-step, waltz, country western swing and a few other styles to country western music. No partner needed, space is limited. Info: Lloyd Shaw Dance Center, 5506 Coal Ave. SE. Preregistration is required: glkello@nmia.com or 299-3737.

thursdays–sundays 11 am–5 pm

Cat adoptions. Come enjoy some drinks, snacks, and time with adorable adoptable cats at Catopia Cat Cafe. Your visit will support their foster home and keep them company until they find their permanent homes, maybe with you. Info: catopiacatcafe. com, 508-4278.

every first thursday 9:30 am–12 noon

Colcheras Demonstration. Learn to appreciate this Hispanic art form by watching El Arco Iris: Sociedad de Colcheras members at work in the Heritage Farmhouse. Info: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW, 848-7180, abqbiopark.com. Tickets: Included with admission.

every first thursday 6:30–8:30 pm

Albuquerque Modern Quilt Guild. Explore modern quilting, charity work and a working modern quilting group. Info: 7001 San Antonio Drive NE, 821-2739, hipstitchabq. com. Cost: membership, $10/year; guests, may attend one meeting for free, then up to two more meetings for $3 per meeting.

every second thursday 6–8 pm

Visionary Arts and Crafts Guild Membership Meeting. VACG’s mission is to develop fellowship among craftspeople and facilitate a market for crafts through exhibitions, education, promoting the development and appreciation of craftspeople and their work. Meet monthly except Oct, Nov, Dec. Info: FBCRR Adult Ed Center, 1909 Grande Ave., Rio Rancho, facebook.com/vacgnm, 948-3132.

every fourth thursday 10 am–2 pm

every thursday, friday and saturday 6–9:30 pm

Party in the Fireroom or on the Patio. Pueblo Harvest Café hosts live music in its cozy Fireroom or on the patio. While you listen and dance, enjoy a taco bar, all-youcan-eat horno-baked pizza, handcrafted cocktails, local craft beer, and a creative menu of appetizers from our acclaimed culinary team. Info: Pueblo Harvest Café, 2401 12th Street NW, puebloharvestcafe. com, 724-3510. No cover.

fridays 10:30 am

Story Time at the Botanic Garden. Info: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW, abqbiopark.com or dial 311.

fridays 12 noon–1:30 pm

Grief and Loss Support Group. Grief is a natural process that can often be eased through sharing with others who have experienced the loss of a loved one or any other significant loss. Info: Jewish Community Center, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Preregistration required by calling 3484451. Free.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

CAST YOUR BALLOTS MARK YOUR CALENDARS TO PARTICIPATE IN EACH OF OUR ONLINE POLLS.

Feb. 1 – March 1

April 1 – may 1

HEALTHCARE HEROES AND TOP-NOTCH NURSE AWARDS If we didn’t already know, 2020 has shown us the true heroism and value of our local nurses. HOW TO NOMINATE: Go to abqthemag.com

TOP DENTISTS: VOTING BY DENTISTS ONLY There are few things more important than proper dental care, and so every year we ask local dentists to vote on those they trust most to care for a loved one. HOW TO VOTE: Go to abqthemag.com

BEST OF THE CITY

May 1 – AUGUST 1 sept. 1 – oct. 1 oct. 1 – nov. 1

It’s your city, so who better than you to tell us the best places to eat, shop, play and spend in ABQ? More than 6 million votes have been cast since Best of the City launched in 2005, and we feature the winners in our huge annual December/January Double Issue.

ALBUQUERQUE’S HOT SINGLES Upload a photo and a brief description of the eligible single you think would make one of ABQ’s HOTTEST Singles. HOW TO NOMINATE: Go to abqthemag.com

TOP DOCS: VOTING BY DOCTORS ONLY How do you get to know a good healthcare provider? Every year we ask the city’s doctors to vote for their peers, and we publish the list of winners, just for you. HOW TO VOTE: Go to abqthemag.com

NOV. 1 – DEC. 1

ABOVE & BEYOND TEACHER AWARDS We shine some recognition on the amazing classroom mentors who make sure our students are learning. HOW TO NOMINATE: Go to abqthemag.com

TO NOMINATE AND VOTE, LOG ON TO ABQTHEMAG.

fridays | 1 pm

Mural Discovery Tour. The IPCC houses 19 murals by Pueblo artists. Our guided tour provides an introduction to the art, traditions, and core values of Pueblo culture, and a who’s who of Pueblo artists, such as Pablita Velarde, Helen Hardin, and Jose Rey Toledo. Reflect upon the murals and uncover layers of meaning in each, with representations of traditional Pueblo life, including dance, the seasons and our connection to animals, as well as the contemporary vision of emerging artists. Tours can be scheduled for groups in advance by calling 212-7052. Info: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW, 843-7270, indianpueblo.org. Free with museum admission.

fridays 7–10 pm

Dance Party. Learn a new dance and meet new people each week at ABQ’s newest studio, with three beautiful ballrooms and state-of-the-art floating dance floors. Enjoy refreshments and an introductory dance class from 7–8 pm. Info: Holiday Dance Studio, 5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, 508-4020, holidaydancestudio.com. $10.

every first friday

Free Admission Day at Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Check out this award-winning, world-class facility highlighting the art, culture, history, science and sport of ballooning and other lighter-than-air craft. Info: 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE (North of Alameda), 768-6020, cabq.gov/balloon.

every first friday 1:30 pm

Tamarind Institute First Friday Tours. See the workshop facility, learn about fine art lithography, the current programs and the history of Tamarind (a division within the College of Fine Arts at UNM), a collaborative process video, and a printing demonstration. Reservations: tamarind.unm.edu. Info: Tamarind Institute, 2500 Central Ave. SE, 453-2159. Free.

every first friday 8–10 pm

Cristel’s Variety Dance Party. Join us on this large wooden dance floor for social dancing to a variety of music - country, ballroom, Latin, and swing. Singles and couples are welcome. Great wood dance floor, music requests taken. Info: Lloyd Shaw Dance Center, 5506 Coal Ave. SE. $5 cover per person.

every other friday 7–9 pm

Albuquerque Spanish Meetup. Practice conversational Spanish with a mix of native Spanish speakers and folks learning Spanish. Info: 553-3008, spanish.meetup.com/700/ calendar.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

DISCOVER THE JOY OF LEARNING Celebrate your child's unlimited potential at Montessori ONE Academy where children cultivate curiosity, develop leadership and collaboration skills, value community, love learning, and soar beyond standards. At Montessori ONE, we prepare children for life and help them discover the joy of learning.

Full-Time In-Class Learning

Nurturing Environment

Full-Time Distance Learning

Challenging Academics

Covid-19 Safety Protocols

Leadership and Collaboration

On-Site Before and After Care

Diverse School Community

On-Site Extracurricular Activities

Community Service Projects

Award-Winning Programs

Intergenerational Programming

Globally-Minded Curriculum

NOW ENROLLING! (505) 822-5150

montessorione.net

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

BrownsAutoExperts.com Sometimes cars break. Sure, it’s a bummer when that happens, but sometimes getting it fixed can seem even worse. For nearly three and a half decades, Brown’s Automative Experts have been working to take the sting out of the repair process. There, technicians work to make sure repairing your vehicle is as simple and problem-free an experience as possible.

substantial portion of their success to a customer-centric ethos. Above all, they strive to ensure that every customer understands exactly what repairs are being recommended and why, delivering service rooted in professionalism, cleanliness, and transparency.

Services at Brown’s range from A/C service and repair to essential engine maintenance. TechBrown’s Automotive officially got its start in nicians repair brakes and suspension systems, 1986, when Donald Brown took over his uncle change oil and other critical fluids, replace air filBobby’s existing car shop. Now run by two of ter and spark plugs, and much, much more. Donald’s sons, Dustin and Nolan, Brown’s Automotive has expanded to three locations—two in “Our industry is constantly changing as vehicle Albuquerque, one in Rio Rancho. technology advances,” says Dustin. “Our technicians are very engaged in the new technology, “We worked with our father starting at a young always learning about the best way to service age,” says Dustin. “We would take the bus from vehicles. We are your local neighborhood repair Valley High School to the shop and work every shop, able to perform most repairs and services day after school.” on all vehicle makes and models. We maintain a strong network with other repair shops in the Offering an expansive list of diagnostic and repair area. If there is a repair that requires a specialist, services, Brown’s Automotive Experts maintains we will direct our customers to the most capable constant focus on customer care, attributing a company to help them.”

6001 4th St. NW. Albuquerque, NM 87107

505-345-0085 7702 4th St. NW. Albuquerque, NM 87107

505-897-3532 2203 Golf Course Rd. Rio Rancho, NM 87124

505-891-7971 Follow Us On

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

every third friday 7–9 pm

Cactus and Succulent Society of New Mexico. Discuss cacti and succulents; enjoy a program presented on a particular subject relevant to these plants. Program usually involves a slideshow. Not necessary to be a member to attend. Info: Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE, 2966020 new-mexico.cactus-society.org.

saturdays 5–8 pm

Cooking Classes at Cinnamon Sugar and Spice Café. Try a fun and exciting hands-on cooking class. Enjoy a meal prepared by you in a commercial kitchen with the guidance of a chef, sip wine, and top it off with dessert. Info: 5809 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 492-2119, cinnamoncafeabq.com.

saturdays various times

Prehistoric Preschool for Families. See description on Thursdays 10–12 am. Info: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, 8412848, nmnaturalhistory.org. Tickets: see cost information online.

saturdays | 10:30 am

Story Time at the Aquarium. Info: ABQ BioPark Aquarium, 2601 Central Ave. NW, abqbiopark.com, 768-2000. Included in admission.

ONE COMMUNITY... ONE FAMILLY... THANK YOU ALBUQUERQUE!

saturdays | 12 noon–2 pm

Acting for Writers. Award-winning director and Meisner acting teacher Lois Hall teaches Acting for Writers in a supportive environment. The class is devoted to writers breathing life into their characters by learning the actors’ secrets. Info: 715-2801, actingforwritersloishall.com. RSVP required.

saturdays | 12 noon–3 pm

Class with Explora Maker-in-Residence. See description above on Thursdays 3–5 pm. Most Saturdays. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, explora.us, 224-8300Included with general admission.

saturdays | 1–2:30 pm

Family Art Workshops. Families create a work of art inspired by what they see at Albuquerque Museum. A different project every week. Try your hand working with a variety of art mediums. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, 243-7255, cabq.gov. Free with Museum admission.

saturdays | 2–5 pm

Art in the Afternoon. Wrap up your shopping in Historic Old Town with free admission into the museum, live local music, and great food and drink specials amid a wealth of cultural and historical artifacts and works of art. Info: Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, 2000 Mountain Road NW, call 311, cabq.gov. Free.

saturdays 2:30–4:30 pm

Tango Club of Albuquerque’s Weekly Practica. At this Argentine Tango practice no partner is necessary. Info: Lloyd Shaw Dance Center, 5506 Coal Ave. SE, abqtango. org. Tickets: $2.

saturdays | 3:30 pm

Saturday Storytime. Join Miss Caitlen for new and exciting adventures. Fun for young children and those young at heart. Info: Barnes & Noble, Coronado Center, 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, 883-8200, bn.com. Free.

wall to wall flatscreens bold burgers STONE BAKED pizzas ice cold beer at 33° 33°

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

4861 Pan American Freeway NE Albuquerque,, NM 87109 Albuquerque 505.. 344 505 344.. 7427 www.. bubbas33 www bubbas33.. com 67

every saturday and sunday 12 noon and 2 pm

Traditional Native Dance Performances. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is the only place in North America to offer traditional Native American dances every week year-round. Performances outdoor or indoor depending on weather. Info: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW, indianpueblo.org, 843-7270. Free with museum admission.

every saturday and sunday various times

Albuquerque Garden Center. Our events include the Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale, the African Violet Show and Sale, and the Annual Spring Plant Sale, and the Aril and Iris Show. The Shop features local artists all month. Info: Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE. Free.

every first saturday 10–11:30 am

Support Group for women with any GYN cancer plus concurrent group for families/ caregivers. The Gynecological Cancer Awareness Project holds these peer-led groups at the People Living Through Cancer Office. Info: 3411 Candelaria Road NE, Suite M, theGCAP.org.

every first saturday 10 am–12 noon

Military History Lecture. Listen to an interesting presentation of military history events and activities that affected New Mexico. Lectures include the History of the NM National Guard, Bataan Death March, WWII Army Air Corp bases in New Mexico, and others. Info: New Mexico Veterans Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE, 2562042. Admission: Free. Donations requested.

every first saturday 12 noon–3 pm

First Saturday of the Month Shot Clinic For Your Dogs And Cats. No appointment needed. Info: 3251 Westphalia Road SE, wmranch.org.

every second saturday 10–11:30 am

Outcomes Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Come for discussion and support groups. Info: St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 2701 American Road, Rio Rancho, 243-2551 to reserve a space. Free childcare provided. Free.

every second saturday 10 am–12 noon

Free Fishing Clinic. Instruction available on basic fly-tying methods, fly-rod casting techniques, fishing etiquette, effective catch-and-release practices and enhancement of advanced skills. Equipment and supplies are available free of charge on a first-come-first-served basis for use during the clinic, or you may bring your own. Tingley Outfitters provides basic equipment for purchase inside the train station. Info: Tingley Beach, 1800 Tingley Drive SW, call 311 or 768-2000.

second saturday 10 am–12 noon

Los Ranchos Growers’ Market. Fresh local produce and products, plants, and more. COVID 19 protocols - wear masks, keep social distancing, and no pets. Handicapped accessible. Info: 6718 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 610-9591. Free admission.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Attention

ABQ Dental professionals Voting goes live April 1st and runs through May 1st for the September 2021 Top Dentists Issue. Set a reminder now and visit abqthemag.com to vote for your peers.

abqthemag.com 70

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

every second saturday | 1 pm

Read to the Dogs. Registered therapy dogs sit calmly and quietly for a story so children can practice reading out loud without fear of judgment. It’s a great way for children to gain confidence in their reading. Several libraries. Please register in advance. Info: Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers, 768-5136.

second and fourth saturday 12 noon–1 pm

Watermelon Mountain Ranch Volunteer Orientation. Come out to the main facility in Northern Rio Rancho to find out all about the volunteer program and the opportunities to work with the animals in our care. Info: Watermelon Mountain Ranch, 3251 Westphalia Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho, wmranch. org. Near V. Sue Cleveland Highschool.

every second and fourth saturday | 7–10:30 pm

ABQ Dance Club. This non-profit dance club provides dancing to a variety of music - swing, country, ballroom, Latin. Couples and singles are welcome, no partner or experience needed. Lessons and refreshments included. Info: Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins Street NE, asdc.org, 299-3737. Fee $8.

every last saturday 7–9 pm

sundays 10:30 am

sundays 9 am–1 pm

sundays 12 noon–5 pm

Saturday Night Swing. Good listening and dancing music of live tunes from the ’40s and ’50s. Remember to wear your dancing shoes. Info: New Mexico Veterans Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE, 256-2042. Free admission. Donations requested.

Free Sunday Mornings at Albuquerque Museum. Admission is free every Sunday morning. View the latest exhibition, try out interactive displays, stroll through the sculpture garden, and stop by the cafe for brunch. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq.gov, 243-7255. Free. $5 exhibition surcharge applies during free days at Albuquerque Museum.

sundays | 9 am–1 pm

Free Admission Day. Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Check out this award-winning, world-class facility highlighting the art, culture, history, science and sport of ballooning and other lighter-than-air craft. Info: 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE, 768-6020, cabq.gov/ balloon.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Chatter Sunday. These Sunday morning concerts include readings and refreshments. Info: Las Puertas, 1512 First Street NW, chatterabq.com. Cost: regular, $15; 30 and under and students, $9; children under 13, $5.

Save Lucky Paws Information Table at Lucky Paws Adoption Site. T-shirts and wristbands for sale. Info: Coronado Mall, saveluckypaws.org.

sundays 1–4 pm

Old San Ysidro Church Tours. See the beauty and learn the history of one of Corrales’ most significant historic buildings. Historical Society Docents are on hand to welcome guests, give tours, and answer questions. Watch the Old Church video, view historical artifacts, and take home souvenirs ranging from local flavor cookbooks to church retablos, jewelry, and more. Info: 966 Old Church Road, Corrales, 890-3846, corraleshistory.org. Free.

sundays 8 pm

Geeks Who Drink. Join in best Pub Quiz in town. Bring your friends and create a team of up to six people. Info: O’Niell’s Nob Hill, 4310 Central Ave. SE, 256-0564, geekswhodrink. com/blog, oniells.com.

every first, third and fifth sunday 6–9 pm

Ballroom, Latin and Swing Dancing. Join USA Ballroom Dance. Free beginner lessons start at 5:30 pm. Info: Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins Street NE, 2880313. Cost: members, $5; non-member, $8.

every second and fourth sunday 2–4 pm

Stitching Group. Knitting, crocheting, embroidering, tatting, spinning, crossstitching and more. Join in the fun, share ideas, patterns, experiences and more. All ages and experience levels welcome. Info: Erna Fergusson Library, 3700 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 888-8100.

various days various times

Albuquerque Dolls. We have ongoing social events for women, including dinners, dancing, movies, volunteering, crafts and trips, and we are having a blast. We encourage women to join together to support each other and learn more about New Mexico. Join: Meet Ups/Albuquerque. Also, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

INCLUDE YOUR EVENTS IN THE DATEBOOK! Please send an e-mail with the date, time, and event description to datebook@abqthemag. com. If available, include a high-resolution digital photograph or image. Listing information deadline is the 10th two months prior to publication (e.g.—all MAY events must be submitted by March 10, etc.). All events are subject to change. Please call event organization for final verification on events, times, dates, prices, and ticket availability.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

W W W .A B Q T H E M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1

Cool Hidden Secrets of ABQ By Ashley M. Biggers Where can you find a mysterious eye painted high on a boulder in the mountains? Where can you visit a famous rocker’s former home? Where did Mercury astronauts once receive their flight physicals? All of these places can be found in the Duke City—a place with a knack for weird, wonderful, and obscure destinations. Even buildings we drive by every day and popular landmarks have hidden histories and untold stories to reveal. Follow along with local author Ashley M. Biggers as she guides you to destinations featured in her book Secret Albuquerque to discover off-thebeaten-path attractions you can visit—yes, many of them even during a pandemic.

y B s o t o Ph s e m a J n Do

A P R I L 2 0 2 1 |W W W . A B Q T H E M A G . C O M

irst Balloon First Ascension Albuquerque is known as a hot-air ballooning capital, and they were flying high over the Duke City long before the founding of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The city can trace its ballooning history to July 1882. During its Fourth of July celebrations, local bartender Park Van Tassel, who somehow earned the nickname “Professor,” piloted a coal gas–powered balloon over Albuquerque. The balloon took hours to inflate in what is now downtown, but, once full, flew high over the city—too high, even. Tassel threw items overboard to hasten the balloon’s descent and landed rather unceremoniously in a Rio Grande Valley agricultural field. Nevertheless, the flight is remembered as the first flight in the Duke City’s illustrious ballooning history.

2nd Street between Central Avenue and Gold Street

W W W .A B Q T H E M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1

Intersection of Route 66 and Route 66

Albuquerque is home to the only place in the country where Route 66 intersects itself at a 90-degree angle. When the federal government assigned Route 66 its designation in 1926, the Mother Road followed the Santa Fe Loop, which traveled from Santa Rosa to Albuquerque via Romeroville, Bernal, Pecos, Santa Fe, Santo Domingo, Algodones, and Bernalillo. It arrived in Albuquerque’s downtown along Fourth Street. After re-alignment in 1937, Route 66 followed the Santa Fe Cut Off, which shortened travelers’ paths by taking them through Tijeras Canyon, then along Central Avenue. So, today, the original and re-aligned paths of Route 66 intersect downtown.

4th Street and Central Avenue Why is there a three-acre stretch of the Rio Grande bosque carpeted with glass shards? The swath, now known informally as the Glass Garden, was part of a residential trash dump from 1932 to 1946. Other garbage has decomposed or blown away, but brown, blue, and green glittering pieces of bottles, dishware, and other items still lie on the surface. The glass has worn smooth over the years, so it’s safe to walk on and around while wearing shoes. Visit, but don’t take the glass. Although it hasn’t formally been recognized as an archeological site, “It is believed to have some historical significance,” says Albuquerque Open Space Division forestry supervisor Matthew Peterson.

Glass Garden

Albuquerque Open Space, 2315 2nd St. SW. A spray-painted sign on 2nd Street marks the turn west along a short road to a parking area. From the parking area, cross the multi-use path and walk up the short rise and across the drainage ditch. Follow the access road to the start of the Glass Garden.

A P R I L 2 0 2 1 |W W W . A B Q T H E M A G . C O M

Boxcars at EXPO New Mexico

Ever wonder why there are marooned boxcars at EXPO New Mexico? Both have connections to the post-World War II Gratitude Train. The French project gathered gifts to send to the U.S. in 40&8 boxcars in thanks for America’s support during the war. New Mexico’s boxcar arrived in Santa Fe in February 1949. The gifts were distributed to libraries, museums, and colleges around the state, and the boxcar itself landed at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds, where it sat weathering in the sun for decades. In 1986, preservationists under the umbrella of the French Boxcar Committee purchased a boxcar similar to the 1903 original. They renovated and decorated it to look just like the authentic boxcar when it arrived in the Land of Enchantment. Both the original and its look-a-like are now displayed under a pavilion near the San Pedro gate.

Expo New Mexico, 300 San Pedro Drive NE 80

W W W .A B Q T H E M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1

Jim Morrison’s House

Jim Morrison (1943–1971), a.k.a. the Lizard King and Mr. Mojo Risin’, was the lead singer for The Doors. The famous rocker spent a couple years of his formative youth in the Duke City. Morrison’s father, George Morrison, served at Kirtland Air Force Base from 1955 to 1957, so young Jim lived in Albuquerque from ages twelve to fourteen, attending Monroe and Wilson middle schools. During that time, Jim Morrison allegedly saw an incident that influenced his songs and poetry. As described in his biography No One Here Gets Out Alive, Morrison witnessed a car accident in the desert involving a Native American family in which some members were injured and others killed. Fans have suggested his former home be preserved as a historic site, but for now it’s a private residence. Visit respectfully.

8912 Candelaria Road NE

A P R I L 2 0 2 1 |W W W . A B Q T H E M A G . C O M

Painted Lady Bed and Brew

If the walls of this humble adobe in Wells Park could talk, they would tell sordid tales of buried money, moonshiners, and knife fights. As early as 1904, the building operated as a saloon with a “wine room in connection”—code to those in the know there was a brothel there. It’s thought that the brothel operated into the middle of the 20th century, well past when prostitution was criminalized in New Mexico. Jesse Herron, co-owner of the Albuquerque Tourism & Sightseeing Factory purchased the then neighborhood eyesore in 2014. In 2018, he opened the Painted Lady Bed & Brew, swapping out the traditional complimentary breakfast at B&Bs for craft brews for his guests. Herron kept many original building details, like its haint-blue beadboard ceilings, a color traditionally thought to ward off evil spirits. It’s a good thing he did. Quite a few guests never left the former saloon and brothel. The Painted Lady has appeared on shows such as the Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” and “Hotel Paranormal.” You can ask Herron about his own ghost stories over an evening beer.

1100 Bellamah Avenue NW | 200-3999 | breakfastisoverrated.com

W W W .A B Q T H E M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1

Piece of Indianapolis Motor Speedway The Unser Museum chronicles the famed car racing family’s highs and lows, but one of its most unusual artifacts sits in the parking lot: a section of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In 1989, Al Unser Jr. was speeding his way to his first Indianapolis 500 win. He and driver Emerson Fittipaldi’s wheels touched while driving at top speed. Unser spun out and hit the wall of the Brickyard. Unser was uninjured. He climbed out of the wreckage and gave a “thumbs up” sign. That wasn’t Unser’s year, but he would go on to win that famed race two times. He was also inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 2007. So, when The Brickyard was rebuilding its spectator wall for safety, it reached out to the Unser family to see if they wanted to keep this piece of family history. Of course, they did.

Unser Racing Museum | 1776 Montaño Rd NW | 341-1776 unserracingmuseum.com

A P R I L 2 0 2 1 |W W W . A B Q T H E M A G . C O M

Eye of the Sandias

The Eye of the Sandias is a notable landmark in the foothills. Well-known to hikers but lesser known to residents, the eye is a three-foot-by-three-foot stylized mural painted on a boulder. An unknown artist painted the mural in the 1960s, and other anonymous citizens have touched it up over the years. The stylized painting looks like an Egyptian Eye of Horus, which symbolizes protection, power, and good health. A Zia symbol sits in the pupil’s center. The eye has tears dripping from the corner. Urban legend suggests the eye represents the mountain’s sadness at the city’s encroachment. It may also be meant as a symbol of protest. Reaching the eye requires a 3.8-mile round-trip hike. The hike gains around 1,200 feet in elevation over the 1.9-mile trail climbing to the eye; thus, the trail is rated moderate to difficult.

Hike departs from a parking lot at the eastern terminus of Copper Avenue. Precise trail directions are available online and in area hiking guides.

Adopted Signs Today, many of the historic signs along Route 66 sit derelict outside the shuttered businesses they once advertised. Local nonprofit Friends of the Orphan Signs adopts these empty signs, called “orphans” in historic preservation lingo. The group brings together professional artists and community members to transform the signs from tumble-down to triumphant. Some installations are permanent, such as the signs outside Casa Barelas (Fourth St. and Pacific Ave.) and Harwood Art Center (Sixth St. and Mountain Rd.). The students at the Media Arts Collaborative Charter School have adopted several signs in front of their school campus—meaning the creations there change more frequently.

4401 Central Avenue NE (Media Arts Collaborative Charter School) | friendsoftheorphansigns.org 84

W W W .A B Q T H E M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1

Arroyosaurus, Calabacillas Arroyo

An “Arroyosaurus” hatched in the Duke City in 1998 as part of a municipal water project turned work of art. After the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority completed its utilitarian work on the Calabacillas Arroyo, it turned to artist Michael G. Wallace to cast artificial fossils in the concrete channel walls. On the portion of the arroyo just east of Coors Boulevard, Wallace depicts a timeline of items from New Mexico’s history to its future. The largest and most eye-catching of these (which can be seen from Coors Boulevard) is the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus rex, aka the Arroyosaurus. The bones of a saber-toothed cat, a mammoth, a conquistador helmet, the “Fat Man” atomic bomb, and other symbols decorate the channel as it flows east. Visitors are welcome to walk along paths on each side of the arroyo to see the art—as long as weather conditions make it safe to do so.

From Coors Boulevard (north of Paseo del Norte Boulevard), turn east along Westside Drive NW. Follow that road downhill; before it turns south and becomes Riverfront Road NW, there is a parking area to the left (north).

A P R I L 2 0 2 1 |W W W . A B Q T H E M A G . C O M

The Telephone Museum of New Mexico

One of the Duke City’s most below-the-radar museums, the Telephone Museum of New Mexico houses a trove of communications artifacts from Elvis phones to a 1950s operator switchboard from Tucumcari. One of the most unusual items in its collection is the bullet hole–ridden switchboard operator Susan Parks used to call for help in the early hours of March 9, 1916, when Mexican revolutionaries led by General Francisco “Pancho” Villa rode on the small town of Columbus, New Mexico. Villa and his men looted, killed more than a dozen people, and left the town in flames. As phone operator Parks shielded her infant from flying glass and sustained an injury herself, she called for help. She reached an operator in Deming who then sent General John J. Pershing’s troops to pursue Villa into Mexico. At the museum, the scene is brought to life with an audio reenactment of the day.

110 4th Street NW | 842-2937 Tip: Hours are limited, and the museum may close without notice. Call before you plan to visit to ensure it’s open.

W W W .A B Q T H E M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1

Restoration of the AT&SF 2926 Dedicated railroad enthusiasts rescued a derelict engine and tender sitting in Coronado Park in 2000. They’ve spent the past two decades trying to get it in running order. The AT&SF 2926 was placed into service on May 9, 1944. It hasn’t been in use since 1953, and many Albuquerqueans remember childhood days spent playing on it as it sat in its retirement spot. The restoration effort began with laying track to move the locomotive from the park to the current worksite on Eighth Street. The New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society has spent more than $3.5 million and 200,000 volunteer hours on the effort. And the locomotive isn’t ready to run yet. The society had planned to have it in working order in 2020, but delays caused by COVID-19 put them behind schedule. In usual conditions, they welcome the public to the site to observe the process; however, check ahead for pandemic precautions. Ultimately, the organization plans to use the train for leisure excursions for the public.

1833 8th Street NW | 246-2926 | nmslrhs.org

A P R I L 2 0 2 1 |W W W . A B Q T H E M A G . C O M

Lumberjack at a Vienamese Restaurant May Café owner Liem Nguyen made headlines when he repaired the fiberglass lumberjack that towers over his restaurant in Albuquerque’s International District in 2019. The lumberjack’s arms had blown off in a 2013 windstorm, and the giant had stood arm-less and ax-less for six years before being restored to its former glory. But why was the lumberjack there in the first place? It is a holdover from Shofner Lumber Co., which used to operate at that location. According to urban legend, the first lumberjack was installed in 1960 when Muffler Men (large molded fiberglass sculptures used to catch passersby’s attention) were in vogue. Over the decades, the lumberjack has become a neighborhood landmark, and the Nguyen family has preserved it—even though it has nothing to do with their restaurant.

May Café | 111 Louisiana Boulevard SE | 265-4448 | maycafenm.com

W WW . A B QT HE M A G . C OM | A PR I L 20 21

Site of Mercury Astronauts Physicals Project Mercury aimed to put the first man into Earth’s orbit and return him safely. Before the astronauts could become part of the space race, they underwent rigorous medical testing to see if they could endure the flights’ physical demands. Those tests happened in Albuquerque under the guidance of William Randolph “Randy” Lovelace II at what is now Gibson Medical Center. Lovelace grew up in the Duke City, and, after medical school, he joined a team of researchers developing a high-altitude oxygen mask. The newly created NASA caught wind of his high-flying research, and, in 1959, it sent the original Mercury Project astronauts to the Duke City for physicals. Lovelace continued his association with NASA, including serving briefly as director of space medicine. His untimely death in a plane crash in 1965 ended the astronauts’ Albuquerque medical testing.

5400 Gibson Boulevard SE A PR I L 20 21 |W WW . A B QT HE M A G . C OM

Former site of Little Beaver Town

Today, most people know the character Red Ryder from the film A Christmas Story, in which the main character covets a Red Ryder BB gun. However, from 1938 to 1965, Red Ryder was famous as the star of a syndicated comic book strip, a TV show, and a radio show. Fred Harman, the artist behind the famed character, moved from his Pagosa Springs, Colorado, home to Albuquerque to be closer to a major airport to send out his syndicated column. In the early 1960s, he aimed to take advantage of Route 66 traffic with a theme park dedicated to the world of Red Ryder and named after his side kick, Little Beaver. Little Beaver Town opened to the public July 15, 1961. At the time, amusement park guests would have seen a Western town, complete with a saloon and an Indian village. The park hosted mock shootouts daily to entertain the crowds. However, the amusement park was short lived. It closed after the 1963 summer season. Today, the swatch of land it once occupied at the western edge of Tijeras Canyon is protected as Albuquerque Open Space. A few footings and crumbling down walls from the amusement park remain.

