Albuquerque the Magazine, February 2024 by Albuquerque The Magazine

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FEATURE LIKE! SUBSCRIBE! FOLLOW! PG. 76 Like most new trends, it took a beat or two before we realized that social media influencers at the local level were indeed a real thing. Of course, we’ve always had ABQ celebrities (okay, fighters) with enormous numbers of followers—Instagram shows Jon Jones with 8 million followers, and Holly Holm with 2.5 million. But local influencers have some online clout, as well, having developed their followings more methodically and organically. Who are these new-age pied pipers, and how have they developed influence in the mysterious world of algorithms, metrics, and niche-posting? Here’s a look at a dozen influential ABQ social media stars, and their paths to gathering thousands—if not millions— of likes.

STORIES BY ANGELA BENNETT STUDIO PORTRAITS BY DON JAMES INSET PHOTOS CO U R T E S Y O F I N S TAG R A M

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DEPARTMENTS 18 Publisher’s Note 21 Tapas

P. 112 P. 61

Chill fun for kiddos; love for seniors; get to know some imporant folks; volunteerism is a thing; the majestic return of Cirque du Soleil.

30 Faces and Places 61 Datebook

111 People

BY SHAREN BRADFORD

112 Albuquerque the Interview Log on with Mark Leech, the city’s Director of Technology & Innovation to see how ABQ handles internet for the masses, from public WiFi to cybersecurity

116 Personality

The New Mexico Cancer Center is abundant with so much amazing art, you’d think it was an actual gallery, just as curator (and former gallery owner) Regina Held has fully intended.

P.116

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DEPARTMENTS P. 134

P. 132 P. 120 119 Culture 120 Creatives

A garage full of shop equipment— and decades of experience using them—has turned John Alvarez into a weekend woodworking warrior.

122 Shelflife

In “Badass Old White Woman,” Mary Lou Dobbs teaches us that age truly is just a number; Khadijah VanBrakle’s young adult tale takes on tough topics in “Fatima Tate Takes The Cake.”

124 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.

P. 128 134 Spirit Spotlight

When he couldn’t join his fiancé for Valentine’s dinner, Whiptail manager Jake Robertson did the next best thing: create a drink in her honor.

127 Dish

128 Eats Review

Dave Hanish’s eatery brought comfort food to the North Valley; now there’s a new second location in the Northeast Heights. Say hi to Dave’s High Desert Grill.

132 Eats, Etc.

It’s more than just coffee at Java Joe’s; the International District comes alive with Los Olivas Mexican Restaurant; the delights of Middle Eastern cuisine at Habibi House.

136 A Recipe for Success Valerie Ingram, Board Vice President for New Mexico Children’s Foundation, shares Grandma’s Chocolate Cake.

138 Bites

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

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FEBRUARY 2024 Volume 20 Number 9 PHOTO DIRECTOR

Don James don@abqthemag.com PUBLISHING DIRECTOR

Lise Watkins lise@abqthemag.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Emily Klumpenhower emily@abqthemag.com DATEBOOK EDITOR

Lori Wilding datebook@abqthemag.com CONTRIBUTORS

Tristen Critchfield Mel Minter Lisa Ocker Peter St. Cyr Stephanie Hainsfurther Aimee Prebola

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.

DEPARTMENTS 159 Fun

160 ‘Til You Drop

Spring winds bring...season allergies. Local experts on the best remedies; Valentine’s Day is a snap with these local retail love-themed goodies; baubles and beads from Mama’s Minerals.

166 Paws Button

Man’s best friends spread out across ABQ to bring comfort and joy wherever needed, thanks to the Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers.

168 Amazing Pets

This month’s winners: Henry, Napa, Corgi, and Skiba & Sadie

171 Piece of the Past Caravan East was once the hottest honky-tonk & dance hall along the entirety of Route 66. The music stopped, but the sign remains.

172 Passenger Window

P. 164

The bronze bird hanging around 2nd Street gets plenty of up-close views from art lovers—and pedestrians.

175 Photo Contest This month’s winner: Polvadera At Night, by Marie Valencia

P. 172 16

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FEBRUARY 2024 Volume 20 Number 9 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 PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Bill Stanage bill@abqthemag.com

PUBLISHING ASSISTANT

Allie Doty allie@abqthemag.com BUSINESS OFFICE

business@abqthemag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Scott Davis (1966–2004)

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

PUBLISHERS’S NOTE

sn’t it funny how we ignore new technology and trends, and then scramble to understand them once they become mainstream? Or is that just me? The first time I logged on and “surfed” the internet 30 years ago, I remember being miffed that it took soooooo long to open each web page. This will never last, I thought. (Insert your laugh here.) Well, the idea that someone could earn a living as a ‘social media influencer’ was also kind of a flighty idea to me. Yup, wrong again. This month’s cover story on “ABQ’s Social Media Stars” is a story only because we now live in an “attention economy,” as one of our subjects from the article told me. Yup, he’s right. Your eyeballs and clicks are valued and wanted. And the clever adapters of social media are tapping into that economy, which isn’t always just about making revenue, either. For example, David Ruiz, the Executive Chef at Scalo restaurant in Nob Hill, uses his Instagram account to post gorgeous pics of food that he painstakingly (and artfully) plated, just because food is his passion. One of his posts, a simple potato dish, garnered 60,000 likes. I’d say he’s an influencer. Another influencer, Cassandra Rose Cooper, is a spirited and lively soul who juggles social media, modeling and real estate while overseeing a crew of four kids and a husband in their Rio Rancho home. She uses her audience of 26,000 followers on Instagram to talk up awareness on cancer, which has visited her small family twice. And of course, some influencers are making good money, as is the case with the Dr. Beau and Lais Hightower, longtime Albuquerqueans who parlayed his work as a chiropractic doctor and her standing as a fitness model into a lucrative and self-made social media empire that they control top to bottom (Lais even shoots and edits their posts). Together, they’ve been downloaded half a billion times, and counting. So that you could meet them, we rounded up these local folks, and a few other influencers, for our cover story, which

begins on page 76. (And as further proof that influencing is here to stay, influencers can learn how to maximize their worth from trained experts like Miguel Rodriguez and Mariposa Marketing, a local firm that helped make our story possible with consultation and advice. You can check out their details at mariposams.com.) We’d also like you to meet Regina Held, the Director of Gallery With A Cause, the collection of fine art inside the New Mexico Cancer Center that aims to give a bit of comfort to patients and their families. She oversees the space, curates the pieces, creates the displays, and sells the locally produced artwork, running the operation almost as if it were a real art gallery. That’s because Held, indeed, is a former gallery owner, a vibe that patients and visitors to the Center might pick up on immediately upon entering. And to boot, she’s sold about 80 percent of the artwork that’s been displayed! Get to know her on page 116. And for a dose of drive-by art, check out our Passenger Window column on page 172. It’ll help you unravel the mystery of that beautiful (and enormous) sculpture of a seemingly upside-down bird that clings to a branch along the pedestrian walkway on North 2nd Street. We hope you enjoy this issue of this issue of ATM; we’re already working on the next one for you.

Sincerely,

Larryl Lynch Publisher

CORRECTIONS In our December/January “Best Of The City” issue, we misstated the name of tattoo artist Eddie Rise. Rise is the owner of Black Alchemy Studio, and he was named Best Tattoo Artist in our 2023 “Best Of The City” voting. Congratulations! —ED.

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

WINTER IS CHILD’S PLAY

FUN

Keeping energetic kids happy and thriving during cold weather is any parent’s goal. Here are some ideas to stimulate activity that doesn’t involve sitting in front of a screen.

INDOOR PLAY: Electric Playhouse (electricplayhouse.com) STORYTIME: Your local branch of ABQ Public Libraries (cabq.gov)

INDOOR SWIMMING POOL: West Mesa Aquatic Center (cabq.gov)

MARTIAL ARTS: Coyote Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (coyotebjj.com)

PLAY

INDOOR PLAY: Urban Air 360 (urbanair.com) ZIPLINE AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS: Main Event (mainevent.com)

SPORTS

LEARN

MUSIC

ROCKIN’ OUT: School of Rock (schoolofrock.com) MUSIC LESSONS: Albuquerque Institute of Music (albuquerqueinstituteofmusic.com)

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

ANIMALS

FEEDING FRENZY ON ICE: Duck pond at Tingley Beach (cabq.gov) INTERACTION: Catopia Cat Cafe (catopiacatcafe.com)

ART WORKSHOPS: Harwood Art Center (harwoodartcenter.org) SCIENTIFIC PASTIMES: Explora (explora.us)

e v For Our Seniors o L

The youngest Baby Boomers will turn 60 years old in 2024. And while today’s sexagenarians are surely more spry than ever, it doesn’t hurt to take advantage of ABQ’s numerous activities designed specifically for the soon-to-be-retired set. Here are a few available options that are tailor-made for the seasoned among us.

Seniors can join for FREE at Optum Health Center for daily workouts, face-toface social interactions, snacks, exercise classes and much more. You do not have to be an Optum member to sign up and, make no mistake, you will want to join. The weight machines are pneumatically powered and oh so easy to use. In warmer weather, the outdoor patio is shaded and private for convos and snacking. Classes include artistic endeavors, too, so there is a whole menu of activities on offer. It’s an island of refreshment for people over 55 and a haven for fun daily. (optum.com)

If you’re looking to slim while swimming, there’s an indoor swimming pool at Highland High School, and they even open at 6 a.m. on weekdays for Lap Swims and Open Swims. So even if you’re not retired, you can get there, no excuses. (cabq.gov)

Rail Runner Senior Wednesdays are a boon for those over 60 who want to get out of town, free. Journey on up to Santa Fe for the day or make a bus connection with a free transfer slip. Call Customer Service at 866-795-7245 for help with planning your trek. (riometro. org/424/Seniors-Ride-Free)

Keshet Dance Company is world renowned for its inclusionary dance training and choreography. Try their unique classes: Stretch and Strength, Fine Wine Dance (over age 55), and Contact Improvisation spring to mind. You’ll be in good hands with consummate dancers to instruct you. (keshetarts.org)

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e v o L

For Those Who Lend a Helping Hand

Introduce yourself to the many outstanding organizations run by talented people in and around Albuquerque. This new section of Tapas aims to familiarize our readers with new-to-you places and people. Know someone who works at a fabulous place? Send them our way: email localove@abqthemag.com with their name and contact information. The Adobe Theater has been around since 1957, now ensconced in their building on 4th St. NW. We’re telling you in advance so you can order your tickets and not be disappointed: they’re staging a female version of The Odd Couple starting March 1. Sounds like girls’ night out to us! When you step up to the box office, say hello to Gillian HughesFenchel, front-of-house and tickets operation manager since August. She’ll secure your seat and answer your questions. Ask her about those computer-coding projects she’s pursuing. (adobetheater.org) There are events galore at the Ronald Gardenswartz Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque and you don’t have to be Jewish to join in. The JCC arranges for expert speakers on relevant topics, feeds you lunch, lets you take a swim, and schedules invigorating events all year long for body and mind. Talk to Chief Programs Officer Phyllis Wolf about their upcoming book fairs and film festivals. Then ask for her advice on exotic recipes for dinner. She’s a master cook who recently visited Morocco. (jccabq.org) The new-ish grocery stores of Farm To You By Bomvida are prototypes of the modern age of micro-curated food products. Raw milk, fresh eggs, a gluten-free bakery and other sustainable delights from over 40 local farmers await you. Locally owned, many of their goods are produced on their premises in Bosque Farms. Chat with owners Chris and Yana Whitson about how they built their eco-desirable business, and their fascinating family travels. They might let you visit the farm. (bomvida.com)

Kaine Irwin AGE: 6 SCHOOL: TIERRA ANTIGUA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TOTALLY INTO: WORKING WITH TOOLS LOVES: EVERYTHING FUTURE PLANS: CONSTRUCTION WORKER If a trip to Lowe’s or Home Depot is part of the weekend plans, Kaine will almost certainly be riding shotgun to his favorite stores. His mom, Alicia, reports that he developed an interest in using his hands. “At age 5 he had a full-size tool box filled with real tools,” she says. While Kaine is well on his way to being in high demand for his handyman skill, it’s far from his only talent. He’s also a natural musician, especially when it comes to playing the guitar. To top it all off, Kaine gets along with pretty much anyone, as his mom says he’s great with babies, girls and animals alike. “He is full of life and we love him!” she says.

Submit your Incredible Kids at INCREDIBLEKIDS@ ABQTHEMAG.COM

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START BR A GGING

ABQ

Evening Star Barron

Advancement & Communications Manager Keshet Dance & Center for the Arts Albuquerque is an amazing city full of diverse and vibrant people. I love our dynamic and impressive artistic communities and how we create art together!

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.

ATM l o l JOKES What did the magazine editor say to her Valentine? I think of you periodically.

For Our e ov Nonprofits

Time is our most precious gift, and Albuquerque’s nonprofit organizations are always in need of volunteers. Here are a few local groups who can accommodate volunteers with turn-key programs—the perfect way to enrich personal satisfaction and expand your circle of friends, all while giving to a cause you care about. Assistance League of Albuquerque Thrift Shop gets plenty of accolades—and deservedly so. They do so much for the residents of our city through numerous programs, and their thrift shop helps support those goals. If you love soaking in retail therapy, consider spending a few hours per week helping sort, tag and ring up donated purchases. (assistanceleague.org) Animal Humane of New Mexico. Does the love you have for your pet include room for fostering others, too? Even if there’s no extra space at home, you can walk the dogs or spend time with the cats. Training and experienced supervision provided. (animalhumanenm.org) Tree New Mexico sets out on a mission every month to plant more native trees. If gardening is your passion, the folks here have expert answers, like which trees to plant or avoid in ABQ, or how to create a backyard oasis. You can also work in some exercise by becoming a door-to-door canvasser to offer adoptions of free trees.(treenm.org) Ethos Literacy. Become trained to teach and tutor adults to read so they can improve their employment opportunities. Ethos also has activities for participants and volunteers alike, like readings of original work by students and a Short Story Contest. They also need volunteers for fundraising, grant writing, special events, and translators. (ethosliteracy.org) United Way of North Central New Mexico. Not much time but have an urge to volunteer? Here, they offer an online clearinghouse for one-time projects, like “a group of five volunteers to help clean a yard,” or steady operations like “run our clothing donations.” There’s an incredible variety of undertakings—just what you might expect from a thriving, community-centered environment like ABQ. (uwncnm.org) Food Is Free Albuquerque. The team harvests your overages of fruit and vegetables to distribute to those in need—and volunteers are the lifeblood. The nonproft works with many partners, including Roadrunner Food Bank and Crossroads for Women, to name just a few. Gleaning opportunities are most plentiful from June through October, so sign up in advance to get the skinny. (fifabq.org)

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Lucas Trujillo AGE: 5 SCHOOL: MISSION AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TOTALLY INTO: CHOCOLATE, EGG BURRITOS, PIZZA NOT A FAN OF: POTATOES FUTURE PLANS: SWAT TEAM POLICE OFFICER This kid is so fast that his soccer team has dubbed him “Lightning Lucas.” And his quick feet are matched by his quick wit, says his mom, Ernestine. When she recently asked Lucas if he was familiar with the Statue of Liberty, he had a fast answer. “Yes!” he said. “She’s the statue holding the ice cream cone.” She reports that her outgoing son is a well-rounded kid who enjoys singing, dancing, music (he can’t sit still when he hears a song he loves) and…wait for it…math. He makes friends with ease, thanks to a naturally sweet and thoughtful nature, which led his mom to tell him he has a big heart. Lucas’ reply? “No mom, it just beats fast.”

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CIRQUE DU SOLEIL BY THE NUMBERS

42 135 300

50 80 300 80 1

CRYSTAL WAS CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S 42ND PRODUCTION

KILOMETERS OF FABRIC TO MAKE THE SHOWS’ COSTUMES

CITIES WHERE CRYSTAL HAS BEEN PERFORMED

PERCENT OF FABRIC THAT IS ORIGINALLY WHITE BEFORE BEING DYED

NUMBER OF SNOWBALLS USED IN CRYSTAL EACH WEEK

NUMBER OF FULL-TIME ARTISANS WHO CREATE PROPS AND COSTUMES

DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES AMONG COMPANY’S EMPLOYEES.

Artistry

On Ice

Cirque du Soleil adds a wonderful, wintry new twist to their beloved show-for-all-ages, promising a heightened sense of awe when the production hits town next month. at Opera Southwest on their production of Il Our city’s long-running love affair with Postino a few years ago, and says she has fond Cirque du Soleil continues in March when memories of the crew and working at the Nathe wondrous show arrives to perform Crys- tional Hispanic Cultural Center. She has also spent a few turns on the production team at tal, Cirque’s first-ever offering on ice. Crystal is a creative young woman who the Santa Fe Opera. “My opera background has been very feels misunderstood, and to escape reality she ventures onto a frozen pond, only to useful in putting together Crystal,” she says. fall in. The underwater world helps her see “Plus, I was a huge fan of ice skating as far things from a fresh angle—and wakes up her back as the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer (Norway).” inner powers. In Crystal, aerial acrobatics are blended “It’s a wonderful story about a teenager who doesn’t quite fit in,” says Crystal Man- seamlessly with freestyle, synchronized and ich, the production’s artistic director. “Her extreme skating. The accelerated movements journey is portrayed with accompanying and dramatic winteresque lighting give the shadows, which speak to her turmoils, her show a heightened visual sense that goes beyond even Cirque du Soleil’s signature artistjoys, her fears.” Manich (whose name mirrors that of the ry. The five shows at the Rio Rancho Events show by coincidence) says the tale unfolds beautifully in large part because the per- Center are Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m.; Friformers are on ice. “With all of the gliding day, March 8 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 9 at and choreography, the costuming becomes 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March majestic, and really plays a role in the story,” 10 at 1 p.m. For tickets, visit cirquedusoleil. com/crystal she said. Manich is no stranger to ABQ. She worked

WORKSHOP IN MONTREAL WHERE ALL CIRQUE DU SOLEIL PROPS ARE CREATED

START BR A GGING

Rio Rancho IF YOUR POSTS OF ABQ ARE AWESOME ENOUGH TO PRINT, TAG THEM!

Jodi Feuille

Director of Brand & Marketing Taylor Garrett Spirits

We moved to Rio Rancho for its scenic beauty and friendly, small-town vibe. Our family loves hiking along the North Beach Bosque Trail where there are beautiful views of the mountains and river. Both the nature and community make it a truly special place for me and my family. There’s hardly anywhere you can go without running into someone you know!

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.

ATM l o l JOKES How did the telephone propose?

With a ring.

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

ABQ Grecian Festival The weekend of October 6, thousands of people immersed themselves in the sounds of the bouzóuki, the tastes of authentic Greek cuisine, and the eye-catching sights of dancers streaming by in colorful costumes at the annual ABQ Greek Festival, held at the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in downtown Albuquerque.

Dolores Muniz, Victoria Rodriquez

Zoey Crow, Katie Crow, Ella Crow, Barry Crow

Manuel Ross, Fr Conan Gill, Brandon Vogt

Julie Emeanuwa, Dana Hart

Terry Edwards, Denise Fligner

Christine Vatoseow, Angela Koury, Joe Koury

Valeria Roberts, Paul Yeomans, Alexandria Kitoss

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Gingerbread Enchantment Gingerbread Enchantment brought kids and adults of all ages together for a fundraising effort to support the New Mexico School for the Blind & Visually Impaired during the weekend of December 1. Entries ranged from kit creations (made from store-bought gingerbread kits), to home-baked gingerbread vignettes, to professional-level television-worthy creations that amazed the judges and guests alike. The event included a silent auction and each handmade “house” was available for purchase in the silent auction at the end of the weekend.

Linda Lyle, Linda Lyle

Ameera Mendez, Santa, Gerald Mendez

Jenilee Charley, Stephanie Rivera

Maria Haverman, Tim Haverman

Jim Myers, Kent Cravens

Justin Spielmann, Deidre Derden

Vivienne Malta, Akamee Baca, Adam Malta

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Urban Trash Ball Supporters of New Mexico United Somos Unidos Foundation dressed to express their creativity and interpretation of art, the universe, and even extraterrestrial life at the group’s annual Urban Trash Ball, hosted by KRQE’s Dean Staley and Jessica Garate, at Sandia Resort and Casino on October 27.

Joe Gallegos, Anna Wiese, Michelle Wiese, Bryan Marcina

Harry Scwartz, Raquel Hadeed

Patrick and Danielle Merten

Pat Davis, Christopher MacQueen

Jeff Dauenhauer, Todd Kurtz, Erik Kuhlmann

Elida Lechuga, Jim Ellis

Max Rae, Garrison Stinnett

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Boo At The Zoo Ghosts and goblins, witches and superheros fared a wicked good time and partook in Halloween Trick or Treating at the ABQ Biopark’s Zoo’s annual Boo at the Zoo on October 28. This fang-tastic monster mash, presented by After Hours Pediatrics, raises funds for the New Mexico BioPark Society.

Shiloh Mann, Eli Mann, Gabriel Mann, Betaina Mann, David Mann, and Rhys Mann

Melinda Cordova, Addison Cordova

Caleb Grey, Thao Vuong

Priscilla Pino, Uriah Pino, Adrian Pino, Ara Pino

Angelica Abeyta, John Valles

Charlene Brown, Dejah Bashton, Elehya Bashton

Anthony Scott, Sophia Scott, Sarah Sanchez

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Trunk or Treat for A Cure Kids of all ages enjoyed Melloy Auto Group’s Fifth Annual Trunk or Treat for a Cure fundraiser for the Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico on October 29 in Los Lunas. The no-cost event provided families with free pumpkins, costume contests and the popular free and safe trunk or treating for gobs and gobs of candy.

Remy Sanchez, Mikaela Hernandez, Roselyn Sanchez

Aiden Toner, Allen Toner, Krystal Toner

Hannah Trujilo, Tye Trujillo, Justin Trujillo

Steven Trujillo, Bryan Trujillo

Hailey Serda, Nativity Cordova

Valerie Garcia, Desiree Garcia, Steve Garcia

Lily Raul, Steve Raul, Paulette Raul, James Raul

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BRIDAL BRIDAL GUIDE BRIDAL

GUIDE SPLASH

GUIDE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

22 pages total SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CHOOSE FLOWERS FOR MEANING The flowers you carry in your wedding precede you down the aisle. Many traditional brides take this opportunity to state their color scheme for the wedding: the bouquet might complement the bridesmaids’ dresses and other points of reference within the ceremony and reception. But color scheme pales in comparison to meaning. Does your partner gift you with red roses every Valentine’s Day? Or sunflowers to match your upbeat personality? Which feels more romantic to the two of you - an extravagent candlelight dinner or a casual picnic? Have you aways pictured your wedding in autumn or summer? A harmonious match of florals to the current season compliments a nature-loving couple beautifully. Other thoughtful choices might include a nod to the beautiful state of New Mexico. A bouquet that includes, say, soft succulents, golden rod and Gaillardia will be greatly appreciated by your local friends and family, while your out-of-town guests will be charmed.

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

TURN THE REHEARSAL DINNER INTO A BEFORE-PARTY Hosting a sit-down dinner after the rehearsal can turn into a second reception, especially if your wedding is a destination for many traveling guests. Turn it into a Welcome to the Wedding Party instead. A cocktail reception with canapés (don’t forget to invite the officiant and plus-one) staged in the hotel where most of them are staying is a warm way to say “Thanks for being here!” Encourage folks to make their meal plans in advance; most of them will simply want to relax before the big day. Make sure you get your beauty sleep, too.

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WHY WEAR WHITE? Queen Victoria started the trend in 1840 (she even had a white funeral), but modern-day brides mustn’t be bound by the fashions of her era. Wearing white is still an elegant tradition yet champagne and various shades of blush for the gown are stylish and contemporary. Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth wore a pink wedding gown last year; other celebrities opted for gold or silver mesh. Judging by the colors on the runway at Bridal Fashion Week last fall, pale blue, light green, and even pearl gray are considerations now. Don’t let your choice of gown be limited by anything except your taste and imagination.

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

GIFTS FOR YOUR BRIDAL PARTY Keep them small and customizable. Jewelry is tops on any attendant’s list and comes in at many price points: inscribed cufflinks and bracelets if you’re flush, tie bars and barrettes if you’re frugal. For a compact keepsake of your wedding, a piece of pottery with the date brushed onto the bottom or a personalized treasure box sweetly says “thank you”. Gift certificates that go along with their favorite experiences - sports, hotels, restaurants, hobbies - are appropriate now and right on trend.

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WEDDING CAKES AS WORKS OF ART Pastry chefs have discovered Albuquerque and TV chefs have discovered them, giving nationwide coverage to individual artisans and bakeries alike. You are spoiled for choice. Anything you can think up to thrill your guests, local bakers can conjure. Here’s another chance to make your wedding unforgettable. Go online and see the scrumptious creations your chosen chef has achieved for others. Pick your style and bring a few ideas to your consultation and tasting. A new trend - and Albuquerque has plenty of options to serve it up - is having a small cake for the bride and groom and cupcakes in the same or different flavors for guests, ideal for less-formal weddings.

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PICTURE A BOOK

Here’s an idea that goes beyond the Guest Book. Buy a brand new, large picture book about New Mexico, one with plenty of photos. Ask guests to pick an image and sign their names on the photo itself. We’ll bet those evocative sights of our glorious state will prompt them to leave personal thoughts for the bride and groom, and you’ll be left with a book filled with memories. Organic Books in Nob Hill (organicbooks.net) recommends your choice of the following local guides to make your wedding Guest Book less formal and more fun: New Mexico: A Guide for the Eyes (Eye Muse); Hidden Gems: Roadside Treasures of New Mexico (America Through Time); and Backroads and Byways of New Mexico (Countryman Press).

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

ETIQUETTE DEMANDS... …that grown-ups act like grown-ups. Nobody over the age of 21 giggles as the groom inches his hands up the bride’s thigh - it’s just cringeworthy. And no one believes whomever catches the bouquet will be the next one to marry. Ditch the garter and bouquet tosses (and the cake-smooshing-into-faces ritual, please) for a heartfelt “thank you” to guests and attendants, like maybe a final champagne toast to go with that intact cake.

SEND THEM HOME HAPPY Candles and jars of Himalayan salt are fine party favors, but what really keep guests content are edibles for the Uber. Pack them off with a sack of snacks and even small bottles of liquor for the ride home. After the reception you just threw, they’re not driving.

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

MAP A MOVEABLE FEAST You came of age way back when. Bachelor/ette parties for grownups now involve limos, groups of friends, and a sampling of everything the good life here has to offer.

Book a car and start off at your favorite boîte with a champagne toast and appetizer. Move on to a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try, for a chef’s special or a favorite dish.

Choose a pastry palace for dessert and an after-dinner drink. You can also use this pre-marital trip to take in a show, see a movie, or hear some music. There are many ways to feast. FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SOMETHING OLD, NEW, BORROWED, AND BLUE By carrying or wearing something borrowed from a happily married person, the aboutto-be-married person hopes to bring that happiness into their own life. You can give new meaning to this old wisdom by looking at these objects in a different way. (Hint: You don’t have to wear them.) 2 Bears Mid-Mod Collectibles in antiques store Vintage Vault (vintagevaultabq,com) suggests using vintage flower or bud vases for the tablescapes, in varied sizes, for the “something old”. If only you could borrow the happily-married best man’s vintage, baby-blue, completely restored Mustang to drive away in, that would cover all bases.

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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GIVE YOUR WOMEN THE VOTE

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

You don’t believe in evil spirits, do you? That’s how the tradition of matching bridesmaids’ dresses began - if all the maids dressed like the bride, the spirits would be fooled and fly away before they could curse her. Somehow, the tradition morphed into a look-alike extravaganza. Your honored women friends are unique individuals; that’s why you love them. Let them select dresses compatible in style or color. But not both. And stay away from ombré color schemes - all indications point towards that bridesmaids’ style being on its way out.

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

THERE GOES THE BRID(AL CHORUS) Wagner and Mendelssohn are the signature composers of wedding marches, but Maestro Anthony Barrese, artistic director of Opera Southwest (operasouthwest.org), has a thoughtful substitution for your exit from the church. “One option I think is very overlooked is the end of Act 3 of Mozart’s ‘Marriage of Figaro’. It starts with a nice instrumental march, ‘Ecco la Marcia’, proceeds into a wedding hymn and chorus, ‘Amati Costanti’, and then breaks into a beautiful, sultry wedding dance, and then resumes the hymn at the end. Very infectious music for the march which could boisterously accompany the happy couple out of the chapel, and the wedding march would be a little more subdued when [the guests] exit, and then the resumption of the hymn is kind of a nice rushing-everybody-out-of-there finale.”

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

BRIDAL GUIDE - SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FIRST DANCE IS THE BEST DANCE Nervous about appearing for the first time as a married couple? CSP Dance Studios (cspdancestudios.com) wants to help you chillax. Their one-time new customer special applies to brides and grooms for a 50-minute lesson and they urge you to give yourself enough time to book private classes. CSP will also edit your own music if you want to keep it short and sweet. All around, you’ll feel calm and confident on that Big Day.

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

TOP PICK

SOUPER BOWL 2024

SATURDAY 3 | 11 AM–2 PM Souper Bowl 2024. Foodies of All Ages: Enjoy Roadrunner Food Bank’s soup and dessert sampling event while raising funds for those in need. Enjoy savory treats from over 30 local restaurants, jive to a live band, sample and select the People’s Choice restaurant winners, and participate in an exciting silent auction. Info: Roadrunner Food Bank Warehouse, 5840 Office Blvd. NE, (505) 247-2052. Purchase tickets at rrfb.org, $50 adults, $15 children.

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Trust us, these are a few ABQ events YOU CAN'T MISS.

SATURDAY 24 | 6:00 PM ABQ Wine Classic Special Performance.

One night only – enjoy dance, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and community. This is a benefit for Keshet Youth Arts initiatives. Info: Keshet Center for the Arts, 4121 Cutler Avenue NE, keshetarts.org/ events. Tickets $100.

SUNDAY 21 | 11:30 A.M

DANCE

FEBRUARY 2024

Go Red For Women. the American Heart Association’s annual campaign to raise awareness about coronary disease in women. The popular yearly luncheon will address the program’s longevity and impact—but promises to be fun, too. “Women connect with other women for information, motivation and inspiration. And the amazing news is, it works,” says Sherri Wells, executive director of the Albuquerque chapter of the AHA. The event kicks off at 11:30 a.m. at Hotel Albuquerque. Ticket information can be found at new. event.gives/385088.

PHOTO BY PAT BERRETT

MUSIC

MONDAY 19 | 7:30 AM– 5:30 PM

SCIENCE

Science is Everywhere Presidents’ Day Camp.

TUESDAY–SUNDAY | 10 AM–5 PM The Corrales Bosque Gallery. Artist-owned and operated, the Corrales Bosque Gallery is delighted to display the work of its 18 member-artists. We work in a wide variety of media and styles, including painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, drawing, folk art, beadwork, and mosaic. Come see us and enjoy! Info: 4685 Corrales Road, (505) 898-7203, corralesbosquegallery.com.

Kick off Presidents’ Day by learning how nuclear science has impacted Pop Culture. Students K-6 can join us for Nuclear Pop where we will make our own comic books, explore creatures such as Godzilla, create our own Kaiju monsters, and more. Info: National Museum of Nuclear Science, 601 Eubank Blvd. SE. Limited availability. Register at nuclearmuseum. org.

