BITES

CRUNCHY ONIONS AND MELT-IN-YOURMOUTH BEEF? YES, PLEASE

The French Dip started out as a special on the Flying Star menu approximately five years ago. Shortly thereafter, it became a staple. “We like to try a lot of different things,” says owner and CEO Jean Bernstein. “We have a huge library of recipes of dishes we’ve done over the years, and the ones that are classics stick around or stay on the menu.” The sandwich became a classic thanks to the right combination of freshly sliced angus beef, melted Swiss cheese, frizzled onions and a homemade au jus sauce on a toasted hoagie. “I think what a lot of people really like is the fact that we use fresh red onions and we dip them in tempura batter and fry them to order,” Bernstein says. “That gives them a really neat, crispy onion-y, crunchy flavor.” Based on the response, it seems like the French Dip is here to stay. “We know people like it by how many they buy,” Bernstein says. “They buy a bunch of them every week. It’s even up there with burgers for us. It’s a little more work, but it’s worth it.” TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

Flying Star Cafe

4026 Rio Grande Blvd NW + 5 other metro locations (505) 344-6714 flyingstarcafe.com

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

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.

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 relaxedbut-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-alfalfa-fed 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 familyowned and operated since 1986, making it an Albuquerque go-to for quality New Mexican cuisine. With its family dining area, outdoor patio, lively bar and banquet room, Fiesta’s has something for everyone.

FLIX BREWHOUSE $$ 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 stadium-seating “dining rooms.” The dream is real, Albuquerque–you can catch the latest blockbuster in theaters while knocking back a pint and having dinner brought to you.

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.

FORQUE KITCHEN AND BAR $$ 330 Tijeras Ave. NW (505) 842-1234, albuquerque.hyatt.com

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

FORK & FIG $$

6904 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste C (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?

FOURTH AND ROMA CAFÉ $

500 4th St. NW, #106, (505) 245-7662

Delicious chai, coffee, sandwiches, salads, and occasional East-Indian specials conveniently located in the old Bank of America building downtown.

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-offthe-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.

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 locations (505) 880-0055, gardunosrestaurants.com

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

GECKO’S BAR AND TAPAS $$ 5801 Academy Rd. NE (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, cheeseonly, 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 cappuccino, chocolate and sugarfree 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

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

THE GROVE CAFÉ AND MARKET $$

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.

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, laidback collegial atmosphere.

HANNAH & NATE’S MARKET CAFÉ $ 4512 Corrales Rd, plus 1 other metro location (505) 898-2370

Offering breakfast and lunch, Hannah & Nate’s is all about flavor—whether it’s the flavor of traditional New Mexican cuisine, cuisines from throughout the world or the family recipes served.