East of the American Society of Radiological Technologists building (15000 Central Avenue SE). When driving east, look for a small parking pull-out and a gate on the right (south) side of the road. An Albuquerque Open Space sign marks the location.

W W W .A B Q T H E M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1

Two Eagles

In 2015, Albuquerque-based pilot Troy Bradley and Russian pilot Leonid Tiukhtyaev flew the Two Eagles in a record setting gas-balloon flight across the Pacific Ocean. Today, the state-flag-yellow, pint-sized gondola hangs in the windows overlooking Balloon Fiesta Park at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Museum. It’s quite easy to miss, even though it’s one of the museum’s more significant artifacts. Composite Tooling Corporation, located in Albuquerque, built the custom gondola. It has a small dome in the center that enabled the pilots to take turns standing during their 160-hour, 37-minute flight that set both distance and duration records. The pilots flew 6,646 miles from Saga, Japan, to the coast of the Baja Peninsula, Mexico.

Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE |768-6020 | cabq.gov/culturalservices/balloonmuseum

Charles Whittlesey House Why is there a log cabin perched on a high point in east downtown Albuquerque? It’s the handiwork of Charles Whittlesey, the chief architect for the Santa Fe Railroad at the turn of the 20th century. He came to Albuquerque to oversee Alvarado Hotel construction, which he could monitor from the home he constructed on the eastern edge of the Huning Highland neighborhood. With access to the railroad, Whittlesey had no trouble carting in large logs to create his 1903 Norwegian villa–style home. The railroad soon moved on and Whittlesey followed. His family only lived in the home until 1908. Since that time, a railroad hospital nurse, a fraternity, and a hippie commune have owned the rambling home. Today, it’s the home of the Albuquerque Press Club, a social club open to members of the press and the public, who also sponsor the non-profit The Whittlesey House Preservation Foundation to maintain the historic building.

201 Highland Park Circle SE 243-8476 | abqpressclub.com

A P R I L 2 0 2 1 |W W W . A B Q T H E M A G . C O M

Maggot Pit

Michael O. Wieclaw is the irreverent artist behind Metal The Brand, and now Metal The Store. Wieclaw’s t-shirt and sticker designs include t-shirts with Zia symbols made of burgers and fries and Siracha bottles blasting off to space. When he opened his brick-and-mortar store at the renovated El Vado in 2018, the artist saw the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream. “Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always wanted to create a pit of decay,” Wieclaw says. That pit of decay is the art installation Metal The Swamp. A quasi-ball pit (like those at children’s play places) is the centerpiece. This pit, however, is not filled with plastic balls. It overflows with custom-made molded plastic maggots. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors were invited to sit in the pit (it’s actually quite relaxing), but visitors should check with the store regarding current policies.

Metal The Store | 2500 Central Avenue SW, Suite AS4 | 433-1716 metalthebrand.com

W W W .A B Q T H E M A G . C O M | A P R I L 2 0 2 1

ABQ THE INTERVIEW P. 94 | PERSONALITY P. 100 | BEHIND THE SCENES P. 104

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

STORIES BEHIND INDIVIDUALS WHO MAKE ALBUQUERQUE GREAT

RED ROVER, RED ROVER Larry Crumpler was part of the team of scientists involved in the first landing on Mars in 1976, and also with this year’s touchdown of the rover Perseverance—two missions with the goal of seeking signs of life on the Red Planet (p. 104)

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH OUR LEADERS AND DIFFERENCE-MAKERS

Kent Cravens What do record low interest rates and a fleeting inventory of homes for sale mean for ABQ? The Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors head gives us a primer.

T PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

hese days, the local housing market seems practically insatiable. According to the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors’ (GAAR) December market report, homes are spending an average of 21 days on market—twenty less than a year ago—with median and average detached home prices rising to $265,000 and $313,254, respectively. Those are increases of 17 and 18 percent over last year. Kent Cravens—a former New Mexico state senator, businessman, and current chief executive officer at GAAR—sat down to help us make some sense of these trends. Real estate, explains Cravens, is a powerful economic driver, supporting jobs and pumping an average of $80,000 into the local economy each time a home is sold. Celebrating their centennial anniversary, GAAR supports the efforts of regional realtors, and provides an invaluable hub for insight into the shape and future of the local market. ATM: Can you give us an overview of what the real estate market looks like today compared to where it was a year ago? KENT CRAVENS: Yeah. As a matter of

fact, I was just looking through some of our more detailed stats. As you know, interest rates have been historically low for an extended period of time. That time that

they’ve been so low doesn’t seem to have affected the appetite for people moving, purchasing, refinancing, building, and so forth. So I would have to tell you, it’s been pretty robust in spite of the lack of labor, materials, prices—all those things that had been standing in the way of the building really progressing. We’re still seeing the resale market being extremely robust.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

ATM: During the course of your career, have you ever seen interest rates as low as they are right now? KC: No, absolutely not. This is historically as low as they’ve been. Two and a half percent. ATM: So what’s putting a damper on building? KC: Our economist with the National Association of Realtors—his name is Lawrence Yun—and he’s been on the scene for quite a number of years being the chief economist for NAR. He says it’s the four L’s. It’s labor, of course—it’s hard to find people to do those jobs, especially when you’ve got projects like Facebook and, you know, the studios out north of town. All those things kind of gobbling up the available labor market. That presents an interesting dilemma for us. Lots—you

ABQ

know, Albuquerque has sort of built walls around itself with what we would perceive to be barriers, like mountains and rivers, that in other towns really aren’t barriers. But we’ve got an issue with available lots. Loans are a factor. I mean, you know, banks want to be paid back. And so they’re wanting people that can qualify to pay them back. Lumber, lots, loans, and labor. That’s it. ATM: And these are the constraints that are preventing people from just building more and more new houses to meet demand? KC: Right. I think if you talk to the Home Builders Association—I don’t know if you know John Garcia over there—he and I are constantly talking about what we can do to spur development, which really doesn’t help us out until the house, you know, becomes a resale. You know, builders will build and sell their own product and a lot of times don’t necessarily use a realtor for that. But the resale market, in order to continue to be healthy, will need some more inventory on the market.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

In 2009, we ended the year with 5,176 homes in our multiple listing service (MLS), which was considered even less than than a balanced market. A balanced market should be about 6,000 to 8,000 or 7,000 homes—somewhere in that range. We ended 2020 with 950 homes in the MLS. So you can see a dramatic reduction over the years in availability. ATM: According to GAAR’s December 2020 market report, houses are sitting on the market for an average of 21 days, as opposed to 41 days a year ago. Have you ever seen homes move that fast? KC: No, not in my years in real estate. It is, again, unprecedented. Let’s say our average sales price now is $313,000 for a detached home. Let’s put that average home on the market. If it’s priced right, it will sell sometimes within hours in this market. Certainly within days, it can generate multiple offers if it looks good and it’s priced right. ATM: What does it mean for a property to be priced right?

KC: One of the issues people run into is when they price a home too high, the bank will come back if they find a buyer that needs a loan to get the home, which most do. There’s some cash deals out there—probably more now than I’ve seen in my years in real estate—but the banks just need an appraisal to back up their investment in that property. So if the appraisal doesn’t come in at $313,000, if it’s something less than that, a few things [might] happen: One, the buyer comes up with the money for the difference somehow. Maybe the seller lowers the price, if they’re motivated to sell, or it may be a cash deal. Or they just have to terminate the purchase agreement. And that’s been happening some when these homes don’t appraise for the value that’s been offered. But there’s a lot of multiple offer situations happening on a daily basis these days. ATM: Are homes being purchased locally or are people coming in from out of state? KC: You know, I think there’s some evidence to show that there is some in-mi-

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

ABQ

gration, in terms of that, and I think it may have something to do with our market being favorable in several ways. Number one, just affordability compared to California, Chicago, New York, Florida. It’s more affordable to live here, in most ways. Even the price of our gasoline is substantially lower than some of those markets. Taxes are another big reason people are moving from metropolitan areas larger than Albuquerque—to be in a favorable spot. The fact that you and I are doing what we’re doing right now, on this zoom call. People are working from home and they’re able to pick and choose. ATM: Are people targeting any neighborhoods here more than others? KC: You know, the neighborhoods really haven’t changed that much. It’s Northeast Heights, because of land availability, and the Westside, back to Unser Boulevard and points west of that. Sandoval County is gaining favor and of course, Valencia County is becoming a lot hotter market than it’s ever been before. Realtors down in Valencia County have never seen a market like they have today.

ATM: Has there been any increase in the number of people trying to get into the real estate profession? KC: We’ve seen an uptick. When I came onto GAAR five years ago, we had a little over 3,100 members. We just finished out the year with over 4,200 members in GAAR. So we’ve grown by 20% a year if you average it out and there’s no end in sight. We have new members showing up all the time. I think the perception is that it’s a good time to get into real estate. And it may be, but we finished December with 866 detached homes in our listing base, which is not even one per member. And therein lies the magic. Realtors need to learn how to generate leads and develop their pipeline so that they have a pipeline of business to rely on throughout the year. But we have seen an increase in member volume, yes. ATM: With more and more agents out there competing, is the job itself becoming harder for individual agents? KC: You have to be a good realtor. In order to compete, you have to be innova-

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

ABQ

tive, you have to be attentive, you have to be professional people. Obviously sellers have choices when they’re selling now and a lot of times—and I say this in jest— but you know, being a realtor these days is not that big haired lady that wears too much perfume that your mom introduced you to, you know, that’s not who you’re going to sell your house with these days. It’s going to be somebody that you’ve vetted, that you’ve seen in the marketplace. A lot of times, it’s a relationship-based transaction. And so you develop relationships. And if people know, like, and trust you, they’re more likely to at least give you a shot at their business. And so if you can prove to them that you can get their house sold in the least amount of time for the most amount of money with the least amount of hassle, you stand a pretty good shot at getting a client. ATM: To the layperson, this looks like a very favorable market for selling your home. Are there any sort of pitfalls that sellers need to keep in mind, even though things look great?

KC: Yeah, you better have a place to live [laughs]. If you don’t have a place to go, that’s gonna be a challenge. But, you know, there’s always pitfalls in a real estate transaction. Not that we mean for there to be, but it’s a very complex transaction. And, you know, a realtor’s job is to make sure that expectations are understood on both sides of the transaction. That’s what makes the multiple listing service (MLS) such a unique marketing tool, or a venue for transactions, is that there’s an agreement there that they will cooperate to get the transaction done. There’s two premises to the MLS. One is compensation. Obviously, realtors want to be compensated for the work they do. And the other is cooperation. But cooperation has to happen before the compensation can be realized. ATM: Right now, interest rates are expected to remain pretty low for a while. How do you think that’s going to play out over the next few months, or maybe even the next year?

to catch up with what a builder has to pay to get a house out of the ground and what he has to charge for a house to put it on the market. Everything right now is pushing prices up—low interest rates, low inventory, high demand, and questionable future in terms of available property and so forth to build more homes in our area. Those are all pushing that price up. And as the average price of a resale starts to catch up with that $360- to $400,000 price that a builder has to charge for a new home of the same size, I think we’re going to see a lot more building, a lot more creative ways for builders to get out there and either do infill or replace some neighborhoods, maybe. I mean, I don’t know how all that’s gonna work. I know there’s some projects—Santolina out on the west side—[that] could be a huge project for Albuquerque in the future. There are a lot of available lots that can be scheduled out there and pretty quickly ramped up. —ZB

KC: With detached homes being at $313,000, on the average, you’re starting

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

100

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

A LOOK AT THE LIFE & WORK OF ALBUQUERQUEANS WHO DESERVE A TOAST

Capturing History Since he was a teenager, Eric Draper has used his camera to capture images that evoke emotion and impact. His passion got him all the way to the White House.

“ PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

I never planned on being a White House photographer. It was never a dream or even a thought,” says photojournalist Eric Draper. However, he decided to pursue the job—as only someone who had just spent months listening to President-Elect George W. Bush’s campaign speeches could. Bush was apt to say he was looking the American people in the eye and asking to be their president, so at a Christmas party in Austin, Draper looked Bush in the eye and asked to be his personal photographer. A week later Draper had the gig.

Spending eight years as President Bush’s White House photographer has been one of many highlights in Draper’s photojournalism career, which has also taken him to the 2000 Summer Olympics, the war-torn streets of Haiti, and the wreckage of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The Los Angeles-born photographer’s passion started early. Perhaps he inherited his father’s artistic leanings, or perhaps he leaned in thanks to his mother’s praise as she printed and hung his childhood images. He pursued an art photography degree at Cerritos College, where a friend drafted him onto the junior college’s newspaper staff. He fell in love with photojournalism as a career. To him, it was “a ticket to life. It helped me experience many things

I hadn’t experienced at the time,” he says. For example, when his dreams of playing in the NBA didn’t come true, he found himself behind the camera at professional sporting events. (He’s still a diehard Lakers fan.) With his four-year degree from California State University Long Beach in hand, he quickly earned a job at the Seattle Times covering local news. “I really spent time in people’s lives. I was able to experience their lives and portray it with pictures,” he remembers. “I was really discovering the world. My universe started expanding from there, and every job I moved to from there, the universe got even bigger—and the images more interesting.” A year-long stint back in Los Angeles

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

convinced him and his wife—journalist and writer Carly Langie—that they wanted out of the city. He accepted a timely job offer from the now-shuttered Albuquerque Tribune, which brought the couple to the Duke City. He made a name for himself on the stellar staff and earned the 1991 Scripps Howard Photographer of the Year. In 1992, he completed a significant project that framed his personal take on the aftermath of the LA riots. As someone who grew up in the affected neighborhoods, “it was a story only I could tell,” he says. He penned a first-person article to accompany the photo essay. “I had to get out of my comfort zone, but you’re not really learning anything unless you’re making the kinds of mistakes that happen when you’re doing something new,” Draper says. He pressed out of his comfort zone again with a job for the Associated Press. For eight years, he covered world events from the 1996 presidential campaign to

101

PHOTOS BY ERIC DRAPER

O.J. Simpson’s trial. The sporting events, like covering the 1998 FIFA World Cup, brought him back to why he became a photojournalist. “Seeing the best athletes compete was always a highlight,” he says. But there was always a secondary contest: one in the scrum of photographers covering the event. “The competition among photographers, that drove me to perform. It’s a very competitive business with several wire services competing for play (use in local papers).” Those highs balanced the moments when Draper was trying, “not to get killed,” as he puts it. “Some stories are really easy to cover, and people allow you in their lives. In other stories, you find yourself in dangerous situations that test your limits and require you to learn the hard way.” One of his first assignments for the AP took him to Haiti in 1994 to cover civil unrest. One night, he and two other reporters returned to the capital Port-auPrince at dusk and found themselves surrounded by machete-carrying Haitians. “They were looking for blood,” he recalls. Luckily, the reporters spoke Haitian Cre-

102

ole, and they were able to talk the trio out of the situation. He also had a front row seat to history during the Bush presidency. (That phrase inspired his 2013 photo book, Front Row Seat: A Photographic Portrait of the Presidency of George W. Bush.) He was there when President Bush learned of the attacks on September 11, declared war on Iraq, and for many other pivotal events. “I don’t think people realize how much we see and hear,” he says. “I was always focused on the president’s emotions, and I avoided my emotions. When you’re the White House photographer, you’re there to be a silent observer. I wasn’t a fly on the wall. I was like a piece of furniture in the room. The president and his staff expected me to be there.” Throughout the presidency, he captured more than a million images of Bush as both a president and a man—a father, husband, and dog owner. Draper also managed the White House Photo Office’s transition from film to digital photography. At the end of Bush’s presidency, Draper and his wife headed back to Albuquer-

ABOVE: With his Scottish Terrier,

Barney, on his lap, President George W. Bush drives through his Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas on Aug. 7, 2001 (he was giving a tour to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez and his wife, Kitty). Photo by Eric Draper, Courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum

OPPOSITE PAGE, RIGHT: A young Haitian boy stands in silhouette in front of Haiti’s army headquarters in Port A’ Prince, Haiti on May 15, 1995. The headquarters were lit up to celebrate the end of Operation Uphold Democracy, a United States military intervention designed to remove the military regime that overthrew the elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Photo by Eric Draper/The Associated Press OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT: With its lizard prey in mouth, a roadrunner leaps from the corner of a home in Rio Rancho, NM in April, 2011. Photo by Eric Draper/Eric Draper Photography

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

PHOTOS BY ERIC DRAPER

que—an easy choice for them, he says. Since then, he’s crafted a varied career photographing events, portraits, and editorial images for the likes of Virgin Galactic, Comcast, The Mayo Clinic, The George W. Bush Institute, Hoover Institution, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Reuters, and Getty Images—as well as brides and grooms. “It’s a mixed bag, which is fun for me,” he says. “Even from the beginning, I had photography as a creative outlet, and it continues to be that at whatever level I’m working or however easy or challenging the shoot is.” Over his career, he’s seen photojournalism become more saturated. “There’s almost too much to see. When it comes to important work, it’s harder to get noticed,” he observes. With the addition of citizen journalists (e.g. anyone with a smart phone), Draper believes there’s still a place for his profession. “If people want hard hitting journalism, they need to find the right venue to view those stories,” he says. “If they want to see images via social media, they can see the world through that lens, too. But there’s still a place for images that have impact and emotion. That never changes.” —ASHLEY M. BIGGERS

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

103

104

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

BEHIND SCENES THE

YOUR SNEAK PEEK AT JOBS THAT FLY BELOW THE RADAR

Destination: Mars Armed with decades of experience in planetary science, Larry Crumpler is using his talent and expertise to help mankind explore the Red Planet

n February 18, 2021, a team of engineers and scientists—hundreds of them, working together for nearly a decade—put a one-ton rover on the surface of a planet that spends its days an average of 130 million miles from Earth. It’s been done before, of course, but that hardly makes it any less remarkable.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Called Perseverance, the rover is part of the Mars 2020 mission, an effort aimed at answering a slew of questions about the Red Planet. That means getting it there was only a necessary—if nonetheless incredible— first step in a much larger mission. Now, scientists like Larry Crumpler, Research Curator of Volcanology and Space Science at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, will spend the next several years analyzing the data Perseverance collects as it travels across the Martian surface. Crumpler has been in the volcanology and planetary science game since the 1970s, when he worked on the pioneering Viking missions—orbital probes and space landers that reached Mars in 1976. Since then, he has been regularly involved in Mars exploration and research, including 15 years on the Mars Exploration Rover team, which landed the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity on Mars back in 2004. Mars, it turns out, has been shaped by

many of the same geologic processes as Earth. But billions of years ago, something happened, and Mars and Earth have since followed distinctive paths. “Right now, Mars is of course a totally cold and dry desert,” explains Crumpler. “Three billion years ago, when a lot of the landscape features were actually forming, it was a lot wetter there. Obviously, there was water running across the surface and volcanic eruptions and things, so they’re basically making what looks like a semi-arid land-

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

scape—which is very similar to the New Mexican landscape.” “We’re trying to understand the geology and what we’re doing with Mars is pretty much the same thing that we do when we try to understand [the geology] here on the earth,” says Crumpler. “You go out in the field, you look at the rocks, map their locations, and make these geological maps that essentially interpret the geologic history.” There are, of course, some important differences between doing geology on Earth and doing geology on Mars—the most obvious being that the field site is almost impossibly far away and completely inhospitable to human life. And that’s precisely what makes a robot the ideal field investigator. With Perseverance, scientists like Crumpler are able to use sophisticated instruments to peel away the mysteries behind the history and formation of Mars—including whether or not it may have once played host to organic life. “That’s the thing about this mission,

105

THE

BEHIND SCENES

Mars, as seen from Larry Crumpler’s home work station.

Perseverance,” says Crumpler. “It has some instruments that can do a lot of spectral analysis of the rocks. Not only at large scale, but at fine scale. There are a couple of instruments on it that can look at [things] in microscopic scales—human hair scale—and determine the presence or absence of organic compounds.” One instrument—called SuperCam and developed by Roger Weins at Los Alamos and Horton Newsom at UNM—will prove especially useful to Dr. Crumpler’s work. “According to [Weins], it is kind of the field geologist’s dream tool, because it’s the one that shoots a laser beam out and analyzes the hot cloud of vaporized rock spectroscopically to determine its

106

composition,” Crumpler explains. A hybrid device, SuperCam looks at the different wavelengths of light a rock emits when it gets zapped by its onboard laser. The resulting data gives researchers highly precise insights into the chemical and mineral makeup of Martian rocks. As the Mars 2020 mission progresses, one of Crumpler’s chief objectives will be assembling detailed geologic maps of the terrain Perseverance is able to explore. These record the geologic history of an area as told by rock exposed at the surface—that there might have been a lake at one spot, followed by a long dry period, then the passing of a river, followed by some volcanic eruptions, for instance.

The SuperCam instrument. CNES

“That’s something that I’ve been responsible for sort of pushing on these rover missions,” says Crumpler, describing a process that involves identifying all the rock types in a given spot and then piecing out the relationships among them. “When you do a geologic map here on the Earth, you’re kind of criss-crossing an area, and you make this big, square quadrangle of different rock types, different ages, and so on. On a rover...you can do that, but maybe only out to 100 feet on either side of where you’re roving. So it’s going to be kind of a geologic strip map, but still, it’s exactly the same thing we do here.” —ZB WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Perseverance packs sophisticated instruments for investigating Mars. NASA/JPL/Caltech

Perseverance’s landing site in Jezero Crater. NASA/JPL/ Caltech/Univeristy of Arizona

CREATIVES P. 108 | SHELFLIFE P. 110 | TIEMPO P. 112

CULTURE

A DELICATE SHELL GAME With an eye for detail and linear precision, artist Jane Chevalier produces stunningly beautiful egg art, carrying on a centuries-long tradition of creating images on nature’s smooth, curved canvases (p. 108).

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTO BYMICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

A PULSE CHECK ON ALBUQUERQUE’S ART, MUSIC AND THEATER SCENE

107

DIP INTO THE PERFECTLY MIXED PALETTE OF ABQ’S ART AND ARTISTS

GOOD EGG

ou’ll be forgiven if the word “Fabergé” automatically springs to mind the moment you clap eyes on one of Jane Chevalier’s ornately appointed eggs. Problem is, a Fabergé egg is a little like a Kleenex. Just like people sometimes call all nose-specific tissues Kleenexes, folks sometimes call all artfully painted and or bejeweled eggs Fabergé. Particularly rare and ostentatious examples of a much wider world of egg-based art, in reality, Fabergé eggs were produced by a single Russian family—the House of Fabergé— in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. People were making egg art long before any Fabergés got their hands on the idea and have been continuing to do so ever since. Working out of her home studio at the

108

Jane Chevalier has found a delicate blend of creativity and artist expression.

foot of the Manzano mountains, east of Los Lunas, Jane crafts her egg art within the pysanky tradition. Derived from the Ukrainian verb pysaty, meaning “to write”, pysanky dates back centuries. Depending on an artists’ level of experience and the complexity of the design, creating these eggs can be both tricky and time consuming. “When I teach, I tell my students, ‘your first 50 dozen eggs are not going to be museum quality, so don’t expect that today,’” Jane laughs. “They think they’re going to make something that’s perfect, you know, and it takes practice.” Indeed, even with experience, making pysanky isn’t easy. “You can do one with a beautiful design and say, ‘okay, I’ve mastered this art’,” says Jane. “And then, the next one that you do, you just can’t get it right—the lines are crooked or colors are wrong, or you missed a spot and the wax

is off and it’s not the color it’s supposed to be, and the list goes on. Each egg is different.” Simplified, the process works a little like this: You start with an egg. Usually, it’s a chicken egg, but pysanky artists can work their craft on just about any bird egg you can imagine, from tiny zebra finches to huge, strutting ostriches. Frequently, artists empty their eggs (or purchase emptied eggs directly from a supplier), but some traditional methods also leave the eggs entirely intact. This, Jane points out, risks the buildup of gases within the egg and—potentially—a very smelly explosion. But it carries certain advantages as well. “The nice thing about using a whole egg is that when you put it into dye, it’ll go to the bottom of the jar,” explains Jane. “The ones that are hollow, empty, you have to cover the hole [through which the conWWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

tents were removed] and they float to the top.” The real work—transforming an ordinary bird egg into an elegantly designed, carefully crafted piece of art—kicks off after the eggs have been emptied and dried. Using a specialized stylus called a kistka, pysanky artists draw designs on the egg using hot beeswax. Next, the egg is dunked in dye, coloring all the parts of the egg that remain untouched by beeswax. “You’re putting the wax on the white part of the design,” says Jane. “And then you put it in, say, yellow—the whole egg is yellow, except what’s under the wax. So then you wax over the yellow part of your design, go to green, and continue on.” Wax, dye, repeat. Naturally, the number of repetitions depends on the complexity of your design and how many colors are involved. Traditionally, pysanky artists work from light to dark, but Jane says that’s not always the case, particularly with certain modern designs. In any

event, once you’ve applied your layers of wax and dye, the process comes to a head with a final dose of heat, melting away the wax and revealing a vibrant, colorful work of art. This, the final product, is called a pysanka. Born and raised in Michigan, Jane got her start as a pysanky artist in the late 1980s, refining and elaborating her skills over the succeeding years. In 2009, she moved to New Mexico and made a conscious decision to take her artistry—an expression of a creative streak she’s carried since childhood—a bit more seriously. Since then, she has accumulated numerous awards—several dozen, in fact—for her artwork and launched a fullfledged business, allowing folks to take her incredible work home. In addition to her pysanky work, Jane also makes jewelry, crafting pieces that express a distinctive artistic vision. Here, her aim to is to source quality stones with unique features, then present them taste-

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

fully wrapped in wire. “What I do is timeless,” she explains, noting how a beautiful piece of turquoise can withstand the push and pull of popular fashion. For Jane, the stone is the centerpiece, and the wire should serve to amplify and celebrate its natural beauty. As with Jane Chevalier’s pysanky work, there is a clear sense of passion and exploration behind her jewelry. These aren’t techniques and mediums she picked up in order to launch a business, but rather forms of expression she learned through patience and practice, driven by pure creative impulse. “I’ve been making jewelry for probably close to fifteen years, but this wrapping with the wire, I’ve been doing that maybe five years,” she says, explaining that she was initially interested in making items for herself, or perhaps to give away to friends and family. “It was well received and I thought, well, I’ll put a price tag on it and see what happens.”—ZB

109

SHELFLIFE

TURN A PAGE WITH OUR LOCAL AUTHORS

CONNECTING THE CULTURES OF UNM F JOAQUÍN ORTEGA By Russ Davidson UNM Press, 2020 240 pages $34.95

COURTESY IMAGES

or many, the name Joaquin Ortega is obscure. In Joaquin Ortega: Forging Pan Americanism at the University of New Mexico, Russ Davidson—former currator of Latin American and Iberian Collections and professor of librarianship at UNM— sheds light on Ortega’s life and works. It documents his influence as an advisor to President Zimmerman in the 1930s, and as a professor, director of the School of Inter-American Affairs, and editor of New Mexico Quarterly in the 1940s, revealing the ways in which Ortega shaped UNM—and, by extension, New Mexico writ large.

ATM: What originally drew you to Joaquin Ortega? RUSS DAVIDSON: I think what really

inspired me to research Joaquín Ortega was to get the “story behind the story,” to investigate the disconnect between his enduring influence in helping forge and shape UNM’s self-image and the void or puzzlement that exists in the reaction of people when his name is mentioned. In the 1930’s and 1940’s, UNM was not on anyone’s list as one of the country’s topmost teaching and research universities. Yet in one area in those decades—in Latin American and Southwest Hispanic studies—it did attain this status and has retained it to the present day. This was largely the accomplishment of two individuals—President James Zimmerman and Juaquin Ortega. Zimmerman provided the leadership and broad vision, but Ortega fleshed it out, gave it full form and substance, made it a living thing. I wanted to find out more about the man and get to the bottom of the story.

ATM: This is obviously a deeply researched book. What did that process look like? RD: It began like any piece of historical

research that uses multiple primary and secondary sources. Ortega was grappling with all kinds of issues both in and outside the university—matters of race, ethnicity, preservation of language and cultural heritage, long-standing prejudice and discrimination. They all have a very contemporary ring. So, I started by reading a wide range of secondary literature dealing with the history of the university, the

110

state, and the region, and all of Ortega’s writings (which are not that extensive). To advance his projects and interests, he interacted over his career with all sorts of people: politicos, civic figures, government officials, artists and intellectuals, in addition to UNM faculty and staff. Unfortunately, his personal papers seem to have disappeared, but the university archives contain considerable correspondence between Ortega and people from these fields. That put me on the trail of other manuscript collections at UT-Austin, the University of Wisconsin, and the Bancroft Library. Other university records, such as Faculty Senate Committee and Board of Regents minutes and reports were important sources of material, as were journal, magazine, and newspaper articles. Ultimately, what I thought would be a long essay grew into a full-length manuscript. ATM: What does it mean for New Mexico to be a “living laboratory” of cultural conflict and fusion? RD: This view of New Mexico was a cen-

tral governing principle for Joaquín Ortega. In essence, it held that in New Mexico, as in the nations to the south, diverse cultural groups had been brought into contact by complex historical processes, leading to a system of authoritative social control of one group over the others. ATM: Can you tell us a little about how Ortega thought about what it means to be an American? RD: He thought about it in a very

open-minded, embracing way. To his way of thinking, “Americans” were composed of all the people who made their home in this land. So here, the oldest Americans were the Native Americans, followed by the Spanish colonizers, and those who accompanied them, and their descendants. In a very real sense, the Euro-Americans who settled what became the state of New Mexico were at the end of the line of those labelled Americans. It had nothing to do with skin color, religious practice, the language one spoke, or the cultural practices one observed. To be “American” was to embrace the ideals of justice and equality, of brotherhood, to subscribe to and live out the ideals and suppositions upon which the country was founded. It was not defined in any sort of exclusionary way. ATM: Ideally, what would you like readers to take away from your study of Ortega and his influence on UNM? RD: An appreciation for the depth and range of his influence, which extended well beyond the confines of the university. Ortega worked tirelessly to improve Hispano-Anglo relations in New Mexico and the Southwest, and he was a prime leader in this sphere. Through his commitment and work UNM stepped up and played a prominent part in stressing the importance of utilizing the Native American and Spanish-speaking people of the Southwest as a bridge in forging more productive relationships with Indo- and Latin America. —ZB

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

SHELFLIFE

LESSONS FROM A LIFE WELL-LIVED P STEELY

By Wally Lindsley Palmetto, 2020 150 pages $13.99

COURTESY IMAGES

lenty of people lead interesting lives. Some just lead more interesting lives than others. Wally Lindsley is in the latter camp, having accumulated a lifetime of experience transitioning from a hardscrabble youth spent amid rugged oil field communities to a successful career in engineering and fabrication. In Steely: Never Kowtow To Can’t, he details his early years, spent travelling from town to town across Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming with his older sister and a set of parents who were often more interested in drinking than parenting. It’s a witty, inspiring lesson in overcoming adversity with the right mix of faith, optimism, determination, and gratitude.

ATM: What inspired you to write a book in the first place? WALLY LINDSLEY:Well, I was never inspired [laughs]. It came from just notes that I’d been keeping for 10 or 15 years to share with the grandkids about the good old days. As the generations progressed through our lives plenty of them would want to hear about the good old days, so I decided to write all the stories down so it would be something that would be easier for them to deal with. So after accumulating a lot of those stories that I put in there, I was encouraged to put it in a book. So, I wasn’t inspired—I was encouraged. ATM: The book’s title carries a special meaning. Can you tell us a little about it? WALLY LINDSLEY:There’s two things.