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MUSIC

THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY 1–3 |10 AM–4 PM

C U LT U R E

Albuquerque Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival. Replenish all those supplies you’ve used and see, try and buy the latest from the country’s very best vendors. Tickets are good for all three days of the show. Info: Expo NM, 300 San Pedro NE (enter at Copper and San Pedro). Tickets $10 at Eventbrite.com.

TUESDAY 6 | 7 PM

QUARTET

Cory Wong. As much as he treasures his roles

as a guitarist, composer, and producer, Cory Wong fashions himself “a hype man,” first and foremost. Living up to this classification, he slings a Stratocaster and hurls “dad jokes” from the stage with the same panache, poise, and power. “The guiding light is to impart a feeling of joy,” he says. “I want people to experience instrumental music in a different way.” Info: El Rey Theater, 622 Central Avenue SW, (505) 2422353. Tickets at elreylive.com, $35–$160 VIP. 21+ show.

SATURDAY 3 | 7:30 PM SUNDAY 25 | 10:30 AM Chatter Sunday. Featuring Loadbang, cutting-edge new music specialists from NYC. As always, your ticket includes a custom coffee drink from our espresso bar. Info: Chatter at 912 3rd Street NW. Tickets: $17 adults in advance; $20 at-door. $9 students/under-30, $5 under-13 at chatterabq. org.

FRIDAY 2 | 5–8 PM ARTIST RECEPTION

FRIDAY 16 | 3–5 PM Hand Paint Wine Glasses At The Groove Artspace.

Celebrate the end of the week and get ready for your happy hour. Relax with friends and get creative as you learn to paint your own wine glass. All materials are included. Info: The Groove Artspace, 309 Gold Avenue SW. Register at thegrooveartspace.com/ all-events. $60.

WINE ART FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

February HeARTbeats–A rhythm of Artistic Expression. The Gallery

RECEPTION

ABQ presents this show sponsored by Tractor Brewery and featuring work by Chelsea Countryman, Linda Weiss, Rhonda Manthei and Dana Millen. Info: 8210 Menaul Blvd. NE, thegalleryabq. com or Facebook@ TheGalleryAbq, (505) 292-9333.

BY CHELSEA COUNTRYMAN

MOMIX: ALICE. Fall down the rabbit hole with this innovative dance company in an all-new production inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Info: Popejoy Hall, 203 Cornell Drive NE, popejoypresents.com, (505) 2774569.

thursday 1–wednesday 28 | sunday 12 pm–5 pm monday–saturday 11 am–6 pm

Anima – New Works by Aaron Bass. Info: Mariposa Gallery, 3500 Central Avenue SE, (505) 268-6828.

tuesday through sunday 11 am–5 pm

As We See It: Interviews with Contemporary Native American Photographers. Now available, a new book by Gallery Hozho director Suzanne Fricke. This book offers an in-depth look at 10 Native photographers, exploring their education, their influences, and what makes their work unique. Info: Gallery Hózhó inside Hotel Chaco, 2000 Bellamah Avenue NW, (505) 318-3992.

thursday 1 | 7–9 pm

Beginning Square Dance Lessons. Learn the basics of square dancing in this fun and easy-to-follow class. No experience necessary. Singles, couples and families are welcome. Technology is available for hearing-impaired dancers. Classes start February 1st and meet every Thursday night for 18 weeks, the cost is $120. Info: Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins NE, dukecitysd0@gmail, dukecitysquaredanceclub, (505) 891-6163.

thursday through sunday 1–3 |10 am–4 pm

friday 2 | 3–5 pm

Amapola Gallery. February marks the final month that Amapola Gallery will host their All–Member show. Forty artisans from the Albuquerque area will feature art handmade in New Mexico. Info: First Friday Artscrawl is all about the art galleries staying open late. Start with Amapola on the Plaza, 205 Romero Street in Old Town, (505) 242-4311, amapola-gallery.com.

friday 2 | 5–8 pm Artist Reception

February HeARTbeats–A rhythm of Artistic Expression. The Gallery ABQ presents this show sponsored by Tractor Brewery and featuring work by Chelsea Countryman, Linda Weiss, Rhonda Manthei and Dana Millen. Info: 8210 Menaul Blvd. NE, thegalleryabq.com or Facebook@ TheGalleryAbq, (505) 292-9333.

friday 2 | 9 pm

Chatter Late Works. A late-night concert for the adventurous at Chatter’s downtown warehouse performance space. Featuring the FLUX String Quartet and violinist David Felberg performing music by Morton Feldman. Cash bar provided by Rumor Brewing. Info: Chatter at 912 3rd Street NW. Tickets: $15 general admission, at the door or at chatterabq.org.

FRIDAY 2–SUNDAY 18 | THUR, FRI, SAT 7:30 PM; SAT AND SUNDAYS 2 PM

Vortex Theatre. Delight in “The Art of Raising Anything” a world premiere live performance. Walter’s life has fallen apart and his hope for a quick solution has washed away in a bottle of soda. What comes next? Info: The Play will run Friday the 2nd through Sunday the 18th at the Vortex Theatre, 2900 Carlisle NE, (505) 247-8600. Tickets available at vortexabq. org for $19–$24.

saturday 3 | 12:30–3:30 pm

Children’s Chorus of Rio Rancho. (2nd-5th grades) + Rio Rancho Youth Chorus (6th12th grades) Spring 2024 Kick off. Join Rio Rancho’s premiere chorus program. Our choruses are non-competitive, so no auditions, just come and join if you want to learn about all styles/genres of music, rhythm, movement, and harmony in a fun and exciting environment. We welcome all singers regardless of their experience, background, style, culture, orientation, ability, or identity. Info: Star Heights Recreation Center, 800 Polaris Blvd, Rio Rancho. Membership fee $125. Register at rr-cc.org.

saturday 3 | 1–2 pm

Rio Rancho Players Community Theatre Pre-Audition/New Member Meeting. Come find out about our next production, “Arsenic and Old Lace,” and learn about Rio Rancho’s only all-ages theatre group. Practice scripts will be available. Opportunities available for back of the house/behind the curtain volunteers too. Info: St. Francis Episcopal Church, 2903 Cabezon Road, Rio Rancho. There is no fee to join the Players or to participate in the productions. Contact rrcc.org for more information.

Saturday 3 I 6-10:30 pm

Rio Rancho Education Foundation: Cupids Carnival. Join the fun at the largest Gala event in Rio Rancho Music and Entertainment by the Pink Flamingos plated dinner, carnival games and more! Info: Santa Ana Hotel and Casino Tickets at www.rref.org/cupids-carnival

saturday 3 | 7:30 pm

sunday 4 | 10:30 am

Chatter Sunday. A performance by the FLUX String Quartet plus poetry read by Richard Wolfson. As always, your ticket includes a custom coffee drink from our espresso bar. Info: Chatter at 912 3rd Street NW. Tickets: $17 adults in advance; $20 atdoor. $9 students/under-30, $5 under-13 at chatterabq.org.

sunday 4 | 3–4 pm

Albuquerque Concert Band. Delight in a fun, free concert in the great tradition of concert band music. Bring family and friends and join us for an hour of exciting music. Info: Eldorado HS Performing Arts Center,

11300 Montgomery Blvd NE, abqband.org. Free admission and open to the public.

sunday 4 | 3–4 pm

UNM Music Faculty Spotlight Concert. Dr. Jeffrey Brooks (clarinet), Dr. Christoph Wagner (cello), Dr. Kristin Ditlow (piano), Dr. John Marchiando (trumpet), and other faculty present a collaborative concert. Info: Keller Hall, 203 Cornell Dr NE. Tickets available at unmtickets.com; $15 general admission, $10 seniors and UNM employees, $5 students.

tuesday 6 | 10 am

Albuquerque Newcomers Welcome Coffee. Learn about the club’s varied activities, wine tastings, games, mens’ and singles groups. Membership open to residents of less than five years or who are experiencing major changes in their lives. Info: Sandia Presbyterian Church (not affiliated with the church), 10704 Paseo del Norte NE. Contact (505) 321-6970 or abqnewcomers@gmail.com.

tuesday 6 | 8 pm; doors open at 7 pm

Cory Wong. As much as he treasures his roles as a guitarist, composer, and producer, Cory Wong fashions himself “a hype man,” first and foremost. Living up to this classification, he slings a Stratocaster and hurls “dad jokes” from the stage with the same panache, poise, and power. “The guiding light is to impart a feeling of joy,” he says. “I want people to experience instrumental music in a different way.” Info: El Rey Theater, 622 Central Avenue SW, (505) 242-2353. Tickets at elreylive.com, $35–$160 VIP. 21+ show.

thursday 8 | 5–6:30 pm

Community Conversation: School to Prison Pipeline. Join a Community Conversation led by Keshet’s Arts & Justice Creative Team to learn more about the school-toprison pipeline and opportunities to disrupt the pipeline. Info: Keshet Center for the Arts, 4121 Cutler Avenue NE, (505) 2249808, keshetarts.org/events.

friday 9–sunday 11 | various times

Shrine Circus. New Mexico’s Ballut Abyad Shrine is proud to present the wonderful Jordan World Circus and their talented international cast of performers for your entertainment including amazing acts, live animals, spectacular stunts, interactive fun, and circus food. Info: Tingley Coliseum, 300 San Pedro NE. Tickets at abqshrinecircus. com, $10–$30.

friday 9 | 5–7 pm

Weems Annual 40% Off Sale. Take advantage of our 40% off indoor sidewalk sale, featuring artwork, pottery, jewelry and more. The sale runs through February 17. Our February guest artist is Lynne Pomeranz who will present her wild horse fine art photography. Weems Gallery and Framing, 5935 Wyoming Blvd. NE, (505) 293-6133, weemsgallery.com.

friday 9 | 6–8 pm

Paint Pet Portraits. Bring an 8 X 10 color picture of your furry, funny, or feathery friend, and Alison will guide you through a

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

fun and easy way to create your own painted masterpiece. All materials will be provided. Info: The Groove Artspace, 309 Gold Avenue SW. Register at thegrooveartspace. com/all-events. $50.

friday 9 | 7:30 pm

Albuquerque Science Fiction Society Meeting. Check out this long-running NM science fiction club that has author readings, science talks, films and discussions. Info: Activity Room, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 5301 Ponderosa Ave NE (near Erna Fergusson Library). Call (505) 266-8905 or visit bubonicon.com. Free to newcomers.

saturday 10 | 10 am-12 pm

Pastel Society of New Mexico. Please join us at our February meeting and enjoy a fascinating presentation by award-winning contemporary American realist Natasha Isenhour. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to meet and learn from an amazing artist, and learn more about pastels and the Pastel Society. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW. All welcome, no charge.

saturday 10 | 10 am–12 pm

Los Ranchos Winter Market. Fresh local produce and products, plants, arts and crafts, music, and more. Handicapped accessible, family and pet friendly. Info: 6718 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Facebook–Los

Ranchos Growers’ Market. Contact Colene at (505) 610-9591.

in advance; $20 at-door. $9 students/ under-30, $5 under-13 at chatterabq.org.

saturday 10 | 10 am–4 pm

sunday 11 | 3 pm

Monthly Book Sale Benefiting the Library. Shop more than 25,000 books, CDs, DVDs and vinyl, discounted 80% to 90%. You are sure to find a treasure to love. Validated parking and carry-out service available. Info: Friends of the Public Library, Main Library, lower level, 501 Copper Avenue NW. $2 prior to noon and free after noon. FOPL members always free. For more information, see friendsofthepubliclibrary.org.

saturday 10 | 2–4 pm

Carving and Hand Painting Wooden Hearts. Join Catalina and Roy who will teach carving basics so you can make your own lovingly carved wood hearts. They will then be painted and adorned (a wonderful gift for your valentine.) Must be old enough to handle a carving knife. Info: The Groove Artspace, 309 Gold Avenue SW. Register at thegrooveartspace.com/all-events. $70.

sunday 11 | 10:30 am

Chatter Sunday. Piano Quintet by Erich Korngold, the Austrian composer who later wrote scores for famous Hollywood films. As always, your ticket includes a coffee drink from our espresso bar. Info: Chatter at 912 3rd Street NW. Tickets: $17 adults

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

James and Megan Holland, String Quartets. Presented by Placitas Artists Series. Joining the Hollands will be Kim Fredenburgh and David Felberg. Fine artists on exhibit include Janet Bothe, Karl Hofmann, Katherine Irish, and Carol Allen. Info: Las Placitas Presbyterian Church, 7 Paseo de Antonio, Placitas, (505) 867-8080. Tickets $25 at placitasarts.org.

tuesday 13 | 7:30 pm

Roseanne Cash. Rosanne Cash is a composer and singer-songwriter who has earned four Grammy Awards and 14 Grammy nominations, among numerous other accolades for songwriting and sound recordings. Info: KiMo Theatre, 423 Central Avenue NW, (505) 228-9857. Tickets at cabq.gov/artsculture/kimo/events/ rosanne-cash, $55–$80 plus fees.

tuesday 13 | 7:30–9 pm

UNM Music presents Music from the Americas. This concert will feature Chilean bassist César Bernal. Info: Keller Hall, 203 Cornell Drive NE. Tickets available at unmtickets.com; $15 general admission, $10 seniors and UNM employees, $5 students.

wednesday 14 | 7:30–9 pm

UNM Wind Symphony. Dr. Emily Moss leads the ensemble in performing Donald Grantham’s “Southern Harmony,” Steven Bryant’s “All Stars are Love,” David Malanska’s “Morning Star”, and other selections. Info: Popejoy Hall, 203 Cornell Drive NE. Tickets available at unmtickets. com; $15 general admission, $10 seniors and UNM employees, $5 students.

friday 16 | 3–5 pm

Hand Paint Wine Glasses. Let’s celebrate the end of the week with a happy creative time and get ready for your happy hour. You will be guided step-by-step to create and learn some skills to hand paint your own glass (each person will paint two) to enjoy your wine. This will be a creative and memorable time. All materials are included. Info: The Groove Artspace, 309 Gold Avenue SW. Register at thegrooveartspace. com/all-events, $60.

friday 16 | 7 pm

Jerry Seinfeld. As you may know, Jerry Seinfeld is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. From 1989 to 1998, he played a semi-fictionalized version of himself in the sitcom “Seinfeld,” which he created and wrote with Larry David. The show became one of the most acclaimed and popular sitcoms of all time. As a stand-up comedian, Seinfeld specializes in observational comedy. Info: Kiva Auditorium at the Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 Second Street NW. Tickets at ticketmaster. com starting at $250 plus fees.

friday 17 | 2–4 pm

Paint Pet Portraits. Bring an 8 X 10 color picture of your furry, funny, or feathery friend, and you will be guided through a fun and easy way to create your own painted masterpiece. All materials will be provided. Info: The Groove Artspace, 309 Gold Avenue SW. Register at thegrooveartspace. com/all-events. $50.

sunday 18 | 10:30 am

Chatter Sunday. Featuring Overlook String Quartet, a NYC-based group dedicated to amplifying the music of Black composers. As always, your ticket includes a coffee drink from our espresso bar. Info: Chatter at 912 3rd Street NW. Tickets: $17 adults in advance; $20 at-door. $9 students/ under-30, $5 under-13 at chatterabq.org.

sunday 18 | 2 pm

Corrales Historical Society Speaker Series. Charlie Seery, Jr. will talk about his father, Charlie Seery, Sr., who worked for the Fred Harvey Company as an Indian Detour Driver. Learn about this fascinating aspect of our state’s history. Info: Historic Old San Ysidro Church, 966 Old Church Road, Corrales, chsspeakerseries@corraleshistory.org. Free.

sunday 18 | 3 pm

The Glenn Miller Orchestra. With classics such as “In the Mood” and “Moonlight Serenade”, this legendary big band performs its iconic music from the 1940s to today. Info: Popejoy Hall, 203 Cornell Drive NE, popejoypresents.com, (505) 277-4569.

sunday 18 | 5 pm

Chatter Cabaret. Overlook String Quartet plus pianist Judith Gordon with music by American composer Amy Beach and more. Cash bar and bites provided by Slate Cafe. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW. Tickets: $32 general admission at chatterabq.org.

thursday through sunday 1–3 |10 am–4 pm

monday 19 | 7:30 am–5:30 pm

Science is Everywhere Presidents’ Day Camp. Kick off Presidents’ Day by learning how nuclear science has impacted Pop Culture. Students K-6 can join us for Nuclear Pop where we will make our own comic books, explore creatures such as Godzilla, create our own Kaiju monsters, and more. Info: National Museum of Nuclear Science, 601 Eubank Blvd. SE. Limited availability. Register at nuclearmuseum.org.

tuesday 20 | 7:30 pm

New York Polyphony Concert. Although this concert is sold out, tickets are usually available at the door as a result of noshows. Info: An in-person waiting list will be started at the Old San Ysidro Church in Corrales (966 Old Church Road) at 6:30 pm. At 7:20 pm, as many tickets as there are chairs available will be sold at $30/ticket. Website: musicincorrales.org.

wednesday 21 | 10:30 am – 1 pm

2024 New Mexico Go Red for Women Luncheon. The Go Red for Women campaign works to promote healthy lifestyles, build awareness for women’s heart health, and raise critically needed funds to support research and education initiatives. Please join us. Info: Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, 800 Rio Grande NW. For more information or to make a lifesaving gift, please visit heart.org/newmexicogored or call (505) 506-6561.

wednesday 21 | 7:30 pm

Gov’t Mule Thirty Years Strong. This is an American Southern rock jam band, formed in 1994 as a side project of the Allman Brothers Band by guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody. Gov’t Mule has become a staple act at music festivals across North America, with both its members and frequent guests from other notable bands adding various funk and blues rock elements to the band’s sound. Info: Kiva Auditorium at the Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 Second Street NW. Tickets at ticketmaster. com starting at $25 plus fees.

thursday 22 | 7:30–9 pm

UNM Symphony Orchestra. The UNMSO presents Beethoven’s “Violin Concerto” (with guest soloist Dr. Carmelo de los Santos), and Sibelius’ “Symphony No. 5.” Info: Popejoy Hall, 203 Cornell Drive NE. Tickets available at unmtickets.com; $15 general admission, $10 seniors and UNM employees, $5 students.

friday 23 and saturday 24 | 9 am–4 pm

Pastel Society Workshop: Light & Shade with Vasili Katakis. Learn to capture the emotional effects of Volume, Form, Color, Depth, and Space in this two-day workshop with renowned pastel painter Vasili Katakis. Info: The Artist Studio, 8200-B Menaul Blvd. NE. Cost: PSNM Members $80/one day, $150 both days. Non-members $90 one day, $170 both days. Register at smikkelson59@ gmail.com.

saturday 24 | 6:00 pm

ABQ Wine Classic Special Performance. One night only – enjoy dance, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and community. This is a benefit for Keshet Youth Arts initiatives. Info: Keshet Center for the Arts, 4121 Cutler Avenue NE, keshetarts.org/events. Tickets $100.

saturday 24 | 7:30 pm

Renée Elise Goldsberry. Star of stage and screen, Renée sings beloved Broadway classics as well as soulful renditions of American Songbook hits. Info: Popejoy Hall, 203 Cornell Drive NE, popejoypresents. com, (505) 277-4569.

sunday 25 | 10:30 am

Chatter Sunday. Featuring Loadbang, cutting-edge new music specialists from NYC. As always, your ticket includes a custom coffee drink from our espresso bar. Info: Chatter at 912 Third Street NW. Tickets: $17 adults in advance; $20 atdoor. $9 students/under-30, $5 under-13 at chatterabq.org.

sunday 25 | 2 pm

ChamberCHOPS. Attend and appreciate a chamber music concert at Faith Lutheran Church, 10000 Spain Rd. NE. Free.

sunday 25 | 2–4 pm

Iphoneography (+Android too). Take better photos with your phone. Learn how to take advantage of the incredible technology in your mobile device. You’ll learn how to focus, adjust exposure, change aspect ratios, use modes like “portrait” and “panorama,” and edit. Also incorporate fun “extras” such as clip-on lenses and filters into your mobile photography kit. Info: The Groove Artspace, 309 Gold Avenue SW. Register at thegrooveartspace.com/allevents. $75.

sunday 25 | 2 pm; friday march 1 | 7:30 pm; sunday march 3 2 pm

Before Night Falls. Opera Southwest presents the story of Reinaldo Arenas, gay Cuban writer and dissident who lived through political turmoil and struggled for beauty and freedom. Info: National Hispanic Cultural Center, Journal Theatre, 1701 4th Street SW. Tickets $22–$105 available online at operasouthwest.org or by calling $505) 724-4771. $15 for students under 30.

tuesday 27 | 7:30–9 pm

UNM Jazz Bands. The ensemble is led by Dr. Christoph Buckholz and Robby Beasley, and features guest pianists Scott Jacobsen and John Funkhouser. Info: Keller Hall, 203 Cornell Drive NE. Tickets available at unmtickets.com; $15 general admission, $10 seniors and UNM employees, $5 students.

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FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

wednesday 28 | 7:30–9 pm

UNM Symphonic Band. Dr. Chad Simons leads the ensemble in a concert of classical and contemporary repertoire. Info: Popejoy Hall, 203 Cornell Drive NE. Tickets available at unmtickets.com; $15 general admission, $10 seniors and UNM employees, $5 students.

DAILY/ONGOING

various days | various times

Albuquerque Visitor’s Guide. Info: Check out visitabq.org for many great ideas for exploring our city. An official printed Albuquerque Visitor’s Guide can also be obtained.

various days | various times

Cancer Support Now. Free services. Info: Call our helpline, (505) 255-0405. Also, various days/times listed throughout Datebook for specific group and individual assistance.

various days | various times

Overeaters Anonymous. This program of recovery uses Twelve Steps, Traditions, and Concepts, as well as the nine tools of recovery to provide a fellowship of experience, strength, and hope, where members support each other’s recovery from compulsive eating disorders, such as overeating, binging, bulimia, and anorexia. Info: For more information and a list of local meetings, go to oa-cnmi.org or call (505) 261-3553.

Available information online |

New Mexico Young Actors, Inc. Now in their 44th season, NMYA features youth ages 9 to 19 in all roles. The mission is to develop an appreciation of theater in our community through performances by children and for children. NMYA offers classes, workshops, and productions, and are always looking for new young actors to join their company. Offering weekly theater classes for ages 5 to 18; Drama I classes for elementary, middle, and high school students; and Advanced Drama productions for returning students. Call (505) 821-8055, email info@ nmyoungactors.org, or visit website at nmyoungactors.org. Prorated fees and tuition assistance available.

Available tour dates online |

Old San Ysidro Church Tours. Come see the beauty and learn the history of one of Corrales’ most significant historic buildings. Informative docents are on hand to provide insight into the history and current usage of this iconic landmark. Info: 966 Old Church Road, Corrales. Register for a tour at corraleshistory.org. Free.

various days | 8–10 pm

Haunted Tour of Old Town. Take a tour of Old Town Albuquerque and learn about the many ghosts who have made the Old Town square their home. Legends, folklore, ghost stories, and history come to life as you depart on an intriguing excursion

through 314 years of haunted history. Info: Approximately 1 hour, 50 minutes. abqtours. fun

daily | 9 am–5 pm

At Play in the Atomic Age. The toys of the atomic age reflect the times and culture of their day. The Atomic Age was born with the Manhattan Project and blasted into the public’s consciousness in 1945. This exhibit features over 100 artifacts from the permanent collection of the Nuclear Museum and artifacts on loan specifically for this exhibition. Info: The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, 601 Eubank NE, (505) 245-2137. Tickets $15 at nuclearmuseum.org.

daily | various times

Wellness Classes at Los Poblanos. Restore, revive, and move with a class in the Wellness Yurt. Class offerings include Gentle Yoga, Flow and Restore Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga and Mat Pilates. Info: Los Poblanos, 4803 Rio Grande NW, (855) 486-1380. $15 per class. To reserve your space, visit lospoblanos. com/hacienda-spa/wellness-classes.

daily | various activities and times

Jewish Community Center. The Ronald Gardenswartz Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque (JCC) is part of your extended family, your home away from home—providing programs and services for all ages and stages in life. Within our walls or around the world, our members gather to meet, play, learn, celebrate, and be part of the community. Everyone, regardless of age or religious affiliation, is welcome. Info: 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE, (505) 332-0565, jccabq.org.

daily | various times and locations

Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen. This is an anonymous fellowship of relatives and friends of problem drinkers. Meetings are held on various days and times throughout Albuquerque and New Mexico. We come together to share our experience, strength and hope to recover from the effects of another person’s drinking. Info: Al-Anon Information Service, aisnm.org, (505) 2622177.

daily | various times

Lovelace Silver Elite. Informative videos are offered that address health issues such as osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, cardiovascular issues, Parkinson’s disease, and treatment options for male lower UTIs and BPH, as well as radiology imaging as we age. Presented by Lovelace doctors that are experts in the subject fields. Lovelace Silver Elite also offers free seminars and VIP benefits. Info: lovelacesilverelite.com, (505) 727-5502.

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 part of a rewarding organization. Info: Agora Crisis Center, agoracares.org, (505) 2773013.

daily |10 am–5 pm; closed sunday

Weems Gallery & Framing. The website enables people to purchase fine art online, as well as kaleidoscopes, jewelry, glass, sculptures, photography, and wood. weemsgallery.com, (505) 293-6133.

daily |

Animal Humane Free Behavioral Helpline. This service is available to all pet owners who are experiencing behavior problems with their dogs or cats. Animal Humane New Mexico’s trained behavior coaches answer questions and provide tips on everything from housetraining to living with multiple animals. Info: (505) 938-7900.

daily |

Donate Blood. Because someone needs it every day. Info: (505) 843-6227, unitedbloodservices.org.

daily |

Epilepsy Support and Education Services. For meeting times and places, call (505) 243-9119 or visit epilepsysupportnm.org.

daily |11:30 am–5:30 pm, closed monday

Rattlesnakes. See different species of live rattlesnakes displayed in recreated natural landscapes. The owners are dedicated to conservation and preservation through education. Info: American International Rattlesnake Museum, 202 San Felipe Road NW, Suite A, (505) 242-6569, rattlesnakes. com. Tickets: $8.95 adults; $7.95 seniors, military, students, teachers; $6.95 children (ages 3–12).

daily |

Roadrunner Food Bank. Volunteers needed to prepare packaged food for distribution, repack and sort items, and other activities. The gift of your precious time helps solve hunger for many New Mexicans. Volunteers must register in advance. Shifts are available in two-hour increments, Mondays– Saturdays. Info: 5840 Office Blvd. NE, givetime@rrfb.org, (505) 349-5358.

daily |

Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico. They 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, volunteer@rmhcnm.org, rmhc-nm.org, (505) 842-8960.

daily |9 am–4 pm

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Please join them for virtual and in-person events which offer a unique way to experience Pueblo culture including cultural dances, daily artists, lecture series, pick-up meals, book club, collections tours, Indigenous agriculture workshops, and many other special events. While here, enjoy the restaurant and shop at the store. Info: IPCC, 2401 12th Street NW, (505) 843-7270.

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See website for events and exhibitions, indianpueblo.org.

Info: naminewmexico.org, namialbuquerque. org, information line (505) 260-0154. Free.

Tickets: $6–$10 at explora@explora.us/ visitor-information.

daily | 7 am–8 pm

daily | 10 am–8 pm

daily | 12:30 pm

daily | 10 am–5 pm

various days | monday– thursday 9 am–12 pm; saturday–sunday 10 am–2 pm

Free Fishing. From sun-up to sun-down, practice your basic fly-tying methods, flyrod casting techniques, fishing etiquette, effective catch-and-release practices, and enhancement of advanced skills. Bring your own equipment and refreshments as the store and cafes are currently closed. Great place for a picnic with trails. Make sure you have a fishing license. Info: Tingley Beach, 1800 Tingley Drive SW, call 311 or (505) 768-2000.

daily | 10 am–1 pm; 2–6 pm

Adopt a Pet. Find your best pet ever. Adopt a dog, cat, puppy, or kitten from Animal Humane New Mexico. Adoption fees include spay/neuter, vaccinations, and a microchip. Info: 615 Virginia Street SE, (505) 255-5523 and 10141 Coors Blvd. NW, (505) 323-7387, animalhumanenm.org.

daily | various times

NAMI NM and NAMI Albuquerque (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill). There are many support programs available weekly through Zoom at no charge. Also, 8-week classes are offered on mental illness that are available at no charge to family members and people with a mental health condition or diagnosis. During trying times, stress, anxiety, depression, and anger are prevalent.

Watermelon Mountain Ranch Animal Center. New Mexico’s largest no-kill animal shelter seeks loving homes for rescued dogs and cats. Adoptions occur at select PetSmart locations and Watermelon Mountain Ranch. Donations, fosters, and volunteers are always welcome. Info: wmranch.org, (505) 771-0140, wmranchnm@aol.com. Amapola Gallery. This is a group of 39 local artists and artisans who have joined together to keep quality and variety up, prices down. They are small, local, creative, and the artists’ wondrous works are always priced right. Info: Amapola Gallery in Old Town on the Plaza at 205 Romero, NW, (505) 242-4311, amapolagallery.com.

daily | 10 am–5 pm; open from 9–11 am mondays for Toddler Time

Explora! Explora is an innovative experiential learning center located in the heart of Old Town Albuquerque with over 250 interactive exhibits and activities in science, technology, engineering, art, and math for the whole family. Info: 1701 Mountain Road NW, explora@explora.us, (505) 600-6072.

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Duplicate Bridge. There are open games for newer and experienced players Monday through Saturday, and special novice games on Thursdays. Come with your favorite partner or call us for help finding a partner. Info: Duke City Bridge Club, 8616 Northeastern Blvd. NE, (505) 271-2877, dukecitybridge.com. Entrance fee is $6.

The Wheels Museum, Inc. This museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit community organization whose mission is to create a transportation museum at the downtown Albuquerque Steam Locomotive Repair Shops. Educational programs, tours, and presentations are provided for the community in the 21,000 square foot historic building located at 2nd and Pacific, SW (1100 2nd Street, SW). Info: Please visit wheelsmuseum.org for information on all the interesting and informative exhibits, (505) 243-6269. Tax deductible donations are gratefully accepted; contact Leba at leba4@aol.com.

various days | various times

ABQ Scavenger Hunt. Teams of 2 to 5 people solve clues, complete challenges, and work together to unravel secrets of the city. Info: (805) 603-5620, 1919 Old Town Rd. NW, urbanadventurequest.com, $49 per team; $10 off coupon at visitalbuquerque. org.

various days | various times

Tango Club of Albuquerque. Please contact info@abqtango.org for details about various classes, workshops, and opportunities for social dancing.

sundays | check website

Breaking Bad Tour. Breaking Bad fans won’t want to miss this entertaining and actionpacked tour that features many show locations that only true fans will appreciate. Your Breaking Bad knowledge will be tested with trivia from the show, so come prepared to win prizes. Locations may change depending upon ongoing filming schedules. Info: 1919 Old Town Road NW, abqtours.fun for more information and $80 tickets.

sundays | 10:30 am

Chatter Sunday offers weekly Sunday morning concerts which also include readings and refreshments. A calendar can be found at chatterabq.org or by date in Datebook, previous pages. Info: Performances are held at 912 3rd Street NW. Doors open at 9:30; for best seats, come early and enjoy the coffee and camaraderie. Advance tickets: $16 adults, $9 under-30 and students, and $5 children, at chatterabq. org/boxoffice and if still available, at the door: $20 adults, $9 students, $5 children.

mondays |9–11 am

Toddler Time at Explora. Enjoy Explora with your wee ones in an exclusive extra hour, including story time and special songs by our very own resident musician, Tom. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, (505) 6072, explora.us.

mondays | 12 pm

Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque. Speaker luncheons are held the first three Mondays of each month. Our speaker programs are highly regarded. Info: Embassy Suites Hotel, 1000 Woodward Place NE. Reserve your seat for the buffet lunch at dorner66@ gmail.com.

mondays | 2:30–4 pm

UNM and Cancer Support Now. Survivors Writing Together is a journaling support group for survivors, men and women, all cancer diagnoses. Info: Our Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 2550405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call our helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.

first and third mondays | 4:30–5:30 pm

UNM and Cancer Support Now. Survivors and/or caregivers, all diagnoses, men, and women. Info: Our Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call our helpline for an invitation to join a web

support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.

mondays and wednesdays | 9:30 pm

Online Tango Classes. Live lessons with Eva Garlez and Pablo Rodriguez. Info: Bien Milonguero Tango School, 1512 First Street NW. evaypablotango@gmail.com or (505) 313-5316 text or Whatsapp.

mondays–saturdays | 12–2 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 silversmithing. Info: The Turquoise Museum, 400 2nd St. SW, turquoisemuseum.com, (505) 433-3684. Tickets: $20 adults, $15 children.

tuesdays | 2–3 pm

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. Pre-registration required, (505) 348-4451, free.

tuesdays | 3:30–5 pm

UNM/Cancer Support Now. Friends and Family Writing Together. This is a journaling support group for survivors of metastatic cancer; men and women, all diagnoses. Info: Our Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call our helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.

tuesdays | 6–8 pm

Chess Club. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Info: Corrales Community Library, 84 West La Entrada, (505) 897-0733.

tuesdays | 6:30–8:30 pm

The New MexiChords Barbershop Chorus. Love to sing? The New MexiChords Barbershop Chorus is looking for men and women to join them. It is not necessary to read music to join. Sheet music and learning tracks are available to learn songs. Two concerts are performed annually and they also sing at Albuquerque’s Citizenship Naturalization Ceremonies as well as other civic events, such as the Balloon Fiesta and others as they arise. Info: St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona Ave. NE. For more information, contact Walt Parsons at (505) 410-9635.

second tuesdays | 4–7 pm

Tasting Tuesdays at Town and Ranch. On the second Tuesday of every month, New Mexico spirits are sampled with guests from distilleries around the state. Stop by to try something new, meet local distillers, and relax. Info: Town and Ranch, 1318 Fourth Street NW, lospoblanos.com/events/townranch-events, (505) 808-1715.

tuesdays, wednesdays, and thursdays | 6 pm

Argentine Tango Classes. Practicums and events with Puerta al Tango (Graham P. Stanford). Info: Las Puertas, 1500 First Street NW, Puerta-al-tango.com. Contact graham@puertotango.com.

tuesdays–saturdays | 9 am–5 pm

Art and History Exhibitions. Albuquerque Museum. See the website for the current listing of exhibitions. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq. gov/artsculture/abqmuseum, (505) 2437255. General admission: $3-$6; a $5 exhibition surcharge may apply.

tuesdays–saturdays | 9:30 am, 1:30 pm tuesdays–fridays; 10:30 am, 12 pm, 1:30 pm saturdays

Casa San Ysidro Tours. Take a tour of this late 19th century building filled with an excellent collection of New Mexico vernacular art. Info: Casa San Ysidro, 973 Old Church Road, Corrales, cabq.gov/ casasanysidro, (505) 898-3915, $4–$6 general admission.

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 Rd. SW, Suite C, (505) 3638499 or (800) 272-3900.

first and third tuesdays | 12–1:30 pm

Cancer Support Now. Rio Rancho area breast cancer support group for patients and survivors of breast cancer. Info: Our Helpline is available 7 days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.

second tuesdays | 10:30 am–12 pm

Pueblo of Isleta Cancer Community Support. Info: Isleta Pueblo Health Clinic, 1 Sagebrush Street.

second tuesdays | 12–2 pm

Cancer Support Now. How to be your Own Best Advocate for patients, survivors and/or caregivers, any cancer. Learn to identify and eliminate barriers in finding both medical and non-medical resources, information, and support during cancer diagnosis and treatment. Info: Our Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 2550405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.

tuesdays–sundays | 10 am–5 pm

National Hispanic Cultural Center Exhibits. See the website for the current listing of exhibitions. Info: National Hispanic Cultural

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Center, 1701 Fourth St. SW, (505) 246-2261, nhccnm.org.

tuesdays, thursdays, fridays, sundays | 11 am

Historic Old Town Tours. Explore historic Old Town on foot with informative docents who will provide insight into the people and places that shaped this early community. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Rd. NW, cabq.gov, 243-7255. Tour included with paid museum admission, $4-$6, Sundays free.

second and fourth tuesdays | 4–5:30 pm

Cancer Support Now. Santa Fe Women’s Group, Surviving Sisters. All cancers, all diagnoses, all stages, all women. Info: The Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.

tuesday–sunday |10 am–5 pm

The Corrales Bosque Gallery. Artistowned and operated, the Corrales Bosque Gallery is delighted to display the work of its 18 member-artists. We work in a wide variety of media and styles, including painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, drawing, folk art, beadwork, and mosaic. Come see us and enjoy! Info: 4685 Corrales Road, (505) 898-7203, corralesbosquegallery.com.

wednesdays–sundays | 10 am–4 pm

to connect with someone for one-to-one support.

Natural History Museum. Explore the most dynamic dinosaurs that roamed New Mexico. Learn to balance like Seismosaurus, hunt like Coelophysis, and stomp like Tyrannosaurus. Info: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Rd. NW, nmnaturalhistory.org, (505) 841-2848.

wednesdays–sundays | 11 am–5 pm

Help Socialize Cats and Have Fun. Please visit and enjoy drinks, snacks, and spending time with adorable adoptable cats at Catopia Cat Cafe. Your visit will support their foster home and they will love the snuggles and playtime until they find permanent homes. Regular hours are ages 8+ and an all ages night is offered from 5-8 pm Wednesdays. Also offered are Yoga with Cats, Painting with Cats, and Henna Cat-toos. Info: catopiacatcafe.com, Paseo Village, 8001 Wyoming NE, Suite C-5, (505) 508-4278.

thursdays | 11:30 am

Road Runner Business Networking Group. If you’d like to generate more business referrals, meet with us. Info: Jimmy’s Café, 7007 Jefferson NE. Contact Terry at (505) 377-6074, triddle@rmmsonline.com or roadrunnersabq.com.

thursdays | 4–5:30 pm

Free First Wednesday. Start your month off right with free admission to the Albuquerque Museum and Sculpture Garden tour. An additional $5 special exhibit surcharge may apply. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Rd. NE, cabq.gov/ artsculture, (505) 243-7255.

UNM and Cancer Support Now. Friends and family writing together. This is a journaling support group for grief and anticipatory grief for caregivers of a person with any type of cancer. Info: The Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.

wednesdays, tuesdays, and thursdays | 6 pm

thursdays, tuesdays, and wednesdays | 6 pm

first wednesdays | 9 am–5 pm

Argentine Tango Classes. Practicums and events with Puerta al Tango (Graham P. Stanford). Info: Las Puertas, 1500 First Street NW, Puerta-al-tango.com. Contact graham@puertotango.com.

second wednesdays | 12–1 pm

Cancer Support Now. Sandia Base cancer support group for survivors of all cancers, all stages, men, and women. Info: The Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 2550405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.

second and fourth wednesdays | 11:30 am

Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte. The Club welcomes visitors and community partners interested in networking, fellowship, and uplifting presentations to luncheon attendees. New members are welcomed into committees which suit their interests and skills. Info and schedule: rotarydelnorte.org, email rotarydelnorteabq@gmail.com.

Argentine Tango Classes. Practicums and events with Puerta al Tango (Graham P. Stanford). Info: Las Puertas, 1500 First Street NW, Puerta-al-tango.com. Contact graham@puertotango.com.

first and third thursdays | 4:30–6:30 pm

Cancer Support Now. Pancreatic cancer caregiver support group for caregivers of patients and survivors of pancreatic cancer, all stages, men, and women. Info: The Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Hosting web meetings only currently. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.

first and third thursdays | 6–8 pm

Cancer Support Now. Women’s North Valley cancer support group for all cancers, all women, survivors and/or caregivers. Info: The Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or

second and fourth thursdays | 3:30–5 pm

Cancer Support Now. Pancreatic cancer support group for patients and survivors, all stages of diagnosis, men, and women. Info: The Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support.

thursdays | 4–6 pm

Tutoring Thursdays at Explora. Tutoring in the Tech Lab. Want help with that tricky homework or a study partner for that upcoming quiz? Drop in for an effective tutoring session. Ages 13–19 welcome. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, (600) 6072, explora.us.

thursdays | 9:30 pm

Online Tango Classes. Follower’s technique with Eva. All levels. Info: Bien Milonguero Tango School, 1512 First Street NW, evaypablotango@gmail.com or (505) 3135316 text or Whatsapp.

fridays | 12–1:30 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 Care Program, (505) 821-3214, free.

fridays | 1–4 pm

Tamarind Institute. 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). See a collaborative process video and a printing demonstration. The public is welcome, no reservation required; reservation for other times: tamarind.unm.edu. Info: Tamarind Institute, 2500 Central Ave. SE, (505) 277-3901. Free.

fridays | 4–6 pm

Fix-it Fridays and Crafternoons at Explora. Join others for a variety of projects – repair your broken electronics, use sewing skills to bring old clothes back to life, and craft with friends over Boba Tea drinks. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, (600) 6072, explora.us.

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. Call to confirm schedule, (505) 508-4020, holidaydancestudio.com, $30.

every first friday |

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 hot air ballooning and other lighter-than-aircraft. Info: 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE (north

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FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

of Alameda), (505) 768-6020, cabq.gov/ balloon.

fridays | 7–9 pm

Square Dance. Come dance with the Duke City Square Dance Club every Friday night. We dance SSD, Mainstream and Plus levels. Info: Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins Street. dukecitysquaredanceclub. The cost is $8. For more information, contact dukecitysd0@gmail.com.

every third friday | 7–9 pm

Cactus and Succulent Society of New Mexico. Discuss cacti and succulents; enjoy a program presented on a subject relevant

to these plants. The program usually includes a slideshow. It is not necessary to be a member to attend. Info: Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE, (505) 296-6020 new-mexico.cactus-society.org.

fridays, saturdays, and sundays

Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque. The passion and energy of flamenco comes alive as you experience flamenco in its most intimate, powerful setting in the heart of historic Old Town Albuquerque. Featuring a world-class lineup of artists, the Tablao Flamenco presents a dynamic schedule of performances. Info: Friday and

Saturday dinner shows feature electrifying performances accompanied by an exclusive four-course meal created by Hotel Albuquerque’s Chef, Gilbert Aragon. Visiting on Sunday? Enjoy a light tapas menu and regionally inspired fine wines and spirits. Reservations and more information, dates, and times are found at tablaoflamenco.org.

saturdays |9 am–12 pm

Free Duplicate Bridge Lessons. Whether you are new to bridge or a former or rusty player, come to the free supervised play lessons – no partner needed. Info: Duke City Bridge Clu, 8616 Northeastern Blvd. NE, (505) 271-2877, dukecitybridge.com.

saturdays | 12–1 pm

Watermelon Mountain Ranch Volunteer Orientation. Come 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. Reservations required: volunteerwmr@ gmail.com.

saturdays | 1–3 pm

Duke City Model Yacht Club. Join us every Saturday at Tingley Beach where we race remote-controlled sailboats. All are welcome to visit us at the pond. We will be happy to help you sail one of our boats before or after the races. Info: 1800 Tingley Drive SW, dcmyc.org.

most 2nd, 4th and 5th saturdays | 7–10 pm

ABQ Dance Club. Fun social dances with a variety of music for swing, country, ballroom, and Latin. All levels. No partner needed and beginners are welcome (introductory dance lesson at 6:45 pm on 4th Saturdays). Info: ABQ Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins NE. For info and to confirm schedule, email glkello@nmia.com or call (505) 299-3737 (no text; leave message). $8 fee ($5 ADC).

saturdays | 2:30–4:30 pm

Tango Club of Albuquerque’s Weekly Practice. At this Argentine Tango practice, no partner is necessary. Info: ABQ Square Dance Center, 4909 Hawkins NE, abqtango. org.

second saturday of each month | 6–8:30 pm

Community Coffee House. Warm up with a cup and the opening musical performer. This is a great way to spend a Saturday evening listening to music and enjoying friends, old and new. Info: Unity Spiritual Center, relocated from the East Mountains to 9800 Candelaria NE, (505) 292-1998, uscabq. org/coffeehouse for information about the month’s performers. (Not affiliated with the church.)

third saturday of each month

Blue Star Mothers. General membership meeting for mothers of sons or daughters who currently serve or have served in the U.S. military that pack care packages four times a year for those serving in the military. They also volunteer and participate in several military events throughout the year. Info: 2919 2nd St. NW, rgvnmbsm.org. Contact Ruby at rubyjeangarcia@gmail.com

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or (505) 203-8250 or Denise at (505) 8836240. Free.

monday thru friday | 9:30 am–2:30 pm

Albuquerque Garden Center. Our events include the Cactus and Succulent Society Show and Sale, the African Violet Show and Sale, the Annual Spring Plant Sale, and the Aril and Iris Show. Info: Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE. albuquerquegardencenter.org. Free.

every first saturday | 10–11:30 am

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

second and fourth saturdays | 10–11:30 am

Cancer Support Now. Create to heal using art, music, writing, and meditation to explore the journey of cancer, for survivors and caregivers, all diagnoses, men, and women. Info: The Helpline is available seven days a week at (505) 255-0405. Currently hosting web meetings only. Please call the helpline for an invitation to join a web support group or to connect with someone for one-to-one support. EARLY MARCH, 2024 DATES

friday 1 | 7:30 pm

Art and Music. Join the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra for their March concert series featuring Sierra’s Fandangos, Vaughn Williams’ Concerto for Tuba, and Grofe’s Grand Canyon Suite. Info: First Unitarian Church, 3701 Carlisle NE. Concerts are free, open seating, no tickets required, donations appreciated, children welcome. Visit abqphil.org or call (505) 433-7445 for more information.

sunday 3 | 3 pm

Art and Music. Join the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra for their March concert series featuring Sierra’s Fandangos, Vaughn Williams’ Concerto for Tuba, and Grofe’s Grand Canyon Suite. Info: Sue Cleveland High School, 4800 Cleveland Heights Road NE, Rio Rancho, NM. Concerts are free, open seating, no tickets required, donations appreciated, children welcome. Visit abqphil.org or call (505) 433-7445 for more information.

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.

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

SOCIAL

MEDIA STARS OF ABQ

Like most new trends, it took a beat or two before we realized that social media influencers at the local level were indeed a real thing. Of course, we’ve always had ABQ celebrities (okay, ABQ fighters) with enormous numbers of followers—Instagram shows Jon Jones with 8 million followers, and Holly Holm with 2.5 million. But local influencers have some online clout, as well, having developed their followings more methodically and organically. Who are these new-age pied pipers, and how have they developed influence in the mysterious world of algorithms, metrics, and niche-posting? Here’s a look at a dozen influential ABQ social media stars, and their paths to gathering thousands—if not millions—of likes.

STORIES BY ANGELA BENNETT STUDIO PORTRAITS BY DON JAMES I N S E T P H O T O S CO U R T E S Y O F I N S TAG R A M

FOLLOWERS 160K

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AGE: 38 DAY JOB: I HAVEN’T HAD A TYPICAL 9-TO-5 SINCE I SIGNED MY FIRST RECORD DEAL IN 2009. PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, YOUTUBE, FACEBOOK FIRST POST: I STARTED ON MYSPACE ABOUT 2004. I GUESS I’M OG NOW. POST MANAGEMENT: I MANAGE EVERY SINGLE PLATFORM MYSELF. EVERYTHING YOU’VE EVER SEEN WAS COMPLETELY CURATED BY ME. TIME SPENT POSTING: ABOUT 90 MINUTES EACH DAY. REVENUE EARNED: IT’S ENOUGH TO PROVIDE SOME THINGS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECOGNIZED? HONESTLY, EVERY SINGLE DAY. FAVORITE POST: THE MOST MEMORABLE WOULD PROBABLY BE THE GTA (GRAND THEFT AUTO) IN ALBUQUERQUE SERIES, BECAUSE MY SON JOHNNY JR. FILMED EVERY SINGLE ONE. WHO I FOLLOW: I TRY AND FOLLOW PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT MAKE ME LEARN, MAKE ME LAUGH, AND MAKE ME FEEL INSPIRED.

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JOHNNY JAMES

FROM TALKING BACK TO TEACHERS TO TALKING TO THE INTERNET MASSES

ames grew up with what he calls a “dark background” as a kid in Grants, where he eventually got kicked out of high school. “My music and my humor have kept me somewhat happy,” he says. The music—James is a rapper with four albums to his credit—honed his skills as a public persona, which he conveyed into popularity in social media beginning in 2020 with his New Mexico-inspired rants and observations. He riffs on the Land of Enchantment’s signature approaches to family, food, language and culture—with accurate and piercing takes. “I’m not scared to do whatever I want, and that’s all I’m doing,” says James, a father of four boys. “Humans are multifactored, and they understand all of it.” But he also takes the role of ‘influencer’ seriously. A fan in Gallup recently told James that his deceased girlfriend had asked to be buried with the memorabilia she had bought at James’ rap show in 2016. “The album, the signed tickets, the shirts,” says James, his voice shaking. “In that moment, I started thinking to myself, ‘What is your message, what are you trying to say, and who are the people paying attention to you?’” James says he’s working on expanding his scope of influence. Next up is the launch of his lifestyle brand, called Good Trip, involving furniture, clothing, cannabis. “I guess, for me, the end goal,” says James, “is to never really have an end goal.”

WHY HIS AUDIENCE LIKES HIM:

THE HIGH SCHOOL BLUES:

HIS DIVERSE FAN BASE: I have sons in high school, middle school and preschool, and when I go to all their schools the kids are like ‘Take a picture with me.’ Then I have 70-year-old ladies who tell me, ‘Mijo, I love what you do.’ I was at Disneyland with my family, and this lady recognized me and asked to take a picture with me. She was a White lady from Arkansas in her 60s, never been to New Mexico. Crazy.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT POST?: It’s almost impossible to figure out. You’ll have a piece of content do extremely well on Instagram, and it tanks on TikTok. Or it does great on TikTok but it tanks on Facebook. You just roll the dice.

I think my place has always been a place of 100 percent authenticity. I don’t want to sugar coat anything, because something will still be (expletive) even if you sugar coat it. People are always going to relate to honesty.

I was bad with authority in school, because I knew what I was doing and I had ability, which makes it even worse. I couldn’t use ignorance as my excuse. I got kicked out of school, and I take responsibility for that part of my life.

DECIDING WHAT TO POST:

Honestly, I just go based off my gut and what I think feels right. Sometimes the Internet might judge it differently. But when I see people (in person) and the way the react, that’s a real measuring stick.

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BEING RECOGNIZED IN PUBLIC:

I don’t take it for granted. The people that are in my corner get off on what I do. They put me in a position to be able to provide for my family and create how I love to (create). I would never take that for granted.

SOCIAL MEDIA FAME:

At some point I started going viral, I started getting the ‘thing,’ or whatever you want to call it. I was like, ‘Was I doing this to be famous?’ And you can say ‘I wasn’t, I wasn’t,’ but until you’re actually there, then you really don’t know. And now that I’m there, I know for damn sure that I wasn’t doing it for accolades and recognition. ON PAYING FOR VIEWS:

TikTok might say ‘For a quick $5, you can get more people to see this.’ I’m a businessman, I see what it is, pay more and more people see it. But I say (expletive) that, just make your content, put it out. NEGATIVE POST COMMENTS:

This is hard for me, because coming from the streets, the way I react is to get combative and defensive. But for someone to spend energy commenting on me, maybe they’re not doing too well, maybe their life is in shambles. So that helps me to not go down there and interact in the (expletive) mud. HIS HEARTFELT POSTS: I’m doing those a lot more now because it’s about being responsible. And that’s something I originally never (expletive) wanted. I know now that there’s power in speaking to people. I tend to like the word ‘influencer’ because it means you can relate to people. The question becomes, ‘What the (expletive) are you using it for,’ right?

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AGE: 68 DAY JOB: SENIOR PASTOR, CALVARY CHURCH PLATFORMS: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, X, YOUTUBE INTRO TO SOCIAL MEDIA: FACEBOOK, AROUND 2009 POST MANAGEMENT: I HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER, BUT I ALSO POST, ESPECIALLY ABOUT PERSONAL THINGS MONETIZATION? I’M UNSURE. I DON’T SEE ANY OF IT PERSONALLY. MY TEAM AT THE CHURCH WOULD KNOW MORE. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECOGNIZED? OFTEN. I WAS RECENTLY IN ENGLAND, GERMANY AND ROME, AND WAS APPROACHED BY PEOPLE FROM THOSE COUNTRIES, PLUS AFRICAN COUNTRIES, AND EVEN PAKISTAN, WHO ALL SAW ME ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA: WE’VE HAD MANY PEOPLE WHO TRAVELED ACROSS THE U.S. TO VISIT OUR CHURCH. IT MEANS A LOT THAT THEY WOULD MAKE SUCH A HUGE EFFORT, ALL BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO EXPERIENCE PERSONALLY WHAT THEY HAD ONLY BEEN ABLE TO EXPERIENCE DIGITALLY. FAVORITE POSTS? POSTS ABOUT FAMILY AND FRIENDS. AND THE POST ANNOUNCING THAT IN-N-OUT BURGER IS COMING TO NEW MEXICO!

PASTOR SKIP HEITZIG USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO BRING ABOUT A MORE SPIRITUAL FACE-TO-FACE CONVERSATION

he popular founder of Calvary Church—one of ABQ’s largest congregations—has long used media communication to reach the flock. He’s written several books, plus a doctoral thesis on how to use media as part of a ministry. The church even owns its own radio station. His messaging now includes social media, where online followers get doses of his personal life along with spiritual posts. He engages a worldwide audience online, but acknowledges that it’s a forum with limitations. “When you’re just reading words, you have to read tone of voice into it, you have to read body language into it,” says Heitzig. “And that means you may or may not be accurate. That’s the thing about social media is that it’s antisocial.” Still, any nascent medium represents an audience that all clergy cherish: potential new church members. Heitzig says today’s digital engagement reminds him of a similar outreach from his younger days. “If you go back in time, Billy Graham went on TV and was an early adapter, and just kind of kept rolling with it,” says Heitzig, who says watching the iconic evangelist on TV in the 1970s was responsible for his personal journey to finding the faith. “So, I’m a big fan of using the media, because the media influenced me.”

SPIRITUALITY & SOCIAL MEDIA:

We have a large number of subscribers on YouTube, and I think COVID kind of launched a lot of that interest because people couldn’t get out or go to church. So, they would tune in, and that’s a trend that’s continued. PERSONAL POSTS:

I would say about half of my posts are personal, and half are for the church. On YouTube we have whole messages that last 45 minutes to an hour. With Instagram it’s just snippets, but I like to throw in things about my daily life that people might be interested in. MIGRATING AN AUDIENCE:

Posts are great and obviously very engaging. But it’s nice to have the viewers on YouTube who are there for the longer message. I did my doctoral dissertation on Convergent Media, on using different things like radio and print items, inviting people to church. Then other things came along, like tapes, then CDs, then stream-

ing, then live-streaming—we adapted all of it. Paul the Apostle uses a scripture where he says, “We will, by all means possible, get the gospel out.” SPIRITUAL MESSAGING:

The downside is you’re only getting a snippet, so you lose context. But hopefully this is where the convergence starts, where one piece of media leads to another. Hopefully (social media) will generate interest for longer engagement through other platforms, or an in-person visit. POSTING ON THE MIDDLE EAST:

I was in Israel a couple of weeks ago and posted a lot so that people could see what’s going on. Lots of people are just now taking notice of the issue, and asking things like ‘What’s the deal with Israel and Palestine?’ and ‘How far back does the conflict go?’ So, I used social media to speak to the importance of what’s going on. It’s relevant to the Bible, which makes predictions about the end of days and the players that would be involved that

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include Israel and surrounding hostile neighbors. NEGATIVE COMMENTS:

I don’t know if they’re bots or actual people, but we get both sides of every issue. And you have to wonder, are there people out there that have a lot of time to glom onto things like this? And evidently there are. THE GAME CHANGED:

I started with Facebook, but it seemed like it was geared for people who would sit at a computer and have time to engage and respond. But Instagram is quicker, more snapshot-oriented, and the message can be more clear and concise. THE ROLE OF X (TWITTER): I often use it to ask for peoples’ opinions on a certain topic. Everybody has an opinion, and they should. I like the fact that it’s trending now toward an open discourse rather than flagging people who disagree with the corporate structure. The only way you can have a dialog is for people to be honest. LIMITATIONS OF SOCIAL MEDIA:

There really is no social construct except you’re reading a few words and spouting out a few words. It leaves a lot of gray area and a lot of assumption, and assumption is the lowest form of communication. The best form of communication is person-to-person. THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA:

It’s out there and it’s a presence, and we do it because people do it. It’s supplemental, at best. Ultimately, where I would like to see it going is for us to put our phones down and look at each other and have meaningful conversations.

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AGE: 20 DAY JOB: I’M A FULL-TIME CREATOR. PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, YOUTUBE, X FIRST POST: I STARTED WATCHING YOUTUBE VIDEOS IN 2010, AND STARTED POSTING MY OWN IN 2016. POST MANAGEMENT: I SHOOT, EDIT AND POST EVERYTHING MYSELF. TIME SPENT POSTING: I DEVOTE PROBABLY THE SAME AMOUNT AS A FULL-TIME JOB, AROUND 40-60 HOURS A WEEK. REVENUE EARNED: MY HIGHEST-EARNING VIDEOS HAVE MADE $10K ON YOUTUBE. AFTER 2023, I WAS ABLE TO GO FULL-TIME INTO CREATING. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECOGNIZED? IT’S BEEN HAPPENING MORE IN NEW MEXICO, BUT I ALSO GET RECOGNIZED IN PLACES LIKE LOS ANGELES. FAVORITE POST: MY 2022 RECAP VIDEO. IT WAS A BIG YEAR FOR ME, AND I SPENT WEEKS EDITING AND WORKING ON IT AND THE FINAL OUTCOME TURNED OUT PRETTY GREAT. WHO I FOLLOW: JUSTIN BIEBER (HE ALSO FOLLOWS ME BACK ON X), ARIANA GRANDE, HAILEY BIEBER, THE JENNERS, PLUS OTHER CREATORS, LIKE PETER MCKINNON, AND THE PAUL BROTHERS.

SEBBY CLEMENS

PROVING THAT EVEN THE BIGGEST DREAMS ARE NEVER TOO FAR OUT OF REACH

lemens has the job title that countless young people in his generation want (and worship): full-time social media influencer. But like any success story, his journey was years in the making. His hyper demeanor led his parents to enroll him in gymnastics, where he would shoot goofy self-videos of back flips and other gravity-defying hijinx, which gathered plenty of smashed ‘like’ buttons each time he posted them. (In between shooting funny content, he also managed to win a state gymnastics championship.) But his foray into social media got an even bigger jump-start at his graduation ceremony from Sandia Prep in 2022, where Clemens had a friend film his pre-planned backflip off the stage—gown, cap, diploma and all. “Post Malone commented on it. Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas commented on it. Right now it has close to a billion views across all platforms,” says Clemens, who also shot a cannon of confetti just before the flip. “The school had no idea I was going to do it.” He said the video’s viral popularity helped expand his following worldwide. And now he’s evolving his content so that it has a more introspective tone, including how-to posts on photography and design. He acknowledges that, even at age 20, he sees the bigger picture. “My posts now are more chill, more informative,” says Clemens. “There are so many bad influences and negative stuff on TV and the media, so I just want to be an inspiration for younger kids, the way other creators were for me.”

DEFINING HIS ONLINE NICHE:

It’s photography, filmmaking, videography, graphic design, music, acrobatics. It’s everything creative, I would say. Plus anything crazy and fun, I can do it.

HIS CREATIVE UPBRINGING:

I was an off-the-walls hyper kid, so to get me to quiet down at the dinner table, my parents would take out a crayon and my dad would teach me to draw. I just grew up with a pencil and paper, drawing everything. And then that led to using the computer and doing graphic design.

INSPIRED BY JUSTIN BIEBER:

He was a 13-year-old who became super famous and all the girls loved him, and I was like ‘I want to do that!’ That inspired me to start creating YouTube videos, be-

cause Justin got discovered on YouTube. I would do videos about my everyday life, just the things I was into. GYMNASTICS BOOST:

My parents put me in gymnastics to help release my energy, and it was the best thing. I would blog about my trips to gymnastics meets, with videos of me and my buddies screwing off and doing flips. My second YouTube video was about how to tighten the springs on a trampoline so you can bounce higher. It got a lot of views, and I was like, ‘Wow, I can keep this going.’ BEING A DREAMER PAYS OFF: I think I’ve always been kind of, I guess, delusional. I don’t even state most of my dreams or aspirations to other people

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because the dreams are just so crazy and they’re so big. But I’ve seen so many people go from nothing to being the biggest stars on the planet, so I think that’s all the evidence I need to make it happen. DOING TUTORIAL VIDEOS:

My most recent video was a tutorial on how to edit photos. I’m just now starting to get into that, kind of going through a little bit of a rebrand in showing more of my creative process. It’s stuff that I did a lot behind the scenes, but now I’m like, ‘Let me show you how I did this, let me show you how I got from Step A to Step B.’ OLD-SCHOOL INFLUENCER?

The rise of TikTok and Instagram influencers is massive, because of the shortform content, which I’m not a fan of. I make long-form content. But even though I have old-school preferences, I have to kind of abide by the algorithms and trends. So, I’ve dabbled in short-form content. In fact, my highest viewed video is a 15-second clip of my graduation flip.

INCOME ISN’T ALWAYS STEADY: Doing this is not the most stable thing. I’ll be honest about it. Like, there have been months where I’ve made insanely unfathomable money, but then the next month, I might make barely enough to get by. The biggest draw should be if you have the right motivations to do it. INFLUENCING IS TRENDY:

I think if everybody becomes an influencer, we’re all going to be doomed, because we need every single person that contributes to society in a different way. We need doctors, we need lawyers, we need the essential workers. That’s important. Besides, even now, the scene (of influencers) is crowded, and too many people are doing the same thing. 83

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DR. BEAU HIGHTOWER AGE: 40 DAY JOB: CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN AND DOCTOR OF NAPRAPATHY PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, YOUTUBE, FACEBOOK, X, RUMBLE FIRST POST: JOINED FACEBOOK IN 2004, BUT DIDN’T POST UNTIL 2013 ON INSTAGRAM. POST MANAGEMENT: MY WIFE AND I MANAGE OUR PAGES TOGETHER. SHE’S THE BEST. TIME SPENT: FIVE HOURS A WEEK POSTING AND REPLYING TO FANS. REVENUE EARNED: IT HAS PAID OFF OUR MORTGAGE AND CARS, AND I’LL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECOGNIZED? OFTEN. IT’S A BLESSING, I LOVE WHEN PEOPLE SAY HI. WHO I FOLLOW: MOSTLY PEOPLE I WORK WITH OR PEOPLE WITH ABQ TIES. I SPEND MORE TIME EVALUATING METRICS ON OUR POSTS.