The steely is part of that, but the never kow-tow to can’t is another issue. I learned early on that can’t was just a mindset, not a real possibility. I learned that there really was no such thing as can’t, there’s just, “I don’t want it bad enough and I don’t want to pay the price for it.” And that’s okay, if you’re not willing to pay the price, but the idea of can’t is kind of a degrading prospect to live with in your life as you’re growing up. The term steely actually came about from marble games. I was in the second grade when I figured that out. At the time,

we used to play marbles. I had a whole bag of marbles and I went to a new school and the kids were playing marbles and so I thought that would be a good way to have some fun. Within about two weeks, I didn’t have any marbles left, because we played what we called “keepies.” And the results were that I needed a steely [a heavy, steel ball bearing] to compete. So I found me a steely and practiced up and was able to get my marbles back and had a comfortable bag of marbles so that I could continue to play. ATM: What does it mean to have a steely in your bag as you navigate your way through life’s challenges? WL:The analogy was that, not only in

marbles, but anytime people succeed at something, more often than not they have a steely of some sort that you don’t have. If it’s in a band, they may have a better instrument than you, or they may have better athletic equipment than you, or they may have a parent that is more supportive than your parents are. There’s a lot of ways that steelies can come about, and one of those ways is through faith, through Jesus Christ—that you can lean on that to get the courage and the fortitude and discernment to be able to go forward with what

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

you need to do. So steely is basically an idea that will help you not give up on anything, no matter what it is. ATM: One of the themes of the book is that, beyond determination, life also demands a measure of gratitude and mutual support. Can you tell us about that? WL:There’s a story in the book about one of the supervisors I had when I was climbing poles in Colorado for the utility companies—there’s stories in there about how that all came about and being able to recognize it and be appreciative. Instead of being all puffed up about yourself being so great and that you deserve it and that you’ve earned it yourself, more often than not people need to stand back and appreciate the idea that, in most cases, they’re where they’re at because of somebody else’s efforts. It can be multiple efforts from multiple people. It’s nice if you have parents that do that. That doesn’t exist anymore for a lot of these young kids, so they need to know where to go and how to go to figure what these things are. It can be coaches or school teachers or whatever—they can assist them and help them get through this—but they need to look and appreciate it. —ZB

111

by mel minter

ABQ’S THRIVING LOCAL MUSIC SCENE

SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE

rossing the Eastern New Mexico University campus on his way to track practice—he had a track scholarship and a business administration major— sophomore Rodney Bowe was stopped in his tracks by a blast of live music from one of the buildings. “Wow, what was that?” he thought. Heading into the building, he saw it was the jazz big band, and he decided, “I want to be a part of this.” It was a life-changing decision that put him on a musical path as a vocalist, bassist, and educator. Bowe had a good bit of music in his background by then. He’d sung in the choir at Washington Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Roswell, where he grew up (born in Los Angeles). He’d studied violin and cello as a youngster and messed around with drums and guitar. Although he wasn’t playing any instrument at the time, his enthusiasm convinced the instructor to put him in the second jazz band as an auxiliary percussionist. “He said, ‘By the end of the semester, you’ve got to find your instrument, and I’m just going to let you know—this is part of the process—I’m going to kick your ass,’ ” says Bowe. “I was just hungry,” he says, and his hunger earned him free bass lessons and the opportunity to learn how a recording studio works. Within a year, he was making money playing bass in a funk band, and he worked other genres, as well. After graduating, Bowe found work at the Albuquerque Business College as administrative assistant to Dr. Harold Bailey (currently president of the Albuquerque chapter of the NAACP), who was supportive of Bowe’s musical efforts. Those efforts landed him a chance to meet and record with Marvin Gaye—a chance that washed away when Gaye was killed a month before their scheduled meeting. Not long after that, Bowe, who was gig-

112

ging on a regular basis locally, produced his first single, “Let’s Make It Happen,” and a bit later, a funky jazz crossover album, Night Life. In the mid-’90s, he joined JB and the Night Flyers. “One of the best bands I’ve ever heard,” says Bowe, “and not because I was in it but because the musicians were so dedicated, and they knew what funk was.” For several years, Bowe worked steadily with the band. “That was the closest for me that I got to stardom,” he says. He was also working full time at UNM, where he started in 1988 as a statistical analyst. He’s progressed through a number of positions, each increasingly focused on supporting the needs of the black community. A longtime community advocate, today he serves as a director for the Men of Color Initiative in the Division for Equity and Inclusion at UNM. Bowe has kept his musical life going

while holding down his university positions. Working in a variety of aggregations and genres, he has continued to perform publicly and privately and teach for an extensive client list. He’s working on a master’s degree in jazz bass performance with race, social justice, and pop culture at UNM, combining his advocacy and his music. “In other universities, this would be called ethnomusicology,” says Bowe. “I wanted to tie in the equity and inclusivity piece. Music for me brings people together.” Bowe recently had the opportunity to perform with trumpeter Ron McCurdy in his Langston Hughes Project, raising money for the UNM African American Student Services Scholarship Fund. As music leader for the Albuquerque Center for Spiritual Living, he’s an integral part of their online pandemic programming. Meanwhile, he is practicing, composing, WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

Rodney Bowe continues to embrace live music, teaching and just causes.

GETTING TO THE BASS-ICS

WHERE WILL . . .

THERE’S

Kevin Cummings, Jr., best known as lead guitarist in The Noms, got bit by the music bug very early in his young life. The movie That Thing You Do provided the teeth. “It’s about this band that explodes out of nowhere,” says the Albuquerque native. “In the movie, the drummer had sunglasses on, which was supercool, so I guess as a two-year-old, I was like, Ooh, that guy’s cool.” So at age two, he took up the drums. His parents encouraged him, noting that even at that age, he had a keen sense

of rhythm, which he sometimes displayed in Asian restaurants with his chopsticks. Cummings is grateful that they recognized his ability and saw music as a longterm possibility for him. “I could not be luckier. I have the most supportive family,” he says. One day, Cummings noticed a “dusty acoustic guitar in the corner of a room,” he says, and he asked his dad if that was his. “My dad was like, ‘It’s yours if you want it,’ and honestly that’s where it started.” So, at age seven or so, he had a few rudimentary lessons to get started, but basically taught himself how to play thereafter. It was only 10 years after that, at age 17, that Cummings joined The Noms, which had been together for about two years at the time. He first heard them when he was a junior at St. Pius. “I want to say it was homecoming week, and The Noms were performing in the quad of the campus, and I was hooked immediately. They were amazing,” he says. Cummings attended every Noms show he could get to. “They were probably

Kevin Cummings and his group, The Noms, are set to release new music.

thinking like, What is this 16-year-old kid doing following us around everywhere?” says Cummings, who had a tenuous personal connection to the group. The lead singer, Mike Mares—Michelle Mares also sings lead, by the way—has a younger cousin who was and still is one of Cummings’ best friends, “so I always knew Mike was a musician,” he says. Mares, like Cummings, went to St. Pius—but seven years earlier—so there was that connection, as well. “I basically kind of willed my way into the band,” Cummings says. He got his opportunity when a member of the band left to go to dental school. Cummings had the chops to step into the role. (Along with the Mareses and Cummings, the band now includes Ken Johnson, Bryan Abel, and Joey Santiago.) “I did a lot of growing up, being in a band with people significantly older than me,” says Cummings, “and I also became a better player for it. I owe a lot to them. We are so close. We’re a family.” The entire band was in Cummings’ wedding, with Mike as best man and the rest as groomsmen. Tight as they are, Cummings has his own solo thing going, too. Since he was 18, he’s been playing solo at bars and restaurants and fundraisers—most recently for On the Road with Aretha, a fundraiser for New Day Youth and Family Services. He’s also in demand as a session guy and sideman with the likes of Isaac Aragon, Mike Baty, and Dylan Huling. As for Cummings personally? “Pandemic aside, I’m just loving life right now,” he says. “I love playing. I’ve got the best wife on the planet. She’s amazing. Life’s good right now.” So he’s not stressing too much over future plans. One definite item is planned for the future: The Noms have a new album ready to go. They’re just waiting for the right time to release it—postpandemic. You can keep up with the band at thenomsmusic.com, and you can reach Cummings at sociald13@gmail.com.

Be sure to check out Musically Speaking, Mel’s online music journal, at www.melminter.com. If you’d like to share something with “¡tiempo!” readers, e-mail tiempo@abqthemag.com.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

COURTESY IMAGE

collaborating, and looking for opportunities to help young people. Bowe is looking forward to playing for people again, both as a member of Tracey Whitney’s Art of Jazz trio and fronting a band of his own. “I will play music until my ticket is pulled,” he says. Keep up with him at rodneybowe.us, or reach him at rodney.bowe@comcast.net.

113

114

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

FROM THE VINE P. 126 | MY FAVORITE RECIPE P. 132 | BITES P. 134

DISH

A TASTE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ABQ’S WORLD OF WINE, SPIRITS, AND CULINARY DELIGHTS

Our DISH section is taking a slight detour this issue. Instead of our monthly review of eateries, we’ve decided to do a far-ranging celebration of ABQ’s numerous, amazing noodle spots! The 30-plus Asian restaurants on the following pages are dedicated to dishing out fresh, fantastic dishes, like this Shoyu Ramen with bone broth at downtown’s Oni Noodles. We’ll give you the scoop on the ins and outs of each place, plus provide you with a rundown of the most common types of noodles. So grab your chopsticks and turn the page!

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

DANDY NOODLES

115

Your Guide to

Noodles

East Asia is an enormous region, carved into a few dozen different countries and populated by dozens more ethnic groups, all speaking a wide variety of languages and dialects. With so much diversity at play, it’s no surprise that the cuisine of East Asia offers too much variety for any one restaurant to fully encompass. That, however, doesn’t stop ambitious restaurateurs from trying. Enter Asian Noodle Bar, a family-owned Duke City establishment with a menu that draws inspiration from regions in Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and other countries. It’s a sub-continental tour de force, pulling in rich flavors and culinary traditions that offer Albuquerque residents a taste of places on the opposite side of the Pacific. While the menu is diverse, it is also focused, revolving around a central axis of noodle dishes. These include cold options—vermicelli noodles with fresh veggies, cilantro, crushed peanuts, and a delicate sweet chili; or cold soba, with steamed buckwheat soba noodle served chilled with sesame soy sauce and wasabi, topped with scallions—and popular regional classics, like Pad Thai and Yaki Soba, served hot. The menu also boasts an unmissable selection of specialty noodle soups. Here, you’ll en-

116

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

Asian Noodle Bar

counter options like the Thai Tom Yum—a take on a classic hot and sour soup of Thai Chinese origin that uses a spicy lemongrass broth as base for the interplay of rice noodles,

shrimp, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and fresh cilantro. 318 Central Ave. SW 224-9119 asiannoodlebar.com

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

Noodles

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Your Guide to

Fun Noodle Bar Trying to pin what’s on offer at Fun Noodle Bar down to a specific regional cuisine is something of a fool’s errand. This place is a celebration of everything noodle, touching on flavors and ideas from across East Asia. To point out any place in particular would be to leave out something absolutely pivotal. Here, the key player is the noodle, forming the foundation around which all the other flavors play and interact. For this,

no ordinary noodle will do, which is why Fun Noodle Bar makes theirs in house and from scratch. “Whenever I have a customer order a noodle dish, [the chefs] have to make in on the spot,” says manager Alex Zheng. “Each noodle, they have to make it right away.” That makes the oh-so important work of cooking a tick more difficult, but also affords the chefs some flexibility when it comes to building dishes. Depending on what you order, you’ll encounter wide, flat noodles (fiery Youpou Noo-

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

dles); thin, spindly coils (savory Tonkotsu Ramen); loose, chewy ropes (Beef Noodle Soup); or short, flat slices (Pad Thai). Other menu items take on a more traditionally Chinese and Chinese-American flavor. Here, options include classics like General Tso’s Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and Szechuan Shrimp, all available with—you guessed it—an optional accompaniment of pan fried noodles. 5317 Menaul Blvd. NE 881-6888 funnoodleabq.com

117

Naruto Digging into it, you’ll find there’s a bit of disagreement over the origins of tonkotsu ramen. By some accounts, it originated in Hakata-tu, a ward in Fukuoka City on the Japanese island of Kyushu. Others contend the dish was created about 25 miles south of Hakata-tu, in Kurume. Debate here is furious—perhaps even unresolveable. But the fact that the debate exists in the first place tells you something important: some people feel really passionately about tonkotsu ramen. To see what’s got them so fired up, you really need look no further than Naruto, a Central Avenue ramen joint specializing in tonkotsu and a variety of other ramens. Opening in December 2015, Hiroyuki Fukuda and Sachiko Newton started with a simple menu, gradually adding new items and flavors as the restaurant gained traction. Tonkotsu ramen, Naruto’s flagship dish, is prepared by first cooking pork back fat, bones, and garlic for around 20 hours. This yields the milky broth that forms the backbone of tonkotsu ramen. At Naruto, the dish is available in regular and super rich varieties, and topped with house-cooked chashu pork, green onions, bamboo shoots, black mushrooms, a seasoned egg, and, yes, a naruto fish cake. In addition to authentic Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen,

118

Naruto offers a version with a mixed pork and chicken broth flavored with miso or shoyu. Other options include Curry Ramen—with Japanese curry spices—and Black Tonkotsu Ramen—super rich tonkotsu broth flavored with black garlic oil. None of it will solve the debate over where tonkotsu real-

Noodles ly came from. All of it will give you a sense of why folks are so passionate about it in the first place. 2110 Central Ave. SE 369-1039 narutonoodle.com

PHOTOS BY DON JAMES/ATM

Your Guide to

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

Your Guide to Noodle Works

on the Noodle Works menu can be amplified, modified, or elaborated with noodles. Also worth keeping in mind: when you order from Noodle Works, you’re ordering a batch of noodles made fresh for your meal. It takes a minute. But be patient— we assure you, it’s worth it. 5901 Wyoming Blvd. NE 990-0055 noodleworksnm.com

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

“We just want to make fresh, in-house, good quality dishes,” explains Noodle Works manager Alex Nan Du. As ever, easier said than done. In order to make their vision for an authentic take on Chinese cuisine a reality, Noodle Works—an offshoot of El Paso’s Noodles & Dumplings—scoured New York and Los Angeles for chefs with the right chops— folks with a sterling record of turning good ingredients into delicious meals with bona fide Chinese roots. Given the name, you’ll hardly be surprised to learn that noodles are the specialty here. Made in house from the flour up, these noodles are stretched, spun, folded, and sliced by hand, forming a base for dishes like Lanzhou Beef Spicy Noodle

Soup, evoking the rich flavors of the dry, mountainous Gansu province in north-central China. Elsewhere, the Noodle Works menu boasts signature takes on popular favorites— Kung Pao Chicken over noodles, chicken and braised beef noodle soups—alongside an assortment of buns and dumplings. If none of that catches your attention, it’s worth keeping in mind that just about every item

Noodles

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

119

Noodles

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

Your Guide to

O Ramen and Curry House Here in the United States, ramen is still probably encountered most frequently as a polygon of dried noodles. Nothing wrong with that, of course—those are ideal for quick meals on tight budgets—but that sort of dorm room ramen can leave folks with an impoverished picture of the dish’s potential. Fortunately, Albuquerque is home to outfits like O Ramen and Curry House. Located on Center Street, just across from the UNM main campus,it takes a patient approach to ramen—starting with the broth. “It’s a 24-hour broth,” says O Ramen’s head chef Robert Bush, explaining a process that involves simmering a pork femur until every ounce of flavor has been extracted. For chicken broth, the folks at O Ramen exercise similar forbearance, cooking chicken thighs overnight to capture every possible shred of taste. Toppings—like the chashu pork belly—are treated with equal care. “The pork belly is brined and cooked in the oven for five hours,” says Bush, who pairs it with corn, shiitake mushrooms, and nori for the Deluxe O Ramen, a headline dish. 2114 Central Ave. SE 508-1897 facebook.com/oramenandcurry

120

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

Your Guide to

Noodles

Oni is a thoroughly singular creature. First launched as a monthly, noodle-based pop-up at Marble Brewery by David Gaspar de Alba and Daniel Linver, the project eventually grew into a fully-fledged restaurant. Their trademark: delivering a carefully calibrated fusion of classic Japanese and New Mexican cooking, with dishes built around local, seasonally-sourced ingredients. “Japanese cuisine has always been a huge inspiration for me and having my own business gave me the liberty to be as creative as I wanted to be,” recalls Gaspar de Alba. “After about a year of really enjoying doing these Oni pop-ups, Daniel and I decided to make it our future business.” While satisfying taste-buds is always a paramount concern among any chef or restaurateur, Linver and Gaspar de Alba aimed to build a culinary experience that would spark conversations. Even the name—Oni, a mischievous and sometimes malevolent creature from Japanese folklore—is an appeal to humanity’s in-built curiosity, asking people to share and explore stories and ideas. Meanwhile, the menu overflows with delightful flavor combinations. The Ribs & Noodles presents smoked baby back ribs with a fermented red chile and ginger glaze over gar-

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

ONI

lic chile noodles and braised greens. Elsewhere, you’ll spot the eye-catching (and palate-pleasing) pecan ramen. “We do a pecan broth ramen because New Mexico is one of the largest pecan producers in the world,” says Gaspar de Alba.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

“Our menu is very inspired by Japanese cuisine, but structured around local ingredients.” 600 Central Ave. SW, Ste 100 503-6722 oniabq.com

121

Noodles

Viet Noodle

Pho Bar

Pho Lao

Presenting a sizable selection of meatbased and vegetarian options, Viet Noodle is a swell spot to grab a hot noodle soup or some vermicelli. Try the crowd-pleasing Noodle Soup with Rare Beef or, if you’re feeling indecisive, check out the vermicelli with pork, shrimp, and an egg roll. 4411 Montaño Rd. NW 792-5252

Something of a Rio Rancho treasure, true to its name, Pho Bar delivers some stellar takes on pho, the widely celebrated Vietnamese soup. Here, the dish is available in eleven different combinations, including everything from thinly sliced filet mignon to tofu and veggies. 3301 Southern Blvd. SE 994-9150 pho-bar.com

Pho Lao offers a variety of Southeast Asian noodle dishes as interpreted through the traditions and culture of Laos. This includes a variety of pho dishes, a take on Tom Yum soup with your choice of protein, or Wonton Ramen—ramen noodles with chicken wontons and BBQ pork. 3115 San Mateo Blvd. NE 881-2326

Pho #1

Pho 79

Rose Garden

Sandwiched between Central Avenue and Zuni Road, this place offers around twenty varieties of pho, over a half dozen egg and rice noodle dishes, and over a dozen different takes on vermicelli. Char-grilled shrimp and barbeque pork over steamed vermicelli? They’ve got it. Pho with steak, brisket, tendon, and tripe? They’ve got that, too. 414 San Pedro Dr. SE 268-0488

Delivering first-rate Vietnamese cuisine to the Duke City for going on eight years now, the Pho 79 menu sports a number of noodle dishes. For the pho, the beef broth is cooked for 12 to 14 hours, while the egg or rice noodle soups are based in a pork broth that simmers for five or six hours. 2007 Candelaria Rd. NE, Ste A 883-3747 pho79albuquerque.com

More of an across-the-board Chinese restaurant than a strict noodle joint, Rose Garden nonetheless has the goods to satisfy a craving for long, spindly lines of carbohydrates. Check out their lo mein—chicken or pork—and enjoy. 10401 Golf Course Rd. NW plus 1 other metro location 897-8889

122

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

PHOTOS COURTESY OF YELP

Your Guide to

Noodles

Magokoro

Viet Taste

2000 Vietnam

Magokoro specializes in unique takes on traditional Japanese cuisine, including a selection of ramens—tonkotsu, shoyu, spicy tonkotsu, karamiso, and, for the local flavor enthusiast, green chile. 5614 Menual Blvd. NE 830-2061 magokoroabq.com

The menu here sports plentiful options when it comes to pho, rice and egg noodle soup, vermicelli, noodle bowls, stir fried rice and egg noodles, and udon noodle soups. 5721 Menaul Blvd. NE 888-0101 pwbportal.us/viet-taste-abq

Proud purveyors of world class pho, 2000 Vietnam also carries a sizeable assortment of udon soups, vermicelli dishes, egg noodle soups, and stir fries. 601 San Mateo Blvd. SE 232-0900 2000restaurant.com

La Baren Gourmet

Iron Cafe

Viet’s Pho

As with any restaurant that dives into the realm of Vietnamese street food, La Baren Vietnamese Gourmet offers pho. However, La Baren dials it up a notch with a special sauce made from ginger, lemongrass, and garlic (amid other proprietary ingredients) designed to amplify and enhance the classic pho flavors. 230 Louisiana Blvd. SE, #A 232-6762 labarenrestaurant.com

Billed chiefly as a Japanese restaurant, the Iron Cafe menu features noodle dishes from throughout East Asia. From Japan, their Iron Tonkotsu Noodle brings together chashu pork, seasoned egg, and seaweed in a creamy pork broth, while their Dan Dan Noodle affords customers a taste of China’s Sichuan province with minced pork, Sichuan pepper, and oil. 2108 Central Ave. SE 243-8657, ironcafeabq.com

Midtown’s Viet’s Pho is a real noodle lovers paradise. Their menu brings together over four dozen different noodle-based items, including essentials like beef noodle soup with rare steak and meatballs, or egg noodles stir fried with bean sprouts, zucchini, broccoli, carrots, and shrimp. 4208 Menaul Blvd. NE 717-2359

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF YELP

Your Guide to

123

Noodles Krung Thai Restaurant

Mr. Pho

Pho Kup

Mr. Pho carries a wide selection of pho, noodle bowls, and stir fried noodle (rice or egg) dishes. They also offer pork broth soups and specialty items like udon noodle tofu soup and egg noodle wonton seafood soup. 6205 Montgomery Blvd. NE 872-2311 mrphonm.com

Found in Tin Can Alley and Green Jeans, this place keeps it simple. They serve pho in a cup (if you can call a 32-ounce container a cup, that is). Pick your size, your type of noodle, your protein, and your broth. And, if none of that suits your fancy, they also have banh mi. 6110 Alameda Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 208-0508 pho-kup.com

This Uptown-area Thai joint boasts an expansive menu. There, you’ll find noodle dishes like Pad Thai—egg noodles tossed with eggs, bean sprouts, green onions, ground peanuts, crushed red pepper, and your choice of protein—alongside a collection of other Thai classics. 7923 Menaul Blvd. NE, #A 292-9319

Saigon

Lime Vietnamese

Saigon City

Takes on beef noodle soup, seafood noodle soup, dry noodle bowls, and steamed noodle plates abound at this Vietnamese restaurant, found on San Mateo just off the 25 corridor. 6001 San Mateo Blvd. NE 884-0706

Treating residents of the Northeast Heights to a tour of Vietnamese cuisine, this is an ideal spot to get your beef noodle soup fix. Or udon noodle soup. Or chicken broth soup. Or stir fried noodles. Really, if you’re craving noodles, these guys have you covered. 9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, #2 219-3824

This warm, welcoming Vietnamese-style cafe affords plentiful Southeast Asian delights, including a number of phos, egg noodle soups, and stir fried rice noodles. 4320 The 25 Way, Ste 300 255-7408 saigoncityrestaurantnm.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF YELP

Your Guide to

Noodles

Huong Thao

Leona Banh Mi

Soo Bak Seoul Bowl

A mainstay of Albuquerque’s international dining scene, this place has been in business for decades, reliably pleasing customers with the likes of mung bean noodle soup, pho, and stir fried egg noodles. 1016 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Ste B 292-8222

While the headline attraction here is obviously bánh mì, their noodle game is nonetheless impressive. Try a vermicelli salad with organic tofu or lemongrass marinated pork, or any of 10 types of pho. 3250 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste H 347-1913 leonabanhmi.com

At Soo Bak, chef and owner John Katrinak brings a lifetime love of food to innovative and authentic Korean eats. Experience it in noodle form with the Sesame Noodles—sweet potato noodles served with spinach, carrots, and onions. 111 Hermosa Dr. SE 268-0017 soobakfoods.com

Thai Kitchen

Asian Pear

Pho Kobe

With an expansive menu, Thai Kitchen has something to please just about everyone, including classic Thai noodle dishes like Pad Kee Mow, Pad Thai, and Rad Na. 10701 Corrales Rd. NW 890-0059 thaikitchenabq.com

One of Albuquerque’s few Korean restaurants, Asian Pear traffics in healthy and delicious takes on eats from the Korean peninsula. These include japchae, or Korean style glass noodles, and Korean style ramen noodle soup. 8101 San Pedro Dr. NE, Ste D 766-9405 asianpearabq.com

Situated right on the frontier between Albuquerque and Corrales, this charming shop carries the noodle staples you would expect from a quality Vietnamese restaurant: pho and vermicelli. 10200 Corrales Rd. 717-1497

PHOTOS COURTESY OF YELP

Your Guide to

Found out along historic U.S. Route 66, Pho Linh offers a variety of dishes from throughout Vietnam, including beef, chicken, and seafood noodle soups, alongside a selection of vermicelli bowls and plates. 9100 Central Ave. SE 266-3368 pholinhabq.com

At Basil Leaf, pho is a matter of customization, allowing you to pick your bowl size (small, regular, or large) and your protein (everything from steak and tripe to chicken and tofu). Elsewhere on the noodle front, Basil Leaf offers a Lemongrass Soup (add pork blood or pork leg, if you’re interested), a variety of stir fried noodle dishes, and a selection of specialty bowls. 1225 Eubank Blvd. NE 323-2594 abq-basilleaf.s3-website-uswest-1.amazonaws.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF YELP

OODLES UPON OODLES

Your Guide to

Is there any food more versatile than noodles? We think not. That’s probably because there’s about 4,000 years of culinary history behind the simple combination of flour, eggs and water (okay, rice and starch play a role, too). ABQ has multitudes of Asian restaurants that specialize in this treat. Omitting the countless subcategories, here’s a look at a dozen noodle types that you’re most likely to find in local eateries, and the ways in which they’re commonly served. Happy slurping!

Basil Leaf Vietnamese Restaurant

Noodles

Pho Linh Vietnamese Grill

126

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

127

Origin: China Base: Wheat flour Character: Thin, soft and springy, similar to Italian linguini; the fried version is used for wonton wrappers, but the more traditional form is used in wonton soups.

WONTON Origin: China Base: Wheat flour Character: A heartier, thicker cousin to chow mein; is similar to thick, yellow spaghetti, and is often used in hearty dishes because of its big, robust shape.

LO MEIN

Origin: Japan Base: Buckwheat flour, wheat flour Character: A nutty, savory profile and the distinctive brownish color come from the buckwheat flour; also have a heartier texture; is often served in cold broths.

SOBA

RAMEN

Origin: Japan Base: Wheat flour Character: Thin, slippery, squiggly noodles; restaurant ramen is typically served in broth with proteins and veggies, and is far more complex than the inexpensive dry ramen you find in grocery stores.

Origin: China Base: Bean starch Character: Fine, firm noodles that have translucency; can be found in both hot and cold dishes, especially spring rolls and salads.

GLASS NOODLES

Origins: Thailand, Vietnam Base: Rice Character: Thin and stretchy, moist and chewy; it’s the basis for two of Americans’ most favorite Asian dishes: pad Thai and Vietnamese pho.

RICE STICK

Origin: Korea Base: Buckwheat flour, starch Character: More hearty than most noodles due to the heavy buckwheat flour; is often served in very cold soups and dishes, which are popular in Korea.

NAENGMYEON

Origin: China Base: Wheat flour Character: Crispier form of noodles, often stir-fried with veggies and meat (or tofu); probably the most popular global form of Asian noodle.

CHOW MEIN

Origin: Japan Base: Wheat flour Character: Fat, chewy noodles typically served in broth; usually round, but can also be flat; it’s the closest thing to Japanese comfort food.

UDON

Origin: China Base: Rice Character: Thin and stringy noodle that cooks quickly; can be most often found in cold dishes, soups, salads and spring rolls; also deep-fried into nests for warm dishes.

VERMICELLI

Origin: China Base: Rice Character: Flat, wide noodles that are very silky; often used in stir-frying and soups; the protein and bean sprout dish named Chow Fun is a Chinese staple, and thus the noodles became more widely known by that name.

CHOW FUN

Origin: Japan Base: Wheat flour Character: Thinner, lighter version of soba; most often served plain, with dipping sauces; because it’s thin, versatile, and cooks quickly, is considered a staple in Asian households.

SOMEN

FROM

THE

VINE

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ABQ’S BEER, WINE, AND SPIRITS SCENE

Mi Vida Loca Blue Agave Spirits and 69912 Hooch honor Johnny Tapia’s legacy.