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LAIS DELEON HIGHTOWER AGE: 36 DAY JOB: DEVOTED WIFE, HOMEMAKER AND DOG MOM. IT’S THE BEST JOB! PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE INITIATION: I WAS ON MYSPACE, I THINK IN 2005. POST MANAGEMENT: I MANAGE ALL OF MY ACCOUNTS, AND HELP MY HUSBAND WITH HIS. TIME SPENT: ON THE LAUNCH OF A NEW POST, TYPICALLY 20+ HOURS PER WEEK FILMING AND EDITING. REVENUE EARNED: SIX FIGURES, WHICH INCLUDES CREATING AND PROMOTING MY OWN PRODUCTS. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECOGNIZED? PRETTY OFTEN WHEN I USED TO DO EVENTS AND TRAVEL. I DON’T GET OUT MUCH THESE DAYS, I’M SUCH A HOMEBODY. FAVORITE POSTS: VIDEOS WHERE I’M TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE LASER HAIR REMOVAL OR CUPPING THERAPY. WHO I FOLLOW: NO CELEBRITIES, BUT A LOT OF GIRLY INFLUENCERS AND FRIENDS.

DR. BEAU HIGHTOWER AND LAIS DELEON HIGHTOWER ABQ’S SOCIAL MEDIA POWER COUPLE HAS DIALED IN EVERY FORMULA FOR ONLINE SUCCESS

f you’re looking to crown the royal couple of ABQ social media, you could do a lot worse that Dr. Beau Hightower and Lais DeLeon Hightower. He’s racked up a half-billion YouTube views with his body-snapping chiropractic videos, and she’s got a million followers who cling to her advice on health, fitness and beauty. Guess where they met? “It was online, yes,” says Lais. “We had mutual friends that eventually introduced us.” Her husband remembers it well. “It was on Facebook,” says Dr. Beau. “You can tell we’re social media people, right?” That would be an understatement. Beau’s body adjustment videos (many featuring celebrities and pro athletes) and their popularity on YouTube are the cornerstone of their social media empire. But wait… Lais also is paid to recommend products on Amazon, Poshmark and a few other online retailers. But wait… Beau has 700,000 followers on TikTok. But wait… Lais has more than 800K followers on Instagram. But wait… Beau has his own line of merchandise. But wait… You get the picture. And long before most of us, so did Lais, who navigated the frontier days of sponsored posts, online product placement, plugs for free merch, and all the other minefields that came with being an early influencer. His wife’s instincts for social media revenue are sharper than the crack of a vertebrae from Beau’s trusty mallet. “She has the brain for it,” he says, almost in awe. Did we mention she also does all the videography and editing for his posts? So, what’s next? With a large audience essentially validating his popularity, Beau is working on a video with an ABQ rapper and other local businesses, with an eye on leveraging a spotlight to their benefit. “That’s one thing about Beau,” says Lais, patting her hubby on the shoulder, “he’s always trying to turn people on to Albuquerque.”

ON CHIROPRACTIC VIDEOS:

(B) There were a lot of people who hadn’t seen that before. And watching people get their spines adjusted just happened to be satisfying for some people, just like the pimple popping videos or ASMR. It was the right place, right time. OF BEAUTY AND FITNESS: (L) I started as a model for clothing brands, and then did beauty and swimsuit pageants. I started getting into fitness and posting pictures to Facebook, and I guess people liked the results because

they would ask me ‘What are you doing (for workouts)?’ So when Instagram started, I began posting my workouts, what my meals were, and that’s what started to blow up my audience. THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: (B) Lais is the one who got me into it because she saw the potential there. She had already recognized the way to market your business while making money at it and having sponsors and other things like that.

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FINDING SPONSOR DOLLARS:

(L) At first, it wasn’t tough at all. Companies were throwing money at me, like ‘Post wearing this, exercise using this, say that you take this supplement.’ And there was no regulation, the companies just wanted exposure. (B) And I think people were less aware that they were being sold to, back in the day. SOCIAL MEDIA TRENDS: (B) People now are into the short-form content era, so YouTube is trying to do that, Instagram is trying to do that. (L) I feel like X (Twitter) is making a comeback too, in a way. I feel that people are talking about it more now than they had in the past. (B) Facebook is still the king, they have the most users, by far. And our videos get the most views there, too. IT’S ALL ABOUT AN AUDIENCE: (B) We live in an attention ecosystem, and attention economy. The Paul brothers ( Jake and Logan) for example, they’re very good at drawing it in. Over the last 10 years, the people who have succeeded the most in that area, whether it’s Conor MacGregor or whoever, it’s about who can get attention and who can drive eyeballs. If someone is doing something on social media intentionally and they’re smart, they can then pivot and monetize it and do something more with it. EVOLVING THE MESSAGE: (L) Every few years, I get antsy and want to change up what I talk about. I’m really interested in the femininity niche, where we’re talking about women optimizing their lives around their cycles, so that’s what I’m focusing on right now. But maybe if kids are in the picture, that will be part of it, too. My audience is usually around the same age as me, so they’re evolving with me and they understand. 85

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AGE: 38 DAY JOB: SYSTEMS ENGINEER AT SANDIA LABS PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK SOCIAL MEDIA HISTORY: I STARTED ON MYSPACE AROUND 2003, AND I’VE SIGNED UP FOR EVERY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM SINCE. POST MANAGEMENT: EVEN THOUGH I’M WITHOUT MY PHONE 11 HOURS A DAY DURING WORK, I DECIDED AGAINST SOMEONE HELPING ME POST BECAUSE I WOULD LOSE MY AUTHENTICITY. TIME SPENT POSTING: ABOUT 4 HOURS A WEEK SHOOTING, EDITING AND POSTING, PLUS 20-30 MINUTES A DAY RESPONDING TO COMMENTS. REVENUE EARNED: ABOUT $1,000 TOTAL. I DIDN’T GET INTO THIS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY. THIS IS MY PASSION PROJECT. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECOGNIZED? TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK. IF IT’S AT AN EVENT, IT’S USUALLY MORE. FAVORITE POST: I SHARED POSTS ON THE ABQ RAGE ROOM, TULLY’S ITALIAN DELI AND BIG BOI BBQ FOOD TRUCK, AND THE OWNERS THANKED ME AND SAID THEY GAINED NEW CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF MY VIDEOS. WHO I FOLLOW: @YOCHOWDAA, @_TRAVERSE_, @LOLAMARIE7, @WALTANDGUSTHEBERNESE, @GOLDENCHILAQUIL

ALEX NICOLETTE

POSTING ABOUT ABQ’S POSITIVE SIDE HAS MADE HER THE CITY’S UNOFFICIAL CHEERLEADER

t makes perfect sense that Nicolette’s social media feeds are filled with simple posts meant to give a good vibe or a shoutout. She has a deep love for her ABQ hometown, which, combined with some idle time brought on by the pandemic, led to her passion for finding cool and interesting locations around the city. So why not go one step further, she thought, and give them some love with a post? “It was a way for me to support them, so I thought, ‘Let me just do this,’” says Nicolette. “And it’s not always easy, going way across town to support them, but when I do, it always feels right.” She said it also felt good when, to her surprise, her posts started gaining traction. “I was on Instagram for 10 years but I never put effort into it. But during Covid in 2020 I was alone and bored and so I started posting and also using TikTok,” says Nicolette. “Then I hit 10,000 views, and I was like, ‘Okay.’ But even with her deep ties to ABQ and her background—she taught middle school language arts and worked for Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue— there’s something else that drives Nicolette to create online happiness. “I remember once seeing somebody’s video that was just a quote or something. And she probably posted it not thinking anyone might see it or get anything out of it,” she says. “But I saw it, and it really gave me a positive feeling. I hope to do that for others.”

MINDSET OF AN INFLUENCER:

I never would have imagined that people would care about what I have to say, or that they would get invested in what’s going on in my life. It’s crazy, but it’s also the world we live in now.

BEING RECOGNIZED IN PUBLIC:

I’ve been at concerts at Sandia Casino and people will come up to me and say, ‘Hey, you’re the girl from TikTok,’ and I’ll thank them for liking my videos. My parents were freaked out but not in a bad way. FAN DEMOGRAPHIC:

people who are into fashion, or who are into tattoos, or into music, it’s just people who love Albuquerque. That’s my life now, but in a good way. THE GROWTH OF FAME: I was asked to do a radio show this past year, and Mayor Keller’s office asked me to be the emcee for the State of the City Address. One of his team members said she put my name in the hat for it, and she said ‘People in the city who follow you, they trust you and trust what you have to say when it comes to anything local, and that was something we wanted.’

LOVE FOR ALBUQUERQUE:

I grew up in the North Valley, and after my parents divorced I split by time between Los Lunas and the North Valley. If we just all look around, there’s so much this city has to offer. Food, events, culture. There’s something every day of the week to love. I started the journey because Albuquerque is my passion. TOPICS THAT ARE OFF LIMITS:

I stay away from politics, and I keep my personal life separate, too. THE VIBE OF HER POSTS:

At the end of the day, the city is my passion. Growing up here, I see so much potential. But when you turn on the news, or even parts of social media, you see the negatives about the city, and people bashing the city. We are definitely not perfect, but at the same time there are so many people doing their part, trying to shine through. FINDING INSPIRATION TO POST:

If I feel there’s even one person who can relate to something, I’ll post about it. If somebody can find value in it, I’ll post about it. Even something like posting about a nail salon, which would be valuable to a person looking for a nail salon that they can trust. LOVE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES:

I’ve had local businesses reach out and ask ‘How much do you charge for a video?,’ and I tell them ‘Nothing.’ I know that a lot of these small businesses don’t always have a budget for marketing. I feel like I have this following and I do this for good reasons.

I have all sorts of people come up and talk to me, which I think is really cool. It’s not F E B R UA RY 2 02 4 | A L B U Q U E R Q U E T H E M AG A Z I N E

FOLLOWERS 18K

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AGE: 35 DAY JOB: HAIRSTYLIST PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, YOUTUBE, THREADS FIRST POST: IF WE WANNA GO WAY BACK, IT WAS MYSPACE AROUND 2005 OR 2006. POST MANAGEMENT: I MANAGE IT MYSELF. TIME SPENT POSTING: COULD BE A COUPLE HOURS ONE WEEK, OR 20+ HOURS ANOTHER WEEK. REVENUE EARNED: SOME MONTHS THOUSANDS, AND SOME MONTHS NOTHING. IT FLUCTUATES, WHICH I’M USED TO AS AN ACTOR. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECOGNIZED? NOT MUCH WHERE I LIVE NOW IN ABQ, BUT WHEN I GO BACK TO LOS ANGELES IT HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. FAVORITE POST: MY FIRST VIRAL VIDEO ON TIKTOK. IT WAS EXCITING TO SEE A POST BLOW UP AFTER YEARS OF CONSISTENTLY WORKING ON MY CONTENT. AS A PERSON IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, I FELT LIKE I COULD TRULY BE MYSELF ON TIKTOK. WHO I FOLLOW: CREATIVES WHO INSPIRE ME, AND JOURNALISTS AND ACTIVISTS. A COUPLE I STARTED FOLLOWING RECENTLY ARE @MOTAZ_AZAIZA AND @WIZARD_BISAN1.

AMANDA GRACE JENKINS AMANDA JENKINS HER EXTENDED STAY IN ABQ IS HELPING THIS ACTOR/INFLUENCER/ACTIVIST RESET HER COMPASS

race Jenkins moved to ABQ a couple of years ago, in part to seclude herself from the pandemic, but also to “just put my mental and physical health first.” Trained as an actor during her childhood in Colorado, Grace Jenkins also set her sights on the city’s ever-growing list of film and TV productions. But the move here—and away from the fast pace of Los Angeles—also has allowed Grace Jenkins to renew the connection to her huge online following (more than 400,000 on TikTok alone). “Social media has been a space where I have been able to really be myself, and I think that a lot of people look up to me in that way and feel inspired,” said Grace Jenkins. “When it comes to certain real-life issues, like truth or just a good message to the people that follow me, my audience knows they’re going to get that from me.” In true Millennial fashion, Grace Jenkins has more than one career calling. By day, she’s a hairstylist at ABQ’s Essentials Barber Shop. “What matters is that you’re loving what you do, whether you’re on social media or not,” she says. “That is so important. And the audience, they can see that.”

HER WIDE-RANGING PERSONA:

I’m kind of all over the place with my content, but that’s very much me. Sometimes I’m lighthearted and funny, and then sometimes you’re gonna get stuff that’s really serious and deep. But what comes across is authenticity, which is what I’m about and the things I stand for. BUT WHAT SHE’S REALLY LIKE: I would say my audience probably assumes that I’m a lot more outgoing than I really am from my social media posts, because I’m naturally introverted. But social media has created a space for me to really kind of show more of my personality in a comfortable place.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND ACTING:

When Covid came, it was difficult to audition in person. So, casting directors started to look at your social media pages as almost like a professional portfolio, in a way. They would actually request your Instagram handle. Also, a lot of influencers were getting cast over actors because of their large followings, which can help bring traffic to a project. So, I started caring about it more. Before that, I just wanted to have fun and post pictures of my food, or whatever. CAN’T PINPOINT HER POSTS:

I’m an actor, but in terms of what I put out for my content, it’s not very niche. A lot of actors are only putting out actor stuff. I just have fun and put out what I feel like around that time, and so many people are

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like, ‘Oh, you have to find your niche.’ I don’t really follow that rule. THE RESIDUAL OF POSTING:

Social media has helped me in my career, but it’s also helping my personal life. The amount of people I meet and become friends with in social media, who I never would have met otherwise, is incredible. People from all over the world. WHAT MAKES A GOOD POST?

It’s funny how on some of my viral videos, I spend almost no time on them. I might have this random idea that pops in to my head and one point in the day, and I’ll be like ‘Okay, let me shoot this real quick.’ And then it goes viral. THE FOODIE FUTURE:

I want to travel the world and try new foods and put that on social media. I’m waiting to transition my content into doing more things like food reviews. I haven’t done a lot of that type of content yet, but I would like to.

ON HAIR AND BEAUTY: Ever since my hair has been shorter, I’ve been trying to get away from posts about it. But people still want to see some of that type of content. And because I’m a hairstylist, I have knowledge of hair care and beauty and skin care that I’ve been able to put into my content to showcase. REPRESENTATION IS KEY:

My inner child is excited to see me getting every opportunity that I do because growing up I wasn’t able to see people that looked like me at all. So, my platform isn’t just helping me, it’s inspiring other young girls who are seeing themselves in someone they can relate to, and it means a lot.

FOLLOWERS 1.3K

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AGE: 29 DAY JOB: SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT/MODELING, AND REAL ESTATE. PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, YOUTUBE, FACEBOOK FIRST POST: MYSPACE, ABOUT 2007 OR 2008. POST MANAGEMENT: I MANAGE MY OWN PLATFORMS. TIME SPENT POSTING: AT LEAST 40 HOURS A WEEK. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THE JOKE, WHEN YOU WORK FOR YOURSELF YOU WORK 24/7? REVENUE EARNED: IT’S GROWING EVERY YEAR, BUT SINCE 2021 AROUND $50,000. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECOGNIZED? NOT EVERY DAY, BUT IT ALWAYS MAKES MY DAY WHEN PEOPLE COME UP AND TELL ME THEY’VE BEEN FOLLOWING AND ENJOY MY CONTENT. FAVORITE POST: THE POST WHERE I TALKED ABOUT MY SON LINCOLN’S FINAL CHEMO TREATMENT. WHO I FOLLOW: I REALLY LOVE FUNNY CREATORS LIKE @TREYNKENNEDY, AND I’M INSPIRED BY @MARINAWPHOTO AND @MADIPREW, PLUS BEAUTY INFLUENCERS LIKE @CHLOEMORELLO, @THEBIRDSPAPAYA AND @CARLIBEL

CASSANDRA ROSE COOPER

TAPPING INTO SOCIAL MEDIA HELPED HER (AND HER HUSBAND AND KIDS) SURVIVE THE CHALLENGES

ven Rose Cooper admits that life has thrown so many difficulties at her and her family that it almost seems unreal. Her premature twin boys spent their first three months in the intensive care unit. A few months after the family all returned to their Rio Rancho home, Rose Cooper was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Then exactly a year later, during Covid, her oldest son, Lincoln, was diagnosed with leukemia. “It sounds so made-up, I know,” says Rose Cooper, laughing. “At that time, I struggled, like ‘What does the Lord have for me?’ and ‘What am I supposed to do here?’” Turns out, the answer was in her hand. “I got on my phone and I got on my (social media), and I was very honest and transparent. I posted, ‘I don’t know if I’m supposed to be sharing this. This is a lot. I don’t know what to do,’” says Rose Cooper. Posting and reflecting helped her get through it all, she says. And as the audience grew, the family healed, right up to Lincoln’s completed leukemia treatment in 2022. Along the way, Rose Cooper’s online audience grew and grew, to the point where, without her really knowing it, she became an influencer. After everyone in her family returned to full health, she transitioned her posts to include health, fashion, and beauty, plus charities and causes related to their collective journey. “Everyone just made me feel so loved and like I was surrounded with a community that cared,” says Rose Cooper. “So, I just want to keep that going.”

THE GENESIS: I never went into social media on purpose. I always say that my social media journey was born when my twins were born, and so through their journey I was never alone, because I had so much support. I ended up copying and pasting text updates all the time, because everyone was asking ‘What can I do for you?’ It was all on Facebook, I didn’t even have Instagram back then. MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES:

It kind of just happened slowly and organically. For example, the first partnerships

I had online were all related to my kids. Baby bottles and toys and, I think, there was even a baby rattle. They saw my posts and sent me products. THE AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER: My love for photography came before I started influencing. When my oldest daughter, Leia, was a baby I would make her a tutu and set up a backdrop with a blanket and photograph her, just for me, not even to post. I think being a creator really is in my blood.

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MORE CONTENT AUDIENCE:

So, after I went through all the posting about the boys, it was like I had this following that I just feel is so genuine. They had followed me because of all the (health) stuff that had happened, but then I sort of started to branch out, doing creative posts on hair and makeup. And so followers that have come in more recent years, they almost kind of have to learn about the past to connect with me, in a way.

JUGGLING THE INFLUENCE:

There’s two arms to this, right? There’s the personal side, and there’s the business side. And I didn’t know the business side existed for the longest time, but without the personal, the business side doesn’t exist. So, I try to move with integrity and be authentic, and I don’t share about anything that I don’t really believe in. The main goal has always been to bring awareness. WINS FOR CHARITY, TOO:

This whole journey has led me to helping with so many great causes. I sit on the committee of the Make-A-Wish Gala, called Wine & Wishes. Lincoln went through the entire Make-A-Wish journey, so we have a whole family over there. I’m also on the board of Camp Enchantment, a local camp for kids who had or have cancer. I try to use my audience to help them wherever I can, and the bigger I can be, the more I can help. The stuff on my pages with beauty, fashion and photo shoots, that’s kind of filler for what’s more important. I won’t lie, I love doing that stuff, but that’s not the end goal.

FOLLOWERS 13K

AGE: 36 DAY JOB: EXECUTIVE CHEF OF SCALO RESTAURANT IN NOB HILL. PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM FIRST POST: FACEBOOK IN 2010. POST MANAGEMENT: I MANAGE MY ACCOUNT, AS WELL AS THE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT FOR SCALO. TIME SPENT POSTING: BETWEEN THE TWO ACCOUNTS, I DEDICATE 5-7 HOURS EACH WEEK. REVENUE EARNED: THAT PAGE ISN’T DESIGNED TO MONETIZE, BUT IT HAS LED TO OPPORTUNITIES EARNING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FROM PRIVATE DINNERS, COOKING LESSONS, WEDDINGS, CATERING, ETC. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECOGNIZED? FROM TIME TO TIME. MOST PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THAT THE FOOD IS THE STAR OF THE PAGE, NOT ME. FAVORITE POST: A PIC OF A DISH I CALLED “MELTING POTATOES” (SHOWN ABOVE). I MIRRORED THE POTATOES IN A HONEYCOMB PATTERN, A SIMPLE BUT WELL-EXECUTED DISH. IT RECEIVED THE MOST LIKES AND COMMENTS OF ANY OF MY POSTS. WHO I FOLLOW: @CHEFSROLL, @SPICEOLOGY, @DAVIDCHANG, @THEARTOFPLATING

CHEF DAVID RUIZ GETTING ARTISTIC SATISFACTION FROM SIMPLE YET CREATIVE PLATES OF AMAZING FOOD

uiz is no stranger to making the connection between the power of media, and the flavors he produces in the kitchen. As the Executive Chef at Scalo (and other ABQ restaurants over the past decade), he’s been featured numerous times on TV’s Food Network (“Chopped,” “Guy Fieri’s Family Road Trip,” “It’s CompliPlated”), and was also a 2018 winner of the James Beard Foundation’s Blended Burger

Project. But his use of social media has a somewhat different purpose than just bringing his kitchen creations to the masses. It’s more like inner therapy for Ruiz, who follows the same formula each time he posts: an intricately plated dish, bathed in gorgeous light, shot from overhead. And he only posts on Instagram, his preferred social media outlet. “I would say the effort I put into each dish is relaxed. I storyboard ahead of time, but I’m really just having fun doing something I like,” says Ruiz. His creations will often appear on the Scalo menu—and prompt diners to order the plate after seeing it online. And though his number of social media followers may seem low by influencer standards, keep in mind that his posts consist of only the name and pic of each dish, which routinely garner a modest number of likes. But some go viral, like a pic he posted a of a dish with potatoes arranged in a honeycomb pattern. The simple image continues to draw admirers more than two years after it was posted, and is now up to nearly 60,000 likes—a phenomenal number, considering that’s four times the amount of Ruiz’ Instagram followers. “Sometimes it’s the most simple things that are the most beautiful, and that’s the case with food on a plate,” says Ruiz, who shoots all of his photos with his iPhone. “I’m just having fun with it.” Ruiz says his fan base has also grown via re-posts of his work that routinely appear on other chef-oriented outlets and blogs, like Spiceology.com and chefsroll.com.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FOOD:

I started posting pics of my dishes because it was a platform to put the food that I like to cook, a space to be completely creative without judgment.

HIS LIGHTING SECRET:

At every restaurant where I’ve worked, I’ve found that there’s usually one area or space that has the best lighting. It’s usually a spot that has a lot of natural light coming

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through. And that’s where I’ll shoot all of my dishes. At Scalo, that spot happens to be near the front door. DEVELOPING A CREATIVE EYE:

I force myself to spend 30 minutes a day looking at food photos, mostly online. I love seeing how people plate food, and it’s helped me develop my style. Everyone has a unique approach, and it becomes personal for each chef. I wouldn’t say it’s like a signature, but it definitely becomes a style that you can recognize. ON HIS PLATING STYLE: I would say I tend to lean more toward a style that seasonal and colorful. For me, angles and symmetry are also a huge part of the visual appeal. People come into the restaurant all the time and ask to have the exact same dish that they saw pictured on Instagram. NOT JUST ABOUT THE SCIENCE:

With good food, there’s the creation and there’s the presentation. Food is all about chemistry. You put meat on a stick and put it on a grill, that’s chemistry. But when you’re done preparing the food and you’re presenting it to someone, that’s when food becomes more than chemistry, it becomes art. FROM SPICEOLOGY INTERVIEW:

Plating is absolutely an art and the thing I enjoy most about cooking. People eat with their eyes, so my plating is a process. It always varies and depends on the main ingredient, but I actively look to manipulate each ingredient naturally and make things look dimensional. Every design element and ingredient on the plate has a purpose.

FOLLOWERS 47K

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AGE: 30 DAY JOB: EVENT COORDINATING, MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FOR BUSINESSES. PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, SNAPCHAT, FACEBOOK, X, TUMBLR, THREADS BACK IN THE DAY: MYSPACE WAS MY FIRST PLATFORM WHEN I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. I NEVER REALIZED HOW MUCH OF A TOOL IT COULD BE UNTIL I GOT OLDER. POST MANAGEMENT: I MANAGE ALL MY OWN SOCIAL MEDIA. TIME SPENT POSTING: SOME DAYS IT’S FOUR HOURS, SOME DAYS IT’S EIGHT HOURS. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECOGNIZED? I THINK I’M STARED AT MORE THAN I’M APPROACHED. I’VE HAD AWESOME PEOPLE SHOW THEIR SUPPORT AND LOVE AT STORES OR EVENTS. FAVORITE POST: MY BABY ANNOUNCEMENT. IT EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS. IT WILL BE MEMORABLE AND MEANINGFUL TO BRING MY SON INTO A WORLD OF LOVE FROM PEOPLE IN ABQ. WHO I FOLLOW: NASTYA NASS, SETH ROGEN, JOE ROGAN, AND LOCALLY I FOLLOW JOHNNY JAMES, STEPH SUGAR AND MEAGHAN PENNING.

ESTHER ROSE USING SMARTS AND HARD WORK TO INFLUENCE THE MASSES FOR SMALL-BUDGET BUSINESSES

er portfolio of work is filled with modeling gigs, but Rose says she’s always wanted more. As an influencer who helps ABQ small businesses and organizations gain exposure and clicks, she’s more like a one-stop-shop marketing entrepreneur. “I did a lot of certifications and (advanced) classes in high school in publishing and marketing, and in college I took marketing classes,” says Rose, who attended CNM. She says part of her inspiration to become a top marketer comes from a letdown she experienced when she began modeling. She was invited to audition in person for Playboy magazine, but when she arrived she was told she had to be a size 2 and was rejected. “I decided it wasn’t going to hold me back,” she says, “and I started working on myself in so many ways.” In addition to local clients like ABQ Sweet Spot and Roadrunner Day Spa, Rose says she is in the works to do interactive marketing projects for businesses like Enchanted Botanicals, and Heavenly Skin.

INFLUENCING DIFFERENTLY:

I never wanted to be just the pretty face that showed up at the event, I wanted to be more than that. I always wanted to help do the marketing leading up to the event, and to make sure the messaging was correct, and make sure their imaging was right.

INFLUENCING BUSINESS:

I do a full-service approach when I help businesses do (social media marketing). I want to be hands-on and involved with their goals. Basically, I want to be one step above a consultant for them.

NOT AN EASY PROCESS: I meet with the business owner, ask them what they’re looking for and tell them to

paint me a picture. Once I see that, I ask them questions. Is the strategy for dayto-day growth? Is it for an event? Do they want to tie in a non-profit (organization)? It takes manpower to write proposals and figure out pricing tiers that best fit their needs as a business, so I want to do it right. LEARNING THE TRADE: I do work with a team, called Canvas Asylum, for some projects. But I do a lot of my own photos, videos and editing. It’s taken me years to learn all these skills, how to use Photoshop and Lightroom, and video editing and creating voice-overs. Sometimes people would be like, ‘Just send it to someone,’ and I would think, ‘What if they’re not available?’

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THE INFLUENCER ‘NICHE’:

Everyone tells new people getting into (influencing) that you have to find a niche, a sweet spot. Some people do hit a niche where people love them, some don’t. I know a few people who are trying to make it as influencers, and they’re making money for extra spending, but only four or five that I know are making enough that it’s a real income.

GROWING A BUSINESS:

This past year has been the biggest year so far. I’ve gotten multiple requests to do social media marketing for local festivals, events, charities, fundraisers, etc. The more the event organizers see my posts and see me helping others do their marketing, the more they’re starting to reach out to me. THE TIME FACTOR:

Keeping up with everything on social media, from a business standpoint, is an all-day thing. You have to check your feed, then constantly re-check and update your feed. It can sometimes become tiring, to be honest, because you’re always in update mode. But that’s the business of social media, things change and move quickly all the time.

THE RIGHT INSPIRATION:

I always wanted to be the person that went for it all. I idolize the idea of masculine energy, and I watch what men do in any industry. I look up to my spouse, Joshua Blackmon, who owns Up In Smoke (an ABQ vape and smoke shop) and has multiple incomes, and my grandfather, Orville Johnson, who was a high-ranking military pilot.

FOLLOWERS 60K

AGE: 49 DAY JOB: TATTOO ARTIST AND OWNER OF TRUE GRIT TATTOOS. PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM FIRST POST: MYSPACE ABOUT 2005. POST MANAGEMENT: I PRIMARILY DO IT MYSELF, BUT MY MANAGER ALSO HAS A HAND IN IT. TIME SPENT POSTING: ANYWHERE BETWEEN 10 TO 15 HOURS A WEEK. REVENUE EARNED: IT’S MAINLY A MARKETING TOOL FOR ME. I’M NOT GETTING ENDORSEMENTS OR SPONSORSHIPS; I JUST PRESENT THE TATTOO WORK THAT WE’RE PUTTING OUT. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECOGNIZED? I GET RECOGNIZED SOMETIMES, BUT IT’S PRIMARILY MY WATERCOLOR TATTOOS THAT GET RECOGNIZED MORE THAN I DO. FAVORITE POST: I POSTED PICS OF AN ELVIS TATTOO I DID USING ONLY LINES. IT’S A DIFFERENT CONCEPT OF ART. WHO I FOLLOW: THE DALAI LAMA, TATTOO ARTIST JAMIE SCHENE, ECONOMIST ROBERT ATKINSON

JOHNNY MAC HOWELL HIS INK WORK BECAME EASY TO SPOT IN A CROWD— AND PLENTY OF CLICKS SOON FOLLOWED

ith his abundance of turquoise jewelry and tattoos, Howell looks every bit the part of ABQ tattoo artist. But he’s quick to point out that he started as a bit of an outcast. “I grew up in Santa Fe, but I wasn’t from Santa Fe. I was a foster kid, and I was very, very

White when I got there,” he says with a smile. “I was raised by a very old Hispanic woman and man, they were World War II generation. But I ran with all the kids in the neighborhood.”

Being an outlier can also be identified as the reason Howell, the owner of

True Grit Tattoo, has amassed 60,000 followers on Instagram. He’s one of the few tattoo artists who practice the watercolor style of ink, so-called for its similarity in look to the fine art medium. “It’s meant to look just like a watercolor painting, and in watercoloring, there’s ‘splashes’ everywhere, so you’re just whipping all kinds of different colors,” says Howell of the technique. “And in traditional tattooing, you don’t color outside the box.” Still, the signature style has earned a loyal following—and the work is so non-traditional that their images stand far apart from social media pics of mainstream tattoos. “It’s just a different style,” says Howell. “I love doing it.”

GIVING PROPER CREDIT:

The more I think about it, I think it’s my (tattoo) shop that’s the influencer, not so much me. Both me and True Grit had Instagram accounts, and I just got rid of mine and now I just have one account. I started the shop eight years ago. A UNIQUE TALENT:

I think a lot of the popularity on social media for my art is because of the watercolor style of tattoos I do. It all started

when a young lady came in with a watercolor print and asked if I could duplicate it as a tattoo. So, I did and then I posted it. So many people commented that they wanted to get a similar tattoo. BREAKING FROM TRADITION:

I got a lot of grief from a lot of my colleagues because they’d say, ‘What are you doing? What kind of tattoos are those?’ and stuff like that. They would say I was going outside the lines and doing all

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this weird, wavy stuff. It was to the point where I was almost embarrassed about it. BUT OVER TIME…:

(The style) is blowing up now, more so than before, and it’s now definitely considered a category (of tattoos). You’ll find some people looking for this type of tattoo.