EMBRACING THE SPIRIT OF JOHNNY TAPIA Johnny Tapia is a known name around these parts. Even among those who don’t invest much time following professional boxing, the name still rings a bell. Born in Albuquerque, Tapia was making a mark as an amateur boxer in his teens, winning the New Mexico State Golden Gloves in 1983. He made his professional debut in 1988, chalking up 59 victories against five losses and two draws over a career spanning more than three decades. Each year since his 2012 passing, Tapia’s family has gathered on his birthday to share memories and pay their respects. This year, the occasion was a little different, coinciding with the launch of a pair of spirits from Albuquerque Distilling meant both to honor and carry on the boxer’s legacy. “I love to see him still shine—like, in a way, he never left, you know what I mean?” says Tapia’s eldest son, Jonathan. “His body is not here, but his presence is and then, in a whole other way, his life,

128

and that’s pretty good.” The relationship between the Tapia estate and Albuquerque Distilling originated in a moment of serendipity. Long before her husband’s passing, Teresa Tapia had forged her own identity as a boxing manager and promoter. That meant she was well equipped to steward the Tapia legacy into the future, and had already started toying around with the idea of making some kind of branded spirit in honor of Johnny. “So, I’m trying to lease out the rest of the space in here and a guy came in looking to put in a boxing gym,” recalls Albuquerque Distilling co-founder and co-owner Nick Pavlakos. “He said, you know ‘I’m working with Teresa Tapia.’ And so we were around and he goes, ‘what the heck is that place?’ And we said, ‘it’s a distillery.’ And he goes, ‘what do you mean?’ I said, ‘well, we make liquor.’ And he stopped in the middle of the parking lot and said, ‘I was just talking to Teresa about making a tequila named after Johnny.’” Following a bit more planning with Teresa, the guys at Albuquerque Distilling set about designing a Tapia-inspired aga-

ve spirit. The final product, Mi Vida Loca Blue Agave, is a pure agave spirit—something to please both casual shooters and discerning sippers—named in honor of a phrase Johnny Tapia had tattooed across his belly that translated to “my crazy life.” “The blue agave—that comes out of Mexico,” says Roger Peery, the distillery’s co-owner. “For it to be called an agave spirit, it only has to be 51 percent agave. It doesn’t have to be blue agave either—I mean, there’s lots of different types of agave—and so a lot of people will buy this product that has 51 percent agave and the rest is high fructose corn syrup or something like that. In our opinion, it doesn’t have near the quality and the flavor that you get out of using 100 percent agave product.” Naturally, arriving at the final product involved some experimentation. “We ended up with...three or four different products,” says Peery. “We tried the 51 percent, we tried another blend with some other things added into it—just kind of concentrated agave—and then we ultimately got to the 100 percent agave.” “It’s just a good product,” says PavlaWWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

The Nightmare Rum brings Diego Sanchez’s MMA impact to the world of spirits.

kos. “And that’s really what we, since the day we started this, what we set out to do—to make sure that we had something that really made you want to come back and have another drink. Something that would compete with whatever you have on your shelf.” Alongside the Mi Vida Loca Blue Agave, Albuquerque Distilling and the Tapia family have also put together another branded spirit—69912 Hooch Moonshine. That name, for those unfamiliar with the full details of Johnny Tapia’s bio, is a direct allusion to the boxer’s occasionally turbulent lifestyle. “The way this came about is, Teresa came in with this picture one day, and she goes, ‘Johnny used to make hooch in prison,’” explains Pavlakos. ‘And so, we said, ‘okay,’ and she goes, ‘you guys can do that?’ And we said, you know, ‘we can do anything.’” “Just, ‘what flavor do you want it to be?’” says Peery. For flavor, Teresa settled on orange. “That’s what she recalled the story being,” says Pavlakos. “That they used orange juice or whatever. So this has got an orange flavor to it.” The idea of branding the booze with the serial number Johnny Tapia bore in prison initially gave the Albuquerque Distilling team some pause, remembers Pavlakos. “I said, ‘Are you sure this is what you want to do?’ And [Teresa], she goes, ‘You know what? Johnny was about accountability and he always took total responsibility for everything he did. If somebody can learn from his past or his misfortunes, he wanted them to do so.’” Albuquerque Distilling and the Tapia family officially launched the 69912 Hooch Moonshine and Mi Vida Loca Blue Agave on February 13 of this year, marking what would have been the boxer’s 54th birthday. The launch event—a private affair attended by a mix of family and friends—served to punctuate a project that will carry Johnny Tapia’s name and likeness for years to come. In addition to the Tapia-branded legacy spirits, Albuquerque Distilling has also launched a limited run of dark rum, produced in collaboration with Albuquerque based MMA star Diego Sanchez. Launched as The Nightmare, this rum is a 3000-bottle single-run production line. For now, the spirits of Tapia and Sanchez are only available at Albuquerque Distilling. —ZB APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

129

FROM

THE

VINE

SPIRIT SPOTLIGHT

sweet

tart

floral sultry

HONEY BLOSSOM

130

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Honey Blossom, $14 Botanic Bar, Sawmill Market 1909 Bellamah Ave. NW 563-4473

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

PHOTO BY REECE MARTINEZ/ATM

Thanks to COVID-19, it’s been a long winter—which came on the heels of one of the longest years in living memory. With prospects for a return to normal looking rosier and rosier by the day, now might be the best time in over a year to step outside and enjoy a cocktail. On that front, options are practically endless. But, for our money, there might not be a better drink to mark the transition from a bleary, confined winter to a verdant, hopeful spring than a Honey Blossom at the Sawmill Market’s Botanic Bar. Built around a warm, welcoming heart of bourbon, the Honey Blossom pushes away any lingering winter chill with a wash of floral and citrus notes. Bourbon is shaken with a house-made honey nectar, lemon juice, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, and ice. From there, the chilled and blended mix is poured into an old fashioned glass (again, over ice) and served garnished with a slice of lemon and fresh berries. —ZB

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

131

DISH

Favorite

with Diane Evans-Prior

ccording to Diane Evans-Prior, there’s a neurological phenomenon called “nursing brain.” It involves a capacity for fluid thinking and constant questioning—a facility for not only grappling with the inherent complexity of medical treatment, but for seeing beyond the obvious and seeking out ways to help patients feel safe and secure that go considerably beyond the direct call of duty. As Academic Affairs Director of Nursing at Central New Mexico Community College, nursing brain is something Evans-Prior actively works to cultivate in future nurses. “As students enter the nursing program, they want to memorize—they want to memorize these values and these values and these values and these values,” explains Evans-Prior. “And then they struggle because they get a test question where all the answers are right, but which one’s the most appropriate for this patient under these circumstances? What’s right for one patient and one set of circumstances may not be the right thing for a similar patient under similar circumstances. So that’s where that nursing brain comes in.” Surprisingly, a career in nursing didn’t always appeal to Evans-Prior, who pulled away from the profession in response to a painful and tragic encounter with the world of medicine. “That career path was actually one that I cognitively pushed away, very early on,” she says. “My dad had a massive heart attack in 1987 and he was placed on an experimental therapy called an LVAD—left ventricular assist device.... It was very, very intensive and very, very exhausting for him as well—and he didn’t survive.”

132

“Fast forward a few years, I’m now married on my own with my husband, who’s active duty military,” recalls Evans-Prior. Working as an administrative assistant in Maryland at the time, she had started toying with the idea of going back to school, but was pretty sure getting her husband on board would take some serious effort. “So I had all those arguments ready, but what he actually asked me was, ‘oh, cool, what do you want to do?’ And I wasn’t prepared for that answer, so at that moment in time, I said, ‘I want to go into nursing.’” Originally from Casper, Wyoming, where her roots cut back generations, Evans-Prior found her way to the greater Albuquerque metropolitan area in 1993. She had just wrapped up nursing school in Maryland and her husband had his sights set on a degree at the University of New Mexico. In town, Evans-Prior picked up a bedside nursing position at Presbyterian. During that tenure, she also earned a bachelor’s degree in registered nursing and a master of science in healthcare policy in administration. “I had done a couple presentations for nursing students at CNM,” says Evans-Prior. “I got the bug and kind of on a whim, I said, ‘I’m just gonna put in my application,’ and they hired me full time. I was really excited to do that and I’ve never looked back.” Evans-Prior assumed her current post as Academic Affairs Director for Nursing in 2012, shortly thereafter earning her doctorate in nursing practice, nurse executive, and organizational leadership. This year will mark her 20th anniversary as a nursing educator at CNM. In this position, Evans-Prior contrib-

utes to an innovative and vibrant educational program. CNM, for the unfamiliar, is part of something called the New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium, a federation of programs and institutions that afford diverse and rural populations multiple pathways into nursing. In November 2020, CNM also earned recognition from the Albuquerque Economic Development for their contribution to the growth and development of the Duke City. For her favorite recipe, Evans-Prior decided to share her modified, low-carb recipe for loaded baked potato soup— something she created after her husband’s type 2 diabetes diagnosis encouraged him to adopt new dietary habits. “As a nurse educator, I was also teaching about diabetes,” she says. “And so I came up with this cool idea about one of the concepts that I was trying to tell my students: that when you’re looking at lifestyle change, you don’t want to say, ‘I can never have this again.’” Evans-Prior assigned her students to research ways of making typically unhealthy meals—pizza, for instance—a little less caustic to our overall health and longevity. “In the process of doing that, my husband says, ‘oh, you should do this for me too—I will have loaded baked potato soup.’ This was like, I will do the homework that I’m assigning to my students as well, and so I came up with a low-carb version of loaded baked potato soup using cauliflower instead of potatoes.” —ZB WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Academic Affairs Director of Nursing, CNM

DISH Loaded Cauliflower Soup Ingredients

Directions

2 medium cauliflower heads 2 Tbsps vegetable oil One medium onion, chopped 16 ounces (2 small packages) of sliced fresh mushrooms 1 Polska Kielbasa or similar sausage, cut into ¼” rounds 1 Tbsp bacon fat (can substitute 1 Tbsp vegetable oil) 32 ounces chicken stock 16 ounces sour cream (full fat recommended, but do not use fat free) 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Bring four quarts of water to boil in an eight-quart stock pot. Deconstruct cauliflower heads to large florets. Make sure most of the main stem and the leaves are removed. Boil for 20 minutes or until fully cooked. Undercooking the cauliflower will result in a riced consistency which doesn’t work for this soup. While cauliflower is boiling, heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet and add the chopped onion. Sautée until translucent. Add the mushrooms. Reduce the heat to medium, cook uncovered until the mushrooms have reduced in size and become tender, stirring frequently to avoid scorching. Once fully cooked, transfer to a bowl. In the same skillet, add one tablespoon of bacon fat (if feeling decadent) or vegetable oil (if feeling responsible). Heat on medium high, adding sausage when hot. Allow sausage to sear, stirring occasionally for several minutes. Reduce the heat and continue until browned. Drain fully cooked cauliflower in a colander. Leave the stock pot empty and ready for the next step. In a blender, add about a third of the chicken stock. Puree cauliflower florets until creamy. Pour back into the stock pot; repeat until all florets are blended and all of the stock is added. To the cauliflower base, add the cooked mushrooms and onions and the sausage. Add the skillet drippings to the soup as well, but there is no need to deglaze the pan. Turn the soup on medium low heat. Allow the soup to heat slowly – too rapid causes it to boil, which can be dangerous with such a thick soup. Once the soup returns to a slow boil, reduce the heat to low. Add the sour cream and sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until blended. Allow to mellow for 10-15 minutes. Serve with a garnish of bacon bits and green onion. Enjoy.

MONTH 20XX | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

133

BITES

OUR EATS ALUMNI, CONDENSED INTO PERFECTLY SIZED SNACKS TO TAKE WITH YOU ON THE GO

POLICY:

ALQUDS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL & GROCERY

AL’S BIG DIPPER

5555 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 888-2921 Owner Mohamad Abdel Jalil and his sons run this all-in-one operation—a small grocery store and Middle East restaurant—seven days a week. This family team makes fresh pita bread every day and serves platefuls of their delicious hummus. It’s a great spot for lunch on-the-go.

“Bites” is a guide to Albuquerque-area eating establishments compiled by Albuquerque The Magazine’s editorial staff. These restaurants have been featured previously in the “Eats” department of the magazine. Restaurants may or may not

501 Copper Ave. NW 314-1118, alsbigdipper.com From the beginning, Al’s Big Dipper has been a family affair. Every sandwich is named after a family member, and the owners test every soup they make. Try the 505 Lunch Deal—a cup of soup, a grilled cheese sandwich and a homemade cookie for only $5.05.

accept reservations or major credit cards, so call before visiting.

CORRECTIONS: Please send corrections and suggestions to editor@abqthemag.com.

ALDO’S NEW YORK STYLE PIZZERIA $ B5 STAR BURGERS

5901 Wyoming Blvd. NE 821-1909, 5starburgers.com From bison, salmon, turkey and crab to lamb, chicken and Black Angus beef, burger addicts will love Five Star’s 100 percent natural meat. Handformed patties or vegetarian options paired with wine from St. Clair Winery or beer from Marble Brewery are a match made in heaven.

66 DINER

1405 Central Ave. NE 247-1421, 66diner.com This blast from the past specializes in burgers, chicken fried steak, liver and onions, and blue-plate specials, including the Pile Up: a mound of pan-fried potatoes, chopped bacon, green chile, two eggs, cheddar cheese, and red or green chile sauce on top.

ABC CAKE SHOP

1690 Pat D’Arco Hwy. Unit E plus 1 other metro location 892-2026, aldosalbuquerque.com With handmade lasagna and pizza dough, among other items, Aldo’s New York Style Pizzeria shares family recipes with its customers. From the buttermilk ranch dressing to the Eggplant and Chicken Parmigianas, homemade cooking is not too far away.

ALICEA’S NY BAGELS & SUBS

1009 Golf Course Rd. SE, Ste 103, 896-4555 This East Coast–style deli on ABQ’s Westside is serving up 20 different sandwiches to Rio Rancho’s hungriest diners, using fresh-baked New York–style bagels and meats prepared in house for the likes of its Philly Steak and Cheese or the Cuban. Come hungry, because Alicea’s portions are not for the faint of heart. Can’t get out? Delivery options in Rio Rancho and parts of ABQ are also available when that hunger pang strikes.

AMADEO’S PIZZA AND SUBS

1830 San Pedro Dr. NE 255-5080, abccakeshop.com Specializing in custom cakes and baked goods for all occasions, this bakery focuses on freshness and flavor. Everything is made from scratch, including the cupcakes, cookies, pies, Danishes, pastries, and other desserts.

585 Osuna Rd. NE plus 2 other metro locations 344-5555, amadeospizza.com This family-run pizza place believes that there truly are a million different ways to make a pizza. Using fresh, high quality ingredients, they specialize in pizzas, subs, pasta, and fresh salads.

THE ACRE

AMERASIA-SUMO SUSHI

4410 Wyoming Blvd. NE 299-6973, theacrerestaurant.com The Acre Restaurant specializes in comfort vegetarian cuisine with a goal to challenge meateaters and question what vegetarian food is, all while creating healthy, sustainable dishes.

ABUELITA’S NEW MEXICAN KITCHEN $

6083 Isleta Blvd. SW, 877-5700 Kathy Martinez’s brother, Chris Romero, opened Abuelita’s New Mexican Kitchen in Bernalillo 26 years ago. Since then, nothing has changed. The Huevos Rancheros are a best seller, as is the Kitchen’s signature dish, the Tacopilla.

AJIACO COLOMBIAN BISTRO

3216 Silver Ave. SE 266-2305, ajiacobistro.com Inside the intimate space, you’ll find combination plates, arroz con pollo, arepas, plantains, and of course, a great cup of Colombian coffee. The dishes at Ajiaco combine indigenous Colombian, Spanish, African, and Arab flavors for a truly thrilling experience.

134

800 3rd St. NW 246-1615, amerasia-sumosushi.net Dim sum—which means “small piece of your heart” in Chinese—takes on a bigger meaning at AmerAsia, where everything is made from scratch daily. Try the fried beef and garlic dumplings, pork and ginger potstickers, or scallion pancakes.

AMORE NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA

3600 Cutler Ave. NE #3 plus 1 other metro location 554-1967, amoreabq.com After relocating to Albuquerque from Naples, Italy, Gabriel and Kimberly Amador missed Neapolitan pizza. The husband and wife team, certified by the Association of Neapolitan Pizzaiuoli (APN), opened Amore, bringing a slice of Italy to Albuquerque. A Neapolitan brick oven fires delicious pizzas, such as the Margherita and the Zia, for 60 to 90 seconds at 905 degrees Fahrenheit. Local beer and wine compliment the pies perfectly.

ANATOLIA TURKISH MEDITERRANEAN GRILL

2132 Central Ave. SE, Ste C, 242-6718 The specialty is the Doner Kebab, seasoned meat in the shape of an inverted cone, slow-cooked to perfection rotisserie style, and always freshly prepared. Whether you choose the Adana Spicy Ground Lamb or the ‘Burque Kebab, try the “baklove-ah” for dessert.

AN HY QUAN VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT

1450 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 332-8565 This vegetarian Vietnamese spot is also veganfriendly. Pho fans don’t fret; Thai and wonton soup will satisfy any meat eater.

ANNAPURNA’S WORLD VEGETARIAN CAFÉ

ANNIE’S SOUP KITCHEN

5200 Eubank NE, Ste E7, plus 2 other metro locations, 275-2424, chaishoppe.com Annapurna offers some of the most enlightened, health-conscious vegetarian and vegan plates in the city, with plenty of options for people suffering from food allergies or Celiac disease. And the menu is world-class, with options from virtually every continent. 3107 Eubank Blvd. NE 296-8601, anniessoupkitchen.com With four homemade soups made fresh every day, and home-style favorites such as avocado and bacon omelets and piles of potatoes topped with melted cheese, chile and eggs, Annie’s specializes in comfort.

ANTIQUITY RESTAURANT

$$$$

112 Romero St. NW 247-3545, antiquityrestaurant.com Antiquity Restaurant is located just off historic Old Town Plaza. Antiquity holds the distinction of being the only restaurant in Albuquerque to serve the Henry IV—a bacon-wrapped filet mignon placed on a bed of artichoke leaves, topped with an artichoke heart and covered with béarnaise sauce.

ARTICHOKE CAFÉ

$$$

424 Central Ave. SE 243-0200, artichokecafe.com This EDo fine-dining spot boasts a Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence,” and for good reason. A veteran of the Duke City’s fine dining scene, Artichoke Café remains the best bet for a great evening out. Innovative dishes and European aperitifs served by staff that takes ownership of the experience, the location is also an ideal launchpad for downtown adventures.

ASIAN NOODLE BAR

318 Central Ave. SW 224-9119, asiannoodlebar.com Every kind of noodle awaits at this Downtown eatery, from spicy sesame udon noodles to chicken pho with cilantro, jalapeños, and lime. Slurping has never been so tasty.

ASIAN PEAR

8101 San Pedro Dr. NE, Ste D 766-9405, asianpearabq.com Specializing in healthy, authentic, Korean-style eats, this shop pleases the palate with delicious takes on BBQ chicken, kimchi pancakes, and flavorful bowls.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

BITES

WINGS WITH A LITTLE PLUCK

There’s a broad pattern in global cuisine: the closer you get to the equator, the spicier the food becomes. Luang Prabang—the city in north central Laos where Happy Chickenzz Chef Tony Chaleunphonph was born—sits 19 degrees north of the equator. Albuquerque, by way of reference, sits at 35. Little shock then that Chaleunphonph’s food carries a kick ardent green chile fans can appreciate. The star player on the Happy Chickenzz menu is—perhaps unsurprisingly—the chicken wing. “I’m a wing fanatic,” says Chaleunphonph, who honed his chicken-connoisseur chops travelling to places like New York City, Chicago, and Honolulu with his wife and trying out every variety of specialty chicken he could find. “I love wings. Anything that involves fried chicken, I’m a sucker for.”

Happy Chickenzz 2500 Central Ave. SW 242-3377, happychickenzzabq.com

AZUMA SUSHI & TEPPAN

Chicken Wings, Small $8

4701 San Mateo Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 880-9800 azuma-sushi-teppan-abq.com From flame-flipped teppan grill items to a substantial sushi selection, the menus at Azuma Sushi & Teppan have something for everyone. The green chile-infused New Mexico Roll and Filet Mignon Steak please palates daily and are perfect when washed down with an imported Japanese sake, soda, or beer.

B2B BISTRONOMY

3118 Central Ave. SE 262-2222, bistronomyb2b.com Highlighting all-local ingredients (including New Mexico beef and Hatch green chile), B2B serves up a wide variety of tasty burgers—including plenty of veggie options.

BACKSTREET GRILL

1919 Old Town Rd. NW 842-5434, backstreetgrillot.com/home Originally a test outlet for local palates in a tourist mecca (Old Town), word spread fast about the Baja-inspired tacos and creative New Mexicanpeppered dishes (check out the gumbo). This locale is expansive, great for families, and the patio hosts music and dancing on weekends.

BARELAS COFFEE HOUSE

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

Happy Chickenzz does their wings in a number of more traditional styles—lemon pepper dry rub, buffalo—but if you can only try just one, make it their signature “cluckin’ hot” flavor. It’s a house-made sauce that pulls together the Southeast Asian kick of fresh Thai chile with ingredients like fresh garlic, yielding something both spicy and flavorful. —ZB

1502 4th St. SW, 843-7577 This legendary neighborhood restaurant serves New Mexican dishes from the Gonzales family cookbook: menudo, posole, chicharrone burritos, huevos rancheros, all smothered with its famous red or green chile.

BASIL LEAF VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT $$

1225 Eubank Blvd. NE 323-2594, basilleaf.us Sure, Albuquerque offers a variety of Vietnamese eateries, but Basil Leaf elevates the everyday with healthy and fragrant versions of traditional noodle and soup selections. They’ll even modify for any dietary desire. Celiacs and vegans, rejoice!

BEN MICHAEL’S RESTAURANT

2404 Pueblo Bonito Ct. NW, 267-6827 The food at Ben Michael’s is fresh, preservative-free and takes its roots from the owner’s family’s New Mexican recipes. Try the salmon or the steak served with a side of calabacitas, papas, and sautéed mushrooms.

BENNY’S MEXICAN KITCHEN

1675 Bosque Farms Blvd. 869-2210 Since 1972, Benny’s has obliged countless stomachs with delicious New Mexican treats, which include red-chile smothered enchiladas and deep-fried burritos. Don’t let the Benny Burger—a doublemeat, double-cheese beauty—intimidate you. And, don’t forget to save room for that vanilla ice-cream shake.

BLACK BIRD SALOON

28 Main St., Cerillos, 438-1821, blackbirdsaloon.com Black Bird Saloon is not just a popular Northern New Mexico eatery (located in Cerillos, NM), it’s also a time warp back through the building’s long and varied history. Items like the Miner’s Hand Warmer Breakfast Burrito or the Tumbleweed Salad stick out like a turquoise on a tourist.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

BLACK MESA COFFEE COMPANY

Albuquerque International Sunport 220 Sunport Blvd. SE, 842-4305 With two Sunport locations, flight delays are easier when you’re close to Black Mesa. The house coffee and vanilla latte are sure to perk you up pre-flight. The made-to-order turkey sandwich will fill you up far more reliably than the bag of pretzels you’ll get on the plane. Baked goods, including the popular banana bread, are made in-house daily. Five menu items, including brownies and cookies, are glutenfree.

BLADES’ BISTRO

$$$

221 NM Hwy. 165, Ste L, Placitas 771-0695, bladesbistro.com Owner and chef Kevin Bladergroen’s restaurant offers a culinary journey from his 30-plus years of experience in restaurants across the country and Europe, serving up steak and seafood with a twist.

BLAKE’S LOTABURGER

3806 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 30 other metro locations 883-7615, lotaburger.com Blake’s became an Albuquerque establishment more than 30 years ago, and almost immediately garnered kudos for its out-of-this-world green chile cheeseburgers (the restaurant has since scored spots on National Geographic’s “top hamburgers in the nation” list and Albuquerque The Magazine’s Best of the City list). Everything is made from scratch as soon as it’s ordered—and not a second before.!

135

BITES BOCADILLOS $

200 Lomas Blvd. NW, Suite 110 243-3995, bocadillos505.com Slow-roasted meats are the highlight of the Food Network “Chopped” winner, Marie Yniguez. Open for breakfast, lunch, or dinner on Wednesdays– Saturdays, pop in for a burrito or sandwich filled to the brim with pork, chicken, turkey or corned beef.

BOSQUE BREWING CO.

106 Girard Blvd. SE, B, plus 1 other location 508-5967, bosquebrewing.com Another favorite on the ever-growing ABQ brewery scene, Bosque Brewing Co. is the product of three NMSU grads’ love for brew. With 10-12 of Bosque’s own sudsy creations on tap every day, the brewery is teeming with options to pair with seasoned fries, daily specials, or an array of other appetizers, soups, salads, and sandwiches.

CAFE 6855

6855 4th St. NW, 890-9150 cafe6855.com A sister restaurant to Vernon’s Speakeasy, Café 6855 has gourmet dishes, expertly prepared and served in an elegant atmosphere. The menu is populated with gourmet sandwiches, salads, and cafe specialties that redeploy Vernon’s ingredients to thrilling effect.

CAFÉ BELLA COFFEE

2115 Golf Course Rd. SE 306-6974, cafebellacoffee.com With made-to-order panini and tasty salads filled with the freshest seasonal ingredients, this restaurant’s farm-to-table concept is a smart—and delicious—one.

CAFÉ CUBANO

2216 Central Ave. SE 262-2216, brickyardpizza.com Three very important pizza points rule supreme here: quantity, quality, and value. Enjoy handtossed, homemade pizza with fresh sauce in a spicand-span, laid-back atmosphere.

At Laru Ni Hati Salon 3413 Central Ave. NE 255-1575, larunihati.com Who would guess that an upscale hair salon such as Laru Ni Hati would also be home to delicious Cuban food—platanos, Cuban sandwiches, dirty rice, and even espresso and hand-rolled cigars?

BRIXENS $$$

CAFÉ LAUREL

BRICKYARD PIZZA

400 Central Ave. SW 242-2400, brixens.com A creative spin on American bar fare inspired by New Mexican culture, the restaurant serves 99 bottles of beer, literally on the wall, and a range of food items. Brixens has many unique qualities, but a couple notable qualities include their all-day happy hour on Sundays and 3-6pm daily.

1433 Central Ave. NW 259-2331, cafe-laurel.weebly.com The casual American café, open for breakfast and lunch, serves soups, sandwiches, burgers, salads, New Mexican favorites, and breakfast items in a bright airy atmosphere complete with local beers on tap. Peruse the daily selection of sweets and the full coffee bar for dessert (or breakfast).

BUDAI GOURMET CHINESE

CAFÉ LUSH

6300 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Suite H-1 797-7898, budaigourmet.com The menu features specialties from different regions of China and Taiwan, all painstakingly prepared by chef Hsia Fang. The Crispy Flounder Filet is sure to please diners from both the East and the West. The Mini Steamed Pork Buns shouldn’t be missed.

700 Tijeras Ave. NW 508-0164, cafelushabq.com Located on a quiet neighborhood corner, this café is perfect for a nice brunch or lunch and your wallet will not be hurt after your visit. The menu is glutenconscious, vegetarian-friendly and has some of the best gluten-free red chile in town.

BURGER BOY

230 Louisiana Blvd. SE, Ste A 232-6764, labarenrestaurant.com The pho and spring rolls have a die-hard following of Kirtland Airforce Base employees. Located across the parking lot from Talin Market, experience an extensive menu of traditional Vietnamese cuisine inside this dine-in and takeout eatery.

12023 New Mexico 14, 281-3949 burgerboynm.com Everything in this tried-and-true staple is made from scratch: enchiladas, breakfast burritos, tacos and burgers (of course!). Fans are especially enamored with the green chile cheeseburger.

THE BURRITO LADY

938 Eubank Blvd. NE, 271-2268 The Burrito Lady—otherwise known as Consuelo Flores—cooks every one of her huge burritos herself, made-to-order. That means you should be prepared to wait (the line here can often go out the door). It’s worth it—ask for your burrito smothered if you want to really heat things up.

BURRITOS ALINSTANTE

2101 Broadway Blvd. SE plus 5 other metro locations 242-0966, burritosalinstante.com A paradise for anyone who loves wrapping tasty things (chicharrones, carne adovada, bacon, cheese, potatoes—you get the picture) up inside of locally made tortillas, this operation maintains a half dozen storefronts between Belen and Albuquerque.

136

LA BAREN RESTAURANT

CAKE FETISH

2665 Louisiana Blvd. NE 883-0670, cakefetish.com Cake Fetish specializes in baker’s cups filled with heaven, such as the Sleepless in Albuquerque (chocolate cake with mocha French buttercream frosting) and the Inside-Out German Chocolate Cake (coconut and pecans and crowned with chocolate French buttercream).

CAMPO AT LOS POBLANOS

$$$

4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW 344-9297, lospoblanos.com Beautifully situated in the heart of Los Ranchos, Campo is the newly renovated and reimagined fine dining establishment at Los Poblanos. A top-of-theline menu mixes with fresh ingredients from the Los Poblanos Farm and a quiet, rustic atmosphere to make for one of the city’s best dining experiences.

CANVAS ARTISTRY

CASA DE BENAVIDEZ

CASA TACO

3120 Central Ave. SE 639-5214, canvas-artistry.com Specializing in international street food with a local twist, expect seasonally rotating artsy fare made with local produce, daily and weekly specials, and art to boot. A great late-night spot with live spinning DJs featuring different genres each night. 8032 4th St. NW, 898-3311 casadebenavidez.com One of the original New Mexican eateries in the North Valley, this expansive property boasts a lush patio, fabled margaritas and authentic eats, including a trademark on the sopaipilla burger. 5801 Academy Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location 821-8226, casa-taco.com Both Casa Taco locations offer a window into owner John Pecherski’s signature take on the U.S. Southwest—a strange place where you could picture a classic John Wayne character lingering over a plate of Jamaican jerk chicken and Yucatan pork tacos. Casa Taco defies expectations.

CECILIA’S CAFÉ

CENTRAL GRILL & COFFEE HOUSE

230 6th St. SW, 243-7070 Recognized on the Food Network’s “Diners, DriveIns & Dives,” and ranked No. 45 on the Travel Channel’s “101 Tastiest Places to Chow Down,” Cecilia’s Café offers tasty New Mexican treats, such as their Fireman’s Burrito or homemade chicharrones in a cozy atmosphere. 2056 Central Ave. SW 554-1424, centralgrillandcoffeehouse.com This local favorite on Route 66, adjacent to Old Town, offers a bevy of breakfast and lunch options that will comfort your belly and your wallet. Here, you’ll find traditional New Mexican favorites, serious sammies, and solid caffeine with a staff famous for their classic Southwestern hospitality.

CERVANTES NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT $$

5801 Gibson Blvd. SE 262-2253, cervantesabq.com Old-world style meets traditional New Mexican fare at this family-owned restaurant. Go for the madefrom-scratch chile rellenos, tamales, and carne adovada.

CESAR’S MEXICAN & GREEK

CHEBA HUT

5300 Lomas Blvd. NE 256-8017, cesarsmexicanandgreek.com Both the drive-thru and the dining room at Cesar’s are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On the Mexican menu, try the No. 15, a chile rellenos plate. Popular Greek items include the No. 64 Gyros sandwich and the No. 78 Chicken pita sandwich. 115 Harvard Dr. SE plus 1 other metro location 232-2432, chebahut.com Located next to UNM, Cheba Hut serves up toasted subs made from quality ingredients. Try sandwiches loaded with everything from guacamole, olives, mushrooms, cheeses, meats and much more.

CHEESE AND COFFEE

2679 Louisiana Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 883-1226, cheeseandcoffee.com There’s more than just cheese and coffee here— think homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and specials. At lunch, the line often goes out the door, so it’s worth getting there early.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

CHEZ AXEL

$$$

6209 Montgomery Blvd. NE 881-8104, chezaxelrestaurant.com At Chez Axel, classical music is played at dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and the food has a decidedly French twist: cassoulet, trout amandine, chocolate mousse, and authentic French onion soup. Reservations are recommended.

CHOCGLITZ & CREAM

CHRISTY MAE’S RESTAURANT

10660 Unser Blvd. NW 898-4589, chocglitzandcream.com Certified fair-trade chocolate and a chocolatier with 45 years of experience means you’ll find some of the best sweet-tooth satisfying offerings (including ice cream flavors such as raspberry red chile and Mexican coffee). 1400 San Pedro Dr. NE 255-4740, christymaes.com “Hearty” and “homestyle” are the key words here, a hands-down favorite of early-dinner lovers. Oldfashioned staples are the standards, so look for chicken salad, potpies, country-fried steak with homemade mashed potatoes, and beef stew.

CHURCH STREET CAFÉ

2111 Church St. NW 247-8522, churchstreetcafe.com Calling the oldest residence in Albuquerque its home, this café serves up favorites ranging from natillas to margaritas. They also sell their own bottled salsa and cookbooks with recipes from the restaurant.

CINNAMON SUGAR & SPICE CAFÉ

COCINA AZUL

CODA BAKERY

CONCHITA’S CAFÉ

6601 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM | davesvalleygrill.com | (505) 639-5807

5809 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 492-2119, cinnamoncafeabq.com Featuring breakfast and lunch options, endless baked goodies, friendly staff and regular cooking classes, this place puts the “everything nice” in the well-worn phrase. 4243 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro locations 831-2600, cocinaazul.com The newest location of the Old Town favorite serves up the same tried and true home-cooked recipes you’ve come to love. Don’t miss location specific specials and local brews amid New Mexican staples. 230 Louisiana Blvd. SE, Ste C, 232-0085 Wrap your hands around one of Coda Bakery’s unique, Vietnamese-inspired sandwiches. Beyond its popular lineup of sammies, Coda Bakery also puts a distinctive twist on Vietnamese street food, using from-scratch recipes, including the bread, its deli meats, and its desserts. 400 Gold Ave. SW, Ste 119 339-6774, conchitascafe.com What began as the food truck, Conchita’s Creations became a downtown café with breakfast, sandwiches, and salads. New Mexican favorites shine here, just like abuela made them—including tacos, Frito pie, and burritos.

CORN MAIDEN

$$$

1300 Tuyuna Trail, 771-6060 tamaya.hyatt.com For a special dinner or celebration, look no further. Boasting a view of the Sandia Mountains, this restaurant will leave you breathless as you enjoy three-course meals with sweet potato granny smith apple soup, lavender salted shrimp or the classic crème brulee.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

137

BITES

A PLATTER OF FACT Like a surprising number of great chefs, Buen Provecho’s Kattia Rojas got into the food business sideways. Originally, she had pursued a degree in marketing, travelling from San Jose, Costa Rica to New Jersey to attend university and pick up the skills she would need to work in transnational business. Fast forward a few years. Rojas’ work maintains a fully transnational spirit, albeit in a completely different medium, bringing the rich delights of Costa Rican cuisine to Duke City diners. “I create the menu mostly with the types of foods that are representative of Costa Rica,” explains Rojas.

Buen Provecho 2500 Central Ave SW 550-9668, buenprovechoabq.com

CORRALES BISTRO BREWERY

Carnitas Casados Platter, $15.50

4908 Corrales Rd. NW 897-1036 cbbistro.com Brews from all over the region make this Corrales bistro a must-visit for the affordable fare, killer atmosphere, and music seven days a week.

THE COUNTY LINE BBQ

9600 Tramway Blvd. NE 856-7477 countyline.com It doesn’t take long for the barbecue to arrive at your dinner table, whether it’s wood-burning oven cooked and slow-roasted brisket, ribs, or sausage. Throw in the Rib King Platter, green-chile stuffed pork loin, live music, and two stepping, and at The County Line, everybody wins.

CRACKIN’ CRAB

2100 Louisiana Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro locations 433-4611, crackincrababq.com Their headline seafood boils are super customizable, allowing you to choose from a trio of house combinations or mix and match your own selection of crab, lobster, mussels, scallops, clams, or shrimp by the pound.

CRAVIN’ COOKIES AND MORE

10420 4th St. NW 298-2597 cravincookiesandmore.com Serving up specialty cookies, muffins, breads, pies, and pretty much any dessert you can dream of, Cravin’ Cookies and More offers dine-in and to go orders to satisfy any sweet tooth, with coffee and hot tea to match.

138

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

At Buen Provecho, tamales come wrapped in banana leaves and platters come paired with options like sweet plantains and yucca fries. But, for a tour of Central American flavor, consider the casados—Costa Rican-style meals delivered as a bowl or platter. As platters, chicharrón, ropa vieja, or carnitas come paired with rice, beans, sweet plantains, picadillo stew, salad, a fried egg, and a corn tortilla. So come hungry. —ZB

CRAZY FISH SUSHI BAR AND RESTAURANT

3015 Central Ave. NE 232-3474 crazyfishabq.com Tasty, fresh sushi and sashimi await you in this sleek Central Avenue restaurant, along with kitchenmade favorites such as tempura and crispy chicken.

THE CROWN ROOM

$$$$

145 Louisiana Blvd. NE 767-7171 abqdowns.com/crown-room Perhaps Albuquerque’s best-kept fine dining secret, this gem is tucked away in the newly remodeled Downs Casino. With an incredible selection of liquors and wines, gourmet dishes, tableside Bananas Foster, and Dom Pérignon palate cleansers, this special occasion hideout is hard to beat, anywhere in the 505.

CURRY LEAF

6910-C Montgomery Blvd. NE 881-3663, curryleafrestaurant.us Curry Leaf is the only restaurant in New Mexico to offer both North and South India cuisine. This means that, while you can get familiar favorites like tandoori chicken, you can also explore the world of chicken chettinad and dosas—a type of crepe made with fermented lentil and rice flour, filled with stuffing like potato, spiced vegetables, or ground lamb.

THE DAILY GRIND

4360a Cutler Ave. NE 883-8310, dailygrindabq.net This family-friendly restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, including huevos rancheros and a huge assortment of baked goods. On Friday and Saturday, look for spontaneous specials, such as stuffed French toast or steak and eggs.

DELICIAS CAFÉ

DG’S DELI

6001 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 830-6561 Named after the city in Chihuahua, Mexico, Delicias delivers traditional fare of the region, like caldo de res (beef stew), gorditas, carnitas, flautas, and horchata. 1418 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Ave. NE 247-3354, dgsdeli.com With 31 cold sandwich options and a wide variety of grilled hot sandwiches—ranging in size from mini to jumbo—there’s something for everyone here. Try the Green Chile Philly or the Lobo Club.

D.H. LESCOMBES WINERY & BISTRO $$

901 Rio Grande Blvd. NW 243-9916, lescombeswinery.com With generations of experience in winemaking coursing through this North Valley staple’s doors, D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro specializes in pairing wine with its expertly crafted and entirely house-made menu, with a local twist. Themed events and giving back to its community are big parts of this eatery’s success, not to mention popular dishes such as its Chicken Picado, Mac and Cheese Bites, and Ghirardelli Port Brownie.

DION’S $

6308 Fourth St. NW plus 14 other metro locations 345-4900, dionspizza.com Launched in 1978, Dion’s aims to keep your wallet and tummy full with build-your-own pizzas, gourmet pizzas, slices, salads, and subs. The ranch and Greek dressings are homemade from secret recipes, and everything on the menu is tried and true.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

BITES DOG HOUSE DRIVE IN

1216 Central Ave. SW, 243-1019 An ABQ landmark since the 1940s, the eat-inyour-car Dog House serves grilled footlongs and halflongs topped with red chile, cheese, onions, and more. Enjoy your dog with a side of chili-cheese fries and a thick shake.

DONUT MART

4501 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 292-6278, donutmartusa.com Multiple locations sprinkled around town means a donut lover can always get a sweet fix. Find apple strudels, piñon coffee, green chile bialys, croissants, muffins, and even a Peanut Butter and Jelly donut.

DOWN N DIRTY SEAFOOD BOIL

6100 4th St. NW, 345-0595 Southern transplants who make their way to ABQ have a new spot for traditional seafood boil. From dry rub to a spicy, buttery fusion sauce, your tastebuds will dance with delight when you feast on this eatery’s collection of crawfish, rock shrimp, crab legs, and more.

DUGGAN’S $

227 Lead Ave. SE 312-7257, dugganscoffeeshop.com This breakfast and lunch spot serves up newsthemed entrees like the Journalist Salad and Fact Checker Green Chile Chicken Soup in an intimate setting. Cups are filled with locally roasted Trifecta coffee.

DURAN’S CENTRAL PHARMACY

1815 Central Ave. NW 247-4141, duransrx.com Where in the city can you get amazing huevos, kitschy printed dish towels, an emergency rubber chicken in a box, and a flu shot? There is only one answer, Duran’s Central Pharmacy.

EAST OCEAN CHINESE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT $$

EL PATIO DE ALBUQUERQUE

142 Harvard Dr. SE plus 1 other metro location 268-4245, elpatioabq.com A UNM favorite since 1977, this family-owned restaurant uses local ingredients and makes everything fresh daily in small batches. The #10 Green Chicken Enchiladas have won rave reviews for years, as have the tasty salsa and pillow-soft sopaipillas.

EL PATRON

10551 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 275-0223, elpatronabq.com A customer favorite, El Patron’s menu includes dishes such as mouthwatering tacos, enchiladas, chile rellenos, and housemade chips. Wash them down with a tasty margarita.

EL PINTO

$$$

10500 4th St. NW, 898-1771, elpinto.com Food and atmosphere go hand-in-hand at this Duke City staple, ensuring an unforgettable experience. Enjoy fresh salsa, enchiladas, burritos, carne adovada, and many more New Mexican dishes while sipping a margarita on one of the many beautiful patios. Reservations are recommended.

EL SABOR DE JUAREZ

3527 Gibson Blvd. SE, 265-3338 Its name means “the flavor of Juarez,” and since 1980, this restaurant has served just that. Try the family recipes for menudo and carne desebrada (shredded roast beef sautéed with jalapeño, tomato, and onions).

EL SARAPE

3248 Isleta Blvd. SW, elsarapeabq.com Specializing in authentic food from all regions of Mexico, you can count on dishes such as nopalitos (cactus sautéed with onions, tomatoes, and garlic), fresh salsa, burritos, chile rellenos, and seafood specials with shrimp, oysters, calamari, and fish.

3601 Carlisle Blvd. NE 889-9315, eastoceanalbq.com East Ocean Chinese Seafood Restaurant was the first of its kind in Albuquerque. Most dishes are served family style and are made fresh to order. Those looking for traditional Chinese dishes should try the Roast Duck. Seafood eaters will enjoy the Honey Crispy Walnut Shrimp.

ELOY’S NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT $

EL BRUNO’S RESTAURANTE Y CANTINA

8806 4th St. NW, 897-0444, elbrunos.com El Bruno’s got its start in Cuba, NM, in 1975. At the Albuquerque location, the tried-and-true family recipes are still the focus of the menu. The Ceviche, Pollo Adovo, and the Deep Fried Spinach are a few items guests can look forward to.

11000 Broadway Blvd. SE 244-8288, isleta.com Whether you are dining inside or al fresco on the rooftop patio, Ember’s boasts some of Albuquerque’s most beautiful 180-degree views of the Bosque, making for the perfect setting to catch the sunset next to the warmth of the glowing fire pits.

EL CAMINO DINING ROOM

FANO BREAD COMPANY

1508 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 293-6018 Opening 36 years ago, Eloy’s New Mexican Restaurant’s claim to fame is their consistent food and service, offering the same recipes that made them famous all those years ago. Try the No. 1 Eloy’s Deluxe Dinner, with a little bit of everything.

EMBER’S STEAK & SEAFOOD

$$$

6800 4th St. NW, 344-0448 Those with a bottomless appetite might meet their match with any of El Camino’s breakfast burrito options. These plate-sized behemoths are filled with eggs, hashbrowns or home-fries, and your choice of meat, then smothered in red or green chile.

4605 McLeod Rd, NE 884-5555, fanobread.com For more than 16 years, Fano has made the freshest bread in the city. Whether it’s the rustic loaf, the green chile cheese bread or raisin cinnamon bread, you’ll think you’re touring the streets of Italy with each bite.

EL COTORRO

FAN TANG

111 Carlisle Blvd. NE 503-6202, elcotorroabq.com Made to order gourmet tacos are on full display among classic Mexican street food like elotes and ceviche. A full salsa bar lets you spice up your meat, fish, vegetarian, or vegan tacos. Taco Tuesdays feature $2 tacos and bottled Mexican beers.

3523 Central Ave. NE 266-3566, fan-tang.com With authentic family recipes that include coffee chicken (rubbed in Satellite coffee, then stir-fried with flavorful sauce) and creative additions like soul dumplings (made with tofu, kimchi, and cashew pesto), this spot is sure to satisfy.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

FAREAST FUZION SUSHI BAR & LOUNGE

5901 Central Ave. NE, 255-2910 The sushi is served aplenty, but those who shy from raw fish can flirt with some Thai or Chinese cuisine. This might be one of the only places where a “Heart-Attack”—a sushi roll with deep-fried spicy tuna, jalapeños, mushrooms, and cream cheese—is a good thing.

FARINA ALTO PIZZERIA & WINE BAR $$

10721 Montgomery Blvd. NE 298-0035, farinaalto.com The Northeast Heights version of Farina offers the same urban atmosphere as the East Downtown (EDo) Farina, minus the elbow-to-elbow seating. Alto offers every pizza on the EDo menu, such as the Formaggio di Capra and the Carne, but includes unique dishes—Eggplant Parmesan Napoleon and Oven-Roasted Chicken Wings. Alto’s wine room is stocked with more than 300 bottles of wine.

FARINA PIZZERIA

510 Central Ave. SE 243-0130, farinapizzeria.com Whether you like yours bianco or covered in carne, you’ll get a pie cooked to perfection at this relaxedbut-hip urban eatery.

FARM & TABLE

$$$

THE FARMACY

8917 4th St. NW 503-7124, farmandtablenm.com This North Valley eatery’s ever-changing menu features seasonal produce, which often comes from the restaurant’s own farm. If the produce doesn’t come from the farm, it’s sourced from a slew of local vendors. Enjoy grass-and-alfalfa-fed steaks and produce-focused dishes that use local kale, chard, okra, chile, and tomatoes. 3718 Central Ave. SE, 227-0330 The Farmacy takes the idea of organic and local ingredients, and presents them in a way that tastes like comfort. The Farmacy provides a tasty menu of eight breakfast items, as well as eight sandwiches for lunch.

FIESTA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT AND CANTINA

4400 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 881-0478 Fiesta’s Restaurant & Cantina has been familyowned and operated since 1986, making it an Albuquerque go-to for quality New Mexican cuisine. With its family dining area, outdoor patio, lively bar and banquet room, Fiesta’s has something for everyone.

FLIX BREWHOUSE

FLYING STAR CAFÉ

3258 La Orilla Rd. NW, B-1 445-8500, flixbrewhouse.com Flix is a one-of-a-kind concept; a movie theater that serves full meals and an in-house brewed beer menu in its stadium-seating “dining rooms.” The dream is real, Albuquerque–you can catch the latest blockbuster in theaters while knocking back a pint and having dinner brought to you. 8001 Menaul Blvd. NE plus 5 other metro locations 293-6911, flyingstarcafe.com With handmade desserts to die for, artisan breads, and a menu filled with everything from eggs to enchiladas, the Flying Star offers plenty of options for every meal (and snack time) of the day.

139

BITES FORQUE KITCHEN AND BAR

330 Tijeras Ave. NW 842-1234, albuquerque.hyatt.com Forque’s multi-level, tastefully decorated dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows and makes it easy to forget you’re dining at a Downtown hotel. The elegant presentation extends to the regional cuisine, which is prepared in the restaurant’s open kitchen by executive chef Eli White and his staff.

FORK & FIG

6904 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste C 881-5293, forkfig.com Upscale, but surprisingly down-home, Fork & Fig dishes offer up a streamlined menu of favorites, including burgers, sandwiches, and salads, with surprising artistry along the way. Sweet potato tots, anyone?

FOURTH AND ROMA CAFÉ

FRANK’S FAMOUS CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

500 4th St. NW, #106, 245-7662 Delicious chai, coffee, sandwiches, salads, and occasional East-Indian specials conveniently located in the old Bank of America building downtown.

400 Washington St. SE, 712-5109 franksfamouschickenandwaffles.com Owner and former Lobo basketball player Frank Willis wanted to give Albuquerque the soul food he had while growing up in Los Angeles. He fiddled with flavors, making sure they were perfect, before opening his restaurant to dish out favorites like chicken and waffles, fried pickles, mac ‘n cheese, and collard greens.

140

FRENCHISH $$$

3509 Central Ave. NE 433-5911, frenchish.com Envisioned as a casual neighborhood restaurant, frenchish’s menu draws inspiration from an eclectic mix of French and Midwestern US cuisines, with an active focus on clean, simple foods.

FRIENDS COFFEE & SANDWICH SHOP $

200 3rd St. NW 243-4801, fcass.com Every cup of coffee served at Friends Coffee & Sandwich Shop is from New Mexico Coffee Company, and a different flavor is showcased each day of the week. Local favorites such as the quesadilla and the Taco Burger are dependable lunch choices.

GARDUÑO’S OF MEXICO RESTAURANT AND CANTINA $$ 2100 Louisian Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro locations 880-0055, gardunosrestaurants.com

Garduño’s consistently earns enthusiastic kudos for its mouthwatering enchiladas, burritos, salsa, and knockyour-socks-off margaritas. And, with three locations around town, you’re always near a fiesta.

GECKO’S BAR AND TAPAS

5801 Academy Rd. NE 821-8291, geckosbar.com Plenty of tasty tapas—including Southwestern Krab Taquitos and Red Molé Grilled Sirloin Tacos—and hearty salads and sandwiches, too.

GINO’S NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA

2400 Central Ave. SE 266-0550, frontierrestaurant.com Famous for its legendary Frontier Rolls, hot-off-theiron tortillas, burgers, New Mexican favorites, hash browns, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and more, the Frontier is Albuquerque’s melting pot—it’s a guarantee you’ll see someone you know there.

3908 San Mateo Blvd. NE 883-6000, ginosnystylepizza.com With handmade lasagna and pizza dough, among other items, Gino’s New York Style Pizza shares family recipes with its customers. From the buttermilk ranch dressing to the Eggplant and Chicken Parmigianas, homemade cooking is not too far away.

GARCIA’S KITCHEN

GIOVANNI’S PIZZERIA

FRONTIER RESTAURANT

2924 San Mateo NE plus 5 other metro locations 888-3488, garciaskitchen.com This Albuquerque institution serves up classic New Mexican dishes, from freshly made tortillas to an extensive burrito list. You’ll leave one of the multiple locations with a full belly and content heart.

921 San Pedro Dr. SE, 255-1233 giovannispizzaalbuquerque.com Giovanni’s isn’t easy to spot at first, but once you’ve had a big slice of fold-in-half New York-style pie, you’ll never miss it again. Whether you like it covered in spinach, pesto and tomatoes, cheeseonly, no cheese at all, or plain pepperoni, you’re sure to find your pizza match.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

GOLDEN CROWN PANADERIA

ONE COMMUNITY...

ONE FAMILLY...

1103 Mountain Rd. NW, 243-2424, goldencrown.biz Golden Crown Panaderia is known for taking creativity in baking to the next level. Try the original biscochitos or cappuccino, chocolate and sugar-free versions. Don’t miss out on homemade green chile bread, pizza, and creative bread sculptures.

THANK YOU ALBUQUERQUE!

GRASSBURGER $

5600 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste C3 plus 1 other metro location 361-2368, eatgrassburger.com There’s a lot that sets the burger joint apart— including their community involvement, their vegan and gluten-free burger options, and their commitment to a no-corn syrup menu.

GREENSIDE CAFÉ

$$$

12165 NM-14, Cedar Crest 286-2684, greenside.cafe This Cedar Crest café offers a casual family atmosphere with large portions of gourmet-quality food: French toast made with orange and vanilla batter, Turquoise Trail Trout, rich homemade ice cream, Monte Cristo sandwich with green chile.

THE GRILL ON SAN MATEO

wall to wall flatscreens bold burgers STONE BAKED pizzas ice cold beer at 33° 33°

3300 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 872-9772 A choice of mesquite-grilled chicken, rib eye, hot dogs, and burgers (beef and garden) accompany bottomless house-made chips and salsa, complete with sides like classic fries and fried zucchini, and fresh fixings are on a build-your-own basis offering a completely customizable burger.

THE GROVE CAFÉ AND MARKET

4861 Pan American Freeway NE Albuquerque,, NM 87109 Albuquerque 505.. 344 505 344.. 7427

600 Central Ave. SE, Ste A 248-9800, thegrovecafemarket.com The brunch and lunch favorite is well-known for its exceptional dishes made from local and organic ingredients, and it now offers a newly expanded menu, with additions such as the French Ham & Cheese with d’affinois cheese, mostarda, and caper mustard sauce.

GYROS MEDITERRANEAN

HANNAH & NATE’S MARKET CAFÉ

Thank You Albuquerque

106 Cornell Dr. SE, 255-4401, egyros.com Tried-and-true Greek recipes, such as traditional Kota Reganato (oven-roasted chicken with oregano, garlic and lemon), fresh Greek salads, Patates, and, of course, sweet baklava, served in a friendly, laidback collegial atmosphere.

www.. bubbas33 www bubbas33.. com

for voting our Green Chile Stew the Best in the City!

4512 Corrales Rd, plus 1 other metro location 898-2370 Offering breakfast and lunch, Hannah & Nate’s is all about flavor—whether it’s the flavor of traditional New Mexican cuisine, cuisines from throughout the world or the family recipes served.

HELLO DELI

Kitchen

Safely serving you since 1975!

7600 Jefferson St. NE 797-3354, hellodeliabq.com Home to one of the most delicious breakfast burritos around, Hello Deli serves sandwiches and even Frontier’s sweet rolls.

HIBACHI ONE

We treat you and your guests like family!

3230 Coors Blvd. NE 839-0808, hibachioneabq.com In addition to their tableside teppanyaki service, Hibachi One visitors can take advantage of private rooms. Hibachi options like shrimp, scallops, and filet mignon are available wherever you’re sitting in the house, as is a full menu of sushi, sashimi, and rolls.

Now hiring all positions at all locations! Apply online, or call 505-242-3211

505•242•1199 | GarciasKitchen.com Catering

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

6 Albuquerque locations to serve you!

141

Duke City Software Finding manual updates to be taxing? Our custom automation solutions are better than a refund. That’s exactly what we do! We offer technology that would impress your kids and service that would impress your grandmother.

HIGH POINT GRILL

9780 Coors Blvd. NW 312-8519, highpointgrill.com Those perpetually on the hunt for the perfect burger will find plenty to love at High Point. With a foundation of 100-percent Akaushi, American Prime Wagyu beef, the burgers at High Point Grill are some of the city’s most popular. Their Southwest burger, for instance, features a red chile crusted patty, extra hot local green chile and cheddar cheese.

HIGH NOON RESTAURANT AND SALOON

$$$

425 San Felipe St. NW 765-1455, highnoonrestaurant.com Located in a 300-year-old house in the heart of Old Town, High Noon has a menu stocked with New Mexican fare such as burritos and enchiladas, but you can also find baked brie and buffalo burgers here. Reservations are recommended.

HOLY BURGER

700 Central Ave. SE 242-2991, holyburgernm.com Originally a Route 66 diner with a carport, and later Bob’s Fish and Chips, Holy Burger now boasts some of the juiciest burgers in town, as well as one of the breeziest and most boppin’ patios in the city.

HORSE AND ANGEL TAVERN

HOT PINK THAI

Being technologically advanced can’t take the place of old-fashioned customer service. In fact, one is of little value without the other.

HOT TAMALES

At Duke City Software we use technology to help businesses succeed in real and measurable ways. From databases, automation and APIs to websites, WordPress and custom software, we do more than just supply it. We make it work.

HURRICANE’S CAFE

I SCREAM ICE CREAM

info@dukecitysoftware.com www.DukeCitySoftware.com (505) 363-7040

Duke City Software 142

5809 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 299-0225 Whether you want a simple sandwich for lunch, appetizers and a beer in the afternoon, or steak and enchiladas at midnight, this Heights tavern is the place to be any time of the day. 2626 San Pedro Dr. NE, 872-2296 For dine in or takeout, at lunchtime, you’ll get $1.50 off dishes over $10 and a free vegetable egg roll. Favorites include pumpkin curry, pad thai, and drunken noodles. Most dishes are customized with your choice of protein and spice level, from no chili at all to Thai hot. 1520 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE. Rio Rancho 962-0123, hottamalesnmrestaurant.com This Rio Rancho restaurant serves bona fide New Mexican with hand-blended red chile and fireroasted green chile: Green Chile Stew Omelet, Hot Tamale Bowl, and Fajitas are just a few of the spicy dishes. 4330 Lomas Blvd. NE, 255-4248 With Route 66 serving as the city’s heart, it’s always good to hop over to a good ol’ fashioned diner. Pick out a classic dish, such as pancakes or omelets from the lengthy breakfast menu, or chow down on a burger, enchilada, or chicken fried steak. Of course, you can take a stab at the hearty Disaster Burrito, but you’d better make plenty of room if that’s on your agenda. 2000 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 268-0139 The cozy dessert shop is filled with toys, gadgets, board games, and—oh yeah—34 flavors of ice cream and 28 different toppings. Each scoop comes with a free mix-in, and there are fresh mini doughnuts available on weekends.

IL VICINO

3403 Central Ave. NE plus 2 other metro locations 266-7855, ilvicino.com Using wood ovens to bake its thin-crust pizzas, Il Vicino (which means “The Neighbor”) also offers hearty calzones and award-winning brews from its own brewery.

BITES INDIGO CROW CAFÉ

$$$

4515 Corrales Rd. 585-3061, indigocrowcafe.net This café is cozy, thanks to the fact that it’s housed in an old adobe building. When it’s cold, patrons warm up by the indoor fireplace; when it’s warm, they enjoy meals such as lobster ravioli, tarragon chicken salad, and New Mexico chicken fried steak under the stars on the outdoor patio. Reservations are recommended.

IRONWOOD KITCHEN

5740 Night Whisper Rd. NW, Ste 250 890-4488, ironwoodkitchen.com This family operation’s goal: to serve meals made with whole foods at affordable prices. Try the green chile cheeseburger, with freshly-ground chuck, topped with fresh vegetables and roasted green chile.

JAPANESE KITCHEN

KABAB HOUSE: AUTHENTIC PERSIAN CUISINE $

301 Cornell Dr. SE 312-8949 Authentic, made-to-order Persian food is constantly sizzling on the grill here. The koobideh kabab is made with minced ground beef or ground chicken, onion, and house spices. Each dish is a healthy size and comes with soup, salad, and rice. Top everything off with a glass of delicious banana milk, or majoun, which is banana milk with almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and honey.

KAKTUS BREWING CO.

KATHY’S CARRY OUT

471 S Hill Rd, 818-7285, kaktusbrewery.com Tucked away from it all, Kaktus specializes in European-style pints, and a menu featuring pizzas and apps uniquely topped with game meats like elk, boar, bison, and duck. Special events on weekends abound. 823 Isleta Blvd. SW, 873-3472 This carry out has been a South Valley favorite for 38 years. Look for the chicharron burrito with egg, fresh hand-cut fries, and the daily special—you just might land on a seems-too-good-to-be-true deal, such as three tacos for $3.

Compassion. Education. Community.

$$$

6521 America’s Parkway plus 1 other metro location 884-8937, japanesekitchen.com Entertainment is the main course at this teppanyaki grill restaurant. The cooks, who are at your table, can be caught tossing shrimp into their pockets and creating to-die-for dishes from the classic teriyaki chicken, to seafood or steak, and everything in between.

JAVA JOE’S

906 Park Ave. SW 765-1514, downtownjavajoes.com You’ll find all walks of life at this relaxing Downtown joint, enjoying freshly made sandwiches, breakfast burritos, green chile chicken melts, coffee drinks and more.

JC’S NEW YORK PIZZA DEPARTMENT $$

215 Central Ave. NW, Ste B 766-6973, jcnypd.com New York-style pizza, pasta, salads, and fully loaded pasta and calzone dishes, all in a laid-back lounge. During lunch hour, the line goes out the door.

JIMMY’S CAFÉ ON JEFFERSON

7007 Jefferson St. NE 341-2546 jimmyscafeonjefferson.com The menu here lists more than 100 items, most of them mouthwatering comfort foods: sandwiches, burgers, New Mexican dishes, handmade pizza, and breakfast served all day long.

JINJA BAR AND BISTRO

8900 Holly Ave. NE, B plus 1 other metro location 856-1413, jinjabistro.com Evoking a vintage ambiance, Jinja serves inspired and mouthwatering pan-Asian cuisine, such as Kung Pow Chicken (a Thai version of the Chinese favorite) and Home-Style Chicken Udon Wok Bowl.

JOE’S PASTA HOUSE

3201 Southern Blvd. SE 892-3333, joespastahouse.com A neighborhood Italian-American joint with an incredible dose of warmth and personality, Joe’s offers a terrific lunch buffet and an expansive dinner menu to please every palate in la mia famiglia: steaks, pasta, and some of the best cannelloni and tiramisu anywhere.

Compassion. Education. Community. All part of our mission of improving the lives of cats & dogs statewide since 1965 Through sheltering, adoptions, humane education & veterinary services, we support pets on their journey to their forever homes To learn more about our local nonprofit or to make an impact with your donation dollars, please visit us at

animalhumanenm.org APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

143

144

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

BITES KATRINAH’S EAST MOUNTAIN GRILL $$

150 State Rd. 344 A 281-9111, eastmountaingrill.com This contemporary diner specializes in homemade dishes, such as gyros, hand-cut steaks and burgers, and the best-selling Southern Salad (with fried green beans, bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato, and fried or grilled chicken or steak).

KIMO’S HAWAIIAN BBQ

3239 Girard Blvd. NE, 582-2797 kimosabq.com Hawaii comes home. What began as a food truck is now a brick-and-mortar location also. Try freshfrom-the-isles Kalua Pork and Huli Huli Chicken plates served with sides like steamed cabbage, rice, and macaroni salad.

KOLACHE FACTORY

LA QUICHE PARISIENNE BISTRO

LAVA ROCK BREWING COMPANY $$ 2220 Unser Blvd. NE 836-1022 lavarockbrewpub.com

The casual brewpub on Unser currently has 7 of their own beers available on tap, with several other local guest taps as well. Standard bar fare gets gussied up here, like the housemade hot sauces on the wings and the fries loaded with green chile and queso.

LA SALITA

LAGUNA BURGER

LE BISTRO VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

Thank You Albuquerque

5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste 17 242-2808, laquicheparisiennebistro.com Long considered an authentic French staple of downtown ABQ, La Quiche has comfortably settled into the Heights and the baked goods will comfort your lazy weekend brunch cravings with true Parisian cuisine from the mainland. 8900 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste I 717-1361, lareformabrewery.com On the taco front, La Reforma is virtually unimpeachable, offering options like braised pork shoulder carnitas, tempura-battered white fish pescado, and rotisserie-broiled al pastor for carnivores, along with tempura-battered avocado (aguacate) for those looking for something plantbased.

12480 North Hwy. 14, Sandia Park 281-9122, lazylizardgrill.com From the King Cobra Pizza and made-fromscratch Jalapeño Poppers to their impressive selection of microbrews, the Lazy Lizard Grill has customers always coming back for more— and has the food and atmosphere to back it up.

1313 San Pedro Dr. NE, 266-6118 Le Bistro Vietnamese Restaurant is just as much a bakery as it is a restaurant, specializing in traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

8001 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste B3 856-3430, locations.kolachefactory.com The Kolache Factory franchise out of Texas focuses on Czech style Kolaches that were traditionally a warm, semi-sweet pastry filled with sausage, cheese, or fruit and originated in Eastern Europe dating as far back as the 1700s.

LA REFORMA

LAZY LIZARD GRILL

Kitchen

for voting our Green Chile Stew the Best in the City!

Safely serving you since 1975!

1950 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE 299-9968, lasalita.com The name may mean “little room,” but this New Mexican restaurant always has a full house. The chile rellenos, chile con queso, sopaipillas, and shredded beef burrito (a Wednesday special) have earned loyal customers for 37 years. 2400 12th St. NW plus 2 other metro locations 352-8282, thelagunaburger.com Every half-pound burger is made fresh upon ordering, topped with Hatch green chile, and slipped on a butter-toasted bun made specifically for Laguna Burger by Sara Lee. Also on the menu: freshly-cut fries, foot-long chile cheese dogs, and zingy breakfast burritos.

THE LAST CALL

We treat you and your guests like family!