ON MANAGING SOCIAL MEDIA:

I feel that sometimes it’s like a burden, like I’ll have to sit there and come up with stuff. Thank God I have a shop, because I don’t have to turn my art every day, I can post from five different tattoo artists’ work and put those up. But it can be fun, too. Sometimes I’ll take my time doing a reel, I’ll choose the music, I’ll pick the stickers, and I’ll put funny stuff to make it more interesting for people to look at. I think I’ve actually done some really funny posts.

POSTING PERSONAL STUFF: I don’t ever feel the need to do that. I feel like that’s what I’m pushing is the shop, and so I make sure that we are very well-represented online. I like to push their art, as well as mine. I might post Stacy’s work this week, and Myra’s work next week. PRODUCT PLACEMENT: The offers I get for sponsored posts are mostly from tattoo supply places. When we do it, we’ll maybe run a story, you know, using this product or that product, and we include the names of the companies and the hashtags, etc. My manager is constantly trying to get me to do more. If I’m slack, he’ll pick up the slack, so we both have aspirations to do more.

FOLLOWERS 505K AGE: OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER, YOUNG ENOUGH TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN. DAY JOB: I’M AN ENTREPRENEUR AND I OWN MULTIPLE BUSINESSES. SOCIAL MEDIA INITIATION: FACEBOOK IN 2010 PLATFORMS: INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, SNAPCHAT, FACEBOOK POST MANAGEMENT: SOMEONE ELSE DOES IT FOR ME. REVENUE EARNED: ROUGHLY $2,000 EACH MONTH. HOW OFTEN ARE YOU RECOGNIZED? IT’S ACTUALLY A FUNNY ANSWER, BECAUSE AT LEAST TWICE A DAY PEOPLE WILL COME UP TO ME AND TELL ME THEY KNOW ME BECAUSE I’M THEIR FRIEND ON SOCIAL MEDIA. FAVORITE POSTS: THE MOST MEMORABLE POSTS THAT SEEM TO RESONATE WITH THE PUBLIC ARE MEMORIES OF JOHNNY, MY PERSONAL LIFE, AND SHARING INFO ABOUT MY KIDS AND UPCOMING EVENTS. WHO I FOLLOW: MY HUSBAND, DIEGO SANCHEZ, AND MY PERSONAL ACQUAINTANCES LIKE MC MAGIC, ACTOR/RAPPER DARIUS MCCRARY, DUSTY THE RAPPER, BOXERS RYAN GARCIA AND FERNANDO VARGAS, MICKEY ROURKE, MIKE TYSON AND ABQ INFLUENCER JOHNNY JAMES.

TERESA TAPIA

HER ROOTS IN THE GAME OF BOXING SET THE STAGE FOR A CAREER THAT KEEPS EVOLVING apia might be known primarily as the widow of ABQ’s most renown and beloved boxing champion, the late Johnny Tapia. But she was always much more than that. She managed her husband’s fight career, and since his death in 2012 has become a successful combat sports promoter. “I think I just got thrown into it, that’s the truth of it,” says Tapia. “I did attend business school, but just a year of it, and in the real world it was a whole different environment, and you had to think fast on your feet.” Her business smarts have carried over into social media, where she continues to oversee Johnny’s Instagram page (johnnymividalocatapia) as well as her own account (teresatapiapromotions), each with more than half a million followers. Carrying on the legacy of a legend is difficult enough, but being a woman in the fight game is also a challenge, she says. “I think in the beginning, because they knew about Johnny, a lot of people gave me a chance,” says Tapia. “But I still had to prove that I was for real.” In addition to promoting boxing cards through her company, Tapia Promotions, she also recently formed a promo partnership in bare knuckle fighting with the mom of boxer Ryan Garcia, who has 10 million online followers and is renowned for leveraging social media to help his career.

KEEPING A MEMORY ALIVE:

It makes me proud to see those numbers (of followers). I feel like it’s carrying on the legacy of Johnny. He was that special person who touched so many people, so it’s nice that, in a way, they can still connect with him even after he’s gone.

THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA:

I remember me and Johnny having MySpace accounts, and then later we both transitioned to Facebook. But his account just started growing, because he knew so many people. After he passed away, his death went viral, and all these people started reaching out to say they were sorry to see him go. Mario Lopez was calling, Oscar De La Hoya was calling.

CARRYING FORWARD:

The number of followers for Johnny, even though he was no longer with us, were still rising. And I didn’t want to look at social media because I felt so alone, and my whole life had changed. Then as time went on, I noticed that his number of followers dwindled, and so I started being active with my own (social media) accounts, mostly for my fight promotions. And the numbers keep rising as I’m doing more things, the promotions, a movie about Johnny, a reality TV show, and actually an opera that we’re working on.

F E B R UA RY 2 02 4 | A L B U Q U E R Q U E T H E M AG A Z I N E

A LARGE ONLINE FOLLOWING:

In my industry there is so much attention on combat sports, and there’s a lot of curiosity toward me because I’m a woman in it. So, I get a lot of fans from Johnny, but I also I have a lot of friends that are pretty well known, actors and fighters, and they have millions of people following them, and there’s that connection to me. I don’t completely understand it, but I think that’s what’s happened. So many people are still interested in Johnny’s story, and now they’re interested in my story.

WORKING THE METRICS:

I’m actually bad at social media (laughs). I don’t manage my accounts, so I can’t take credit for it. It’s a young man, he’s local, he saw that my social media was growing but needed to have more done with it. What I do well is collaborate with people, and connect our platforms to others, and find partnerships.

JOHNNY’S INFLUENCE:

We’ve been working on a lot of things for Johnny’s social media. We’re able to link and direct so many of his followers who want to know more about him. Johnny, believe it or not, he’s such a beloved person, even now. His merchandise alone, even on a slow month, still sells about $3,000 a month on our sites.

THE FAMILY BUSINESS:

My son, Johnny Nicco, who is a boxer, has a huge fight coming up with an influencer, and I can’t say who that person is just yet, but that influencer has 25 million followers. So, my son has his own career, he’s only 18, and he’s also an influencer, and he has 176,000 followers. But his whole life is actually boxing. And I think his influence will go past Johnny’s and mine, because that’s the new generation. 99

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ABQ THE INTERVIEW P. 112 | PERSONALITY P. 117

ALWAYS ONLINE Cybersecurity is just one part of Mark Leech’s daily duties as he uses technology, innovation and experience to keep our city connected to the World Wide Web (p. 112).

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

STORIES BEHIND INDIVIDUALS WHO MAKE ALBUQUERQUE GREAT

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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH OUR LEADERS AND DIFFERENCE-MAKERS

High Speed Ahead As the Director of Technology & Innovation, Mark Leech works to keep city properties up to speed with public internet access that’s fast and free—and safe.

he city’s cybersecurity leader, Mark Leech, is an experienced computer wizard and a rabid soccer fanatic. He brings all of that energy and focus to his job as Director of Technology & Innovation.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

ATM: How did you go about bringing the internet to all of us? What challenges came up in a city of this size? MARK LEECH: We know that the need for quality broadband has rapidly grown at the speed of human innovation and will only grow more. We know we need internet for things we [use] every day, like telehealth or sending emails, but we are also looking to the future and anticipating the need for things that may not even exist yet. Things like AI, advancements in CGI for movies, and large companies that will move into our space. All of these will

all require more bandwidth on a reliable network. I’m fortunate to be building on the strong legacy that my predecessors have left behind. That means that there are already assets and partnerships in place – we know how to best work with different companies and organizations. The City has built out IT infrastructure, and we work closely with Bernalillo County and the State of New Mexico to make sure our systems are modern, safe, and work as they should. Not many people know, but the City owns about 1,995 properties across Albuquerque. We keep every public City location lit up with public wifi, so every library, museum, senior center, the Sunport – even the ART buses! We continue to improve and expand on these services. Then there’s also the non-public connectivity that we need to install and maintain. As an example, we had to make sure everything is ready for the expansion at the zoo to make sure that zookeepers can monitor the animals.

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WE KEEP EVERY PUBLIC CITY LOCATION LIT UP WITH PUBLIC WIFI, SO EVERY LIBRARY, MUSEUM, SENIOR CENTER, THE SUNPORT – EVEN THE ART BUSES!

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Challenges have included unexpected cost increases and delays because of supply chain problems. Thankfully, we’re seeing things slowly return to pre-pandemic levels. Another major challenge has been to learn as an organization to move quickly. Sometimes, government gives the perception of being slow-moving and always saying “no”, so my challenge to the DTI team has been to always start with “yes” and then to figure out how we get there. During the pandemic, we didn’t hesitate in making decisions to provide solutions to keep the City running without interruptions and even expanding our public WiFi so people could access it while outside. In 2022, we created the City’s first Broadband Office, which focuses on bringing quality, affordable, and accessible internet access to all businesses and residents. The office has succeeded in creating a plan to create partnerships and bring in more internet infrastructure that will last for generations and also help get families signed up for the ACP. With such lofty goals, our Broadband Office is just getting started. ATM: What’s your next step in enhancing citywide web? (Faster internet? More public access?) ML: We’re very excited about 2024! We’re hoping to have at least one public park lit up as a proof of concept providing access to more free WiFi. We’re also very excited to be providing connectivity and technology to the RailTrail project. That’s on top of looking at ways that we can close the digital equity gap and make sure that everyone in Albuquerque has access to affordable high-speed internet. ATM: What resources has the city allocated to your mission? ML: Balancing a secure network with delivering a cost-effective service to residents is always a tough proposition that we tackle every budget cycle. We have regular budget funding to cover everything from the 311 Community Contact Center, through to broadband, and all our hardware and software like networks and servers, etc. If there is anything we love in

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IT, it’s data, and we take a close look at our data to focus our budget on the most efficient and future-proof systems possible. ATM: Does the city have to fend off cyber threats on a regular basis? What types of threats have you encountered so far? ML: For context: last year free City WiFi alone provided over 325Tb of data, 311 serviced over 800,000 311 tickets, and there were more than 10 million visits to the City website. So, absolutely yes – we fend off cyber threats 24x7x365. Apparently, cyber criminals do not stop for

LAST YEAR FREE CITY WIFI ALONE PROVIDED OVER 325TB OF DATA, 311 SERVICED OVER 800,000 311 TICKETS, AND THERE WERE MORE THAN 10 MILLION VISITS TO THE CITY WEBSITE.

ATM: How do you protect such a wide-ranging network? ML: So, for context, there are up to 7,000 City Hall active user accounts at any given time, with something like 10,000-15,000 phones, laptops, computers, and servers to be protected. The stakes are high: Baltimore faced over $18 million in clean-up costs after their 2019 attack, Atlanta cost $17 million after their 2018 attack. But it’s not just the cost of cleanup – we also must think about the impact on the community and the delays in providing essential services while we return to service. I’m not going to go into specifics regarding our security toolkit (partly because it constantly changes to meet emerging threats). We do have a multilayered defense based on people, process, and technology. People are the biggest unknown and often require the greatest effort in terms of behavior change. Even though we have strong cyber defenses, we also know that any defense can be overcome, so we plan for how City Hall will respond if the worst happens. How quickly can we get back on our feet again? How can we minimize our data loss? How can we minimize impact of lost services? Also, we now talk about response times. A while back, response times to an incident used to be measured in hours and days. Now our decision cycle time is in minutes and seconds to identify a threat, and then troubleshoot, propose, and implement a solution before the situation gets out of control. ATM: Do you lose any sleep over your responsibilities?

weekends and holidays! This means that we need to be always on the alert and watching for the next threat and providing constant education so not only our teams, but everyone can be aware of the attacks as they increase in sophistication and potential harm. Threats run the entire spectrum from email phishing attempts through to denial of service.

ML: I’m very lucky to have a good team that I can trust and who share my passion of providing excellent technology services to the community. Part of my job is to make sure that they have the tools, training, and support that they need to respond quickly and make good decisions. We’re also very fortunate to have excellent relations with our neighboring agencies (e.g. state, federal, Bernalillo County and Rio Rancho), so we share information, resources, and success stories to keep each other safe.

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ABQ

ATM: What’s the next project nationally for Cyber-security staff in your position in 2024? ML: We’re going to remain alert and constantly anticipating how threats will change and evolve in 2024. We serve the people in our community first and not just the technology at IT and we’ll be taking a deeper dive into access and identity management – in other words, how do we make sure that you have secure, reliable access to exactly the right online services at City Hall? Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility – everyone has a part to play. We encourage everyone to be informed and vigilant. Simple steps like using strong passwords, being cautious of suspicious emails, and keeping personal software updated can make a significant difference. –STEPHANIE HAINSFURTHER

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

A Space of Serenity With an aim to uplift spirits, the New Mexico Cancer Center’s walls host an array of art worthy of any fine gallery, thanks to the deft hand of curator Regina Held.

T PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

his woman knows how to sell a wall. A former gallery owner, now Director of Gallery With A Cause at New Mexico Cancer Center, Regina Held curates, displays, and sells art for the New Mexico Cancer Center’s Foundation to benefit their patients. She estimates that she has sold 80 percent of the locally produced artworks that adorn the “gallery” walls delineating departments, waiting rooms and hallways within the NMCC.

Normally, Held stages an opening night for every one of the four seasonal showings at the NMCC. When that wasn’t possible during COVID lockdown - she sold art anyway, to private collectors on her list, through socially distanced private tours. “The art sold like crazy,” she says. “For the past three years, I’ve built a list of 2,000-plus interested art collectors.” Right now, the exhibit called “The Art of Healing” is up. In the spring, the theme will be “Movers and Shakers.” Summer follows with “Career Artists” and then autumn’s “The Architecture of Beauty,”

featuring prominent New Mexico artists. Held selects the art in many ways, through her artist contacts, social media, and direct mailings. In keeping with the NMCC Foundation’s mission, she selects many artists who are also activists. “I look for people who give back to the community in some way,” she says. She swears the NMCC building off Jefferson was built for art. With its wide, white hallways and well-placed skylights, it does seem a super-gallery for artful display. Held selects art in all media; mosaics, acrylics, watercolors, photographs, textiles and folk art grace these walls.

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Subject matter ranges from landscape to figural images and characteristically New Mexican subjects. The colorful array is designed to lift spirits along its way. Many, many pieces sport red stickers to show that they have been sold. Held closed her own gallery, Matrix, and sold a printmaking workshop, New Grounds, about seven years ago. The active outreach she cultivated during those gallery years now serves well the artists and art lovers she keeps in the loop. Artists get a press relations package including promotional materials for the opening of their show. “I am the ‘how-to’ queen,” she says. She especially enjoys fostering artists who are new to her. “New artists bring in more clients, and there is a high amount of repeat buyers who often come in for another show.” At Gallery With A Cause, artists receive

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60 percent of the sale price of their works and the rest goes to the foundation. “No more Silent Auctions!” Held declares, referring to artists expected to give away their work for free to support charitable causes. Held started as assistant curator for the program, at first having just 100 pieces to work with and two volunteers to hang the pieces. Her tasks were siloed, making for awkward interface among the various functions of setting up a show. She is grateful for the elbow room she now enjoys as director and feels it contributes to a “higher level of art” being hung in the facility. The task is arduous but she revels in it. After selecting the artists and the 300-plus works to be placed, Held makes pre-opening appointments for them to come in and hang their work. A volunteer registered nurse at the NMCC greets them and takes them to their space, and the contributors

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are given a handout to explain what they need to do. There are two art professionals on hand to aid the artists for four hours on that Saturday morning, and then Held takes another two days to assess the placements and make adjustments. “It’s a four-dimensional puzzle,” she says. Held sends out postcards for the opening, and she’s the webmaster, too (https://nmcancercenter.org/foundation/gallery/). She often travels to artists’ studios to view their work. “I get butterflies when I see something even better than my initial selections,” she notes. “I love to talk to the artists. I want to see their world.” Held grew up in Germany where she came from a family she describes as “hustlers.” She worked in their antique stamp retail business and got herself through college in the States by working in the service retail industries. But she credits

mentors and peers with helping her deepen her art sales knowledge over time. “I’ve gotten better at listening,” she quips. One of the things Held’s former gallery was known for was the art of dance - specifically, tango. There were regular dance dates and lessons for the public within the attractive space. She describes herself as “really good” at Argentine tango, and dances with a partner once a week to preserve that fluency. Held finds it “gratifying and joyful” to curate such delightful, uplifting art and she lives to see NMCC patients observing the collection, which she calls “thoughtful art.” “If you are here,” she says, “your mind is heavy. You might be waiting for test results, you might be here for treatment. The art is beautiful and meditative and takes your mind off your own suffering.” —–STEPHANIE HAINSFURTHER

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CREATIVES P. 120 | SHELFLIFE P. 121 | TIEMPO P. 124

CULTURE

NATURAL BEAUTY Nature hands artist John Alvarez the beginning form, but he creates beyond that form with beautiful function in each wooden creation coming out of his home woodshop (pg. 120).

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

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

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

WOODEN WONDERS

he initial epiphany occurred in a Tucumcari junior high shop class sometime in the late 1970s. From there, it evolved into a passion that eventually grew into a full-blown side hustle. Today, neighbors know if they hear sounds of woodworking machinery emanating from John Alvarez’s Rio Rancho garage, he’s probably hard at work building the next batch of custom benches, furniture, flags and other wooden novelties. “I love the furniture I build,” Alvarez says. “It’s all live edge, hand cut. Everything’s grinded by myself. I’m very easy on my prices, which my wife kind of gets on me about it, but that’s the way it is.” Alvarez gives full credit to his middle and high school shop teachers, whom he still reverentially refers to as “Mr. Mendiola” and “Mr. Lumpkin,” for providing

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John Alvarez spends weekends in his home garage creating functional—and fantastic—art from wood.

the initial impetus behind Alvarez Custom Benches. Both teachers are credited on Alvarez’s website, but the relationship runs deeper than that. Lumpkin eventually became like family — literally. He was a regular at Alvarez’s family breakfasts and eventually married his aunt. When Lumpkin passed away, it was Alvarez who built his memory box. “He showed me a lot of things that I use to this day,” Alvarez says. Woodworking is not Alvarez’s full-time occupation, though he has considered making the transition. He went to school for Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and has worked 26 years for an architectural firm. His woodworking projects have been going on for nearly as long. As a one-person operation, Alvarez doesn’t have the resources that a larger company might, but he makes the most of what he does have. Case in point: Years ago, Alvarez and his wife needed a dining room table. So he

built one himself. “We just couldn’t afford to buy one back then,” he recalls. “With that one table saw I had and a couple hammers and nails, I put a table together. We’re still using it here 25 years later.” Alvarez has added some more tools to the arsenal since then, and he also has installed a paint booth in his two-car garage, which allows him to customize many of his projects upon request. Over the years, word of Alvarez’s talents has spread, so much so that his Christmas orders are typically booked by June. Interestingly enough, Alvarez finds quite a few clients from the cooking groups that he frequents online. Because he grew up in the El Toro restaurant his family owned in Tucumcari, Alvarez is something of a culinary aficionado. Among hobbies, food is No. 2 behind woodworking. “A little bit of this and that, and word of mouth started getting out. I started getting more detail-oriented projects com-

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into his work. According to the Alvarez Custom Benches site, “Many pieces built are designed with the thought of blending the Southwest culture of New Mexico and surrounding areas with an emphasis on architectural depiction.” For Alvarez, that means details, details and more details. “A lot of our work that we do at my firm is a lot of detailing — maybe some nitches here or some grooves there. Just something that makes the project stand out,” Alvarez explains. “With my woodworking, I seem to always take a second, third, fourth look at it, (and) I think I need to change it. I’ll put some detailing that I think makes it pop. It just makes the piece come to life. If you look at a lot of my work, especially my tables, you’ll see a lot of routing that I do, a lot of dental teeth that I create. That’s a lot of architectural things that I put into my pieces. It’s just not gonna be a flat piece of wood, in other words.” Alvarez’s second-most requested pieces

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are typically carved wooden flags. Using a grinder, Alvarez is capable of making a flat piece of wood look like it’s waving in the air. It’s enough to make anyone do a double take. Other large-scale projects he’s recently finished include a river table filled with turquoise resin — complete with a Zia symbol — and a live-edge Russian olive refrigerator cabinet. At any given time, Alvarez is working on between three to five projects. He’s crafted everything from charcuterie boards to wine stands to coasters — and a lot more. In many cases, it’s the smaller pieces that draw the most appreciation. There’s something about the personal element that the bigger companies can’t provide. “A lot of people, especially the older generation, like homemade, handmade pieces,” Alvarez says. “That you actually got your hands in there to make it. That’s what I excel in. “I love doing that myself. It’s kind of therapeutic for me.” —TRISTEN CRITCH-

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

ing in from customers. This just really progressed from there,” he says. “It keeps me pretty busy … I work Friday (and) Saturday. I try not to do Sundays so I can be with my wife and kids. Here lately it’s just been to a point where I’m working Sunday, too. It’s like having two full-time jobs.” Benches, as the company name suggests, are Alvarez’s signature item. He built his first more than 20 years ago as a gift for his mother-in-law. “From that point it just became addicting,” Alvarez says. “I was just getting orders left and right. Mostly for the Southwest-themed ones. For this part of the country, everybody wants that. “We’ve got benches in Arizona, Colorado, Texas and they’re willing to come and pick them up. That’s one of the things I really love building.” The beauty is in the detail, which is a big reason why Alvarez finds his projects so engaging. That also allows him to incorporate his architectural background

FIELD

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TURN A PAGE WITH OUR LOCAL AUTHORS

IT’S NOTHING BUT A NUMBER BADASS OLD WHITE WOMAN: HOW TO FLIP THE SCRIPT ON AGING

s she was turning 75 last year, Dobbs A decided it was time to “ignite (her) fun meter” and restore balance to her life.

By Mary Lou Dobbs 219 Pages $16.95

The result is a book that shares the secrets on adding adventure and inspiration to the souls of women as they age toward the best years of life. After moving to ABQ in 1970, Dobbs began a 50-year executive career in corporate insurance. At 55, she began riding motorcycles (she still rides a KTM adventure bike designed to go on- and off-road). She has also become an accomplished writer and world traveler, and also tells her life story as a speaker and lifestyle coach.

ATM: There’s something powerful about taking a potentially hurtful phrase and putting “badass” in front of it. Tell us about it. MLD: I consider the term “badass” to be a self-identifier for women who confront challenges, shaping their identity with resilience, strength, and courage. In my book, I explore the concept of “badass” through the stories of women who have embraced this quality to reclaim the wisdom they’ve earned. ATM: Having toured several countries on your motorcycle, is there one that took your breath away most? MLD: (I did) a 17-day motorcycle tour

through Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. I navigated switchback roads, while remaining vigilant for water buffalo, scooters, and unforeseen dangers around every small village curve.

ATM: What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing? MLD: Write with authenticity and passion, allowing your inner voice to naturally emerge and resonate with your readers.

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ATM: When did you first realize your desire to write about the challenges you faced and lessons you learned? MLD: I stumbled upon a text from a contractor labeling me as an “old White woman.” I took my 75-year-old ass to the bedroom to pack for a thousand-mile motorcycle trip with my son. The next morning, I awoke to Alicia Keys’ “Girl On Fire” and immediately began to write. ATM: It seems like you’ve checked plenty of experiences off your bucket list. Are there any adventures you’re hoping to knock off next? MLD: I would love to guide women in un-

locking what I refer to as our energy highway, upending the aging narrative, and awakening their inner badass. ATM: Who do you take inspiration from?

MLD: The women I interviewed for my book were a tremendous source of inspiration. And during my days as a young salesperson, I read Og Mandino’s “The Greatest Secret in the World.” This parable highlights a hidden reservoir of energy awaiting all of us, ready to be harnessed. ATM: What story or experience from your life was the most fun to look back on while writing this book?

MLD: My transformation with my son, evolving from a tough mom to a beloved partner in writing, camping, skiing, and motorcycle adventures, remains my most cherished accomplishment. ATM: Would you consider your travel as “research” for your writing? MLD: Travel enriches us in numerous ways, fostering expansive thinking. It exposes us to cultures that reading about seems to fall short of having real experience. I believe life is fundamentally about the journey. ATM: What is your biggest takeaway from your years as a woman working in a corporate sales position? MLD: I hold the belief that if you help enough people through the buying-process by jointly discovering their needs and wants, you will never have to worry about your future needs and wants. ATM: What piece of advice would you want to give your younger self? MLD: I wish I had treated my inner self with greater kindness, forgiven my mistakes, and been less judgmental when I fell short of my own expectations. My current rallying cry is to undertake an unapologetic journey filled with renewed purpose and adventure, culminating in a triumphant blaze of glory. —Allie Doty

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SHELFLIFE

THE MANY TRIALS OF YOUTH FATIMA TATE TAKES THE CAKE

anBrakle says she finds great privilege V in writing a book with a character who, like her daughters, is a Black

By Khadijah VanBrakle 267 pages $13.49 hardcover

American Muslim. In her debut novel, the ABQ author beautifully navigates familiar themes about youth, such as the expectations of parents versus following your own dreams. A mother of five with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, she also holds an administrative position with the Highlights Foundation’s Muslim Storytellers Fellowships and is an active member of Black Creators HQ.

ATM: What influenced you to tell this story? KV: In 2017, when my youngest daughter was a freshman in high school, one of her classmates said it was impossible for her to be both Black American and a Muslim. That led to the discovery that there wasn’t a single, traditionally-published Young Adult contemporary book that I could find with a main character who shared that dual marginalization. It was then I decided to write this book, which has a story where a high school senior was faced with an impossible choice. ATM: The story explores sensitive subjects like religion and sex. Did you worry that may trigger some readers? KV: Yes, I did fear there would be backlash because of the more controversial topics that appear in the book. I believe that it’s my job as a Young Adult author who writes realistic fiction to show how coming-of-age issues are universal in today’s society. The overwhelmingly positive response I’ve gotten from readers, librarians, teachers, and teens has been amazing. I told the story I wanted to tell and didn’t let fear dictate the themes within it.

ATM: Of those topics, was there one portion that you felt was harder to put on paper than others? KV: Actually, the most challenging mo-

ment to write was the confrontation scene in the last third of the book. I had to make sure that the main character, Fatima, had developed enough inner strength and resolve throughout the story to finally stand up for herself and for her future. ATM: Which character do you relate to the most? KV: I relate to several aspects of Fatima’s parents the most. They each wanted the best for their daughter but approached that in vastly different ways. By the end of the story, both Adam and Sharifa became the support system their daughter needed. ATM: What inspired you to set the book in Albuquerque? KV: In 2018, after researching traditionally-published Young Adult contemporary novels, I noticed there wasn’t a single one with an Albuquerque setting. Since my four oldest kids attended high school here, it felt very natural to set the book here.

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ATM: Where do you see Fatima 10 years after the events in the book? KV: To be honest, I haven’t thought about what happens to Fatima after the end of my story. It would be great if after 10 years, she’s a Culinary School graduate and working as a pastry chef. ATM: Could you share any tips or starting points for aspiring writers? KV: An important starting point is to read a ton of current titles in the genre you want to write in. For me, authors like Tiffany D. Jackson, Jennifer Niven and Erika L. Sánchez are masters at crafting amazing YA contemporary stories that tackle more sensitive subjects in nuanced ways. Reading their books gave me permission to write my own. ATM: You share a few recipes for treats in the back of the book that sound amazing. Do you have a favorite? KV: I have to say all of them. My middle daughter, who graduated from the Culinary program at CNM, created all of those recipes for the story. If I had to choose one, I’d say my favorite is the Blueberry Orange Scone recipe. — Allie Doty

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by mel minter

ABQ’S THRIVING LOCAL MUSIC SCENE

CONNECTING WITH THE MUSIC

ny musician who performs live will tell you that the audience is an active participant that contributes to the quality of the performance. That is why Gilbert Garcia is so appreciated and respected by local musicians, whom he supports frequently and consistently wherever they might be performing—from Socorro to Santa Fe, but most often at the numerous live venues in Albuquerque. Whenever Garcia is in the audience—and he likes to sit up front— the musicians will come off the stage to greet him and pay their respects. He is a big fan of live music, and though he keeps a low profile, he is also a vocalist. Garcia got started with guitar lessons at age seven, and he was surrounded by music at home. “My mother was a pianist. She played classical,” he says. “My sister was an incredible pianist. In fact, she wrote the PhD program, the double major [in music and musicology] at UNM.” Musically, Garcia was “in her shadow,” he says, “but I played with my rock and roll buddies, and we had fun. That’s what music’s about.” As an adult, his family and business— he owns Gilbert Garcia and Son Security Center in Belen—displaced music in Garcia’s life, but in 1975, he became interested in jazz, Latin jazz, and blues. “I had heard it, but I just listened passively for it,” Garcia says. Captured by this music’s creativity and complexity, he rediscovered his passion for music and began to listen more actively. “It’s the details that I listen for,” he says, “which is why I love live music, because things happen with live music that don’t happen with recorded music. I love the humanness of it.” Garcia’s renewed passion for music led

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Belenite Gilbert Garcia reignites his love for music.

him to volunteer for several decades in a variety of capacities with the New Mexico Jazz Workshop. He helped build and wire the stage in Madrid, and in the days before email, he and his family spent entire weekends labeling and sorting 12,000 pieces of Workshop mail—thousands of hours contributed in support of musicians, whom Garcia likens to hot-air balloons. “People ask me all the time who I think the best guitar player is, or the best bass or the best drummer. But you know, they’re all different, just like all balloons are beautiful, but they’re different. And yeah, there are some special shapes, but they all have to have fire. Without the fire,

they just collapse. Some have an excess of hot air. I mean, that’s part of life, but most of them are really cool.” He notes that the local musicians whom he likes never have a disparaging word to say about other musicians. “I think the musical community in Albuquerque, for the most part, is very kind and also very supportive.” That community helped Garcia navigate his way out of a tragedy when, in 2010, he lost his wife, Lorraine, in an automobile accident. Vocalist and teacher Patty Stephens encouraged him to return to singing. “Dang it, when I finally said OK and I did, I realized how wonderful it was, how good it feels, how healing music is,” he says. He’s continued to work with

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

A DEDICATED FAN

“What are you doing? You’re not practicing Bach,” said the mother of eightyear-old cellist Keely Mackey. “I’m making up space music, Mom, right now,” responded the young cellist, who grew up in northwestern New York State.

2020 New Mexico Music Award Recipient Keely Mackey creates complex compositions.

erful emotions (“Requiem” came in response to the news that her godson had passed away) or by intense concentration on a particular subject (“Bee Meditation” came from her macrophotography experience, which often focuses on bees—yes, she is also an accomplished photographer and artist) or by time spent in nature (“Nature Meditation”), or it might appear in a dream (“Archetype”). “It’s not really a cerebral [process]. I’m not thinking, ‘I’m going to play in this key.’ I’m not thinking, ‘I’m going to play in this time signature,’ ” she says. “It just comes through me. I just let myself go. I shed my ego. I just let it go, and I’m just open to whatever is going to come out.” Mackey records these sessions and commits the music to memory. “Sometimes, I restructure it to have more of a beginning. middle, and end,” she says. When recording the songs for I Speak through My Cello, Mackey summoned an entire cello orchestra through her electronics, creating complex multilayered compositions with live looping—just as she does in her live performances. None of her music, in the studio or live, relies on prerecorded material, and her live performances include a fair amount of improvisation on her songs. Improvisation was required when Mackey arrived in Albuquerque in 1994. She was initially interested in studying art therapy at UNM—she already had a B.S. in art—but that program was discontinued. She instead received her M.A. in educational thought and sociocultural studies and also holds New Mexico Tier 3 Master Teaching Licenses, including a Montessori certification. “The reason that I’m an educator is because I think that art and music should be part of our everyday life and integrated into everything that we do and learn about and understand,” she says. You can learn more about how Mackey integrates them in her life, teaching, and performances by following Celloquacious on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and streaming platforms, and by checking out her comprehensive website (keelymackey.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 editor@abqthemag.

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COURTESY PHOTO

SPEAKING MUSICALLY

The classically trained Mackey has always been curious about the variety of sounds she was capable of making with her acoustic cello, and about 10 years ago, she took that curiosity to another level, adding electronics and an electric cello to her musical arsenal. With that equipment and 40 years of experience playing in every genre from classical to experimental, she emerged as Celloquacious in 2019, playing a highly evocative, hard-to-classify original music that she calls “futuristic antiquity.” She won a 2020 New Mexico Music Award in the Ambient Contemporary Instrumental category for her song “Out at Sea.” Her recently released fulllength album, I Speak through My Cello, offers a spellbinding, time-suspending collection of songs that she seems to summon from another time and place. Maybe she actually does. “I don’t know where it comes from,” she says. “I don’t have control over it. Obviously, I have command of my instrument, but the music comes to me, and I just let it flow through me.” It can be stimulated by pow-

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Stephens, as well as Hillary Smith, Diane Richardson, Cesar Bauvallet, and Rodolfo Gonzalez, and you might catch him vocalizing at Church Street Café on a Friday night. Garcia played in a band as a teenager, and he occasionally sings in public these days, but as an audience member and volunteer, he has been a valued component of countless bands over the last 50 years. His passion for music has tangibly and intangibly enhanced the musical community, earning him the respect and love of that community and recognition as Albuquerque’s #1 music fan. You can reach him at 505-288-1002 or gilbert45@juno.com.

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EATS P. 127 | EATS, ETC. P. 132 | SPIRIT SPOTLIGHT P. 134 | A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS P. 136 | BITES P. 138

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FRESH AND A LITTLE FANCY The menu at Dave’s High Desert Grill has fresh, fun, and sometimes fancy menu offerings. This fruity take on a sweet, crunchy and savory salad makes a perfect second course selection (p. 128).

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

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

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Eats PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

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DAVE'S HIGH DESERT GRILL

A familiar face brings comfort food to the Northeast Heights.

ven after being involved in the restaurant business for more than a half century, this is still quite fun for Dave Hanisch. Such longevity would be downright impossible if it wasn’t. That’s why you’ll find him working the tables with aplomb at his newest venture, Dave’s High Desert Grill, as he hands out beer samples, recommends entrees and shoots the breeze with patrons throughout the day. “I’m a very people-oriented guy,” Hanisch says. “I love talking to the guests. I love our employees. It’s a really interesting, fun business. I like the creative aspects of the business. I develop all the recipes and menu formulation. So I do everything myself. All the recipes that you see on the menu are mine. That’s a really interesting part of the business.” Over the course of his professional tenure, Hanisch has owned seven different

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restaurants — including three in New Mexico — but he estimates that he’s been in charge of at least 30. That type of experience is invaluable. “I’ve been in the business since I was 17. I’m 74 (now),” he says. “So I learned a lot what not to do. And so that’s why going forward, I think most of my decisions are good decisions. We all make mistakes. Things happen, but you’ve learned what not to do and what to do as you go along and build and develop different restaurants, different concepts.” When Hanisch launched the Los Ranchos-based Dave’s Valley Grill in 2018, the goal was to bring true comfort food to the Land of Enchantment. For many New Mexicans, that’s as simple as smothering a dish in red or green chile. As a resident of the Great Lakes region, Hanisch has a different definition. “Comfort food means things that peo-

ple of my generation grew up with — the turkey, braised beef short ribs, pot roast, meatloaf — things like that that fill you up,” Hanisch says. “Coming from Minnesota you had to eat a hearty meal to keep warm,” he adds with a laugh. The menu at Dave’s High Desert Grill is identical to its North Valley predecessor. The variety is such that a party of 10 could all order something different and come away happy. “We’ve got some items that you don’t see on any other menu,” Hanisch says. This includes offerings such as the Braised Beef Short Ribs on Bubble & Squeak, one of the restaurant’s most popular brunch items (served daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.). The ribs are roasted in the oven for five hours, making them a fork-tender delight as a standalone entree, but perhaps the most interesting touch is

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DISH HAPPY TIMES Dave’s debuted a happy hour menu (served from 3 to to 6 p.m. daily) in late 2023, complete with an array of bar food staples like sliders, quesadillas and wings. However, nothing tops the fish and chips, which Hanisch says are the top-selling item on the restaurant’s entire menu. DEJA VU If the layout of Dave’s High Desert Grill seems familiar, that’s because it’s virtually identical to that of The Barley Room, which previously inhabited the same space. One key difference: Hanisch’s wife, Debbie, is responsible for the new decor and design. TENTATIVE PLANS Since it’s a relatively new establishment, High Desert Grill doesn’t have weekly entertainment. That could change by spring, when Hansich hopes to potentially book some musical acts for the patio. FULLY LOADED Thanks to a pre-existing, centrally located bar inside, it made sense for the High Desert Grill to have a full beer and liquor license. Expect to see local beer taps, plenty of bourbon and seasonal cocktails, among other options. ONCE UPON A TIME Hanisch’s restaurant roots run deep. His first job at age 17 was at a Perkins Pancake House, and long before he launched the Dave’s franchises, Hanisch also owned a K-Bob’s Steakhouse in the Land of Enchantment.

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that they are served over the Bubble & Squeak, a British take on pancakes that is delighting guests in the Duke City. “After having a big meal on a Friday or Saturday night, they would go in the refrigerator the next morning and take vegetables, mix it with mashed potatoes and make a potato pancake out of it,” Hanisch says of the pancake’s origins. “Typically they’ll use cabbage or brussel sprouts. I chose brussel sprouts because it’s more flavorful to me. We used our red skin mashed potatoes and make two nice big pancakes with that.” Another signature are the big bowl meals, which cater to a variety of palates. These range from Thanksgiving Turkey (served year-round) to Tavern Pot Roast to New Orleans Shrimp Linguine Pasta, a special so popular that it became a regular item. There’s also traditional favorites like the Dave’s Valley Burger, a Best of City contender renowned for its homemade pep-

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DAVE’S HIGH DESERT GRILL 5200 Eubank Blvd NE, Ste B5 (505) 433-2380 davesvalleygrill.com

per chili; fish tacos with freshly-grilled haddock and of course, a selection of New Mexican options like huevos rancheros and green chile stew. Meanwhile, the establishment’s flagship dessert is the Biscochito Peach Cobbler, an ideal blend of Dave’s comfort food ethos and New Mexico’s state cookie. The beauty is in the preparation, the final touch of which includes baking small pieces of biscochitos into the cobbler before serving with three scoops of ice cream and dulce de leche. Though the ordering tendencies may differ from the North Valley to the Heights, it’s easy to see why the menu remains consistent. “Why mess with success?” Hanisch says. “If one is going pretty well, the menu (has) good acceptance, people love it and all the items sell pretty well, it was kind of a no-brainer to come up here and rubber stamp it and bring it up to the Heights.” —

FEATURED DISHES SHORT RIBS ON BUBBLE AND SQUEAK $15 (BRUNCH ONLY)

Braised beef short ribs atop two bubble and squeak cakes, glazed baby carrots, caramelized onions, red wine gravy, green onions

NEW ORLEANS SHRIMP LINGUINE PASTA BOWL $16

Seared garlic shrimp blended with broccoli florets, red pepper and a delicious sauce comprised of crawfish meat, garlic, heavy cream, champagne, fresh basil and spoked paprika on linguine pasta, topped with parmesan cheese

DAVE’S VALLEY BURGER $14

Applewood smoked bacon, avocado, blue cheese crumbles, homemade onion rings, pepper jelly BBQ sauce

FISH TACOS (2) $14

Pan-seared haddock, slaw, pico de gallo, avocado, Cotija, cilantro lime crema, choice of flour or blue corn tortillas

BISCOCHITO PEACH COBBLER $9

Puffy pastry crust, peaches simmered in brown sugar and cinnamon, homemade biscochito cookies, vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche sauce

TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

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Eats, Etc.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

A quick glance at three local eateries that you may or may not already know about.

Java Joe’s Huevos Rancheros fills a craving for New Mexican comfort food.

ava Joe’s gained a measure of fame as a landmark for Duke City TV aficionados when it served as the hideout/office for Breaking Bad villain Tuco Salamanca before Walter White unceremoniously blew up his spot on the popular drama.

While the shop remains a destination for those interested in Breaking Bad lore, Java Joe’s has been a local favorite for more than 20 years thanks to its ability to provide customers with small farm and organic coffee every day. It wasn’t always that way. The business was struggling when owners Michael and Brandy Phlieger took over, but now it thrives in the downtown community. At Java Joe’s, the coffee beans are artisan roasted, so each blend is always at peak freshness. Customers can also choose from a variety of espresso drinks, teas blended in-house

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and cold drink options such as smoothies, lemonades and coolers. The shop also sells a wide variety of freshly roasted coffee and tea packages for take home and gift-giving purposes. There are even coffee subscriptions available, which brings all your favorite blends right to your front door. But Java Joe’s is about more than artisan coffee and specialty drinks. The cafe serves breakfast all day, which includes everything from omelets to oatmeal to Belgian waffles. Of course, breakfast fare wouldn’t be complete without New Mexican favorites such as huevos rancheros and breakfast burritos. In addition, Java Joe’s offers a selection of hot and cold sandwiches, soups and salads for lunch and a “small bites’’ menu for those seeking a quick sweet treat. On good weather days, the patio is often filled with patrons enjoying a drink and a bite,

while the interior showcases the work of upand-coming artists on a monthly basis. Local musicians even join the scene for performances on the weekends. Overall, it’s easy to see why Java Joe’s is entrenched in the ABQ scene for far more than its Breaking Bad affiliation. “Java Joe’s is not just a place to come and get a fantastic cup of artisan roasted coffee or a very fairly priced delicious meal,” it says on the cafe’s website. “It’s a place to come to feel welcome no matter who you are.” —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

JAVA JOE’S 906 Park Ave. SW, #3045 (505) 765-1514 downtownjavajoes.com

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he word Habibi means “my love” in Arabic, and love is exactly what you’ll find in the food at Habibi House, a Middle Eastern restaurant located in The Village at Nob Hill. Before the establishment was born, owner and chef Abu Abdullah ran the popular Mediterranean Kitchen food truck on Yale and Silver. While that endeavor shut down operations after less than a year, the silver lining was that the opening of a brick-and-mortar eatery allowed for expansion of the menu. Some diners might recognize the current location as being previously inhabited by French restaurant P’tit Louis Bistro. One of the Habibi House’s featured appetizers is the Baba Ghanouj, which is smoked eggplant blended with tahini, garlic, fresh lemon juice and topped with parsley and oil. What truly makes the dish stand out is that it’s served with an oven-fresh, generously-sized pita that is regarded as among the best of its kind in the city. The entree portion of the menu pro-

The Pork Carnitas are a staple, and along with the QuesaBirria Tacos, are among the most popular items served at Los Olivos. The offerings have grown considerably since the beginning, when only five menu items were available. Today, diners can enjoy tacos, tortas and burritos; six different kinds of soups including menudo and posole and a full breakfast menu. For those wanting a change from the usual New Mexican fare, Los Olivos is a location more focused on traditional Mexican flavors. “A lot of people when they come in, they expect everything to be smothered in the red chile or the green chile,” Tuero says. “Over here, there’s more varieties of flavors. There’s different salsas for everything … For enchiladas, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros — they each have their own sauce that’s prepared specially for that.” An established customer base helped Los Olivos survive the pandemic, which hit only a few months after it opened. Now the family-owned establishment has been able to build a relationship with many of the regulars. The sense of appreciation is mutual. —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

vides diners with a variety of proteins including chicken, beef and lamb. Habibi House serves whole and half chicken dishes — grilled, fried or Musakhan-style — all seasoned with an array of spices from the Middle Eastern region. The Chicken Shawarma sandwich is another crowd pleaser, thanks to marinated, seasoned chicken breast slowly roasted and paired with pickles and garlic sauce. The restaurant’s lamb chops, meanwhile, have drawn praise for their moist, tender texture. There’s plenty more to enjoy, including traditional favorites like Hummus, Falafel, Souvlaki, Lentil Soup and an assortment of other sandwiches and salads. Those with a sweet tooth will gravitate toward the Baklava and the Kunafa on the dessert menu. The experience at Habibi House comes complete with a friendly staff and a dog-friendly patio, which is ideal for outdoor dining and people watching in Nob Hill. As its name indicates, anyone who stops by Habibi House is bound to feel the love. —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Birria tacos ready for a dip.

LOS OLIVOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT 7900 Zuni Road SE (505) 503-7879 losolivosmexicanrestaurant.business.site

PHOTO S BY DON JAMES/ATM

ong before Los Olivos Mexican Restaurant was born, one of Leon Hernandez’s culinary specialties was evolving into a hit. “Ever since I remember, my parents have always liked to cook,” says Annia Tuero, who co-owns the restaurant along with her father, Leon, and her mother, Lorena Diaz. “My dad used to make a flaming carnitas — it’s pork. For every birthday and special occasion he would make them for the family. Sometimes we were short on money. He would sell them to make it. He’s been making that for over 20 years.” Fast forward to the present day and Los Olivos, a colorful building located in the International District, has built a loyal following in the Duke City since its inception in October 2019. The cuisine highlights food from the owners’ home: the landlocked Mexican state of Durango. Virtually everything on the menu is a family recipe. “My parents lived many years over there and they learned the traditions, the food, the recipes,” Tuero says. “Everything is very authentic.”

The Chicken Shawarma sandwich on pita is a favorite.

HABIBI HOUSE 3218 Silver Ave SE, Suite B (505) 508-0307 habibihousenm.com

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FROM THE VINE

Floral

SPIRIT SPOTLIGHT

Sweet

Smooth

Tart

The Jennifer Rose, $14 Whiptail 355 Pat D’Arco Highway, Rio Rancho (505) 859-7410 whiptaileatery.com

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

If you’re a romantic, you’ll love the story behind this cocktail: Shortly after he helped open Whiptail in December of 2021, manager/mixologist Jake Robertson found himself working on Valentine’s Day - which meant he couldn’t take his fiancé, Jennifer Rose, to dinner. So, as a gift, he created a cocktail that day at the Rio Rancho restaurant and bar, and named it in her honor. “It was really just something I did for her, but it caught on and everyone loved it,” says Robertson. The drink’s taste and origin story are popular, but so is the presentation. Using a cocktail smoke gun called the Flavour Blaster and a specialty sugar solution, Robertson puts a fun bubble atop the drink. And to make things even more festive (and romantic), the bubble can connect two drinks, for a his-n-hers special. “When I serve one of those, 10 more people want one after they see it,” says Robertson, who gives credit to fellow Whiptail bartender Juztin Lynn for accidentally touching two bubble drinks together to form what looks like a liquid slinky atop two martini glasses. The drink features Wheatley Vodka, house-made rose water (using local rose petals), muddled blackberry and strawberry simple syrup, and local cold-pressed lemon juice. —SS

PHOTO BY REECE MARTINEZ/ATM

THE JENNIFER ROSE

DISH

for Success

with

Valerie Ingram

ommunity service was never anything Valerie Ingram thought about deliberately. It was just something ingrained from childhood, she says. “From the time I was a child, I was aware of my parents being involved in the church, in community service groups, and I went to various meetings with my parents when I was too little to understand what they were about. It was just the way we participated in our community. And I think that did influence my decision to go into nonprofit work as a young professional,” she says. In Ingram’s family, giving back to help others was expected, she says, just like her grandma Hazel Ingram’s chocolate cake is expected at every family gathering. “When my sisters and I talk about who’s hosting, who’s bringing what, someone invariably asks, ‘Who’s going to make the cake?’ I realize this is like volunteering. We do it because it’s expected in our family, and it’s a way to take care of each other. We volunteer to take care of our community and we make this cake to celebrate our community among each other.” Ingram’s siblings all went into “helping professions,” she says, and she currently serves as chief impact officer with the United Way of North Central New Mexico. Ingram also volunteers on the boards of several charities including the New Mexico Children’s Foundation as vice president. She became involved with the Chil-

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dren’s Foundation about five years ago when asked by board president Gary King, former state attorney general and son of former First Lady Alice King, who founded the New Mexico Children’s Foundation in 1992. Gary King was a contemporary of Ingram’s father, the late Lawrence Ingram, who was active in national and state politics, which included appointments by then-Gov. Bruce King. “I really loved the Children’s Foundation’s mission,” Valerie Ingram says. “We’re raising money from people who care about the progress and opportunities for children in New Mexico and distributing it to organizations that are sometimes run solely by volunteers and don’t often have access to foundation funding that are doing good work for kids at a grass-roots level. We fund in areas of mental and behavioral health support, after-school programs, literacy, physical activities, and anything that supports the well-being of the whole child.” While acknowledging the enormity of need, especially in rural or isolated areas, Ingram says she’s heartened by New Mexicans’ capacity to solve problems and to stretch any grant dollars they receive. She gives the example of small school districts that can only afford to hold classes

four days a week. “So, there are a number of programs in rural communities that were created by those communities to have something constructive for kids to do both after school and on that fifth day when their public school is closed,” she says. She cites another organization in southern New Mexico. “They were just raising money to buy socks to make sure every kid in their community started the school year with new, clean, appropriate socks.” Ingram gives another example of an organization in the Silver City area that gets bicycles, refurbishes them, and teaches kids to fix flat tires and put the chains back on if they fall off. “If you’re a kid in a small town and you have a bike, you can get to the library summer reading program or to the school when they’re serving cafeteria meals on school break so you still have access to food. If a kid knows how to fix a flat tire and put the chain back on, they can access resources in their town,” she says. “It’s a genius idea, right?” –Lisa Ocker

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

New Mexico Children’s Foundation Board Vice President

DISH

Grandma’s Chocolate Cake Ingredients For cake:

¾ Cup cocoa ¾ Cup boiling water ½ Cup butter 2 Cups sugar 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 Cup buttermilk 2 Cups flour

Directions

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. • For original recipe: Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans. • Modern modification: If you don’t have time to turn out and ice the rounds, lightly spray cooking spray on bottom and corners of 9-by-11-inch pan. • Stir cocoa into boiling water until smooth. Set aside. • In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Blend in eggs, vanilla and salt. • In separate bowl, stir baking soda into buttermilk. Add alternately with flour to egg mixture. • Add cocoa mixture and blend thoroughly. • Bake for 30-35 minutes. • Cool completely before removing from pans if icing the rounds to make a layer cake or leave in 9-by-13-inch pan and ice in the pan.

For icing:

Valerie Ingram’s recipe card doesn’t have measurements for icing ingredients. “I usually start with a stick of room-temperature butter, and gradually add cocoa and powdered sugar, and taste along the way,” she says. FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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BITES

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

ALQUDS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL & GROCERY

POLICY: “Bites” is a guide to Albuquerque-area

5555 Montgomery Blvd. NE, (505) 888-2921

eating establishments compiled by

Owner Mohamad Abdel Jalil and his sons run this all-inone 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.

Albuquerque The Magazine’s editorial staff. These restaurants have been featured previously in the “Eats” department of the magazine. Restaurants may or may not

AL’S BIG DIPPER

accept reservations or major credit cards,

501 Copper Ave. NW (505) 314-1118, alsbigdipper.com

so call before visiting.

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.

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

ALDO’S NEW YORK STYLE PIZZERIA THE 377 BREWERY

2027 Yale Blvd SE (505) 916-0331, the377brewery.com

Check out the funky metal and wood sign of The 377 Brewery. This warehouse-style structure is a little off-thebeaten path but they’ve got multiple creative drinks and meaty entrees just an order away. Along with burgers, nachos and burritos, the Fish and Chips have been labeled as the best in the city.

66 DINER

1405 Central Ave. NE (505) 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

1830 San Pedro Dr. NE (505) 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.

ABUELITA’S NEW MEXICAN KITCHEN 6083 Isleta Blvd. SW, (505) 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.

ALBUQUERQUE CITY LIMITS

3211 Coors Blvd SW Ste F4 (505) 873-8959, abqcitylimits.com

This dive aims to provide food that makes you feel at home. Dishes like made-from-scratch meatloaf with creamy mashed potatoes and savory brown gravy, homemade salsa, or a fan favorite—natillas—bear uncanny resemblances to the dishes mom used to make.

AJIACO COLOMBIAN BISTRO

3216 Silver Ave. SE (505) 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.

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1690 Pat D’Arco Hwy., Unit E plus 1 other metro location (505) 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, (505) 8964555

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

585 Osuna Rd. NE plus 2 other metro locations (505) 344-5555, amadeospizza.com

This family-run pizza place believes that there truly are a million different ways to make a pizza. Using fresh, highquality ingredients, they specialize in pizzas, subs, pasta, and fresh salads.

AMERASIA-SUMO SUSHI

800 3rd St. NW (505) 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 (505) 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.

ANNAPURNA’S WORLD VEGETARIAN CAFÉ

5200 Eubank NE, Ste E7, plus 2 other metro locations (505) 275-2424, chaishoppe.com

Annapurna offers some of the most enlightened, healthconscious 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.

ANNIE’S SOUP KITCHEN

3107 Eubank Blvd. NE (505) 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 (505) 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 baconwrapped filet mignon placed on a bed of artichoke leaves, topped with an artichoke heart and covered with béarnaise sauce.

ARTICHOKE CAFE

424 Central Ave. SE (505) 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 (505) 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 (505) 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.

AZUMA SUSHI & TEPPAN

4701 San Mateo Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 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.

BARELAS COFFEE HOUSE

1502 4th St. SW, (505) 843-7577

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

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The Chocolate Covered Biscochitos were born out of the spirit of competition, as Celina Grife prepared to enter her establishment in the Southwest Chocolate and Coffee Fest. As it turns out, some tastes just naturally go together. “We already have biscochitos. If they’re made properly they’re a really good melt-in-your-mouth type cookie where they’re really delicate,” Grife says. “But then you add chocolate to it, like a thin dipping of chocolate, and it’s like, why not? Then you get the best of both worlds — you get chocolate and you get the state cookie.” All of Celina’s Biscochitos use her grandma’s recipe, which includes key ingredients such as brandy and Morrell’s Snow Cap Lard. The cookies are dipped in Guittard brand dark chocolate, which is the ideal pairing. “Since the cookies already have that sweetness …It’s a little bit too sweet with the milk chocolate,” Grife says. “So that’s why we use the dark chocolate.” The end result is a popular order for the extended holiday season, ranging from Christmas through Valentine’s Day. (The chocolate dipped version is typically available from September through May). “If you’re a New Mexican, you’re getting a two-for-one, so a lot of people really like it,” Grife says. —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD Celina’s Biscochitos 404 Osuna Rd. NW, Ste A (505) 269-4997 celinasbiscochitos.com

BASIL LEAF VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

1225 Eubank Blvd. NE (505) 323-2594, basilleaf.us

Chocolate Covered Biscochitos

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

A DIPPED DELIGHT

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!

BAWARCHI BIRYANI’S

3305 Juan Tabo Blvd NE (505) 933-9889, bawarchinewmexico.com

Self-proclaimed foodie Irfan Khan started this traditional Indian dive as a tribute to his love for authentic Indian cuisine. Now, the spot boasts a long roster of happy customers who travel hours just for a taste of the aromatic dishes that grace Bawarchi Biryani’s menu (including the popular Chicken Dum Biryani).

BEN MICHAEL’S RESTAURANT 2404 Pueblo Bonito Ct. NW, (505) 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. (505) 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 double-meat, double-cheese beauty— intimidate you. And, don’t forget to save room for that vanilla ice-cream shake.

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BITES BEST LEE’S

2003 Southern Blvd SE #127 505-892-7887

Specializing in American-Chinese and Cantonese Chinese cuisine, Best Lee’s has over 100 items on the menu. From fried rice to chicken dishes and everything in between. You can select your level of heat ranging from a little hot, all the way to extra hot, or for those not a fan of the heat, no spice. Popular items include General Tso’s Chicken, sweet and sour shrimp, and Mongolian Beef. Best Lee’s is a reliable choice for delicious simple Chinese food accompanied by friendly service.

BIG MIKE’S BURGERS AND MORE

19388 NM-314 (505) 864-7918, bigmikesburgersandmore. com

The hand-pressed and specially seasoned burgers are the star of the show at this Belen staple. Big Mike’s uses locally sourced ingredients to bring you the best mouth-watering burgers and monster sandwiches.

BLACK MESA COFFEE COMPANY

Albuquerque International Sunport 220 Sunport Blvd. SE, (505) 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 gluten-free.

BLADES’ BISTRO

221 NM Hwy. 165, Ste L, Placitas (505) 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 (505) 883-7615, lotaburger.com

Blake’s became an Albuquerque establishment more than 70 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.

BOSQUE BREWING CO.

106 Girard Blvd. SE, B, plus 2 other locations (505) 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.

BUDAI GOURMET CHINESE

6300 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste. H-1 (505) 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.

BURGER BOY

12023 New Mexico 14, (505) 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.

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THE BURRITO LADY

938 Eubank Blvd. NE, (505) 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 (505) 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.

CAFE 6855

6855 4th St. NW (505) 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 #102 (505) 994-9436, 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.

CAFE ISTANBUL

1410 Wyoming Blvd NE Ste F (505) 294-9900

Mediterranean delights abound at Cafe Istanbul—don’t be fooled by the name, as this restaurant is known for its wide array of European eats (including the fan-favorite baklava topped with crushed pistachios).

CAFÉ LUSH

700 Tijeras Ave. NW (505) 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 gluten-conscious, vegetarian-friendly and has some of the best gluten-free red chile in town.

CAKE FETISH

2665 Louisiana Blvd. NE (505) 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 (505) 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-the-line 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

1 Central Ave. NW (505) 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.

CASA DE BENAVIDEZ

8032 4th St. NW, (505) 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.

CASA TACO

5801 Academy Rd. NE (505) 821-8226, casa-taco.com

Both Casa Taco locations offer a window into owner James 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

230 6th St. SW, (505) 243-7070

Recognized on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins & 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.

CENTRAL BODEGA

3418 Central Ave SE (505) 433-5600

This European bistro features a marketplace with local products and great eats. Central Bodega spotlights good food, wine, and community with favorites like whipped feta with honey, black pepper, and Italian Eggs Benedict.

CENTRAL GRILL & COFFEE HOUSE 2056 Central Ave. SW (505) 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 (505) 262-2253, cervantesabq.com

Old-world style meets traditional New Mexican fare at this family-owned restaurant. Go for the made-from-scratch chile rellenos, tamales, and carne adovada.

CESAR’S MEXICAN & GREEK 5300 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 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.

CHEBA HUT

115 Harvard Dr. SE plus 1 other metro location (505) 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 (505) 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.

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A TATERY TAKE ON BRIOCHE

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Every so often, research leads you down a rabbit hole — and sometimes, it eventually turns into something special. Such is the case for Knead Dough Bar’s Potato Brioche Doughnut ($3$4), which began while owner and head chef Steph Herrera was doing some informal research. “It was just this blog that was going over the theory of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and why they’re so good,” she says. “It was saying the main thing was that they were incorporating mashed potatoes into their doughnut.” That, in turn, led to Herrera developing her own recipe. “I kind of just went with it,” she says. “It took me about two years to come up with it and finally get it perfect. It’s just a take on a brioche, except I incorporate a ton of mashed potatoes (into) it.” There have been skeptics. After all, when it comes to doughnuts, potatoes aren’t the first thing that come to mind. “We’ve had a couple (people) be wary about it,” Herrera says. “Then they try it and it’s amazing to them. They’re not like this overly sweet doughnut. “I think it’s a strange thing to say about it, but the mouth feel of the doughnut is different than any other doughnut. It’s still airy and light, but it has more chew to it because of the mashed potatoes.” —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD Knead Dough Bar 218 Gold Ave SW (505) 347-8522 kneaddoughbar.com

CHELLO GRILL

5010 Cutler Ave NE Ste A (505) 881-2299, chellogrill.com

Potato Brioche Doughnut, $3-$4

Known for the varieties of kabobs, Chello Grill aims to introduce authentic Persian cuisine to Albuquerque. This restaurant offers different salads, sandwiches, and combinations of plates packed with immense flavor.

CHEZ AXEL

6209 Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 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.

CHILI HILLS

5 NM-344, Edgewood, NM (505) 286-9202, chilihillsedgewood.com

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Chili Hills is a comfort food haven. Owners Debbie and Wes are all about providing quality food and service at a fair price. From Huevos Rancheros to Chicken Fried steak they are serving up classic American and New Mexican eats.

CHOCGLITZ & CREAM

10660 Unser Blvd. NW (505) 898-4589, chocglitzandcream.com

Certified fair-trade chocolate and a chocolatier with 45 years of experience means you’ll find some of the best sweettooth satisfying offerings (including ice cream flavors such as raspberry red chile and Mexican coffee).

CHRISTY MAE’S RESTAURANT

1400 San Pedro Dr. NE (505) 255-4740, christymaes.com

are the standards, so look for chicken salad, potpies, countryfried steak with homemade mashed potatoes, and beef stew.

CORN MAIDEN

CHURCH STREET CAFÉ

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.

2111 Church St. NW (505) 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

5809 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 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.

COCINA AZUL

4243 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro locations (505) 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.

CODA BAKERY

230 Louisiana Blvd. SE, Ste C, (505) 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.

1300 Tuyuna Trail, (505) 771-6060, tamaya.hyatt.com

COPPER CANYON CAFE

$$$

5455 Gibson Blvd (505) 266-6318, coppercanyoncafeabq.com

All-day breakfast and a killer chicken fried steak topped with your choice of traditional white gravy or homemade green chile sauce (naturally) grace this menu, and a steady lineup of loyal customers means the food’s always hot and fresh.

THE COUNTY LINE BBQ

9600 Tramway Blvd. NE (505) 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 slowroasted 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 (505) 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.

“Hearty” and “homestyle” are the key words here, a handsdown favorite of early-dinner lovers. Old-fashioned staples

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BITES CRAVIN’ COOKIES AND MORE 10420 4th St. NW (505) 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.

CRAZY FISH SUSHI BAR AND RESTAURANT

3015 Central Ave. NE (505) 232-3474, crazyfishabq.com

Tasty, fresh sushi and sashimi await you in this sleek Central Avenue restaurant, along with kitchen-made favorites such as tempura and crispy chicken.

THE CROWN ROOM

145 Louisiana Blvd. NE (505) 767-7171, abqdowns.com/crown-room

$$$$

6910-C Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 881-3663, curryleafrestaurant.us

DG’S DELI

THE DAILY GRIND

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.

4360a Cutler Ave. NE (505) 883-8310, dailygrindabq.net

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

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.