Now Hiring

6261 Riverside Plaza Ln. NW, Ste A1 717-1207, lastcallabq.com This late-night eatery specializes in freshly-made Baja Mexican street cuisine (think: carne asada fries). If you’re lucky, you just might run into the “Taco Box” while out on the town: a mobile extension of the restaurant that brings the food to you.

all positions at all locations! Apply online,

or call 505-242-3211

505•242•1199 | GarciasKitchen.com Catering

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

6 Albuquerque locations to serve you!

145

BITES

YOU HAD ME AT ‘BBQ SAUCE’ Perhaps the best way to describe what chef and owner Lorenzo Garcia is up to at Street Food Sensations is “Southwestern fusion.” His menu practically sings with the flavors of the American Southwest, albeit with distinctive pulses of global inspiration. “I’m a native from New Mexico—I’ve been here, you know, born and raised,” says Garcia. “I’ve tasted it all and I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to showcase something different.” The menu is populated with options that do precisely that. Consider, for example, Garcia’s Korean tacos. Pulling together avocado-lime crema, cilantro Asian slaw, kobe BBQ sauce, and queso fresco around tender chunks of beer-braised pulled pork, these tacos are a veritable concert of unique global influences.

Street Food Sensations 2500 Central Ave SW 414-7722 intriguecateringandevents.com/street-food-sensations.php

LE CHANTILLY FINE PASTRIES

8216 Menaul Blvd. NE 293-7057, lechantillybakery.com This French-style bakery features breakfast pastries, muffins, strudel, cookies, and tarts—not to mention delicious quiche, croissants, sandwiches and cakes. Try homemade soups such as creamy chicken and artichoke, then satisfy your sweet tooth with a tower of chocolate decadence.

LE TROQUET

LEVEL 5 AT HOTEL CHACO

LITTLE BEAR COFFEE

$$$

THE LIBRARY BAR & GRILL

312 Central Ave. SW 242-2992, library-abq.com Featuring more than a great party, the Library offers drink specials and half-priced appetizers during happy hour, as well as salads, hamburgers, sandwiches, wraps, and specialty items.

146

3222 Silver Ave. SE 266-0607, limonatanobhill.com Channel your inner Italian at this street foodinspired café, where the breakfast and lunch menus feature perfect pastries, craveable cappuccino and trattoria-inspired lunches. The chef makes every dish from scratch and insists that everything about the restaurant, from the menu to the atmosphere, be done just as it would in Italy.

LINDY’S DINER

2000 Bellamah Ave. NW 318-3998, hotelchaco.com The food here needs be good, because first and foremost, it competes with the view. Like the name implies, Level 5 sits on the 5th floor of Hotel Chaco and offers a near-360 degree view of the city.

Korean Taco, $3.50

LIMONATA ITALIAN STREET CAFÉ

228 Gold Ave. SW 508-1166 www.abqfrenchrestaurant.com The Parisian bistro, open for lunch or dinner, offers classically simple French dishes made by Chef Jean Pierre Gozard. From Boeuf Bourguignon to quiche and delectable desserts, expect a tres bien atmosphere with a comprehensive wine list.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

“There’s a beer that La Cumbre made that I incorporate into my food,” says Garcia. “It comes basically in anything that’s made with pork, like Hawaiian tacos, Korean tacos, and BBQ pork nachos.” —ZB

500 Central Ave. SW 242-2582, lindysdinerabq.com Lindy’s is a neighborhood joint, through and through. The sort of place where, even if they don’t know your name, you’ll feel like they do anyway. The owners recommend the Ultimate Burger for that classic American diner experience.

2632 Pennsylvania St. NE 917-8902, littlebearcoffeeco.com Located near Uptown, Little Bear is not just serving up quality brew, but also providing an outpost for the neighborhood and coffee community.

LOS COMPADRES RESTAURANT

2437 Central Ave. NW 452-8091, compadresabq.com Family recipes like the No. 16 Taco Plate, tacos with carne y papas (beef and potatoes) and the restaurant’s Menudo, have kept locals coming back for more than 15 years.

LOS CUATES

LOYOLA’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

8700 Menual Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro locations 237-2800, loscuatesrestaurants.com Popular since it opened over 25 years ago, Los Cuates serves its own ancho-chile salsa and tons of delicious New Mexican dishes in humongous portions. 4500 Central Ave. SE, 268-6478 loyolasfamilyrestaurant.com You’ll find both American and New Mexican goodies here, from fried chicken, roast beef and sandwiches to tasty local favorites such as burritos and posole.

LUIGI’S RISTORANTE AND PIZZERIA $$

6225 4th St. NW 343-0466, luigisitalianfood.com Enjoy more than 250 made-from-scratch Italian dishes, including pizza, chicken Florentine, spaghetti and meatballs, and green chile chicken lasagna.

M’TUCCI’S ITALIAN

6001 Winter Haven Rd. NW plus 2 other metro locations 503-7327, mtuccis.com The menu at the Westside’s authentic Italian staple features refined comfort food classics, from meatball marinara to pot roast. Other menu items are crafted from choice Berkshire pigs that the eatery imports from northern Iowa and southern Minnesota farms. In fact, a unique pork dish is incorporated into a featured dinner special every night. Wash down your pasta, pizza, or salad with a carefully crafted cocktail from the bar.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

As spring brings new life to the farm, there are countless ways to spend this wonderful season with us. From reimagined lodging packages ideal for a staycation and fresh dining experiences to several new spring activities, all are thoughtfully curated with wellness and safety in mind.

A SpRiNg StAyCaTiOn photo: Maura Jane Photography

From our well-appointed guest rooms and signature lavender spa amenities to generous hospitality and room service from the award-winning Campo kitchen, we provide the perfect excuse for a much deserved staycation. An array of curated activities will ensure a peaceful and relaxing stay.

MoThEr’S DaY TeA & WeEkLy TeA SeRvIcE

ThE WaRm WeLcOmInG Of SpRiNg On ThE FaRm There’s nothing quite like the way spring awakens our little corner of the North Valley. As the days lengthen ever so slightly and temperatures slowly begin to warm, our dedicated farmers germinate vegetables, herbs and flowers in the greenhouse, grown from seeds saved from previous seasons. Outside in the fields, hearty greens and root vegetables are seeded directly into the cool soil and our beloved lavender plants are lovingly sheared to promote new growth. Daffodils and crocus slowly peek their heads above ground, our flowering trees burst into color seemingly overnight and gosling and duckling sightings are common around property as they take their first dips in the lotus pond. APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Tea at Los Poblanos is returning for the season! Celebrate Mom amongst the breathtaking annual blooms and magniﬁcent architecture at our Mother’s Day Tea. After an elegant tea service, meet the teaographer and learn about the gardens, botanical distillation practices and artisan products on the farm from our talented team. In addition, a weekly afternoon tea service at La Quinta will begin with a beautiful pot of tea and stunning selection of savory and sweet bites, and conclude with a guided tour exploring the rich history and magniﬁcent beauty of La Quinta. Check our website as we update details for all activities this spring including Easter specials. lospoblanos.com

147

BITES

148

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

BITES MAC’S STEAK IN THE ROUGH

4515 Menaul Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location, 888-3611, macsnm.com Taquitas, onion rings, guacamole salad, and an original “steak in the rough”—slivers of beef served with French fries, coleslaw, a roll, catsup, and a fresh green scallion… these are just a few of the reasons Mac’s has been in business for so many years.

MAGOKORO $$ 5614 Menaul Blvd. NE 830-2061, magokoroabq.com

Magakoro pushes well beyond the bounds of ramen and sushi, treating visitors to a thrilling selection of flavors. They’ve also cultivated a reputation for elevating the bento box—commonly available at Japanese-inspired restaurants throughout Albuquerque—into a sensorial cultural experience.

MANZANO GRILLE AT THE CANYON CLUB AT FOUR HILLS $$ 911 Four Hills Rd. SE 299-9555, canyonclubgolf.com

This newly remodeled property was rejuvenated thanks to its own club members, and now boasts modern décor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Members can enjoy creative dishes like Pork Alexander, New Mexico Eggs Benedict with green chile Hollandaise sauce, or the Turkey Lurkey, including green chile and Pepper Jack cheese in the dining room or al fresco on its large, shaded patio overlooking the mountain vistas. Dining-only memberships available.

MARIO’S PIZZA

2401 San Pedro NE plus 3 other metro locations 883-4414, mariospizzaabq.com Gourmet pizzas, big bowls of pasta, custom calzones and New York-style sandwiches are the norm at this tasty Italian eatery.

MARISCOS ALTAMAR

1517 Coors Blvd. NW plus 1 other metro location 831-1496, mariscosaltamarabq.com With live music on the weekends, colorful murals, and authentic Mexican seafood dishes such as tostada de ceviche with shrimp, fish, and snow crab, dining at Mariscos Altamar is well worth the trip.

MARY & TITO’S CAFÉ

2711 4th St. NW 344-6266, maryandtitos.com From their famous carne adovada to their authentic New Mexican chips and salsa, Mary & Tito’s Café makes sure guests leave full and happy. This homey café also became the only Albuquerque restaurant to win a James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award in 2010.

MAY CAFÉ

111 Louisiana Blvd. SE 265-4448, maycafenm.com Traditional Vietnamese cuisine is easily customizable, fresh and healthy. The café’s spring rolls, made fresh to order, are popular with diners new and old. Try the pho or the bún.

MAZAYA CAFÉ

120 Harvard Dr. SE 582-2447, mazayacafe.com Mazaya Café is dedicated to adding an authentic Mediterranean dining experience to the medley of options in the Nob Hill area–without breaking the bank for its diners. If you are looking to fill up, freshgrilled kebabs, a half-dozen wraps, shawarma, and three kinds of fried or steamed dumpling plates headline the restaurant’s entrée menu.

MICHAEL THOMAS COFFEE ROASTERS $

202 Bryn Mawr Dr. SE plus 2 other metro locations 504-7078, michaelthomascoffee.com Michael Thomas’ fresh-roasted coffees can be purchased in bulk or by the cup. Favorites include the Banda Bear Blend and the Duke’s Runners’ Blend. If you prefer to let them make your cup of Joe, try an espresso-based drink such as a Double Espresso, a Macchiato, or a Cubano.

MICK’S CHILE FIX

3351 Candelaria Rd. NE, Ste A 881-2233, mickschilefix.com One of the city’s true spots for getting something hot: try The Shocker (an eight-pound breakfast burrito), huevos rancheros, or the Frito pie, all with homemade red or green chile.

MILLY’S $

2100 Candelaria Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location 884-0707, millysrestaurants.com If you’re not sure what to eat, have a little of everything with an American-New Mexican–Greek menu. This breakfast and lunch spot melds salads and sandwiches with traditional New Mexican and Greek entrees.

MONICA’S EL PORTAL RESTAURANT

321 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 247-9625 Traditional New Mexican favorites make up the menu at this Old Town staple that has been around for 34 years. Monica’s roasts their own green chile, makes biscochitos from scratch and offers red chile straight from the pod.

MONROE’S RESTAURANT

6051 Osuna Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location 881-4224, monroeschile.com More than 50 years after they opened their doors south of Old Town, Monroe’s continues to serve reliable New Mexican favorites to a local fan base, and service around here is a team effort, so no glass goes unfilled.

MONTE CARLO STEAKHOUSE

$$$

3916 Central Ave. SW, 836-9886 The iconic steakhouse meets liquor store has been featured on the Food Network and boasts some of the best steaks in the city. Since 1971, locals always come back for hand-cut steaks, house-made Greek salad dressing, freshly cut fries, and a mean green chile cheeseburger.

MONTE VISTA FIRE STATION 3201 Central Ave. NE, 255-2424

Once an actual working fire station, this second-floor restaurant now offers traditional bar food, wings, and nightly specials. Choose from tasty chicken wings and burgers, or order from the restaurant downstairs— they’ll bring your steak to you.

MR. TOKYO

11200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 292-4728 Soak up the cool Zen-like atmosphere while enjoying six versions of fried rice, sushi, sashimi, tempura, hibachi, grilled udon, soups, and teriyaki spiced with fiery Thai chili peppers.

MUSTANG CAFÉ

8601 Lomas Blvd. NE, 275-4477 Perfect for anyone shopping at the Rich Ford car dealership—or anyone at all—is this auto-themed restaurant, which serves up homemade breakfast burritos, papitas, enchiladas, rellenos, tamales, and the Dennis Snyder Favorite: a 16-oz. sirloin patty with cheese and chile.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

NAGOMI RESTAURANT

NAMASTE

2400 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 298-3081 nagomirestaurantabq.com The Nagomi menu is virtually overrun with Japanese culinary classics. Nagomi is also one of the few places in Albuquerque where you can go to indulge in shabu-shabu, a Japanese-style hot pot 1580 Deborah Rd. SE plus 1 other metro location 896-3126, namastenm.net Offering authentic Nepalese and Indian dishes— including chicken tikka masala and lamb curry— Namaste also serves traditional food with a New Mexico twist, such as the green chile chicken curry.

NARUTO $

2110 Central Ave. SE 369-1039, narutonoodle.com Who knew Ramen noodles could be so creative, so diverse, and so darn good. Naruto is reinventing the Ramen noodle with specialized dishes that can’t be found anywhere else in the city.

NEXUS BREWERY

4730 Pan American Fwy NE, Ste D plus 1 other metro location, 242-4100 nexusbrewery.com If the made-to-order fried chicken and waffles and mac and cheese has you drooling, reach for one of Nexus’ brewed in-house beers.

NICK AND AND BAR

JIMMY’S

RESTAURANT $$

5021 Pan American Freeway NE 344-9169, nickandjimmysrestaurant.com Nick and Jimmy’s vision was a comfortable atmosphere with comfortable food. They blend traditional foods with new twists and serve everything from enchiladas to green chile meatloaf.

NOB HILL BAR AND GRILL

$$$

3128 Central Ave. SE 266-4455, upscalejoint.com This restaurant manages to be simultaneously upscale and laid back, gourmet and down-home, visionary and traditional. Not to mention delicious: the Buffalo Calamari, Dirty “Kobe” Burger, Pineapple Chipotle BBQ Baby Back Ribs, and a slew of amazing cocktails make every visit exceptional.

NOMAD’S BBQ FOOD TRUCK 206-7654

Authentic, smoky goodness, Nomad’s BBQ sammies— including pulled pork and hotlink varieties—are succulent and feature its homemade sauce. This roving BBQ hut definitely knows how to do a quality turkey leg and rib tips, too.

OAK TREE CAFÉ

4545 Alameda Blvd. NE 830-2233, cafeoaktree.com

$$$

This hometown café has served a lot of locales over the past 30 years, and the current venue on Alameda is great at the basics, including burgers, sandwiches, and salads, made fresh, in-house every day.

OHANA HUT

5740 Night Whisper Rd. NW 508-4439, ohanahut.com Family owned and operated Ohana Hut means “Family Hut”. It specializes in Hawaiian, Japanese, and Korean flavors to create an Asian fusion menu with a New Mexican twist.

OLD TOWN PIZZA PARLOR

108 Rio Grande Blvd. NW 999-1949, oldtownpizzaabq.com This comfy, funky, family-owned restaurant serves tasty pies, huge calzones, and portions of pasta that won’t ever leave you hungry.

149

BITES OLO YOGURT STUDIO IN NOB HILL

3339 Central Ave. NE, Ste C 718-4656, oloyogurt.com Nothing is as sweet as a guilt-free treat. In the same building as Staples in Nob Hill, Olo features a Candyland-esque interior, complete with 10 flavor choices and a salad-bar-sized toppings bar.

O’HARE’S GRILLE & PUB

4100 Southern Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho 896-0123, oharesgrillepub.com With a menu that is centered around the idea that variety is the key to success, O’Hare’s offers pub fare in a family-friendly atmosphere. Try the Corned Beef and Cabbage special, O’Hare’s Double Decker Reuben, or the staple Fish and Chips, for a truly Irish experience.

O’NIELL’S PUB

4310 Central Ave. SE plus 1 other metro location 255-6782, oniells.com O’Niell’s boasts the same neighborhood feeling, many of the same staffers, and virtually the same menu (including the “weird sandwich,” the “burger in paradise,” and homemade fish and chips). Added: an outdoor patio and more beer choices.

O RAMEN

ORCHID THAI CUISINE

2114 Central Ave. SE, 508-1897 Yes, the Duke City has the real thing. O Ramen’s Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) spends 18 hours on the stovetop before it blesses your bowl; expect plenty of options for vegetarians and Japanese curry lovers, to boot.

THE PALETA BAR

2325 San Pedro Dr. NE plus 12 other metro locations 884-0049, thepaletabar.com A hidden Albuquerque gem, The Paleta Bar has taken a tried-and-true, frozen Mexican dessert to new heights. Since 2017, this paleta wonderland has been slinging refreshing Mexican popsicles in endless combinations of flavors.

PAPA FELIPE’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT $$

9800 Menaul Blvd. NE 292-8877, papafelipes.com Papa Felipe’s exceeds expectations by offering traditional New Mexican cuisine (enchiladas, stuffed sopaipillas, tacos) as well as simple twists on favorite dishes (green chile carne adovada, Tampico Tacos, Green Tamale Pie).

POKI POKI CEVICHERIA

POLLITO CON PAPAS

4320 The 25 Way NE, Ste 100 345-5156, parscuisine.us For more than 20 years, Pars has served Persian and Mediterranean menu items in a unique atmosphere. Choose to sit on the floor under a large tent, and enjoy the talents of belly dancers, and enjoy tasty kebabs, gyros and more.

$$$

9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location, 298-7678 pelicansabq.com For 30 years, customers have fallen for Pelican’s— hook, line and sinker. Favorite entrées include Alaskan king crab, Australian lobster tail, and prime rib.

PEREA’S TIJUANA BAR

PERICO’S $

3000 San Pedro Dr. NE, 881-0999 pacific-paradise-restaurant-abq.com Faux palms and tiki huts frame a menu filled with more than 100 options: salads, soups, stir-fry, seafood, fried rice, noodles, sushi, and dessert menu. Try the Seafood Rice Pizza or Rock ‘n’ Roll Sushi.

PADILLA’S MEXICAN KITCHEN

PHO LINH

PAISANO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

1935 Eubank Blvd. NE 298-7541, paisanosabq.com Family recipes have kept Paisano’s going for more than 35 years, but the hand-rolled pasta, handstuffed ravioli, homemade sausage and marinara haven’t hurt business, either. It’s also the only place in town to get wheat-free pizza and pasta.

150

PARS CUISINE

10401 Golf Course Rd. NW plus 3 other metro locations 792-5255 pericosmexicanrestaurant.com Serving delicious New Mexican food at affordable prices made Perico’s instantly popular, and the “home of the ½ lb burrito” is now an Albuquerque institution with three locations, catering services, and 22 different burritos.

PLANTY SWEET

4590 Corrales Rd., 898-2442 Open for lunch only, the family-owned and -operated business specializes in real, home-cooked New Mexican food that’s consistently earned kudos from customers who can’t say “no” to the Frito pie, carne adovada, and green chile cheeseburgers.

1510 Girard Blvd. NE, 262-0115 It might not get any more New Mexican than it does at Padilla’s—from huevos rancheros and tamales to chile rellenos and egg-topped blue corn enchiladas. You may have to shake your head after a taste of the chile just to remind yourself you’re not in your grandmother’s kitchen. A sopaipilla dripping with honey will seal the deal for your traditional meal.

8850 Holly Ave. NE 797-8086, pizzerialuca.com With imported Italian flour, cheese, and pepperoni, Pizzeria Luca offers authentic Italian cuisine. The restaurant has a subway-inspired interior and features delicious and affordable lunch specials.

7648 Louisiana Blvd. NE 821-4900, papanachosfood.com Great, homemade Mexican food based on triedand-true family recipes is the specialty here: burritos, fish tacos, and the namesake nachos will all make your panza happy.

THE OWL CAFÉ

PACIFIC PARADISE TROPICAL GRILL AND SUSHI BAR $$

PIZZERIA LUCA

PAPA NACHOS

PELICAN’S RESTAURANT

800 Eubank Blvd. NE 291-4900, owlcafealbuquerque.com World-famous green chile cheeseburgers, milkshakes, fajitas, quesadillas, meatloaf, burritos, fries… the list of drool-worthy dishes goes on and on.

4000 Louisiana Blvd. NE plus 12 other metro locations 883-6463, pizzanine.com Chicago-style pizza at 10 locations around the city, along with the option of gluten-free crust—that’s what Pizza 9 brings to the, er, table. Don’t forget the wings, salads, breadsticks and calzones to complement any meal.

2506 Washington St. NE 433-7111, plantysweet.weebly.com Planty Sweet is the city’s first 100% vegan and gluten-free bakery and dessert shop and the quality of the products available is hard to deny. Not only do their artisanal baked goods taste fantastic, they are impeccably presented, each crafted to please the eye as much as the taste buds.

4300 Central Ave. SE 265-4047, orchidabq.com Orchid Thai has been serving hungry Albuquerqueans traditional dishes like Pad Thai at its Nob Hill location for more than a decade. But this award-winning eatery goes beyond the traditional with unique dishes like deep-fried sesame duck, green tea curry, and Szechwan eggplant, all made from scratch.

PIZZA 9

9100 Central Ave. SE 266-3368, pholinhabq.com Authentic Vietnamese cuisine is the name of the game at this restaurant. Look for pad thai, special noodles (with grilled barbecue shrimp), spring rolls, curry, and papaya salad.

PIATANZI $$

1403 Girard Blvd. NE 792-1700 piatanzi.com A neighborhood Italian eatery with artisan flair, Piatanzi serves up big bites on smallish plates that please families and adventurous foodies alike, in a venue that scores big points.

3422 Central Ave. NE plus 1 other metro location 503-1077, pokipokinm.com Think deconstructed sushi if you’ve never had the traditionally Hawaiian poké. Completely customizable bowls with Latin and Asian fusion are the specialty here. Seven types of fish, twelve sauces, and 22 toppings make for endless combinations atop rice, chips, or a salad. 6105 Gibson Blvd. SE 765-5486, pollitoconpapas.com Get ready for a punch of Peruvian cuisine. The menu is dotted with combinations of chicken, potatoes, and cilantro rice. The chicken is brined in vinegar and cumin for about 10 hours, then fired on a spit. The traditional drink, chicha, makes the perfect complement to any dish. The southeast part of town just inched a bit closer to South America.

PONDEROSA BREWING CO.

POP FIZZ

1761 Bellamah Ave. NW 639-5941, ponderosabrewing.net A sister brew pub to Pints Brewing in Portland, Oregon, Ponderosa features a wide selection of American and German standard beers, with a classic menu of burgers, salads, and innovative appetizers. 6770 Fourth St. NW plus 1 other metro location 433-5440, pop-fizz.net Made in-house from all natural ingredients, kids can’t miss the Mexican paletas (popsicles) and ice cream tacos. For adults, boozy pops, shakes, and beer compliment the small but substantial menu of sandwiches, burritos, and the coveted carne asada fries. Located at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the patio is dog-friendly, and you might see its ice cream truck around the city at summer events.

PRAIRIE STAR RESTAURANT

288 Prairie Star Rd. 867-3327, mynewmexicogolf.com Taking a drive past Bernalillo is a pleasure when you know the visit will include amazing made-fromscratch dishes such as herb-grilled ribeye with chipotle cheddar gratin and New Mexico bisonraised tenderloin. Reservations are recommended.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

BITES

YES, WE SAID ‘MAC & CHEESE BURGER’ Hamburgers are so ubiquitous—so easily accessible—that it is easy to forget just how extraordinary they are. In fact, in the right hands, the burger might just be the absolute zenith of the sandwich arts. And that, folks, is the central thrust behind Bosque Burger. Chef and owner Greg Ritt wants to remind you just how good a burger can be. For that, you can’t really go wrong with anything on the Bosque Burger menu. But here, we want to heap a bit of attention on the BBQ Bacon Mac & Cheese Burger. Yeah, you read that right—this is a burger with actual panko crusted mac and cheese on it.

Bosque Burger 2500 Central Ave SW 350-2117

PRISMATIC COFFEE

BBQ Bacon Mac & Cheese Burger, $10

1761 Bellamah Ave. NW 205-1590, prismatic.coffee This third-wave coffee shop in the sawmill district features a small menu of expertly crafted coffee and the perfect coffee companion, stroopwafels. Beans are roasted and sold in-house with a rotating selection of stroopwafel fillings made fresh.

PUEBLO HARVEST CAFÉ AND BAKERY

$$$

2401 12th St. NW 724-3510, puebloharvestcafe.com The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is the perfect backdrop for the Native American-inspired cuisine prepared in the café, serving traditional and innovative dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are recommended.

PUPUSERIA Y RESTAURANTE SALVADOREÑO $

1701 Bridge Blvd. SW, 243-8194 In El Salvador, pupusas (stuffed corn tortillas) are found on every street corner. In Albuquerque, they can only be found in the South Valley, stuffed with shrimp, calabacitas, cheese, beans, or guacamole and served with a side of fresh salsa and curtidos (a spicy cabbage salad garnish).

QUARTER CELTIC BREWPUB

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

It’s a bit of an unusual addition, piling a rip of cheesygooey goodness atop the hearty Angus chuck patty that forms the core of the burger. Slices of applewood bacon and a splash of Bosque’s house honey bourbon whiskey BBQ sauce elevate the burger even further. And, with the addition of a brand new convection oven, Bosque is now baking all their buns in-house, dialing the flavor and authenticity right on up to 11. —ZB

1100 San Mateo Blvd. NE, #50, plus 1 other metro location, 503-1387, quartercelticbrewpub.com Irish brews like the Crimson Lass and Rye’t Side of Dublin are paired nicely with Celtic pub fare with a New Mexico twist. Must-tries include the classic fish and chips, ruben, shepherd’s pie, and poutine with green chile.

QUARTERS BBQ

801 Yale Blvd. SE, 843-6949 thequartersonyaleblvd.com Feeling hungry? How about 187,000 pounds of ribs and 15,000 pounds of Alaskan King Crab a year, an attached packaged liquor store, a secret sauce recipe, and customers hungry for more? Try the pork spare ribs or hot links.

RANCHERS CLUB OF NEW MEXICO $$$

1901 University Blvd. NE 889-8071, theranchersclubofnm.com With more fine dining awards on their wall than years they’re been in business, the Ranchers Club of New Mexico inside the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque is a meat lovers’ paradise and wine connoisseurs’ promised land. Reservations are recommended.

THE RANGE CAFÉ

320 Central SE plus 5 other metro locations 243-1440, rangecafe.com Locals flock to The Range Café when they’re in search of good, made-from-scratch comfort food, including meatloaf sandwiches, huevos rancheros, enchiladas, ice cream, and the gooey Life by Chocolate dessert.

REBEL DONUT

2435 Wyoming Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 293-0553, rebeldonut.com Not only can you find their set flavors, including their raised glazed, chocolate cake glazed, rebel red velvet, birthday cake, and toasted coconut, but you can also order custom-made donuts or choose to experiment with their daily creations.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

RELISH GOURMET SANDWICHES

8019 Menaul Blvd. NE 299-0001, relishsandwichesabq.com It’s no wonder this sandwich shop has been voted “best” by publications throughout Albuquerque— it serves only the best Boar’s Head meats and all of their dishes are accompanied by homemade sides or soups. Try the Cubano. You won’t be disappointed.

RESTORATION PIZZA

5161 Lang Ave. NE, Ste A 582-2720, restorationpizza.com Here, good food and positive works—delivered simultaneously—is in the very nature of the business. The idea is to provide patrons with top-notch pies and first-rate beers while giving traditionally underemployed individuals work opportunities they would otherwise miss.

RICHARD’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT $$

3301 Menaul Blvd. NE, 881-1039 Mexican favorites—such as carne adovada, relleño, tacos, and green chile enchiladas—cooked in the healthiest, most nutritious, yummiest way possible. Open for breakfast and lunch.

RICHIE B’S PIZZA

7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste A-2 312-8579, richiebsabq.com New York-style pizza has come home to roost in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights. Whether by the slice or by the pie—some of which measure 25 inches in diameter—you’ll need every bit of your appetite when you visit Richie B’s. Not in the mood for pizza? Wrap your hands around a turkey, cheesesteak, or Italian sandwich, topped with its signature Viper sauce, or tempt your sweet tooth with traditional cannoli or New York-style cheesecake

151

BITES RIO BRAVO BREWING COMPANY

1912 2nd St. NW 900-3909 riobravobrewing.com The pub and grill is bright and airy with high ceilings and a modern industrial style, mixed with the cozy rustic feel of a neighborhood bar, with 32 taps, including their award winning La Luz Lager.

ROCKIN’ TACO

3600 Cutler Ave NE 401-1000 greenjeansfarmery.org Rockin’ Taco is housed inside of Albuquerque’s premier indoor/outdoor gathering place, Green Jeans Farmery. With a food truck vibe and an East Coast flare, this hidden gem is elevating the street taco.

ROMA BAKERY & DELI

501 Roma Ave. NW 843-9418, romabakeryanddeli.com You’ll find more than fresh-baked cookies and pastries at this bakery—feast your eyes (and taste buds) on grilled sandwiches and eight fresh deli salads and soups.

ROSEMARY $$

4565 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste A 361-1842, rosemaryabq.com This plant-forward restaurant offers a soothing atmosphere, creative menu, and amazing food. Any menu item can be adapted to meet personal preferences and dietary restrictions.

RUDY’S COUNTRY STORE AND BAR-B-Q

RUTILIO’S NEW MEXICAN FOODS

2321 Carlisle NE plus 1 other metro location 884-4000 rudys.com Texas-style slow cooking over oak is what makes Rudy’s brisket, ribs and sausage so mouthwatering—not to mention the “sause.” Every serving comes with paper towels, unlimited sliced onions and pickles, and bread to mop up the leftover BBQ.

455 N. Main St., Belen 864-0093 Belen Mayor Rudy Jaramillo’s carne adovada is what put Rutilio’s on the map. This hangout serves their perfect pork with rice and beans, stuffed inside burritos and sopaipillas, and layered inside enchiladas and quesadillas. Add Rutilio’s breakfast burritos and classic New Mexican combos, and guests are sure to find something worth campaigning for.

RUSTIC BUBBLE TEA CAFE

SADIE’S OF NEW MEXICO

RUSTIC ON THE GREEN

840 Juan Tabo Blvd. Ste B 505-1813 rusticbubbleteacafe.com Rustic Bubble Tea Café has all of the fundamentals of a bubble tea shop down, of course–the hint is in the name, after all–but what sets the independent Albuquerque startup apart is the Vietnameseinspired menu that accompanies their decadent beverages. 3600 Cutler Ave. NE 315-1148, rusticburger505.com Rustic simplicity is the key for this burger joint at Green Jeans Farmery, serving up five equallycraveable burger options and two different kinds of fries from its minimalist menu. Don’t let the simplicity fool you: this unique eatery does gourmet burgers that has fans coming back for more, including its Day of the Dead burger with a secret “Diablo” puree and the Divine Intervention, topped with bleu cheese and caramelized onions.

15 Hotel Circle NE plus 2 other metro locations 296-6940 sadiesofnewmexico.com A staple in New Mexican cuisine, Sadie’s features enchiladas, carne adovada ribs, tacos, burritos, and of course, world-famous chips and salsa. Reservations are recommended.

SAHARA MIDDLE EASTERN EATERY

2622 Central Ave. SE 255-5400 saharamiddleeasterneatery.com Delectable Middle Eastern plates served up Manhattan-deli style. The chicken shawarma plate, complete with greens, pita, hummus, and awardwinning tabbouleh, is always a good bet. Complete with beer and wine, and belly dancing on weekends, this is a fave of students, locals, and out-of-towners alike.

B e skte n

C h i cn g s

Wi s 2 yaeraorw! in

WINNER

2003 Southern Blvd . SE , Su i te 1 3 9 | Ri o Ra nch o

505. 99 4 . 0 3 63 | S LA T E S T R E E T B ILLIA R D S .C OM 152

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

BITES SAIGON RESTAURANT

6001 San Mateo Blvd. D4, NE plus 1 other metro location 884-0706, saigonrestaurantnm.com Vicky Truong’s secret to 12 years of success has been consistency. Truong maintains an extensive menu that caters to every type of eater. From summer dishes such as noodle bowls to winter mainstays like beef noodle soup, Truong will make sure you find your favorites.

SAKURA SUSHI & GRILL

6241 Riverside Plaza NW 890-2838, abqsakurasushingrill.com Favorites at Sakura are the Stone Pot Bibimbap (which is cooked at the table in a stone pot), the Tiger Roll, the Short Rib, the Baked Lobster Roll, the Sushi Tacos, and the impressive list of sake imported from Japan.

SALATHAI $

3619 Copper Ave. NE, 265-9330 Made-from-scratch, fresh, ingredients and keeping it simple are owner Pitak Pitakkan’s rules to cook by. Pitakkan cooks every menu item himself so don’t go to Salathai in a hurry. Pitakkan’s grandmother taught him to make curry and his curries are a longtime customer favorite.

THE SALT YARD

6001 Osuna Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location 750-9273, thesaltyardnm.com A multi-concept bar and restaurant, The Salt Yard is

equipped with games, dozens of televisions, great food, drinks, and plenty of space to stretch your legs. This unique location is a great place for parties, trying the newest beer and tequila (Blue Agave Republic is now a part of it), or just watching the game.

SAMURAI GRILL AND SUSHI BAR

$$$

9500 Montgomery Blvd. NE 275-6601, abqsamurai.com What’s your pleasure, sushi or teppan? Here, you can have either expertly crafted right in front of you. It’s also where you can get fresh sushi favorites such as the California roll, the dragon roll, and a veggies-and-sushi “Viagra salad” special.

SANTA FE BITE-ABQ

3407 Central Ave. NE 369-1621, santafebite-abq.com

At Santa Fe Bite-ABQ, the green chile cheeseburger is treated with the reverence it deserves, presenting a precision crafted recipe. The details, in fact, are so carefully crafted that even the grilling surface needs to meet certain criteria. Absent a turn on the surface of a custom cast iron grill, it’s just not a Santa Fe Bite burger.

SANTIAGO’S NEW MEXICAN GRILL

1911 Eubank Blvd. NE, 292-8226 It’s in the sauce—Papa Jim’s Taco Sauce, at least— which comes with items such as burritos, tacos, and salsa. This Santiago Scramble—a pile of scrambled eggs, cheese, corn tortillas, chorizo, and hash browns—is great morning fuel. The tamale and enchilada take-and-bake casseroles will please any partygoer. And take a jar of that taco sauce home— after all, you can.

SAVOY BAR & GRILL

$$$

10601 Montgomery Blvd. NE 294-9463, savoyabq.com Resembling a California wine-country bistro, Savoy Bar & Grill is one of Albuquerque’s premier finedining establishments. Specializing in food and wine pairing, Savoy’s menu is a toast to the art of balance of food and wine.

SCARPAS BRICK OVEN PIZZA

5500 Academy Rd. NE 821-1885, scarpaspizza.com That brick oven is cornerstone to this neighborhood favorite, producing pizzas such as the shrimp pesto, the Greek, and the chipotle chicken. But Scarpas also knows pasta, including red chile cream pasta and pasta sorento with oak-roasted chicken.

SEARED $$

119 San Pasquale Ave. SW 999-8414, searedabq.com During the day, the space is Cheese & Coffee, but at night, it gets a makeover and becomes Seared, a fine dining establishment serving up steak, pork loin, and Atlantic Salmon among other things.

SEASONS ROTISSERIE AND GRILL $$$

2031 Mountain Rd. NW 766-5100, seasonsabq.com As the name suggests, Seasons varies its menu in accordance with what’s going on throughout the year, using the finest, freshest ingredients. Depending on what time of year you venture in, you’ll find butternut squash ravioli, grilled Atlantic salmon, and bleu cheese-crusted beef filet. Reservations are recommended.

SERGIO’S LA DOLCE VITA

SHARK REEF CAFÉ

2740 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste 8, 554-2602 Fresh, made-from-scratch cookies, donuts, breads, pastries, cakes, and cannoli are on the mouthwatering menu at this Italian bakery. 2601 Central Ave. NW, 848-7182 To conclude your tour of the Albuquerque Aquarium, grab a seat at this full-service restaurant whose dining room features a view of the oceanic reef exhibit. Catering to visitors, families, and daytime dates, the menu offers simple, fun options. Call ahead for special events, like themed dinners and holiday celebrations.

SHARKY’S FISH & SHRIMP

5420 Central Ave. SW, 831-8905 Slip on your flip-flops and enjoy some Baja–inspired seafood, tacos, and carefree beach house ambiance in this roadside outdoor eatery. Sharky’s won acclaim as the little food truck that could, and this brick-and-mortar locale delivers the goods.

SHOGUN JAPANESE RESTAURANT

3310 Central Ave. SE, 265-9166 When your order of sushi comes around the bend on its floating wooden boat, you couldn’t be happier, whether you’ve ordered the “Super Crunch” (shrimp tempura roll), or the “TNT Roll” (fish, zucchini and onion, baked with spicy mayo and smothered on a California roll).

THE SHOP BREAKFAST & LUNCH

2933 Monte Vista Blvd. NE, 433-2795 Breakfast and lunch at The Shop guarantees a plethora of flavors and textures that are tough to find in the Duke City. Combining down-home Southern staples with Mexican and New Mexican traditions, you’re bound to discover a new appreciation for bacon and eggs.

SIAM CAFÉ

5500 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste 101 883-7334, siamcafeabq.com With its array of freshly-made curries—all made with coconut milk and a wide variety of luscious spices—this restaurant scores high marks with Albuquerqueans who love Thai food.

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

SIXTY-SIX ACRES

2400 12th St. NW 243-2230, sixtysixacres.com If you had to boil Sixty-Six Acres down to two words, they would be “casual” and “classy.” Featuring craft cocktails and a wealth of locally sourced, globallyinspired dishes, Sixty-Six Acres is the ideal spot to grab a relaxed, refined meal.

SLAPFISH $$

6400 Holly Ave. NE plus 1 other metro location 503-1645, slapfishrestaurant.com Have you ever had fish so fresh that it jumped up and tail slapped you in the face? Well, that’s the joke behind the very popular eatery, Slapfish, located in Holly Square. This fast casual gem has gained a great reputation for efficiency, service, flavor combos, and the freshness of their seafood.

SLATE STREET BILLIARDS

2003 Southern Blvd., Ste 139 994-0363, slatestreetbilliards.com Come for the pool, stay for the nachos, and the burgers, and the wings. Rio Rancho’s favorite pool hall also offers has great Happy Hour pricing and plenty of special events.

SLATE STREET CAFÉ

515 Slate Ave. NW, 243-2210 slatestreetcafe.com Slate Street Cafe is a sleek, contemporary eatery that combines big city ambience with inspired, modern cuisine. From the smoked salmon frittata to build-your-own bruschetta to mouthwatering Ahi tuna, their culinary flair will tantalize and delight from breakfast through dinner.

SLICE AND DICE PIZZERIA

SLICE PARLOR

SOO BAK

SPINN’S BURGER & BEER

5720 McMahon Blvd. Ste B 261-2058, sliceanddicepizzeria.com With both a sweeping library of board games and full menu of hot pies and subs, Slice and Dice is a venue for everyone from seasoned players to wideeyed beginners (or people just hungry for some pizza). They provide a space where you can gather with a few friends and take in the twin delights of pizza and board games. 9904 Montgomery Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 232-2808, sliceparlor.com Made-from-scratch pizza dough that is hand stretched daily and cooked on a pizza stone. Have a slice of the old faithful pepperoni pizza; try the Pesto Pizza or the House Calzone. Don’t forget to enjoy the local artwork hanging on the walls. 111 Hermosa Dr. SE 268-0017, soobakfoods.com Serving up a style of food known as “koi fusion”, Soo Bak offers a wide variety of delicious entrees including eight different varieties of kimichi. Try the Soy Crunch Kimichi, which comes with pickled chayote squash, onions, some jalapenos, and fish sauce, apple juice, soy sauce, and vinegar. 4411 Montaño Rd. NW 899-6180, spinnsrestaurant.com Every burger served at Spinn’s is made with never-frozen, fresh-ground Angus beef. Try the restaurant’s signature Armadillo Burger. Spinn’s fries are cut and fried when you order them.

153

BITES SQUEEZED JUICE BAR

7900 San Pedro NE, Ste A-12, plus 2 other metro locations, 821-1437 squeezedjuicebars.com

Incredibly innovative, modern mixed juices, smoothies, and other healthy delights for people on the move and looking for exercise recovery. Three to five pounds of fruit are squeezed into every drink, and it’s all extract, no fillers, and sure to brighten your day.

STEEL BENDER BREWYARD

8305 2nd St. NW 433-3537, steelbenderbrewyard.com The 275-seat brewery has an industrial vibe with cozy undertones. But the Los Ranchos brewery stands apart from competitors based on its wide selection of house made beers and its gourmet menu.

ST. JAMES TEAROOM

$$$

320 Osuna Road NE, Ste D 242-3752, stjamestearoom.com Albuquerque’s long-standing, go-to teahouse, this enveloping, intricately detailed, and authentically British tearoom provides old-fashioned conversation and honest service.

STARR BROS. BREWING

5700 San Antonio Dr. NE, Ste B1 492-2752, starrbrothersbrewing.com With dishes ranging from American favorites to Southern fare, Starr Bros. Brewing is more than an award-winning brewery. It’s turned heads with Poutine Burqueño, a New Mexican take on the Canadian, greasy-spoon classic. The house burger, with high-quality beef and homemade green chile aioli, is a customer favorite.

STEVE’S ICE CREAM AND JAVA

323 Romero St. NW # 16, 242-8445 In addition to a dozen ice cream flavors and an array of sherbets, the ‘chill’ side of the menu boasts delightfully smooth malts and fountain drinks. For those looking for a good cup of Joe, Steve’s also delivers–offering a broad selection of coffees and a full set of espressos.

SUSHI & SAKE

SUSHI KING

4214 Central Ave. SE 797-8000, abqsushiandsake.com With specialty sushi rolls, select Korean favorites, and a family-friendly atmosphere, Sushi & Sake specializes in Asian food with a Korean flair. Also look for non-sushi options, such as teriyaki chicken.

TASTE OF INDIA

1605 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE 294-6342, tasteofindiaabq.com Family recipes modified for American tastes; Taste of India typically dials back the spice a bit. But it’s no misnomer to think of Taste of India as just what the name advertises: a taste of regional flavors, conveyed by people who grew up with them

9421 Coors Blvd. NW, plus 2 other metro locations 890-6200, sushikingnm.com With three locations around Albuquerque, Sushi King proves day-after-day that it is king of the sea, boasting a large variety of specialty sushi rolls, Japanese curry dishes, and monthly menu revisions to keep the options fresh and appealing. Reservations are recommended.

TEOFILOS $$

SUSHI XUAN

3236 La Orilla Rd. NW 492-2244, thaiborannm.com Steeped in spicy tradition, Thai Boran has quickly gained traction as one of the top Thai restaurants Albuquerque has to offer. Thai Boran, which means “Old Thai”, features 53 items on its menu, including five soups, six curries, and five unique dishes off the “Chef’s Collection” section.

417 Tramway Blvd NE #3 200-2477, sushixuannm.com

You’ll find more than tasty sushi here. Diners dig into Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai dishes, too. Sushi Xuan has multiple shipments of fresh fish during the week, and only uses Japanese Kokoro rice, and organic veggies whenever possible.

SUSHIYA $$

2906 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Ste D 275-4777, nmsushiya.com This family-owned and operated restaurant strives to serve up sushi the way you’d find it on the southern California coast. A clean and comfortable atmosphere pairs well with friendly service and some of the thickest cuts of sashimi in the city.

SWISS ALPS BAKERY

3000 San Pedro Dr. NE 881-3063, swissalpsbakery.com Desserts rule, but the sandwiches hit it out of the park. Endless flavors of pastries, tiramisu, and over a dozen cookies line the bakery case. Everything is scratch made including the many varieties of bread and authentic Bavarian style pretzels available on Saturdays. Paninis, grilled, and cold sandwiches round out the sweets with a full espresso bar.

TAAJ PALACE

144 Main St. NW, Los Lunas 865-5511, teofilos.com The restaurant’s generations-old made-fromscratch recipes will draw you to Los Lunas, along with the warm chips, chile rellenos, crème cake, enchiladas, and more, all handmade from scratch.

THAI BORAN

THAI CUISINE 2

THAI KITCHEN

4201 Central Ave. NE 232-3200, thaicuisinenm.com thaicuisinenm.com/home2 Housed in perhaps the most curious A-frame along Route 66, this is the second-coming of a muchbeloved Westside Thai staple, and judging by the fandom, it’s simply better. Be wary of the heat in these dishes, and if you’re vegan/vegetarian, be very, very thankful. 10701 Corrales Rd. NW 890-0059, thaikitchenabq.com Art Xaiyasiha is one of two siblings who crafted one of the Duke City’s first great Thai restaurants, Siam Café. Thai Kitchen is his very own venture, featuring his takes on authentic dishes that taste “just like they do back home.”

THAI SPICE

7600 Jefferson St. SE, Ste 5, 797-1288 Likely the only authentic Laotian sticky rice to be found anywhere in ABQ, this simple menu offers moist, slow roasted chicken and a few frills at prices you can’t beat with a chopstick. The family meal is a steal.

1435 Eubank Blvd NE 296-0109, taajpalacenm.com Taaj Palace is a multifaceted field of flavor and texture, built around the fiery core of the tandoor oven, that serves up a variety of delicious curries, including the widely popular chicken makhani (butter chicken), where tandoori chicken is presented swimming in a creamy tomato sauce.

STORMING CRAB

TACO SAL

THAI TIP RESTAURANT

THAI VEGAN

STICKY RICE

5001 San Mateo Blvd. NE 407-2032, albuquerque.stormingcrab.us Specializing in large, customizable seafood boils rich in Cajun and Atlantic coast flavor, Storming Crab’s selection of dinner combos are encouraged to build their own. Black and green mussels, shrimp, crawfish, white clams, and crab legs can be ordered by the pound.

STRAIGHT UP PIZZA

2801 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste G 796-9343, straightuppizza.com Offering New York style pizza with a New Mexican edge, Straight Up Pizza serves the Northeast Heights with specialty pizzas, unique toppings, and a plethora of options for any pizza connoisseur.

STUFYS $

1107 Candelaria Rd. NW, plus 2 other metro locations 344-1207, stufys.com Tasty stuffed sopaipillas are on the menu of this customer favorite, which has been around since 1968. Each sopaipilla is made with a custom machine invented by the owners, then stuffed with savory fillings.

154

9621 Menaul Blvd. NE, 298-2210 This family-owned and operated restaurant offers tasty, traditional New Mexican (burritos, chile rellenos, enchiladas, tacos, huevos rancheros and more) with its very own chunky salsa, made with real green chile.

TAJ MAHAL CUISINE OF INDIA

TALKING DRUMS

1430 Carlisle Blvd. NE 255-1994, tajmahalabq.com Taj Mahal is filled with all of your Indian favorites, from fresh naan (try the garlic version) to tasty saag paneer. The line goes out the door for the popular lunch buffet. 1606 Central Ave. SE 792-3221, talkingdrumsabq.com Talking Drums restaurant is serving up some unique African and Caribbean fair inspired by a form of communication expressed through specific drumbeats. Though most of the items are traditional, keep an eye out for some New Mexican flare.

7441 Paseo Del Norte NE 503-1521, thaispiceabq.com An extensive menu features authentic Thai favorites like Pad Thai or Thai fried rice. Lunch special includes an egg roll, entrée, and coconut milk tapioca pudding punctuated with an origami rose–topped straw. 1512 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste E, 323-7447 The folks at Thai Tip make grocery store runs three times a day to ensure they have enough fresh ingredients for their delicious rice, Thai-style noodle dishes, stir-fries, and salads. 5505 Osuna Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location 884-4610, thaivegannm.com Utilizing local organic produce, you’ll get some of the healthiest food around, all without sacrificing taste. This non-vegan favorite has hearty offerings and a soy chicken that satisfies even the pickiest of meat eaters.

THEOBROMA CHOCOLATIER

12611 Montgomery Blvd. NE 293-6545, theobromachocolatier.com More than 20 years of experience goes into every morsel of European–inspired chocolate and sweet treat at this 505 sweet-tooth savior. Streamlined and polished, Theobroma has the look of a franchise, but everything is hand-crafted and produced on-site.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

THUNDER ROAD STEAKHOUSE AND CANTINA AT ROUTE 66 CASINO HOTEL

PUT YOUR STORY ON DISPLAY! $$

14500 Central Ave. SW, Laguna Pueblo 352-7888, rt66casino.com Nestled inside this busy casino, you’ll find dishes that are a confluence of cultures at Thunder Road: made-from-scratch salsas, fresh tortillas, Pastel de Tres Leches Cake, Yucatan Tacos, Smoked Baby Back Pork Ribs, and much more.

TIA BETTY BLUE’S

1248 San Mateo Blvd. SE 268-1955, tiabettyblues.com 1940s influence is sprinkled throughout this gem, from the décor to the food. The chile, red or green, is nice and spicy, just like your grandma made it. New Mexican breakfast and lunch items dot the menu (including many gluten-free and vegetarian options), but often have a unique twist, like ranchero blue corn waffles piled high with eggs, carne adovada, and chile. The coffee is fresh, and numerous specialty beverages are poured up daily.

TIA B’S LA WAFFLERIA

TIA JUANITA’S

TINGLEY BEACH CAFÉ

TIO DAVID’S

3710 Campus Blvd. NE 492-2007, lawaffleriaabq.com You’ve never experienced waffles of this magnitude. A residential home-turned-restaurant, anticipate artisan flare (lavender whipped cream, goat cheese, and caramel apple toppings) and plenty of goods for vegans and celiacs.

Were you featured in this issue? Commemorate your story with a modern, frameless display plaque.

Albuquerque International Sunport 2200 Sunport Blvd. SE 842-4280, fresquezcompanies.com Headed on a flight out of ABQ? Stop here for your New Mexican food fix: breakfast burritos, green chile chicken enchiladas, carne adovada. You can even take your green chile to go with the restaurant’s special “thermal bags” for travel. 1800 Tingley Dr. SW 248-8524, cabq.gov For runners and bikers along the Bosque Trail, or for the fishermen that frequent Tingley Beach lakes, the Tingley Beach Café is a well-kept secret for snack seekers, offering fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, pickles, and more. 3409 Central Ave NE 433-4438, tiodavids.com The food on offer on Tio David’s shares notes of similarity with other cuisines, but is an altogether fresh and distinctive entry to the Albuquerque food scene. On the more familiar side of things, they do a first rate Ceviche de Pescado—a dish popular across the globe that originated in Peru.

TOLTEC BREWING

10250 Cottonwood Park NW 890-1455, toltecbrewing.com Culinary duties at Toltec fall to Executive Chef Emma Gibson, who brings her own sophisticated flare to the rich world of pub grub. Regardless of food cravings, be sure to pair your order with a brew. The Cactus Warrior is brewed with agave nectar for a smooth, easy to drink, endlessly approachable pint.

TOMASITA’S $$

4949 Pan American Fwy. NE 344-1204, tomasitas.com Serving family recipes and making traditional dishes with local ingredients, Tomasita’s has been one of the state’s most popular local spots since Georgia Maryol opened it in Santa Fe in 1974.

Choose from one of four edge colors!

• Ships ready to hang, no framing necessary. • Fade-proof, UV resistant. • Printed in vibrant, archival inks. Scan the QR code to visit our store and order your plaque today. Find us online at abqthemag.com

155

BITES TOMATO CAFÉ

7900 San Pedro Dr. NE 821-9300, tomatocafe.com A buffet-style, all-you-can-eat, sit-down restaurant where you create the menu: thin-crust pizzas, pastas, meatballs, steamed broccoli, and Italian green beans cooked over an open flame are just some of the treats.

TORTA WAY

URBAN HOTDOG COMPANY

10250 Cottonwood Park NW, Ste. 440 898-5671, urbanhotdogcompany.com With about 20 choices—and even a vegetarian option—this restaurant has become a dog-lover’s go-to. Look for Chicago and NYC classics, plus adventurous temptations like the Crafty Dog (topped with mac ‘n’ cheese and bacon).

400 Dolores Dr. NW 319-2844, torta-way.edan.io The name tells you most of what you need to know. In particular, that this ought to be your go-to spot for Mexican-style sandwiches loaded with options like al pastor, carne asada, or jamon. As if that weren’t enough, they also do house-made ice cream and paletas, with flavors like mango, piña colada, pistachio, and oreo.

VERNON’S HIDDEN VALLEY STEAKHOUSE $$$

TROMBINO’S BISTRO ITALIANO

VIC’S DAILY CAFÉ

5415 Academy Rd. NE 821-5974, bistroitaliano.com

The former Trattoria Trombino cooks up Italiano autentico, with huge dishes of pasta with homemade sauces, grilled meats and fish, and veal marsala. The cool atmosphere lends relaxation, turning any meal into a vacation. Reservations are recommended.

6855 4th St. NW 341-0831, thehiddensteakhouse.com This unmarked restaurant requires a secret password to gain entrance. Once inside, you’ll discover a world of perfect steaks and gourmet seafood, paired with an unbeatable loungey atmosphere. Reservations are recommended. 3600 Osuna Rd. NE 341-9710, vicsdailycafe.com With a full range of breakfast items, New Mexican favorites, and comfort food, this is a one-stop shop for tasty options like breakfast burritos, meatloaf, and coconut cream pie.

TSAI’S CHINESE BISTRO

VICK’S VITTLES COUNTRY KITCHEN

TULLY’S ITALIAN DELI

VIET TASTE

2325 San Pedro Dr. NE, Ste 1E 508-2925, tsaischinese.com Tsai’s offerings range wide across the traditional (diners especially recommend favorites like the Shrimp Kung Pao or Orange Beef) but those looking for something new to try should make for the Chef’s Specials. 1425 San Mateo Blvd. NE 255-5370, tullysdeli.com This Italian deli serves two-dozen subs for dine-in or pick-up lunch. A fully stocked market features Italian pantry goods from pasta to olive oil. Don’t forget a box of pastries, cookies, biscotti, cake, or a famous cannoli on your way out.

TURTLE MOUNTAIN BREWING COMPANY $$

905 36th Pl. SE, Rio Rancho 994-9497, turtlemountainbrewing.com turtlemountainbrewing.com Known for its handcrafted ales and lagers, which are brewed on the premises, this is more than just a place to enjoy a few drinks. It’s also a great place to enjoy wood-fired pizzas and calzones in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere.

TWO BOYS DONUTS

6400 Holly Ave. NE, Ste H 302-0102, twoboysdonuts.com Regularly stocking more than 30 flavors of donut, Two Boys has particular favorites—like their blueberry cake donut with maple icing and cinnamon sugar—and also brews up Villa Myriam coffee, giving you everything you need for a fullcourse wake-up.

TWO FOOLS TAVERN

3211 Central Ave. NE 265-7447, 2foolstavern.com A taste of the Emerald Isle: fish and chips, bangers and mash, bread pudding, Guinness on tap, and live Celtic music on Sunday afternoons.

UPTOWN SPORTS BAR

6601 Uptown Blvd. NE 884-4714, uptown-sportsbar.com A huge sports venue with wall-to-wall televisions and all the extras—solid American fare alongside a wide selection of local and national beers.

156

8810 Central Ave. SE 298-5143, vicksvittles.com Rustle up your posse and head to Vick’s for heaping helpings of Texas-New Mexico fusion and breakfast served all day. Country comfort meets southwestern flair in an environment that welcomes suits and cowboys alike. Prepare to be stuffed.

WECK’S $$

4500 Osuna Rd. NE, #100, plus 9 other metro locations, 344-1472, wecksinc.com For nearly 20 years, Weck’s has served up huge, tasty portions of breakfast and lunch. Examples: The Original comes with one pound of potatoes mixed with eggs, cheese, and chile; the “Scratch Made” Buttermilk Pancakes are more than seven inches wide.

WESTERN VIEW

6411 Central Ave. NW, 836-2200 With a cozy diner feel and a long history, Western View is turning out plates of diner classics and New Mexican staples—finely seasoned with a sprinkling of Greek options—for diners hungry for both hearty home cooked meals and classic countertop service.

WHICH WICH

WHOLE HOG CAFÉ

8110 Louisiana Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro locations 856-1617, whichwich.com A national brand with local twists, list your favorites on the bag and await a sammie that edges the competition. The UNM location is a student mainstay. 9880 Montgomery Blvd. plus 1 other metro location 323-1688, wholehogcafenm.com Get award-winning Memphis-style barbecue in a family-friendly atmosphere. Can’t-miss items include the pulled pork, potato salad, and the homemade banana pudding.

YANNI’S MODERN MEDITERRANEAN $$

5721 Menaul Blvd. NE, 888-0101 pwbportal.us/viet-taste-abq With more than 100 menu options—noodle and rice dishes, eight varieties of Pho, coconut shakes, and many more—this restaurant is true to its name, offering a real taste of Vietnamese cuisine.

3109 Central Ave. SE 268-9250, yannisabq.com Impeccable Mediterranean cuisine paired with a fresh atmosphere that whisks you away to Grecian shores, you can always count on Yanni’s for savory spanakopita, perfect pasta, and other delicious treats. Reservations are recommended.

VIET PHO

YASMINE’S CAFÉ

THE YELLER SUB

4208 Menaul Blvd. NE, 717-2359 This Vietnamese-based cuisine restaurant offers a homey feel and Southeast Asian comfort food. Try the popular Beef Pho Soup or go for a lighter dish like the Shrimp Spring Rolls.

VILLAGE PIZZA

3200 La Orilla Rd. NW, E-2 plus 1 other metro location 219-3766, villagepizzanm.com Family owned and operated, Village Pizza offers salads, nachos, calzones, pasta, and of course, signature pizzas, along with an all-you-can-eat buffet.

VINAIGRETTE $$ 1828 Central Ave. SW 842-5507, vinaigretteonline.com

Getting in touch with your “green” side has never been as hip as it is at Albuquerque’s newest go-to salad bistro. Vinaigrette offers a menu full of unique salads made with fresh produce from owner Erin Wade’s farm in Nambè. Items like The Nutty Pear-Fessor and the Asian Chopped Salad don’t sacrifice deliciousness just because they’re healthy. Expect one of 17 vinaigrette dressings to be perfectly paired with your salad.

VINTAGE 423

8000 Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NE 821-1918, vintage-423.com

Decorated with plush booths, black and white photos of vintage cars, a glass wine cellar wall, and an outdoor patio with couches and fireplaces, Vintage 423 is a goto location for good eats and happy hour—all year long.

1600 Central Ave. SE, 242-1980 Yasmine’s is one of the few places in Albuquerque with shawarma—pitas filled with marinated chicken or beef that’s been pressed, stacked and cooked slowly on a rotisserie. Also try lamb and beef shish kababs, baba ghanoush, fatah, and four varieties of baklava. 7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE 888-9784, yellersub.com Owner Mark Roerick has been perfecting his sandwiches since 1979 and the customer favorite, Steak & Grilled Onions Sub proves it. The potato chips, fries, and onion rings made from scratch the old-fashioned way sure won’t let you down.

ZINC WINE BAR AND BISTRO

$$$

3009 Central Ave. NE 254-9462, zincabq.com Imaginative, gourmet cuisine (think: duck confit eggrolls, chicken skewer salad, and pine nut spanakopita) and an out-of-this-world wine list meets a friendly, laid-back atmosphere at this Nob Hill favorite. Reservations are recommended.

ZORBA’S FINE GREEK CUISINE

11225 Montgomery Blvd. NE 323-2695, zorbasabq.com The family behind University area favorite, Olympia Café, have relocated their tasty homemade Greek food to the Northeast Heights. Try the Southwestern Gyros or the enduring customer favorite, the pork, chicken, or lamb kebob.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

AESTHETICS TOP DOC PAID ADVERTISEMENT

NICHOLAS LAM, M.D.

Dr. Nicholas Lam, the medical director of Albuquerque’s very own AlluraDerm MD Med Spa, has been named TOP DOC by Albuquerque The Magazine for the fifth year in a row! Dr. Lam has also been the #1 provider of Botox®, Juvéderm® and Voluma™ in the state for six consecutive years as well as the only physician in the state to be ranked among the Top 50 providers in the country for the past three years. With this many accolades you can trust that you will receive the best possible treatment when you visit him at AlluraDerm. Although AlluraDerm is locally owned and operated, Dr. Lam is a trainer in aesthetics injection and takes part in an advisory committee for the makers of Botox® to aid in decision making for the global brand. Dr. Lam’s passion for empowering people helps to bring out the version of themselves they most want to see!

Dr. Lam helps take patients to the next level and feel more confident in themselves and it shows: One patient said, “I had never posted on social media until I met Dr. Lam. He gave me the confidence to do so!” Another patient said “I work out a lot, and Dr. Lam does amazing work to match my face to my body.” When asked what makes him so successful, Dr. Lam replies, “I have an amazing team that has the same drive to provide positivity to my patients and I am extremely fortunate to be given the opportunity to bring the same positivity into my patient’s life.” It is no wonder that Dr. Lam is once again the TOP DOC in aesthetic medicine in New Mexico. AlluraDerm MD Med Spa | 9501 Paseo Del Norte NE, Suite B, Albuquerque NM 87122 | (505) 821-9630 | alluraderm.com

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

157

158

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

‘TIL YOU DROP P. 160 | THE PAWS BUTTON P. 166 | PASSENGER WINDOW P. 172 | PHOTO CONTEST P. 175 | A FEW THINGS P. 176

GIFTS THAT UPLIFT Despite a delayed grand opening (thanks a lot, pandemic), The Perfect Gift...Shoppe is finding traction in Old Town with a blend of bespoke and worldly items that anyone would be proud to, well, gift (p. 164).

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

OUT AND ABOUT: YOUR GUIDE TO SHOPPING IN THE DUKE CITY

159

Look good Feel good

‘TIL YOU DROP

YOUR INSIDER’S GUIDE TO ABQ’S SHOPPING SCENE

Tips to be a better you...

OU R

Q: A:

RT PE

“WITH SUMMER JUST AROUND THE CORNER, I’M MORE AND MORE INTERESTED IN COSMETIC VEIN TREATMENTS THAT CAN HELP GET MY LEGS IN TOP SHAPE FOR SUNNY WEATHER. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE I GO?” O UR E

Dr. Robert Cutchen Albuquerque Vein & Laser Institute 5110 Masthead NE 848-8346 albuquerquevein.com

“First, let me just say: if anyone has any kind of discomfort in their leg, it may be more than a cosmetic problem and more likely a kind of medical issue we’re dealing with. Larger veins are diagnosed with ultrasound and the treatment of those veins is largely based on the goal of alleviating discomfort. Varicose veins cause a heavy, achy tired feeling, so treating large veins like that is focused on helping the leg feel better. Little veins—spider veins—are always cosmetic, and they’re treated a couple of different ways. We most commonly perform sclerotherapy, which is where you take a little tiny needle and you inject liquid medication that chemically irritates the vein and causes them to close and fade. That fading process occurs over time and generally requires multiple treatments. So when you treat an area, it often looks worse for a couple weeks, and then we’ll watch it fade all the way out. Most people need three to five spider vein treatments but some people may need more like 10 or 12. When it comes to veins on the face, we use a procedure called Veinwave—we use a little handheld machine which has a tiny, flexible electrolysis needle. It emits a radio frequency that causes a happy feeling and it works really well for facial veins. The third way to treat these cosmetic veins is when they surface laser. Basically, that’s going to be done by a laser technician holding up a laser handpiece and kind of walking along those veins and zapping them with laser light. That kind of feels snappy, like a rubber band.”