DAMACIOS BAR & TAPAS

722 Central Ave SW (505) 595-7383, damacios.com

Nestled downtown in a non-traditional eating space, Damacios uses its fun atmosphere and talented chefs to put a twist on classic Spanish tapas.

DEBAJO TAPAS Y VINO

1025 Lomas Blvd NW (505) 503-8645, debajoabq.com

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

crepe made with fermented lentil and rice flour, filled with stuffing like potato, spiced vegetables, or ground lamb.

This Iberian-inspired restaurant serves modern-day eats and classic drinks, perfect for a special occasion or a relaxed night out. The chefs are passionate about providing guests with locally sourced ingredients and a farm-to-table experience.

DELICIAS CAFÉ

6001 San Mateo Blvd. NE (505) 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.

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1418 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Ave. NE (505) 247-3354, dgsdeli.com

D.H. LESCOMBES WINERY & BISTRO $$$ 901 Rio Grande Blvd. NW (505) 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 (505) 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.

DOG HOUSE DRIVE IN

1216 Central Ave. SW, (505) 243-1019

An ABQ landmark since the 1940s, the eat-in-your-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.

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BITES DON CHOCHE TACOS Y CERVEZA

7319 4th St NW Unit 1 (505) 433-2242, donchochetacosycerveza. com

Starting as a food truck, Don Choche Tacos y Cerveza established residency in the Los Ranchos area in 2009. Tacos are the signature here and can be ordered with various fillings such as asada, barbacoa, fried shrimp, and green chile brisket, just to name a few. A trip to this classic Mexican eatery wouldn’t be complete without stopping at the salsa bar packed with interesting and delicious choices. Dine inside or on the renovated and shaded patio.

DONUT MART

4501 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro location (505) 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, (505) 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 (505) 312-7257, dugganscoffeeshop.com

This breakfast and lunch spot serves up news-themed 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 (505) 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

3601 Carlisle Blvd. NE (505) 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.

EL BRUNO’S RESTAURANTE Y CANTINA 8806 4th St. NW (505) 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.

EL CAMINO DINING ROOM

6800 4th St. NW, (505) 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.

EL PATIO DE ALBUQUERQUE

142 Harvard Dr. SE plus 1 other metro location (505) 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 No. 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 (505) 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 (505) 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 ROI CAFE

616 Lomas Blvd NW Ste A (505) 401-9313, elroicafe.com

El Roi Cafe offers a blend of Native American and New Mexican cuisine aimed to pay tribute to owners’ favorites growing up. Diners will find various options, including mutton stew, Indian tacos, and fry-bread green chile cheeseburgers.

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GOTTA LOVE LEMON

Rise+Roast 401 Eubank Blvd SE, Ste. E Plus 1 other metro location (505) 207-1000

EL SABOR DE JUAREZ

3527 Gibson Blvd. SE, (505) 265-3338

Blueberry Lemon Cake Donut, $2.19

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, (505) 877-8871, 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.

ELOY’S NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT

1508 Wyoming Blvd. NE, (505) 293-6018

Opening 52 years ago, Eloy’s New Mexican Restaurant’s claim to fame is its consistent food and service, offering the same recipes that made it famous all those years ago. Try the No. 1 Eloy’s Deluxe Dinner, with a little bit of everything.

EMBERS STEAK & SEAFOOD 11000 Broadway Blvd. SE (505) 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.

FANO BREAD COMPANY

4605 McLeod Rd, NE (505) 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.

FAN TANG

3523 Central Ave. NE (505) 266-3566, fan-tang.com

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Donuts are a source of pride at Rise + Roast, where “Doughristas” are up before dawn measuring, mixing and making the establishment’s signature batch of pastries. Nothing is frozen or stored, and that includes the popular Blueberry Lemon Cake donut ($2.19). Prepared with a delicious blueberry base and decorated with lemon icing on the outside, this treat provides a surprise to first-time customers, as many don’t expect the lemon curd filling that resides inside. It’s the ideal amount of filling — and not too sweet to overwhelm the donut’s overall flavor. It makes for an ideal pairing with one of the shop’s hand-pressed coffees, teas, fraps or specialty drinks and is quite likely to become your new favorite morning treat. As they like to say at Rise + Roast, there’s a science to what they do —which is quite evident with this combination of flavors. —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

FAREAST FUZION SUSHI BAR & LOUNGE

5901 Central Ave. NE, (505) 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 (505) 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 (505) 243-0130, farinapizzeria.com

Whether you like yours bianco or covered in carne, you’ll get a pie cooked to perfection at this relaxed-but-hip urban eatery.

FARM & TABLE

8917 4th St. NW (505) 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-alfalfafed steaks and produce-focused dishes that use local kale, chard, okra, chile, and tomatoes.

THE FARMACY

3718 Central Ave. SE, (505) 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 & CANTINA

4400 Carlisle Blvd. NE, (505) 881-0478

Fiesta’s Restaurant & Cantina has been family-owned 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.

FIVE STAR BURGERS

5901 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 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. Hand-formed patties or vegetarian options paired with wine from St. Clair Winery or beer from Marble Brewery are a match made in heaven.

FLIX BREWHOUSE

3258 La Orilla Rd. NW, B-1 (505) 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 stadiumseating “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.

FLYING STAR CAFE

8001 Menaul Blvd. NE plus 5 other metro locations (505) 293-6911, flyingstarcafe.com

With menu options ranging from breakfast served all day to flavor-packed salads and sandwiches, handmade desserts to die for, and beautiful patio dining, Flying Star is the place to treat yourself to good vibes and great food.

FORK & FIG

6904 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste C (505) 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?

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.

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BITES FRANK’S FAMOUS CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

400 Washington St. SE, (505) 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.

FRENCHISH

3509 Central Ave. NE (505) 433-5911, frenchish.com

$$$

Envisioned as a casual neighborhood restaurant, frenchish’s menu draws inspiration from an eclectic mix of French and Midwestern U.S. cuisines, with an active focus on clean, simple foods.

FRIENDS COFFEE & SANDWICH SHOP 200 3rd St. NW (505) 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.

FRONTIER RESTAURANT

2400 Central Ave. SE (505) 266-0550, frontierrestaurant.com

Famous for its legendary Frontier Rolls, hot-off-the-iron 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.

FUEGO 505

5750 McMahon Blvd. NW (505) 705-8439 fuego505.com

Traditional meets trendy at this Westside rotisserie grill and bar. Gourmet tacos, bowls, and hot-fired skewers (including exotic meats like rabbit, elk and rattlesnake) pair nicely with whiskeys from their extensive list. Salads, hand-shaken cocktails, local craft beers and a large patio round out the scene.

FUN NOODLE BAR

5317 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

The perfect place to go with family and friends to enjoy fresh Asian cuisine. Fun noodle bar provides you with an authentic and, well, fun experience. Fresh dumplings and hand-pulled noodles are a homerun.

GARCIA’S KITCHEN

2924 San Mateo NE plus 5 other metro locations (505) 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.

GARDUÑO’S OF MEXICO RESTAURANT AND CANTINA $$ 10031 Coors Blvd. NW plus 1 other metro location (505) 880-0055, gardunosrestaurants.com

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

GECKO’S BAR AND TAPAS

5801 Academy Rd. NE (505) 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

3908 San Mateo Blvd. NE (505) 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.

GIOVANNI’S PIZZERIA

921 San Pedro Dr. SE, (505) 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, cheese-only, no cheese at all, or plain pepperoni, you’re sure to find your pizza match.

GOLDEN CROWN PANADERIA

1103 Mountain Rd. NW, (505) 243-2424, goldencrown.biz

Golden Crown Panaderia is known for taking creativity in baking to the next level. Try the original biscochitos or

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BITES cappuccino, chocolate and sugar-free versions. Don’t miss out on homemade green chile bread, pizza, and creative bread sculptures.

GRASSBURGER

5600 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste C3 plus 1 other metro location (505) 361-2368, eatgrassburger.com

There’s a lot that sets the burger joint apart—including its community involvement, its vegan and gluten-free burger options, and its commitment to a no-corn syrup menu.

GREENSIDE CAFÉ

12165 NM-14, Cedar Crest (505) 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, and a Monte Cristo sandwich with green chile.

THE GRILL ON SAN MATEO

3300 San Mateo Blvd. NE, (505) 872-9772

HIBACHI ONE

3230 Coors Blvd. NE 505) 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.

HIGH POINT GRILL

9780 Coors Blvd. NW (505) 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. Its 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 (505) 765-1455, highnoonrestaurant.com

$$$

A choice of mesquite-grilled chicken, rib eye, hot dogs, and burgers (beef and garden) accompany bottomless housemade 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.

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.

GRANDMA’S K & I DINER

700 Central Ave. SE (505) 242-2991, holyburgernm.com

2500 Broadway Blvd SE (505) 243-1881, grandmaskandidiner.com

This South Valley dive is known for its heaping plates of classic American comfort food—they’ve even been featured on “Man vs. Food” for their massive “Travis on a Silver Platter” dish.

THE GROVE CAFÉ AND MARKET 600 Central Ave. SE, Ste A (505) 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.

GOBBLE THIS

308 San Felipe St NW (505) 975-3969, gobblethis.biz

A fusion of ingredients from El Salvador, Los Angeles, and New Mexico make up the recipes at Gobble This. Owner and chef Nestor Lopez goes out of his way to make the food and atmosphere like being at a friend or family member’s house for dinner.

GYROS MEDITERRANEAN

106 Cornell Dr. SE, (505) 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, laid-back collegial atmosphere.

HANNAH & NATE’S MARKET CAFÉ

HOLY BURGER

Bread and coffee are the foundation of this diverse bakery. IHATOV is whipping up approximately 20 types of bread inspired by different locations. Must-try items include the buttermilk biscuit and the croissants.

ISLETA GRILL

4047 NM State Highway 47 (505) 869-2046 FB: Isleta Grill

A popular breakfast-and-lunch counter on the Isleta Pueblo serving up tortilla burgers, Indian tacos and Frito pies, along with an assortment of made-to-order sandwiches (BLT, Club, etc.). The grab-and-go morning menu includes breakfast burritos and quesadillas in two sizes.

I SCREAM ICE CREAM

2000 Carlisle Blvd. NE, (505) 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 (505) 266-7855, ilvicino.com

2401 12th St. NW (505) 724-3510, indianpueblo.org

5809 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 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.

HOT PINK THAI

2626 San Pedro Dr. NE, (505) 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.

HOT TAMALES

1520 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE. Rio Rancho (505) 962-0123, hottamalesnmrestaurant.com

INDIAN PUEBLO KITCHEN

$$$

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.

INDIGO CROW CAFÉ

4515 Corrales Rd. (505) 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 (505) 890-4488, ironwoodkitchen.com

This Rio Rancho restaurant serves bona fide New Mexican with hand-blended red chile and fire-roasted green chile: Green Chile Stew Omelet, Hot Tamale Bowl, and Fajitas are just a few of the spicy dishes.

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.

HUMBLE COFFEE COMPANY

JAPANESE KITCHEN

4200 Lomas Blvd NE plus one other metro location (505) 289-9909, bakerad.com/humble

HURRICANE’S CAFE

Home to one of the most delicious breakfast burritos around, Hello Deli serves sandwiches and even Frontier’s sweet rolls.

HORSE AND ANGEL TAVERN

HELLO DELI

3400 Central Ave SE (505) 539-5445

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.

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.

7600 Jefferson St. NE (505) 797-3354, hellodeliabq.com

IHATOV BREAD AND COFFEE

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.

Humble prides itself on keeping it simple. Here you’ll find the most classic coffee drinks (ones that aren’t overly sweet) in an attempt to highlight the coffee bean itself. They use singleorigin beans so customers can taste the difference between other beans. Both locations are perfect for sipping delicious coffee and gathering with friends.

4512 Corrales Rd, plus 1 other metro location (505) 898-2370

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.

4330 Lomas Blvd. NE, (505) 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

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6521 America’s Parkway (505) 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 (505) 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.

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BITES

EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Though it’s not an official menu item, The Everything Breakfast Bagel Sandwich has grown to be quite the hot item. “I think over the years, people just watched other people get it and they’re like, ‘Oh that looks good, I want that,’” says The Bagel Deli & Bakery manager Jessica Burke. The base of the sandwich is bacon, egg and cheese ($5.50), and customers can upgrade their protein quotient by making it a two- ($6.50) or three-meat ($7.50) affair by adding either sausage or ham. But what really makes it stand out is placing all of the above on The Everything — the establishment’s most popular bagel. “The Everything Bagel has all of our seeds on it. It has poppy, sesame, onion, garlic and salt,” Burke says. “We kind of just do like a mix of it, and then we have it in a bucket for the baker to throw on all the bagels.” If you don’t believe it’s an ideal mix, just ask Burke, whose own palate would normally make her a skeptic. “It’s ultimately my favorite one, and I’m not really sure as to why because I really don’t like all the seeds,” she says. “I think it’s just all the flavors mixed together. It makes it taste good.” —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD The Bagel Deli & Bakery 3301 Southern Blvd SE, Suite 404 (505) 206-5763

JC’S NEW YORK PIZZA DEPARTMENT

215 Central Ave. NW, Ste B (505) 766-6973, jcnypd.com

The Everything Breakfast Bagel Sandwich, $7.50

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.

JINJA BAR AND BISTRO

8900 Holly Ave. NE, Ste. B (505) 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.

JINJA BAR & BISTRO WESTSIDE 5400 Sevilla Ave NW (505) 792-8776

Whether you’re looking for a good place to gather some friends for tasty drinks and appetizers or a laid-back place to bring the family, Jinja has the atmosphere for you. You won’t find one specific menu theme at Jinja, with its blend of Chinese and Vietnamese which makes it easy for anyone to find something they like. Staples like potstickers, Kung Pao chicken, and wings with different sauces are all served up

JOE’S PASTA HOUSE

3201 Southern Blvd. SE (505) 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.

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JUNIPER STEAKHOUSE

54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd (505) 771-7145, santaanastar.com

$$$

Inside the Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, Juniper Steakhouse offers a fine dining experience in an entertaining atmosphere. With popular options like the prime rib and filet mignon, diners can also opt for a seafood entree. The food is enticing; they also have a full bar with an extensive wine list and handcrafted seasonal cocktails.

KABAB HOUSE: AUTHENTIC PERSIAN CUISINE 8104 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. A (505) 312-8949

471 S Hill Rd, Bernalillo (505) 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.

KAMIKAZE KITCHEN

3517 Wyoming Blvd NE Ste D (505) 900-8296, kamikazeabq.com

5801 Central Ave. NE 505) 232-9658, kapscoffeeshopanddiner.com

Serving the Duke City and hungry travelers since 1968, Kap’s is the place to go for a great meal. Enjoy a hearty plate of chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken with an egg on top or some golden brown, griddle-cooked flapjacks.

KATHY’S CARRY OUT

823 Isleta Blvd. SW (505) 873-3472 FB: Kathy’s Carry Out

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.

KAP’S COFFEE SHOP & DINER

A half-century of success in the heart of the city’s South Valley that’s renowned for $2 tacos on Wednesdays (yes, Wednesdays), stuffed sopaipillas, smothered burritos and burgers. Take-home pints also available for beans, rice, carne adovada, etc. Indoor and outdoor seating, plus a drive-thru.

KATRINAH’S EAST MOUNTAIN GRILL 150 State Rd. 344 A (505) 281-9111, eastmountaingrill.com

This contemporary diner specializes in homemade dishes, such as gyros, hand-cut steaks and burgers, and the bestselling 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 (505) 582-2797, kimosabq.com

Hawaii comes home. What began as a food truck is now a brick-and-mortar location also. Try fresh-from-the-isles Kalua Pork and Huli Huli Chicken plates served with sides like steamed cabbage, rice, and macaroni salad.

Kamikaze Kitchen blends Asian and Southwestern flavors to create a fusion of experimental “kombos,” appetizers, fries and desserts. Notoriously known for the Eggroll-arito and other creative dishes like wonton nachos you’re sure to find something innovative.

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BITES KITSUNE

524 Romero St NW (505) 977-2313

Kitsune transforms traditional Asian dishes into a fusion of flavors blended with New Mexico staples, American cuisine and more.

KOYAMA

Petroglyph Plaza, 8201 Golf Course Rd NW (505) 681-8869, koyamasushi.com

With over 40 different sushi rolls to choose from, including classics like the California Roll or the more ‘out there’ freshwater eel-forward Caterpillar Roll, the hearty servings over at this local Japanese mainstay keep sushi-lovers coming back time and again. For something to warm the soul, the hotpot is always a solid choice.

LA QUICHE PARISIENNE BISTRO 5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste 17 (505) 242-2808, laquicheparisiennebistro.com

8900 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste I (505) 717-1361, lareformabrewery.com

On the taco front, La Reforma is virtually unimpeachable, offering options like braised pork shoulder carnitas, tempurabattered white fish pescado, and rotisserie-broiled al pastor for carnivores, along with tempura-battered avocado (aguacate) for those looking for something plant-based.

LA SALITA

1950 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 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.

LA GUELAGUETZA MEXICAN RESTAURANT$ 816 Old Coors Dr SW (505) 916-0095, la-guelaguetza-mexicanrestaurantllc.business.site

2400 12th St. NW plus 2 other metro locations (505) 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.

LAZY LIZARD GRILL

12480 North Hwy. 14, Sandia Park (505) 281-9122, lazylizardgrill.com

From the King Cobra Pizza and made-from-scratch 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.

LE BISTRO VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

1313 San Pedro Dr. NE, (505) 266-6118

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

228 Gold Ave. SW (505) 508-1166, 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.

2000 Bellamah Ave. NW (505) 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.

THE LIBRARY BAR & GRILL

312 Central Ave. SW (505) 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.

LIMONATA CAFÉ

3222 Silver Ave. SE (505) 266-0607, limonatacafe.com

Channel your inner Italian at this street food-inspired 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.

LINDO MEXICO

If you’re looking for something especially authentic, La Guelaguetza is the place for you. This restaurant will provide you with no frills and traditional Mexican food. Options range from Birria, to mole, to cocktail shrimp and everything in between. Located on Old Coors La Guelaguetza gives a homestyle feel to all the favorites.

LAGUNA BURGER

8216 Menaul Blvd. NE (505) 293-7057, lechantillybakery.com

LEVEL 5 AT HOTEL CHACO

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.

LA REFORMA

LE CHANTILLY FINE PASTRIES

7209 Central Ave NE plus one other metro location (505) 266-2999, lindomexicogrillandseafood. com

This once smaller operation has since been in business for 20 years. With extreme passion to express the heritage of certain dishes through authentic tastes, owners are proud to have an atmosphere that values family and traditions. Some popular items include mole, tacos, guacamole and their chile rojo. All made fresh in house.

LILY AND LIAM BISTRO

1751 Rio Rancho Blvd SE, Ste 101 (505) 340-3309, lilyandliambistro.com

The NM Dutch Baby (loaded with green chile, of course) is a Lily and Liam staple that has regulars coming back time and again. As a family-run business, it makes perfect sense that your whole family will love this homegrown spot.

LITTLE BEAR COFFEE

2632 Pennsylvania St. NE (505) 917-8902, littlebearcoffeeco.com Plus 1 other metro location

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 (505) 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

8700 Menual Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro locations (505) 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.

LOYOLA’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

4500 Central Ave. SE, (505) 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 (505) 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’TUCCIS ITALIAN

6001 Winter Haven Rd. NW plus 3 other metro locations (505) 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.

MAC’S STEAK IN THE ROUGH 4515 Menaul Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location, (505) 888-3611, macsnm.com

Taquitos, 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.

MANZANO GRILLE AT THE CANYON CLUB AT FOUR HILLS $$ 911 Four Hills Rd. SE (505) 299-9555, canyonclubgolf.com

This newly remodeled property was rejuvenated thanks to its own club members, and now boasts modern décor, floorto-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 (505) 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.

Le Bistro Vietnamese Restaurant is just as much a bakery as it is a restaurant, specializing in traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

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BITES MARISCOS ALTAMAR

1517 Coors Blvd. NW plus 1 other metro location (505) 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 (505) 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.

MATA G VEGETARIAN KITCHEN 116 Amherst Dr SE (505) 266-6374, mata-g.com

MICK’S CHILE FIX

3351 Candelaria Rd. NE, Ste A (505) 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 (505) 884-0707, millysrestaurants.com

lunch spot melds salads and sandwiches with traditional New Mexican and Greek entrees.

MONICA’S EL PORTAL RESTAURANT 321 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, (505) 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 its own green chile, makes biscochitos from scratch and offers red chile straight from the pod.

If you’re not sure what to eat, have a little of everything with an American-New Mexican–Greek menu. This breakfast and

An authentic vegetarian restaurant with a wide variety of vegetarian breakfasts, soups, salads, sandwiches, and hot specials.

MARIGOLD CAFE

161 Lang Ave NE Ste C (505) 433-4427, marigoldabq.com

This cozy cafe is serving up a much-loved fusion of Indian and American cuisine. The marigold cafe is a local family-owned business that uses only the highest quality ingredients and spices.

MAZAYA CAFÉ

120 Harvard Dr. SE (505) 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, fresh-grilled kebabs, a half-dozen wraps, shawarma, and three kinds of fried or steamed dumpling plates headline the restaurant’s entrée menu.

MESA PROVISIONS

3120 Central Ave SE (505) 494-5264, mesaprovisions.com

With an emphasis on seasonally and locally influenced ingredients, you can always expect to find something fresh on the menu at Mesa Provisions. And although they have a wide variety of culinary offerings, year-round staples such as the half-smoked chicken or the green chile cheddar biscuit will have you coming back for more.

MERAKI COFFEE + MARKET

5900 Eubank Blvd NE (505) 291-1116, drinkmerakiabq.com

Meraki in Greek is the word that describes the attention and love put into something you are preparing for others. With all real ingredients (no fake butter, sugar substitutes, etc.) it is clear the passion runs through each item that is made at Meraki. Everything is made early in the morning and most ingredients are sold in-store exclusively. Whether you’re looking for a classic cappuccino or smoked salmon toast with homemade tomato jam, you are sure to find that every dish is extremely high quality and delicious.

MICHAEL THOMAS COFFEE ROASTERS (505) 504-7078, michaelthomascoffee.com 202 Bryn Mawr Dr. SE

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.

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BITES MONROE’S RESTAURANT

6051 Osuna Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 881-4224, monroeschile.com

More than 50 years after opening its 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, (505) 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, (505) 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, (505) 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, (505) 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.

NAGOMI RESTAURANT

2400 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, (505) 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 Japanesestyle hot pot.

NAMASTE

1580 Deborah Rd. SE plus 1 other metro location (505) 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.

NAPOLI COFFEE

3035 Menaul Blvd NE (505) 884-5454, napolicoffee.com

A diversified menu of caffeinated companions means something for everyone at Napoli Coffee. Currently located on Menaul, Napoli aims to please and cater to guest requests, so the possibilities and drink combinations are seemingly endless. In addition to coffee, they also offer a variety of freshly made sandwiches, wraps, and breakfast burritos.

NARUTO

2110 Central Ave. SE (505) 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 (505) 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 inhouse beers.

NEXUS BLUE SMOKEHOUSE

1511 Broadway Blvd SE (505) 445-1545, smokehouse.nexusbrewery. com

4400 Masthead St. NE, Suite 160 (505) 835-5138 nmsoulfoodco.co

The former Rio Rancho favorite has moved to North ABQ with their menu of classic sandwiches, served both hot (grilled cheese, pulled pork, meatball) and cold (chicken salad, BLT), plus salads. The breakfast menu includes bowls, biscuits & gravy, muffins and bagels.

OAK TREE CAFÉ

4545 Alameda Blvd. NE (505) 830-2233, cafeoaktree.com

$$$

This hometown café has served a lot of locals 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 (505) 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 (505) 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.

OLO DESSERT STUDIO

3339 Central Ave. NE, Ste C-3 (505) 750-4656, olodessertstudio.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 (505) 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.

ONI

600 Central Ave SW # 100 (505) 503-6722, oniabq.com

4310 Central Ave. SE plus 1 other metro location (505) 255-6782, oniells.com

Warm, umami scents fill the air at Oni, which has an abundance of ramen and other Japanese options. A house favorite is the Shoyu Ramen, which features cherry wood smoked pork belly, seasonal vegetables, and a pork bone broth that’s cooked in-house.

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

Tender and mouthwatering meat, Nexus uses the blue smoke method. With favorites like burnt ends and pulled pork sandwiches, tangy sides, and perfectly paired brews, Nexus Blue Smokehouse achieves top of the line status.

NM SANGWICHES

O’NIELL’S PUB

2114 Central Ave. SE, (505) 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.

ORCHID THAI CUISINE

4300 Central Ave. SE (505) 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.

THE OWL CAFÉ

800 Eubank Blvd. NE (505) 291-4900, owlcafealbuquerque.com

World-famous green chile cheeseburgers, milkshakes, fajitas, quesadillas, meatloaf, burritos, fries… the list of great droolworthy dishes goes on and on.

PACIFIC PARADISE TROPICAL GRILL AND SUSHI BAR $$ 3000 San Pedro Dr. NE, (505) 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

1510 Girard Blvd. NE, (505) 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.

PAISANO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 1935 Eubank Blvd. NE (505) 298-7541, paisanosabq.com

Family recipes have kept Paisano’s going for more than 35 years, but the hand-rolled pasta, hand-stuffed 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.

THE PALETA BAR

2325 San Pedro Dr. NE plus 12 other metro locations (505) 884-0049, thepaletabar.com

A hidden Albuquerque gem, The Paleta Bar has taken a triedand-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 (505) 292-8877, papafelipes.com

Papa Felipe’s exceeds expectations by offering traditional New Mexican cuisine (enchiladas, stuffed sopaipillas, tacos)

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BITES as well as simple twists on favorite dishes (green chile carne adovada, Tampico Tacos, Green Tamale Pie).

PLANTY SWEET

PAPA NACHOS

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.

7648 Louisiana Blvd. NE (505) 821-4900, papanachosfood.com

Great homemade Mexican food based on tried-and-true family recipes is the specialty here: burritos, fish tacos, and the namesake nachos will all make your panza happy.

PARS CUISINE

4320 The 25 Way NE, Ste 100 (505) 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.

PELICAN’S RESTAURANT

9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 298-7678, pelicansabq.com

$$$

4590 Corrales Rd., (505) 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.

PERICO’S

10401 Golf Course Rd. NW plus 3 other metro locations (505) 792-5255 pericosmexicanrestaurant.com

POKI POKI CEVICHERIA

3422 Central Ave. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 503-1077, pokipokinm.com

PRAIRIE STAR RESTAURANT

288 Prairie Star Rd. (505) 867-3327, mynewmexicogolf.com

Taking a drive past Bernalillo is a pleasure when you know the visit will include amazing made-from-scratch dishes such as herb-grilled ribeye with chipotle cheddar gratin and New Mexico bison-raised tenderloin. Reservations are recommended.

PUPUSERIA Y RESTAURANTE SALVADOREÑO

1701 Bridge Blvd. SW, (505) 243-8194

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, 12 sauces, and 22 toppings make for endless combinations atop rice, chips, or a salad.

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).

POLLITO CON PAPAS

QUARTER CELTIC BREWPUB

6105 Gibson Blvd. SE (505) 765-5486, pollitoconpapas.com

For 30 years, customers have fallen for Pelican’s—hook, line and sinker. Favorite entrées include Alaskan king crab, Australian lobster tail, and their delicious prime rib.

PEREA’S TIJUANA BAR

2506 Washington St. NE (505) 433-7111, plantysweet.weebly.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.

1761 Bellamah Ave. NW (505) 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.

1100 San Mateo Blvd. NE, #50, plus 1 other metro location 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.

RANGE CAFÉ

320 Central SE plus 5 other metro locations (505) 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.

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.

PHO LINH

9100 Central Ave. SE (505) 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 (505) 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.

PIZZA 9

4000 Louisiana Blvd. NE plus 9 other metro locations (505) 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.

PIZZERIA LUCA

8850 Holly Ave. NE (505) 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.

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BITES RELISH GOURMET SANDWICHES 8019 Menaul Blvd. NE (505) 299-0001, relishsandwichesabq.com

SAHARA MIDDLE EASTERN EATERY

2622 Central Ave. SE, (505) 255-5400 saharamiddleeasterneatery.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.

Delectable Middle Eastern plates served up Manhattan-deli style. The chicken shawarma plate, complete with greens, pita, hummus, and award-winning 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-oftowners alike.

RESTORATION PIZZA

SAIGON RESTAURANT

5161 Lang Ave. NE, Ste A (505) 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, (505) 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 (505) 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.

RIO BRAVO BREWING COMPANY

1912 2nd St. NW (505) 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

2904 Indian School Rd NE, LS (505) 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 (505) 843-9418, romabakeryanddeli.com

15 Hotel Circle NE plus 2 other metro locations (505) 296-6940, sadiesofnewmexico.com

107 Cornell Dr SE plus one other metro location (505) 255-5454, unmsaggios.com

This university joint is known for its pizza, particularly the pepperoni and green chile-topped pie, but the pasta, sandwiches, and salads shouldn’t be slept on!

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SAKURA SUSHI & GRILL

6241 Riverside Plaza NW (505) 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, (505) 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.

SALT AND BOARD

115 Harvard SE, Ste. 9 (505) 219-2001 saltandboard.com

Salt and Board offers a tailored selection of wines to go along with different charcuterie boards, pressed sandwiches and salads. For those who aren’t wine drinkers, Salt and Board offers a variety of local New Mexico beers on tap.

THE SALT YARD

6001 Osuna Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 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.

9500 Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 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

A staple in New Mexican cuisine, Sadie’s features enchiladas, carne adovada ribs, tacos, burritos, and of course, worldfamous chips and salsa. Reservations are recommended.

SAGGIO’S

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.

SAMURAI GRILL AND SUSHI BAR

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.

SADIE’S OF NEW MEXICO

6001 San Mateo Blvd. D4, NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 884-0706, saigonrestaurantnm.com

3407 Central Ave. NE (505) 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, (505) 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 (505) 294-9463, savoyabq.com

$$$

Resembling a California wine-country bistro, Savoy Bar & Grill is one of Albuquerque’s premier fine-dining 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 (505) 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 (505) 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 (505) 766-5100, seasonsabq.com

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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.

SHARK REEF CAFÉ

2601 Central Ave. NW, (505) 848-7182

To conclude your tour of the Albuquerque Aquarium, grab a seat at this full-service restaurant, where the 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, (505) 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.

SIXTY SIX ACRES

2400 12th St NW (505) 243-2230, sixtysixacres.com

A modern take on a classic bar and grill, Sixty-Six Acres has something for everyone. With unique appetizers, salads, and bowls, plus craft cocktails, you’re sure to find something to satisfy. Located in the Avanyu Plaza, you can enjoy your meal with a beautiful view of the Sandias.

SLICE AND DICE PIZZERIA

5720 McMahon Blvd. Ste B plus 1 other metro locations (505) 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 wide-eyed 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.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

BITES SOBREMESA

3421 Coors Blvd NW (505) 444-5555, sobremesanm.com

This Spanish-inspired restaurant brings people together with a cozy atmosphere, craft beer, and a vast selection of fresh and locally sourced foods.

STRAIGHT UP PIZZA

2801 Eubank Blvd NE (505) 796-9343, straightuppizza.com

Pizza, wings, calzones, and cannolis, Straight Up Pizza has it all. For over 20 years, they’ve been creating high-quality, made-to-order favorites. The veteran-owned and familyoperated pizzeria will have you feeling right at home.