160

ll By Kelli Trapne

XP ER T

Dr. Michael Harding The Vein Center of New Mexico 801 Encino Pl NE, #C-12 247-4749 veincenternm.com

“Spider veins, or surface veins, are what you can see with your eyes. There’s pressure that’s causing that cosmetic appearance. I sort of break it up into three layers: you have the surface veins, which feed into what we call the superficial veins, and then the superficial veins feed into what we call the deep veins, and the deep veins are what feed the blood to the heart and lungs. The American or first-world lifestyle which we choose, which basically is sitting or standing at our jobs, has these outward manifestations. It’s very rare for someone to come in and see me for spider veins and not have some underlying symptoms. That typically will lead me to an analysis of what’s going on underneath the skin, looking for venous reflux disease in these superficial and deep veins. Because it makes no sense for me to treat the spider veins, if you’re not first understanding and tackling the underlying problem. That said, to treat these spider veins, you can use scleratants to scar down the veins using a tiny-gauge needle. The final product of what you’re doing won’t be self-evident for maybe up to 6 months. If you’re planning on going to Cancun next week, this is not the time to get treatment. It’s going to look worse before it gets better. Most of these folks need more than one treatment per leg—it depends on where you catch them at the stage of this condition. So you’ll need to time it right.” WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

“Spider veins are those tiny little veins that you’ll see—they’re very superficial—in the skin. Varicose veins are larger veins, sometimes maybe the size of a pencil or the size of your finger. Those occur because there are valves in those veins that keep the blood from pooling. When those valves fail, the blood pools in those veins and causes the veins to dilate. The sclerotherapy injection works for both types of vein—it causes inflammation on the inside of that vein and then that vein just collapses. For the varicose veins, it’s important to, after the treatment, wear compression hose or stockings, which pushes that vein closed for long enough for it to seal itself off. We also do laser vein treatments. The wavelength of the laser light is very specific for those veins. It actually just heats them up and seals them off. That’s appropriate for very tiny spider veins; it does not work well for the varicose veins. With the injections, you get the needle in the vein and its going to flow up the vein and throughout all those little spider veins, but with the laser, you have to fire and heat up all along the course of that vein, and that’s a lot of pulses, and it can be pretty uncomfortable. So we reserve that kind of treatment for the small veins that we can’t quite get a needle into. There are facilities that specifically treat the larger varicose veins, and they treat them a number of different ways. They can sometimes put a probe inside of a larger vein which uses a radio frequency or laser to seal that vein off internally. Sometimes they will remove a vein; it’s called vein stripping. But I’m not sure how often that’s done anymore. For sclerotherapy, the range of success is for larger spider veins or smaller varicose veins. For smaller spider veins, the laser works well. Most of all, I think that it’s important to have a medical professional evaluate, whether it is for spider veins or anything else, whether a certain treatment is good for that particular patient.”

T ER P X

OU R

‘TIL YOU DROP

[

Dr. Dean Bair Bair Medical Spa 8810 Holly Ave NE, Suite F, 881-1532 bairmedicalspa.com

[

Want to look good and feel good? Send us your questions, and we’ll ask the city’s experts, lookgoodfeelgood@abqthemag.com

SUNCARE spray tan and skin care salon

KYSS by Mystic Tan. Worlds most advanced spray tan in minutes. 9370 Coors Blvd. NW 897-7520 5555 Montgomery Blvd. NE 883-8090 111 Rio Rancho Blvd. NW 899-5205

suncareabq.com APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

161

‘TIL YOU DROP

We Find It FOR YOU ll By Kelli Trapne

QUESTION Living in New Mexico amazing. What can I give my out-of-state friends share my love of the land enchantment?

ANSWER is to to of

These New Mexico-themed gifts will be sure to enchant them!

FOR THE FRIEND WHO THINKS ALBUQUERQUE IS IN ARIZONA We all have that one geographically-challenged friend, don’t we? No matter how many times you explain the Land of Enchantment, they just can’t recall that you live in New Mexico, not Arizona. Next time you exchange gifts, present them with this gorgeously engraved tumbler. At twelve ounces, it’s big enough for a generous pour of your favorite liquid—and for a map of the whole city center to fit artfully on the container. Depending on where you live, you might even be able to find your own street in the design! Plus, the design line includes a beautiful stemless wine glass and large hot beverage tumbler as well. All are lovingly designed and crafted in the USA, which is something to celebrate, no matter where in America you call home.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Albuquerque Map Wine Tumbler, $29.50 Strive 8000 Paseo Del Norte Blvd NE, Suite C14 821-4999 strive-abq.com

162

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

‘TIL YOU DROP FOR THE FRIEND WHO CAN’T FIND SOPAIPILLAS IN HIS CITY Hand-made just like your favorite sopaipillas, this soap smells so convincingly reminiscent of the flaky, buttery treat that you might just find your mouth watering. Chip Saltman, owner of North Albuquerque’s aptly-named “Yes, It’s Soap,” makes these life-like squares of honey-fragranced goodness—the palmsize soaps even look like real sopaipillas, complete with toasty light brown spots. Don’t worry, though. These delights come wrapped so sweetly that you won’t get confused—this ‘soap-apilla’ is tied with a bright yellow ribbon and a wooden honey dipper for that extra little touch. If you’re gifting to a friend who loves our New Mexico culture, they’re sure to give a knowing, warm embrace to these goodies. Honey-Scented “Soap-apilla” Soap, $10.95 Scojos 8000 Paseo Del Norte Blvd NE, Suite C8 828-0360 scojosgifts.com

FOR THE ESTRANGED NEW MEXICAN LOOKING FOR SOME FALL VIBES Whether you’re into red, green, or Christmas, the whole state of New Mexico takes on a specific, homey, unmistakable scent in the early fall when the newly-harvested chiles begin roasting. A superbly-scented green chile candle is made by Seraparito Supply Co., an ABQ retailer whose goal is to celebrate all things New Mexico. Each of the transportive candles burns for about 30 hours, which is more time than your friends who have moved out of New Mexico would ever have spent waiting in the Smith’s parking lot for their chiles to roast. (We hope so, anyway.) You can get the hand-poured, eight-ounce soy candle at Brotique 505 next time you grab a bite to eat or a beer over at Green Jeans Farmery. But be quick about it! These bad boys sell like, well, like freshly roasted green chile in late August. Green Chile Candle by Seraparito Supply Co., $15 Brotique 505 3600 Cutler Ave NE, #14 257-5043 brotique505.com

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

163

The Perfect Gift...Shoppe 901 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Suite D-126 243-6968 theperfectgiftshoppe.com

alking into The Perfect Gift… Shoppe feels like stepping into your most sophisticated friend’s house, which is exactly what the store’s self-styled proprietress, Kimberly Heimerich, wants. Everywhere you look in this warm, stylish space, there’s a new object of beauty to admire, to pin your shopping dreams on. From items like intricate, handmade wooden puzzles to thin, elegant crystal champagne flutes to cute sets of stationery printed on thick card stock, The Perfect Gift… Shoppe lives up to its name. Heimerich started off at St. James Tea Room, quickly working her way up from being on the shop floor to making purchases as the store’s buyer and manager under the tea room’s owner, Mary Anne Higbie. Then, in August 2019, she decid-

164

Shop Talk

Despite a grand opening delayed by COVID-19, this Old Town retailer has found a niche by offering unique, well-crafted items. ed she would open her own store. She found the perfect space, in the Plaza off Rio Grande Avenue in Old Town, and got everything ready for her projected open date: April 1, 2020. Her last day at the tearoom was March 17th. The state went into lockdown on March 19th. “Whether my timing was good or bad, well, you know, it was just one of those things,” she said. Heimrich had to push the store’s original open date back, but finally, after months of planning and waiting, The Perfect Gift… Shoppe officially opened its doors on June 1st, 2020. It was slow at first, mostly because all of Albuquerque—and the rest of the country—was still hesitant to go out except for necessities. She did well on holidays, like Father’s Day and Fourth of July, but it

wasn’t really until fall of 2020 that her foot traffic really started to pick up. Heimrich has a particular criteria for the items she chooses to stock in her store. Though she credits her training at the St. James Tea Room for teaching her what people like to buy, she felt a little restricted by the shop’s theme after a while—it is hard to keep buying for such a strict theme as Victorian England. “I looked for things with a good price point, things that I just wanted to have,” she said. “I want you to be able to walk around and enjoy everything visually— the merchandise, my setup, anything.” Heimrich’s setups themselves are indeed part of The Perfect Gift… Shoppe’s allure. A satisfying blend of elegant touches juxtaposed by natural elements—like the local wood used in her center display, WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

‘TIL YOU DROP

or the collection of singed maps on one wall, the stacks of wine crates arranged lovingly in the back corner of the store. What makes The Perfect Gift... Shoppe so special is not only Heimrich’s careful eye for products, but also the way she arranges everything in what she calls “Controlled Chaos.” “What’s funny is that people come in and they’ll want my displays,” she said, laughing. “For example, a woman came in and was interested in my china cabinet. She jokingly said, ‘I’m not leaving here until I have that piece of furniture!’” She has a few specific items which are her current favorites—she loves the Russian China that she keeps stocked in an intricate pattern called Cobalt Net—but she’s always finding new things for the shop that spark her interest. There is one particular piece in the store which holds more sway than any other object she has found yet—a handmade leather and iron chair that sits in the back corner of The Perfect Gift... Shoppe. “This chair that I’m sitting in is a big one,” she said. “I saw this about four or five years ago at a fire show. I said, ‘I don’t know how, I don’t know when, but one day I will possess that chair.’” True to her word, Heimrich’s chair now lives happily in The Perfect Gift... Shoppe, and unlike the rest of her display items, her customers can actually take the chair home if they’d like, or one like it, at least, so long as they’re willing to wait for their special order to come in. Heimrich feels optimistic about this year, and about the future of The Perfect Gift... Shoppe, but for now, she just feels proud of her work so far. “It’s nice that I’ve been able to have my dream,” she said. “One night, I closed for the day, and I had all the back lights off but I still had the lamps on and I sat here in this chair, and I just looked out in my little space and took it in. This is mine. I worked for this.”—KELLI TRAPNELL APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

165

THE

PAWS BUTTON

KEEPING TABS ON ABQ’S FURRY FRIENDS

Four-Legged Obedience

166

Jessica Harder Leeson (left) and the rest of the AHNM Behavior Team (photo above), including clockwise from left, Justin Bradshaw, Leeson, Erin Long and Paul Von Soosten.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

essica Harder Leeson unofficially began the training for her current career as a teenager. “I grew up in a family where we always had shelter dogs or strays that literally were picked up off the side of the road,” she says. “Any animal that was in need ended up in my family.” Such was also the case with Mopsie, a dog who was emaciated and abandoned when Leeson found her and took her into her family’s home. As time progressed, Mopsie executed a rescue of her own, helping Leeson ease the difficulty of a family move from California to New Mexico during her high school years. The desire to learn more about Mopsie’s canine mindset sent Leeson into full-blown research mode, a venture that continues to this day. “She got me through a really difficult time in my life of transition,” Leeson says. “I checked out every single dog behavior book from the library that I could at 16. She really drove me to learn about dogs in a way that I hadn’t prior to that.” Today, Leeson is the Shelter Behavior Manager at Animal Humane New Mexico, where she works as part of a four-person team—along with Paul von Soosten (Senior Behavior Specialist), Erin Long (Behavior and Cat Program Specialist) and Justin Bradshaw (Assistant Behavior Specialist)—to help prepare sheltered pets for adoption. Each member of the behavior team started at Animal Humane as Adoptions Advisors and learned animal handling and assessment skills from the professional trainers that preceded them. All told, the group possesses approximately 25 combined years of experience within the shelter and handles thousands of animals on a yearly basis. Leeson herself has worked with animals for 13 years—seven at Animal Humane—and is in the process of pursuing a master’s degree in applied animal nehavior. The learning, which began in earnest with Mopsie, never stops. “The ‘why’ behind what we do is imperative to us as a team,” Leeson says. “We’re constantly pursuing continuing education

in the form of reading new books, as well as attending conferences and webinars to learn from the most brilliant minds in our field. We really value staying up to date on the newest, best, and most humane practices in animal behavior.” A stay in Animal Humane’s behavior modification program generally lasts two weeks—though it can vary depending on the pet’s background—and Leeson and her staff “graduate” on average six to eight dogs and cats per month for adoption. It’s a common misconception that rescue animals come with more problems than your average pet. According to Leeson, many of these pets come from differ-

ent circumstances that must be identified and defined. “What shelter pets do come with are typically unknown backgrounds if they’ve entered our care as a stray, a transfer from another shelter, or an owner surrender where perhaps the owner had passed away and a family member is bringing the dog in,” she says. “So it’s our job to learn as much as we can about that pet in the shelter environment in order to set them up for a successful home in the future. “We can’t learn everything about them here, as it’s so different from a home environment, but we do our best to get to know each pet as an individual. Some anWWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

imals who’ve been surrendered by their owner come with much more information about their history, but it’s important to keep in mind that behavior is contextual and can change when the environment changes.” Leeson says the biggest behavioral issue at the center is “dog-directed reactivity” (when dogs bark, lunge, or growl at other dogs). This is often mistaken for aggression, when it’s actually more playful in nature, she explains. “We work with the dogs on this by teaching them alternative behaviors to be reinforced for, such as looking at their handler for a treat, or holding a toy in their mouth,” Leeson says. “We also work on making sure the needs of extremely social dogs are met by facilitating playgroups with other friendly shelter dogs— that often dramatically decreases reactivity.” The other most common issue for both dogs and cats is fear, whether that be of humans, handling, the shelter environment, or all of the above. “We work through this using counter conditioning and desensitization, teaching the pets that they can make the choice to approach something scary, or not, and associating that scary thing with something that’s positive for them, like treats or toys,” Leeson explains. No matter the situation and how difficult the case might initially seem, Leeson wants to emphasize that any pet is capable of being trained. “The science of behavior change is applicable to dogs, cats, people, and even butterflies,” she says. “We find that the best way to change behavior is by managing the pet’s environment to set them up for success, combined with heavily reinforcing the behaviors we want to see — such as laying calmly, walking nicely by our sides, coming when called, or scratching their scratching post.” Leeson herself might be a little biased when it comes to rescue animals (Mopsie is battling heart issues but still alive at 14), but she strongly believes anyone who adopts one of these pets will be in for a rewarding experience. “I think they change your life. Getting to know an animal based on what you’re seeing in front of you, not knowing their background, having them learn to trust you and building a relationship with them is just a really beautiful thing.” —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

167

PET OF T H E MONTH

PET OF THE MONTH ATM readers’ furry, fuzzy, feathered, or scaly best friends. This month's winner: Louie

ong ago, an intrepid adventurer by the name of Bradley Nowell set out on a perilous journey. His goal: to drive from Long Beach, California to the fabled city of Garden Grove. No one knows how the trip ultimately went, but we do know one thing: it smelled like Lou Dog inside the van. Decades later, that fateful expedition is still remembered— so much so that one local family decided to name their newest furry friend Louie, in honor of Nowell and his pooch Lou. Sublime-fan Jesse Jones and family adopted Louie in the summer of 2020. As Jones explains, adding a dog to the mix had been on the family’s minds for a while, but the lockdown helped push the process along. “Louie was the first and only dog we saw,” recalls Jones. “He was very friendly and, more importantly, he was really good with my son.” A two-year-old cattle dog mix, Louie lives his life a little like a taut rubber-band, ever ready to snap into a fit of playful energy. “He runs laps [around our backyard] spontaneously,” says Jones. “He has amazing amounts of energy.” When not running laps, Louie plays with Jones’ twoyear-old son, Oliver, and has also been known to join the family on the couch for some serious snuggle time. Friendly, full of energy, and eager to please, this pooch might just give truth to Nowell’s famous words: “Living with Louie Dog’s the only way to stay sane.” —ZB

Is your pet ATM’s next Pet of the Month? Send a photo and short story about why you think your pet belongs in these pages to petofthemonth@abqthemag.com.

168

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

www.floorscapesnm.com

Albuquerque's most recommended flooring store.

505.857.0438

Our work for

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

169

170

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

PIECE OF T H E PAST

JOHN MARSHALL CENTER

The stately Barelas landmark doesn’t look a day over 99—and continues to house city programs for those in need.

programs,” says Otero. “Looking back to when COVID initially hit, one of our programs allowed us to help clients all the way up to $5,000 worth of back rent and utilities. We’ve been doing quite a bit of work and our staff has been phenomenal.” Even after the pandemic recedes, the work done by the staff out of this center will surely continue touching the hearts of

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

many. “The current stuff that we do right now is eviction prevention, utility assistance, we run food banks, clothing banks, and a hygiene bank,” says Otero, whose dad taught defensive driving classes at the center in the ‘80s. “We also help with household items when they’re available to the public. You name it, we do it here.” —SAKARA GRIFFIN

PHOTOS BY DON JAMES/ATM

hat’s a grand, red brick building doing on a uniform block of adobe houses? On Walter Street, those familiar with the edifice just south of downtown ABQ know the answer: providing nearly a century of public service. Built in 1922, the two-story structure housed John Marshall Elementary School until 1969, when Albuquerque Public Schools released the building for community service. “It became occupied by the Economic Opportunity Board and began its use as [a] social services center,” says Jeannette C. Otero, manager of John Marshall Health and Social Services Center, the building’s current deployment. While the missions have changed over the years, the building’s genesis remains. Original wooden molding still frames doorways and other design spaces. Vintage chalkboards and coat hanging closets are still in place in some of the classrooms. The current layout of the social services center was undoubtedly meant to preserve the original structure’s integrity and design. To modernize and maintain access for the disabled, the interior has been updated. “The building was remodeled in 1983,” says Otero. “They subdivided the classrooms and moved things around a lot.” The building’s facade changed, too. Old photos and memorabilia reveal that the brick walls were once painted in a vibrant turquoise, but as remodels continued, the traditional red bricks were once again exposed. The design was done by Trost and Trost Architects, a firm that created numerous iconic buildings throughout the Southwest in the early 20th century—including Albuquerque’s First National Bank Building and the original Albuquerque High School. The center’s contribution to helping the city of Albuquerque was apparent during the pandemic, as cars lined up for blocks leading to the venue so that people could receive aid. “We’ve been able to help all kinds of clients with several different

171

THE

PASSENGER WINDOW

AN ODE TO HOT LAVA Originally designed as a day-or-night spectacle, the volcano-inspired Unser Boulevard median still offers motorists a scarlet twinkle.

172

and is undoubtedly an eye-catching work for those who don’t know its meaning — and for those who do. However, the median art has lost some of its luster over the years due to Albuquerque’s heavy monsoon downpours. As a result, a lighting system that once existed underneath the red glass has been corroded by the ele-

ments. Replacing that setup on a yearly basis is an undertaking that, understandably, has not been made a priority. Like Albuquerque’s real volcanoes, the median lava flow art project has gone dark. But both remain points of interest in the city well past their inception. —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

s unlikely as it may seem now, the Duke City was once a hot spot for volcanic activity. Somewhere between 155,000 and 220,000 years ago, a series of fissure eruptions (when magma emerges, typically without any explosive activity, from thin cracks or linear vents in the earth’s crust) led to the formation of what is now known as the “Albuquerque Volcanoes” or “The Three Sisters.” These types of eruptions are considered relatively rare, but still occur today in places like Hawaii and Iceland. They can extend for miles, and leave behind numerous cinder cones. In Albuquerque, the fissure is more than five miles long. In most volcanic eruptions, magma usually rises through a vertical central vent. Today, visitors can traverse multiple trails which encircle the volcanoes at the Volcano Day Use Area as part of the Petroglyph National Monument. Those who hike the area can stand on the top of the small volcanoes and view how the lava flows covered the slopes of the cinder cones. If you’re not in the mood for a hike, there’s another way to enjoy the effect of the lava flow caused by the Albuquerque Volcanoes while remaining within city limits, though many may have probably unwittingly passed by this display without knowing its purpose. Located on the median of Unser Boulevard NW just north of Montano Boulevard, and running a distance of approximately 1,100 feet, is a landscaped tribute to molten lava that is highlighted by elevated, uneven concrete and jagged red lines filled with colored glass meant to symbolize the flow from an eruption. The design was part of an overall development project for Unser Boulevard that began in 2006. The lava flow art was a collaborative effort of a design team that included artists and others who contributed to different elements of the overall project throughout the area. During the day, the structure still looks roughly the same as it did a decade ago,

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

173

ADVERTISING REGISTRY Inn of the Mountain Gods..................................................................................35 3 Advertising........................................................................................................34 About Seniors Complete Moving Services, LLC...............................................46 Albuquerque Florist...........................................................................................68 Albuquerque Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.....................................................27 Albuquerque Public Schools...............................................................................43 All World Travel...................................................................................................19 AlluraDerm........................................................................................................157 Animal Humane Association............................................................................ 143 Assistance League................................................................................................54 Big 98.5...............................................................................................................61 Blackbird Coffee House......................................................................................12 Blue Rose Photography...................................................................................... 56 Bosque Aesthetics/Prickley Pear Skin......................................................9,10,144 Brown's Parts & Automotive..............................................................................66 Bubba's 33.......................................................................................................67,141 California Closets...............................................................................................50 Candlestick Coffee Roasters...............................................................................12 Catopia Cat Cafe..................................................................................................12 Corona Hard Seltzer............................................................................................73 Cosmetic Dentistry of New Mexico: Dr. Byron Wall........................................2,3 CPR Cell Phone Repair......................................................................................129 Crystal Springs.............................................................................................62, 97 Cutbow Coffee.....................................................................................................12 Dave's Valley Grill.............................................................................................. 137 Dos Equis...........................................................................................................114 Duke City Software...........................................................................................142 Empower Pilates Studio...................................................................................... 31 Epiphany Espresso..............................................................................................12 Espresso Fino...................................................................................................... 13 Ethan Allen Furniture.........................................................................................17

174

Exhibit Solutions of New Mexico......................................................................23 Facility Pump Repair..........................................................................................99 Floorscapes....................................................................................................... 169 Fuego 102.9........................................................................................................96 Garcia's Kitchen........................................................................................... 141,145 Gathering of Nations..........................................................................................37 Glam Nail Bar & Spa...........................................................................................38 Good Samaritan Society-Manzano del Sol Village...........................................46 Houston Wholesale Cars, LLC..........................................................................4,5 Inspire Salon.......................................................................................................57 Java Joe’s. ............................................................................................................. 13 Jericho Nursery....................................................................................................71 Kubota Tractor Inc....................................................................Inside Back Cover La Vida Mocha..................................................................................................... 13 Laguna Burger....................................................................................................40 Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry....................................................................Back Cover Little Bear Coffee Company................................................................................ 13 Los Poblanos Inn/ Campo................................................................................147 Meals on Wheels.................................................................................................47 Merry Maids...................................................................................................... 6,7 Mesa Tractor........................................................................................................55 Mix 105.1............................................................................................................103 Molly's Bar.........................................................................................................129 Montessori One Preschool................................................................................ 65 Moons Coffee & Tea............................................................................................ 13 MorningStar Senior Living of Albuquerque......................................................45 Mrs. Clean...........................................................................................................21 National Museum of Nuclear Science and History........................................... 31 New Mexico Orthopaedic Surgery Center.......................................................158 New Mexico Sports & Wellness .....................................................................158 Optimum Health................................................................................................15

Osuna Nursery....................................................................................................39 Paixao Nail & Beauty Bar................................................................................... 58 Pour Vida Coffee.................................................................................................. 13 Power 100.9.......................................................................................................167 Power Ford..........................................................................................................69 Prickly Pear Skin/Bosque Aesthetics........................................................9,10,144 Radiology Associates of Albuquerque................................................................41 Red Rock Roasters............................................................................................... 13 Route 66 Casino......................................................................Inside Front Cover Route 66 Cleaners.............................................................................................165 Rudy's Country Store & BBQ........................................................................... 137 Sacred Garden.....................................................................................................36 Satellite Coffee . .................................................................................................. 13 Slate Street Billiards..........................................................................................152 Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits.....................................................................131 Southwest Women's Oncology......................................................................74,75 Southwestern HR Consulting........................................................................... 59 Stan’s Coffee & Scones........................................................................................ 13 SunCare Spray Tan & Skin Care Salon............................................................. 161 Tamashi............................................................................................................. 140 Taylor Garrett Whiskey..................................................................................... 8,9 Tecate Alta..........................................................................................................148 The Shop Breakfast & Lunch.............................................................................60 The Watermark at Cherry Hills...........................................................................47 Trifecta Coffee Company..................................................................................... 13 Ultimate Syn-Turf & Landscape Management.................................................64 University of New Mexico Athletic Department..............................................170 Whispering Bean................................................................................................. 13 WisePies............................................................................................................ 173 Zen Coffee............................................................................................................ 13

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

PHOTO CONTEST

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN By Jeff Puterbaugh

lbuquerque is, first and foremost, a city. That, in any event, is the target at which the name Albuquerque points: a living, breathing collection of people and the things they build. But it’s also situated in and around some pretty stunning natural features. The Sandias rise to the east as the Bosque follows the Rio Grande down through the middle of town—features highlighted by this month’s photo, taken by Jeff Puterbaugh on an iPhone XR. Puterbaugh is a regular runner, setting out when the sun is just winking out of the east whenever possible. This, he says, is the best time to spot some of the wildlife that calls the Bosque home. “I particularly like running off the paved trail and getting into the Bosque,” says Puterbaugh. “The crows know me there.” This particular shot—the sky aflame over the Sandias as the barren arms of ancient cottonwoods reach skyward over a dry vineyard—called to him while travelling down Rio Grande Boulevard for an a.m. run at the Alameda Open Space. “On my way I passed this spot on Rio Grande Boulevard and was taken by the intense ‘fire’ over the mountain,” says Puterbaugh. “I pulled over and grabbed a few shots while the sun was at its most intense. This was my favorite of the shots and a reminder of why New Mexico is often referred to as the ‘Land of Enchantment.’’—ZB

Enter ATM’s photo contest and see your photo featured in our PHOTO OF THE MONTH! Submissions should include one high-resolution digital file sent by email. All photos sent to ATM will be property of the magazine and will not be mailed back to sender. All entries should include your name and phone number. Please include a bio and a brief description of how the photo was taken. Email entries to: photocontest@abqthemag.com

APRIL 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

175

AFew

9. I started in the media business in radio, producing late night talk shows at WBZ in Boston (one of the hosts was Tom Bergeron, who went on to host “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Dancing With The Stars”). We had a blast.

10.

With

GENE GRANT

Host “New Mexico In Focus,” KNME, Ch. 5 The list of Gene Grant’s passions can wrap around a city block. Building, talking, writing, traveling, hockey and football, for starters. But the longtime KNME, Ch. 5 talk show host reserves perhaps his most fervent interest for anything with a steering wheel. “I was one of those kids in high school who was into any car I came across,” says Grant, 62, who grew up in the Boston suburb of Framingham, Mass. “I wasn’t very discriminating, either. Big car, small car, old, ugly. It didn’t matter. I liked them all.” He remembers having a 1969 Buick Skylark with a 350-cubic-inch engine and a two-barrel carburetor. Naturally, he raced it. And of course, he was ticketed by the Framingham police. “It was the late ‘70s,” says Grant with a smile and a shrug. “The cops sort of knew everyone was doing it.” After studying communications and working as a radio host, he came to ABQ in 1989, and began a string of jobs—from building adobe bricks, to writing regular columns for both the Albuquerque Journal and now-defunct Albuquerque Tribune newspapers. He has been at KNME since 2006, and currently hosts “New Mexico In Focus,” a weekly public affairs program. And two years ago, he landed another gig: Grant is the official track announcer for the Albuquerque Dragway. “It’s such a blast,” he says. “Talk about loving your job.”—JEAN GIRARD nouncer for a traveling wrestling show run by the famous wrestler, Killer Kowalski. We performed in gyms and warehouses from Maine to Rhode Island, just me and these huge wrestlers packed into Kowalski’s station wagon. It was one of the best winters of my life.

I once worked at New Mexico Earth Adobes. I made adobes using wooden molds, and then delivered them.

3. I was a licensed builder who remodeled homes and businesses, and built my own adobe home. I also built Kiva fireplaces and bancos. I really enjoyed it. No one hates a fireplace. 4. Both sides of my family hail from small islands. My dad’s family is from Barbados, in the Caribbean, and my mom’s family is from Cape Verde, a small group of islands off the coast of western Africa.

176

5. I loved to hitchhike when

I was young. I hitched from Boston to Montreal to watch the Olympics in the summer of 1976, and the following year I hitched to Indianapolis for the National Hod Rod Association U.S. Nationals.

6. My favorite sport is NHRA

11. For all my love for football and the quarterback position, I played only one set of downs as a QB. It was in 8th grade. 12. I love curling. It’s terrific fun.

The Roadrunner Curling Club in Albuquerque is awesome, and offers recreational leagues for all levels.

13. I own a small motorcycle, a 2019 Honda Super Cub, plus an electric scooter for shorter trips around town.

14. I could eat fish sev-

en nights a week. There’s no end to the variety and style.

15. I once owned a quarter-horse named Gordy.

16. I’ve never been to

White Sands, and I’m not sure why.

drag racing. I love everything about it.

7. I’m the tower announcer at Albuquerque Dragway, which is one of the nation’s legendary drag strips. It’s been a mind-blowing experience.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

1. In the mid-‘80s, I was a ring an-

My second favorite sport is pro football. I’m especially fascinated by the quarterback position.

8. My first media love will always be late night talk television. As a kid, I was enraptured by Dick Cavett (who did a live, 90-minute show every weeknight), and “The Tomorrow Show,” hosted by Tom Snyder. WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | APRIL 2021

Reliability comes in all sizes.

Rugged versatility is what makes Kubota tractors the perfect choice for getting Rugged versatility is what makes Kubota tractors the perfect choice for getting every job done right. Visit us today for a test drive. every job done right. Visit us today for a test drive.

BX Series BX Series

B Series B Series

L Series L Series

MX Series MX Series

Mesa Mesa Tractor, Tractor, Inc. Inc. 3826 4th St NW 3826 4th St NW Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107 505-344-1631 505-344-1631

KubotaUSA.com KubotaUSA.com

© Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2020. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any liability from © Kubota Corporation, 2020. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota all representations warranties, express or KubotaUSA.com/disclaimers implied, or any liability from the use of Tractor this material. For complete warranty, safety and product information, consult yourdisclaims local Kubota dealer. For the and complete disclaimer, go to the use material. For complete warranty, safety and product information, consult your local Kubota dealer. For the complete disclaimer, go to KubotaUSA.com/disclaimers and seeofthethis posted disclaimer. and see the posted disclaimer.

PRINCESS COLLECTIONS