STRIPES BURRITO CO

2204 Menaul Blvd NE plus 6 other metro locations (505) 881-5151, stripesco.com

TAP N TACO

1120 Pat D’Arco Hwy (505) 800-5966, tapntaco.com

This spot specializes in Mexican street tacos, quesadillas, papa asada, nachos, and fries, with protein options for everyone ranging from asada to vegetarian. If you’re a fan of salsa bars, Tap N Taco has one with just about everything you need to elevate your food. Not only are the taco options pleasing to the palate but there’s an aesthetic appeal too.

TASTE OF INDIA

1605 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE (505) 294-6342, tasteofindiaabq.com

think of Taste of India as just what the name advertises: a taste of regional flavors, conveyed by people who grew up with them

TEN 3

30 Tramway Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122 (505) 764-8363, ten3tram.com

Whether you’re looking for fine or casual dining, TEN 3 is an experience. With a take on modern American and Mediterranean cuisine, choose from a menu of delicious appetizers, salads, and entrees while dining 10,300 feet above sea level. TEN 3 is a treat for your eyes and taste buds as you sit at the top of Sandia Peak.

Family recipes modified for American tastes; Taste of India typically dials back the spice a bit. But it’s no misnomer to

Stripes is serving up classic burritos all day long. From bacon to carne adovada, the flavor-packed favorite will surely hit the spot. What’s the hardest choice you’ll have to make? Red or green!

SUSHIBUCKS

2106 Central Ave SE Ste A (505) 243-8089

This Asian-inspired restaurant with New Mexican flair provides customers with fast service and quality food. Sushibucks offers over 30 sushi rolls, including baked and no-rice offerings. Diners can also order udon, bulgogi, and bibimbap for those not feeling sushi.

SUSHI KING

9421 Coors Blvd NW (505) 890-6200, sushikingabq.com

As one of the originators of sushi in Albuquerque, it’s no wonder Sushi King is beloved by so many. By merging tastes of Japan and America with rolls like the New Mexico Roll and the Lady in Red, you really can’t go wrong.

SWISS ALPS BAKERY & BODEGA

3000 San Pedro Dr. NE (505) 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

1435 Eubank Blvd NE (505) 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.

TAJ MAHAL CUISINE OF INDIA

1430 Carlisle Blvd. NE (505) 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.

TAKO TEN

1250 Candelaria Rd. NE, Ste B Plus 1 other metro location (505) 508-3518

Chef and owner Dominic Valenzuela takes a creative spin on tacos, or takos if you will, by curating a unique menu, which includes a Vegan Sweet Potato Tako.

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BITES THAI HOUSE

2000 Carlisle Blvd NE (505) 247-9205, thaihouserestaurantabq.com

With an impressive stay in ABQ (Thai House is approaching its 40-year anniversary), this South Asian restaurant has a secret weapon in its native Thai chef who brings her vast knowledge of Thai cuisine to the metro.

THAI SPICE

7441 Paseo Del Norte NE (505) 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.

THAI VEGAN

5505 Osuna Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location (505) 884-4610, thaivegannm.com

Utilizing local organic produce, you’ll get some of the healthiest food around, all without sacrificing taste. This nonvegan favorite has hearty offerings and a soy chicken that satisfies even the pickiest of meat eaters.

THEOBROMA CHOCOLATIER 12611 Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 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.

THE WHOLE ENCHILADA 10701 Corrales Rd #25 505-897-5933

The Whole Enchilada is dishing up authentic Mexican food and great customer service. By incorporating different cheeses like queso fresco, and guajillo chiles instead of the red or green used here in New Mexico, the flavors shine to give a true Mexican Influence to each dish. The Whole Enchiladas fare extends beyond the restaurant moniker with options such as bone marrow tacos, steaks, and seared fish filets.

THUNDER ROAD STEAKHOUSE AND CANTINA AT ROUTE 66 CASINO HOTEL

14500 Central Ave. SW, Laguna Pueblo (505) 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 (505) 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.

TOMASITA’S 4949 PAN AMERICAN FWY NE (505) 344-1204, tomasitas.com

Known widely for its Northern New Mexican food and margaritas, Tomasita’s prides itself on authenticity and locally

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sourced ingredients. The food and friendly service will not disappoint.

VIC’S DAILY CAFÉ

TURTLE MOUNTAIN NORTH

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.

7835 Enchanted Hills Blvd NE 9505) 404-0414 Plus 1 other metro location

The newest location of a beloved original, Turtle Mountain North features double the beer taps and double the kitchen size. Keeping classic brewery finds on the menu, they have expanded to include harder-to-execute menu items such as glazed salmon steaks, and Jagerschnitzel. New menu items paired with a longer wine and beer list takes Turtle Mountain to an elevated level.

TRAIL RIDER PIZZA

12165 NM-14 b2 (505) 281-6068, trailriderpizza.com

The fact that this spot is a 98% from scratch kitchen should be reason enough to stop by, and with 14 types of specialty pizza, there’s bound to be something for everyone.

TWO CRANES BISTRO + BREW

901 Rio Grande Blvd NW 190 & 192 Ste A (505) 295-3970, twocranesnm.com

Comfort food with a high-end twist is all the rage at this spot, where you’ll find enticing dishes like Chorizo Rellenos wrapped like egg rolls and grilled salmon with a Michelin Starlevel presentation.

TWO FOOLS TAVERN

3211 Central Ave NE (505) 265-7447, 2foolstavern.com

Dubliner or not, there’s soul-warming Irish fare to be found at this authentic Irish eatery. Two Fools Tavern is known to have good food, drink and conversation. Its atmosphere earns an A plus for feeling just like a traditional Irish pub, and its food most definitely does not fall short. If Irish classics like Scottish Eggs and Guinness Beef Boxty don’t do it for you, the 300 brands of whiskey will certainly make you feel like you’re right in Dublin.

UPSCALE BURGERS AND SHAKES

10000 Coors Blvd Bypass NW Ste C-1 505) 835-5902, upscaleburgers.com

Made-from-scratch burgers and sides with only the highest quality ingredients. Burgers here are divided into two categories: “upscale” and “classic.” Unique offerings include the chipotle tortilla burger and the smokehouse BBQ burger, while more traditional favorites range from green chile cheeseburgers to bacon mushroom Swiss burgers. To go with the name, Upscale Burgers and Shakes has seven shake options ranging from vanilla to berry to brownie.

UPTOWN SPORTS BAR

6601 Uptown Blvd. NE (505) 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.

VEGOS

4003 Carlisle Blvd NE (505) 554-1041, vegosabq.com

New Mexican staples made for vegans and vegetarians without skipping out on any of the flavor. Vegos aims to bring traditional flavors and textures found in New Mexican food while keeping it entirely plant based. However, don’t get discouraged if youre all about meat, Vegos makes it a priority to try and tailor food to everyone’s liking no matter the diet.

3600 Osuna Rd. NE (505) 341-9710, vicsdailycafe.com

VICK’S VITTLES COUNTRY KITCHEN 8810 Central Ave. SE (505) 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— except Wednesdays, when Vick’s is closed. Country comfort meets southwestern flair in an environment that welcomes suits and cowboys alike. Prepare to be stuffed.

VIET TASTE

5721 Menaul Blvd. NE, (505) 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.

VIET PHO

4208 Menaul Blvd. NE, (505) 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 (505) 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 (505) 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 (505) 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 go-to location for good eats and happy hour—all year long.

VOODOO GIRL PIZZA

1401 2nd St NW (505) 243-6095, voodoogirlpizzapints.com

Handcrafted, authentic Italian brick oven pizzas aren’t the only thing Voodoo Girl Pizza serves up. This snazzy joint offers a full slate of appetizers too—nachos, potato skins, fried zucchini, the list goes on. And if you’re big on brews, Voodoo Girl has more than 30 different beers on tap.

WECK’S

4500 Osuna Rd. NE, #100, plus 9 other metro locations (505) 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.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

BITES WESTERN VIEW

6411 Central Ave. NW, (505) 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.

WHIPTAIL

355 Pat D’Arco Hwy (505) 859-7410, whiptaileatery.com

While diners can enjoy a multitude of traditional shareable bites– like fries, salads, and sandwiches, Whiptail has many comfort zone-breaking dishes such as charred broccolini and lizard eggs. In addition to various unique foods, Whiptail has over 20 hand-crafted cocktails and a rotating tap of local beers.

YASMINE’S CAFÉ

1600 Central Ave. SE, (505) 242-1980

THE YELLER SUB

7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 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.

ZENDO COFFEE

413 2nd St SW (505) 926-1636, zendocoffee.com

Opening its doors in 2013 on 2nd Street, Zendo Coffee’s creativity plays a huge part in the beloved menu. The variety of different items on the menu caters to just about anyone and provides a sense of comfort.

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.

YUMMY NOODLE HOUSE

6001 Winter Haven Rd NW Ste E (505) 595-3296, yummynoodlehouse.com

This dive is exactly what it sounds like: a yummy noodle house. With 12 noodle dishes to choose from, the question isn’t “Which one should I get?” but instead it’s “What order should I get these in?”

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‘TIL YOU DROP P. 160 | LOCAL STUFF WE LOVE P. 162 | SHOP TALK P. 164 | AMAZING PETS P. 168 | PHOTO CONTEST P. 175

AMAZING MINERALS The staff at Mama’s Minerals will guide you with tons of information, and likely add to your exictement with their own as you browse the endless options of nature’s underground gifts (p. 164).

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

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

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Look good Feel good

‘TIL YOU DROP

YOUR INSIDER’S GUIDE TO ABQ’S SHOPPING SCENE

Tips to be a better you...

“WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS TO HANDLE SEASONAL ALLERGIES IN THE SPRING? NEW TYPES OF TREATMENTS?”

T ER P X

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Sunil Pai, MD Integrative Medicine (505) 821-6300

I recommend treating the allergy, rather than just the symptoms. Allergy Drops (or sublinA: gual immunotherapy) can be custom formulated and

taken once a day at your own convenience using a meter dosed pump under the tongue. This is a convenient, painless method that is also safe and effective.

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By Allie Doty

XP ER T

Pamela Cornish, DOM Natural Therapies (505) 672-7535

Instead of bandaging allergy symptoms with antihistamines, I find combining both Eastern A: and Western remedies to treat the root cause of spring allergies to be most effective. Resolving emotional imbalances caused by stress, anger, and depression can be quite helpful in addition to detox plans, quantum physics, and colonic hydrotherapy.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

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‘TIL YOU DROP

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Steven Tolber MD Advanced Allergy Associates of New Mexico (505) 237-2574

OUR E

Start antihistamines and nasal steroids early before the Spring symptoms are bad to keep your nose in A: good shape! Warmer air in the daytime carries pollen high

in the sky, so consider walking in a shopping center during Spring and Fall– or high pollen count days in the cooler part of the day.

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Kamden S. Cornell, Apothecarist Old Town Herbal (505) 289-1142

Make sure to drink enough water, and eat a diet low in A: dairy and sugar– while incorporating

green, leafy vegetables, and anti-inflammatory foods. Helpful herbs are goldenrod, calendula flowers, chrysanthemum flowers, and nettle leaf. Turmeric taken with black pepper will relieve inflammation from allergic rhinitis as well as throughout your body!

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

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‘TIL YOU DROP

Your touchstone for ABQ’s cool, fun & eclectic retail goodies that will help you live life a bit happier and smarter. By Gena Goodson

FOR A SPICY VALENTINE A passionate flame ignited to craft this heart pendant- adorned with ½ karat of sparkling G/H S1 diamonds and a vibrant red New Mexico chile pepper. Set in rose gold, this creation is a unique and bold expression of affection amd spice, perfect for someone who is a foodie at heart. CUSTOM ROSE GOLD HEART NECKLACE $3979.00

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PHOTOS BY DON JAMES

Lonnie’s Custom Jewelry 7111 Prospect Pl NE, # C (505) 878-9653 lonnies.net

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

‘TIL YOU DROP COZY COMFY AND LOVED Wrap yourself in warmth and extra love with this cozy pajama set, a perfect blend of comfort and romance. Soft fabrics and sweet designs create a snug haven for intimate moments. LOVE PAJAMA TOP, $79 LOVE PAJAMA SHORTS, $49 Strive 8000 Paseo Del Norte NE, # C14 (505) 821-4999 strive-abq.com

CHEERS TO THE PERFECT COUPLE WRAPPED IN LOVE Crafted with care by local artisan Rebecca Hutchinson, these hand-wrapped wire heart bracelets embody love’s intricacies. A delicate twist of artistry and emotion, they elegantly adorns wrists, symbolizing a heartfelt connection. BRACELETS BY HEARTS A SWIRL, $42

Sip the romance with a blush of joy in every pour. Rosé wine, a delightful companion to Valentine’s Day, and even more so with perfectly paired uberpretty bottles. Cheers to an evening with love and exquisite flavor, for two! COUPLED UP ROSÉ BOTTLES $25 EACH Ponderosa Winery 3171 NM-290, Ponderosa, NM (575) 834-7487 ponderosawinery. com

ScoJo’s 8000 Paseo Del Norte Blvd NE, C8 (505) 828-0360 scojosgifts.com

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Mama’s Minerals 2500 12th St NW, Ste F (505) 266-8443 mamasminerals.com

he demographic that frequents Mama’s Minerals, which prides itself on having the largest rock and bead collection in the Southwest, fits into its own special category. “Rock people and crystal people and bead people maybe all are just a teeny-tiny bit crazy in the best possible way,” says Mama’s Minerals chief operations officer Heather Larson. “We’re like tiny little goblins: ‘Oh, shiny. Let’s do this, that’s what I would like.’ ” Owner Laura Randolph joined this unique group in the early 1980s when she traveled to dig for quartz crystals in Arkansas, which has one of the most renowned deposits in the world. That, in turn, led to her selling her wares at flea markets and

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Shop Talk

Rockhounds, beaders, and hobbyists alike can find all that sparkles in this eclectic shop — now in a brand new location at Avanyu Plaza. arts and crafts fairs throughout New Mexico before launching Mama’s Minerals — the name is a nod to “Mother Earth” — in 1985. After opening its original location at San Mateo and Lomas and then moving to a temporary spot in the Sawmill District, the shop settled into its new home at the Avanyu Plaza in June 2023. “We had a space that we could build from the ground up and make it ours,” Larson says. “We got to design everything. It was great.” Today, the establishment is home to an eclectic collection of rocks, minerals, crystals, jewelry, beads — and much more. In many ways, it’s a one-stop shop that suits a variety of tastes.

“I think that we are unique even from the get-go in our retail realm of the type of store that we have,” Larson says. “You have metaphysical shops. They do a lot geared toward what stones mean, their healing properties, how they affect your life in a metaphysical sense. Then you have bead shops. Bead shops sell stone beads toward a market that is geared toward beads, making jewelry, or decorations or that kind of crafting thing. Then you have a rock shop … They have really cool items. Every one of them is different because every one is owned by a different person, so they have different tastes. “…We are unique in that we combine all three of those things into one shop, which is difficult to describe.”

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

‘TIL YOU DROP

Prior to COVID-19, the Mama’s Minerals team acquired a lot of their product by purchasing from large warehouses and attending large-scale shows throughout the United States. With many of those options shut down due to the pandemic, an alternate route was discovered in recent years, which has led to an even more diversified inventory. “We had to figure out how to get what we want here, which has actually been very advantageous to us because we explored avenues that we would not have explored before,” Larson says. “We have found very small local or in the United States vendors (where) we may not spend $500…but we are finding unique items from them that are not on a large scale. That’s been really super exciting to me and has made me want to go to more smaller rock shows. Most cities or states will have a gem and mineral club and those clubs will put on rock and mineral shows … The tiny versions, they’re all local guys.” That has helped to build a supply that appeals to the masses. And at Mama’s Minerals, there are no constraints for age or budget. Virtually everyone who enters can find something that piques their interest. “People have asked: What’s your demographic? Five years old to 95 years old, it doesn’t matter. Price point: 50 cents to $16,000, it doesn’t matter,” Larson says. “I think that it has changed from the beginning of being a narrow version of what we are now and we have expanded each front to try to be as inclusive as we can, to have good metaphysical properties but also really cool esoteric one-of-a-kind things and have a good variety of beads. It’s always changing. That’s the other fun part about it. It’s never gonna be the same from month to month.” Another part of the charm at Mama’s Minerals is the passion the staff has for the business. Everyone from the owner to the cashier has genuine excitement for the product that is sold, and that allows them to share bonding moments with their customers. “I think that the reason people should come and visit us is because of us,” Larson says. “It’s our personality. It’s our genuine love for what we do and our passion. I think that we are invested in it. Each and every one of us. I think that comes across when people come into our shop.” —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

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THE

PAWS BUTTON

KEEPING TABS ON ABQ’S FURRY FRIENDS

BY ALLIE DOTY

CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!

The Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers celebrates with a Therapy Dog Graduation Ceremony.

ichele McKenzie recognized the value of dog therapy long before it became en vogue. When McKenzie was at the Albuquerque VA, she was tasked with developing programming for the hospital. After learning about animal therapy during a conference, she decided it was worth giving it a trial run. “When I saw the reaction to the people who were in the conference — and these are professional people — it was like the stress went away,” she says. “The smiles came about. The chatter was enlightened. People were engaging and happy. “I thought, ‘You know, veterans deserve this too.’ That was what ignited me with wanting to bring it to the VA.” With that, the groundwork was laid for the Southwest Canine Corps of Volunteers, which officially launched in 1989 with McKenzie as a founding member (she is also the vice president of training). Today, SCCV is a well-established non-profit organization of more than 70 members and multiple dogs that partners with over 35 facilities. In the early days, the organization would primarily visit nursing homes, but that has expanded considerably since its inception. Now, the SCCV umbrella

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includes everything from sessions with stressed out college students to read-tothe-dog days at local libraries. “Now it’s common. You see it a lot. But our dogs are different because they are trained socially to be engaging with other dogs, be appropriate with other dogs and be friendly with people they don’t know. Some people bring their dogs into public areas and their dogs shouldn’t be in public areas … Our therapy dogs are actually trained to manage that, to deal with that,” McKenzie says. As the nature of the visits have evolved, some SCCV efforts are especially memorable. “The most unique place that I think of is actually the 911 call center. When people are on the call and they have to deal with a fellow officer being killed or a group of people who have been shot at, that’s trauma for those workers,” she says. “They actually have our team going over and giving them a little bit of therapy dog treatment. We’ve worked with the officers who (have been) shot. We’ve also been present for memorials. That’s definitely something we had not been doing (in the past), but we are doing now.” Not just anyone can participate. There’s an extensive vetting process involved for

both owners and their canine companions. After an initial evaluation, dogs and owners must pass the training program, which includes classroom time and onsite experience — entitled Pooper Scooper 101 and 102. After that, they will be shadowed by a member of the SCCV training committee. All told, it takes a period of approximately four months to graduate from the program. Part of the experience includes a trip to the UNM Hospital BATCAVE, where trainees can simulate what it’s like to visit someone who has been hospitalized. “(It involves) people in the bed and how do they visit,” McKenzie says. “We train them how to approach. How do you manage your dog? How do you maneuver your dog to get closest to the person? How do you enter and exit a room? What do you do if you enter a room and the person’s on the floor? Those are scenarios we play out so they are not caught off guard when they start their visit.” It takes a special combination of owner and dog to work as a therapy team. According to McKenzie, up to 20 people a year apply to be part of the SCCV program, but only about half are ultimately accepted. “We take our time. We make sure that

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they are on board, they are working with their dog, they’re handling their dog, they’re willing to spend the time,” McKenzie says. When McKenzie entered the program years ago with her English Springer Spaniel, Corey, it was a natural transition. But people have to be willing to make a commitment. “It’s a time-consuming volunteer program to share their dog,” she says. “I had a great dog. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to share her. I had my friends fighting over [who would dog sit for me]. They were drawing straws because she was so easy. That’s kind of what steered me in that direction.” As a membership-driven organization, SCCV receives the majority of its funding through yearly dues and the fees required for the training program. Once an owner-dog team is allowed to head out to various locations for therapy, one can be confident that they’re fully credentialed. “The one thing you can expect is that the owner of the dog will be in control of the situation,” McKenzie says. “They know how to approach a stranger. The direction of where to pet the dog. They position the dog. They’re confident the dog is not going to snap or bite. “The dog and handler have been through the training and they have a relationship. That relationship with the dog and the handler is key to having a successful interaction and a successful exchange with a person you don’t know.” .

ABQ’s AMAZING PETS

Henry

Skiba and Sadie

Henry, a rescue pulled from a shelter in Raton, was just five months old when he found his forever home. “As soon as I saw him, I knew he was coming home with me,” recalls owner Aarti Jogia. “Henry was the last of his litter to be adopted due to his timid and shy nature but is the most loyal, loving puppy. I couldn’t help but be drawn to his human-like expressions and kind eyes.” The perfect adventure buddy, this pup enjoys spending time in the mountains and ending his days dozing off on Aarti’s shoulder.

Skiba and Sadie are a brother-sister duo rescued from underneath a cabin in the mountains just outside of ABQ on a cold December day. They were only 16 weeks old when they found their way unexpectedly into Anthony’s home. He only anticipated getting one kitten, but the bond these two shared made it evident they shouldn’t be separated. “Despite being siblings and spending so much time together, their personalities couldn’t be more opposite,” Anthony says. “You’ll often find Skiba front and center begging for belly rubs and falling asleep on your lap, while Sadie prefers her alone time — unless it’s a game of fetch.”

Napa

Corgi

Val Priest and her dog Napa — better known as Napa and Vallie — have a story they describe as one of a kind. “I had been wanting a dog for a very long time and things just never seemed to work out,” Val says. “One day one of my best friends posted a video of the sweetest golden babies and something pulled me in. Although I didn’t know her, I knew we were meant for each other.” As Napa’s breed suggests, she’s definitely a golden girl. She is spunky, empathetic and extremely cuddly. However, Napa’s cutest quality is her smile. “Since she was a puppy she tucks her bottom lip and shows off her teeth, and I’ve been smiling ever since too,” Val says.

“I would describe Corgi as a wee fuzzy mountain beast,” claims his owner, Jackson Pike. Originally from the Sandias, Jackson adopted his sidekick after forming an undeniable bond while dog-sitting him. “He is an absolute diva,” Jackson says. “He refuses most foods, unless they are cooked. If so, he will gladly munch upon any vegetables that if served raw would be promptly sneezed at and abandoned.” Corgi is quite social and is always the center of attention. One of his many superpowers is responding to sounds of the outside world by barking at the front door. “I’m convinced that Corgi hears every sound in a three-block radius on account of his massive radar dish ears,” Jackson says.

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.

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PIECE OF T H E PAST

THAT VINTAGE VIBE Albuquerque’s 19th library location boasts a retro sign that “gives vintage” with it’s signature bow outline and Caravan font.

quested by the community. There are also 32 public computers on site, including four configured for children, each with Wi-Fi internet access, as well as two virtual reality computer systems. The library’s Story Plaza is geared for outdoor gatherings, events and displays of art and poetry. A centerpiece of the library might be

FEBRUARY 2024 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

the Jewell Community Room, a large, 150-person space that can be booked by the community for a variety of activities and performances. In a fitting nod to the colorful history of the Caravan East, the space was designed with a wooden floor, perfect for dance demonstrations and instruction. — MIKE GILLEY

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

efore TikTok, dancing was actually done in dance clubs, and none was more infamous in ABQ than Caravan East. The establishment’s towering sign—with a bright marquee that lit up Central Avenue—pointed the way to the enormous and popular nightclub for more than 55 years, beginning in the early 1960s. But the music stopped in 2016 after the city of ABQ purchased the property with plans for an additional library. A year later, demolition began—but the sign remained, and was repurposed to mark the new International District Library. A few modifications were made, but the signature bow tie-shaped panel atop the sign remains. Halfway up the 20-foot-plus sign, there is now a hi-definition video panel in the spot once occupied by the enormous marquee. Caravan staff climbed a huge ladder each week to swap out the letters on the board to announce upcoming live musical acts. Over the years, that included country music icons like Willie Nelson, the Bellamy Brothers, and Eddy Raven, as well as local legends like Al Hurricane and Al Hurricane, Jr. The new library opened in July of 2022, becoming the 19th branch of the Public Library of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. At a cost of $16.5 million, the facility is state-of-the-art, with a 25,000-square-foot building and parking for 80 cars. ABQ Mayor Tim Keller began advocating for the library during his days as a N.M. State Senator from 2009-2015 when he represented District 17, where the facility was built. At the library’s christening, he stated “the International District knew their families deserved a library, too.” The facility includes a Multi-Gen Activity Room—the first such space in a Public Library of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County—that will be used for computer classes, language classes, job training, adult literacy, community bookings, maker space activities, and other activities re-

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PASSENGER WINDOW

A BIRD’S EYE VIEW (BACKWARDS) “Nuthatch” adds our view of this ‘little’ bird’s eye to the pedestrian path along 2nd Street in the North Valley.

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as it hangs upside-down are both playful and charming. Birds are a longtime fascination for Mullane, 59. He says that the idea for “Nuthatch” was borne from a bigger vision involving fine-feathered subjects that he still plans to execute someday. “The inspiration came from an idea I have to

do giant sculptures in a park of songbirds and other birds that we’re familiar with,” he says. “I see the birds being nine or 10 feet tall. I think it would be a wonderful playground for kids.” When asked if that dream is still alive, Mullane replies without hesitation: “Yes, always.” —EVAN HUNTER

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

hile a real nuthatch is about the size of a child’s fist, the enormous bronze sculpture of the songbird that towers over traffic along North 2nd Street is a wee bit bigger. “The scale of the project was something we always factored in, because it’s so big,” says Tim Mullane, the creator of the public art project. “It was certainly a labor of love, yes.” The majestic piece shows a nuthatch clinging to a branch, seemingly upside-down. But that is a signature stance of the tiny birds, who often scale facedown along trees as they search for food, gripping branches with their powerful talons. When Mullane, the longtime sculpture instructor and Chair of Visual Arts at Albuquerque Academy, began envisioning the sculpture (commissioned as part of Bernalillo County’s 1% for Public Art Collection), he says he knew detail and size would play a big part. He started with a full-scale version using clay layered over Styrofoam. The process—known as the Lost Wax Method— continued, as wax was used to help create a final mold before being melted off in a furnace. Then it was on to a local foundry, where nearly 1,000 pounds of molten bronze was poured into the mold. The cooling metal then hardened into the final version of the sculpture. Well, almost final version. “We had a team welding the molded parts together, fabricating it, and at this point it just looks like raw metal,” says Mullane, a New York native who studied at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. “I then came back and used acids and colorants and gave it a finished look.” The details of the piece bring awe to those who stop for an up-close gaze along 2nd Street’s pedestrian walkways. The bird’s claws have a strong and meticulous grip on the sculpture’s base pole, and its casual gaze toward the Sandia Mountains

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ADVERTISING REGISTRY 3 Advertising....................................................................................30 360 Memories ABQ.........................................................................50 95.5 KHFM.....................................................................................141 AAA New Mexico............................................................................25 ABQ Childcare.................................................................................74 ABQ Involved.................................................................................109 Albuquerque Community Foundation......................................106 Albuquerque Florist........................................................................52 All World Travel...............................................................................19 Alzheimer's Association...............................................................105 Angel’s Nails....................................................................................161 Animal Protection Voters.............................................................106 Autism Society New Mexico........................................................109 Bosque School..................................................................................39 Brew Lab 101....................................................................................27 Bridal Elegance by Darlene............................................................55 Bubba's 33.......................................................................................146 California Closets............................................................................33 Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation..........................................108 Celina's Biscochitos.......................................................................157 CNM..................................................................................................67 Cornucopia Adult & Family Services.........................................103 Dave’s Valley Grill & Dave’s High Desert Grill.........................139 Dr. Felicia Berhman, DDS..............................................................20 Duke City Software..........................................................................75 Ethan Allen Furniture.....................................................................15 Exhibit Solutions of New Mexico..................................................11 Explora..................................................................................... 69, 104 Festival Ballet Albuquerque.........................................................107

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Food is Free Albuquerque............................................................109 Groove Boutiqe..............................................................................165 Halo Med Spa...................................................................................44 Heartstrings Theatre Troupe........................................................105 Heritage Hotels & Resorts..............................................................40 Hotel Parq Central...........................................................................47 Houston Wholesale Cars LLC.....................................................2, 3 Indian Pueblo Cultural Center......................................................48 Inspire Group - Chris Valdez.......................................................144 investments528.com......................................................................169 Isleta Resort and Casino.................................................................51 Joy Junction.....................................................................................108 Kangen Water ................................................................................131 King Mobile Music..........................................................................60 Kubota Tractor Inc..........................................................................23 Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry............................................. Back Cover Lonnie's Custom Jewelers...............................................................53 Lucky Boyz Limo/AA Events.........................................................42 M’Tucci’s............................................................................................65 Mandy's Farm................................................................................104 Mariposa Marketing........................................................................45 Mark Pardo Salon & Spa.................................................................58 Meals on Wheels............................................................................108 Merry Maids...................................................................................4, 5 Mesa Tractor.....................................................................................17 National Museum of Nuclear Science and History..................101 Nature Pointe....................................................................................49 New Mexico Orthopaedic Surgery Center..................................35 New Mexico Sports & Wellness ..................................................170

Optimum.........................................................................................110 Paradise Hills Golf Course.............................................................56 Radiology Associates of Albuquerque..........................................37 Realty One Group Concierge - Taryn Ozdoba.........................167 Revel Entertainment......................................................................149 Rio Grande Credit Union...........Inside Front Cover, Inside Back Cover Route 66 Cleaners..........................................................................165 Rudy's Country Store & BBQ......................................................153 Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel..................................................8, 9, 73 Ski Apache.........................................................................................13 Slate Street Billiards.......................................................................143 Smallcakes A Cupcakery................................................................57 Smiles by Design............................................................................126 Sobremesa.........................................................................................31 Souperbowl.......................................................................................71 Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits...............................................135 Southwest Women's Oncology....................................................6, 7 Southwestern HR Consulting......................................................155 The Arc of New Mexico................................................................108 The Cleanery...................................................................................151 The Education Plan.......................................................................115 University of New Mexico Athletic Department......................173 UNM Alumni Memorial Chapel..................................................59 Veterans Integration Center.........................................................107 Weems Galleries...............................................................................32 WisePies..........................................................................................158 Youth Development Inc. (YDI)...................................................102

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PHOTO CONTEST

POLVADERA AT NIGHT By Marie Valencia

arie Valencia said she loves the native shrubbery on her property in Polvadera, about an hour south of Albuquerque. Particularly, she says, the ocotillos, which grow and shed leaves year-round following heavy rains. “We have a pair growing here on our land, and they’re really pretty desert plants,” says Valencia. Last November, she saw

an opportunity to frame the long, stringy desert succulents against a clear sunset sky and gibbous moon, and snapped this serene image after sundown. Despite the soft twilight, Valencia managed to capture the beauty and detail of the ocotillo’s thorns and bright red flowers (ocotillo means “little torch” in Spanish). She said the image is a favorite of hers because it

combines two things she loves to photograph: nature, and the sky. Valencia, who was born in Albuquerque, says that she and her spouse (and two dogs) love roaming the rural area to find interesting things to see and photograph with her Android phone, including a nearby graveyard filled with century-old tombstones. — BILL CLANTON

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

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

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