Albuquerque The Magazine, December/January 2020 by Gena Goodson

THANK YOU ALBUQUERQUE! We strive to make every visit to Route 66 Casino Hotel special for you, and are honored to be recognized for our efforts.

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Locally owned and operated since 1995 Offices in New Mexico and Colorado Rhino offers residential and commercial roof repairs and maintenance, replacements, and installations, along with storm damage restoration. For David Gibson, Paul Reed, and their staff, this work serves a larger mission. Rhino Roofing aims to make local, regional, and global communities stronger, safer, and healthier. This humanitarian spirit is manifest on multiple scales. In New Mexico, the two owners and Rhino Roofing have sponsored youth in local, regional and national rodeo competitions with the New Mexico Jr Rodeo Association; partnered with local elementary schools to help needy families through Christmas; worked with Make-A-Wish New Mexico to make dreams become real, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association New Mexico to give strength to people who need it. In conjunction with youth programs, they have partnered with Steelbridge Ministries to help combat homelessness and addiction in the community. In Colorado, they sponsor There With Care, to help families and children who are facing critical illness; Hope for Justice, to help end human trafficking; and St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital, to combat childhood cancer. On the global stage, they work with World Vision International to provide families (in places like Ethiopia) with a lifesaving essential many take for granted: clean drinking water. With family roots in New Mexico and Colorado, Gibson and Reed, together with their staff of seasoned roofing experts, provide premier roofing services nationwide to home and business owners. Reed comes with over 27 years of construction experience, as well as as being awarded two times “Most Influential Man in the Roofing Industry.” Both are board advisors for the American Policyholders Association. Rhino Roofing is a member of the New Mexico Roofing Association as well as the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, helping local small businesses grow. Reed recently launched Storm into The New Era, a construction education seminar for industry professionals. A similar endeavor, Gibson is in the early stages of launching the American Ethical Contractors Association. The two hands-on owners strive for Improvement within the construction industry, through education of industry professionals as well as the protection of consumers. Working together on this platform has accelerated them to the top of the roofing industry. Gibson and Reed are two of just a small number of contractors in New Mexico with licenses from Carlisle Roofing, Johns Manville, GAF, Weatherbond, and Duro-Last Roofing Systems. Rhino Roofing is proud of its accolades and achievements, earning an “A” rating from the Better Business Bureau and accreditation as an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, as well as being a GAF Certified Contractor. Rhino Roofing’s business is commercial and residential roofing and they are proudly able to scale capacity to fit any project size. The company works with impeccable confidence and craftsmanship. But business aside, there is a deeper mission for the company, the owners, and the staff. Every job is completed with a heart-felt purpose: to make a difference locally, regionally, and globally.

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2020 has been difficult. But that will just make us stronger in 2021. We wish you a wonderful holiday season. DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

FEATURE

it’s been a year

Presenting our 2020 Best of the City Awards Let’s just say it’s been an unusual year. The kind of year that.... wait, we actually have never had a year that compares to 2020. But in the name of normalcy, here’s some good news: for the 16th year, readers of this magazine made their voices heard, casting the votes that determine our annual Best of the City winners. We’re all passionate about our favorites—Red Chile, Hair Salon, Morning TV Show—and it really shows. On the following pages, we present the top vote-getters in 293 categories (plus a few Editors’ Picks). Cheers!

Page 74

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DEPARTMENTS 26 Editor’s Note 29 Tapas

P.29

A group of young Albuquerqueans is busting ghosts and bringing smiles; tips and advice for housing your pet when you travel during the holiday season; podcasting is all the rage, and ABQ has more than a few voices in the fray; and more.

40 Faces and Places 53 Datebook

217 People 218 Personality

There’s no doubting the skills of Michelle Waterson. The so-called ‘Karate Hottie,’ has found success in the ring as a UFC champion. And living and training in ABQ has brought her motherhood—and a road back to the top.

223 Behind the Scenes

A lifetime spent on horseback has led Rachel Reynolds to an endeavor that she loves: co-owning Red Horse Riding Company in Corrales with her father, Chance.

P.223

P. 218

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Taylor Hood taylor@abqthemag.com LEAD DESIGNER

Sheridan Young sheridan@abqthemag.com PHOTO DIRECTOR

Don James don@abqthemag.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Candice Callado candice@abqthemag.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Michael Jacobs michael@abqthemag.com

TOGETHER

Collectively, we have saved our members over $1.8 Million this year

STAFF WRITER

Zane Beal zane@abqthemag.com DATEBOOK EDITOR

Denise Meyer datebook@abqthemag.com CONTRIBUTORS

Tristen Critchfield Ashley Biggers Mel Minter Kelli Trapnell Lise Watkins

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.

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DEPARTMENTS P. 228 P. 236 P. 240 227 Culture 228 Creatives

P.242

Once a traditional painter, local artist Melissa Gardner now paints using makeup. Her creations, a cross between New Mexican and Mexican styles, have earned her a massive online following.

230 Shelflife

Writer Heather L. Moulton and photographer Susan Tatterson visit New Mexico in the latest installment in their Graveyards of the Wild West series. The Corrales Writing Group takes on the world’s most polarizing veggie in their latest anthology, Kale is a Four Letter Word.

232 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.

242 From the Vine

235 Dish

236 Eats Review

A visit to Asian-style grill and sushi restaurant Crazy Fish is like a trip to the Far East, complete with fresh seafood and friendly people.

240 Eats, Etc.

Get dinner and a show at Hibachi One; Seared serves the perfect gourmet meal for a night out; it’s time to return to Italy (and an ABQ favorite) at Paisano’s.

M’Tucci’s didn’t just expand East of the river recently—opening its third location along Pan American Freeway—it has also expanded its expertise into the vineyard with a new wine label; Sawmill Market is open for business, and its newest tenant, Mercantile Wine Bar, has finally popped the cork.

248 Bites

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

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DEPARTMENTS 271 Fun

272 ‘Til You Drop

Experts chime in on what’s on the horizon in 2021 fashion; we find some holiday decorations with a local flavor; Guerilla Graphix has put its imprint on New Mexico.

278 Paws Button

Losing a pet is never easy, and neither is finding the right way to honor them. Thankfully, ABQ offers a wide variety of memorial options.

281 Pet of the Month This month’s winner: Matilda

282 Passenger Window Silver Gardens Apartments is an award-winning, environmentally-friendly structure, and many of it’s awards are due to the large windmill on its roof.

285 Piece of the Past The Lobo Theater may be a church now, but it has a long history of pleasing moviegoers, which includes a series of distinctive ‘firsts’ (and ‘lasts’).

P. 272 P. 285

P. 288

287 Photo Contest

This month’s winner: Seasons Colliding in the Bosque by Pam Dorner.

288 25 Things You Didn’t Know About Me ABQ Uptown offers shopping that puts our city on the map. We present a few fun facts you may not know about the outdoor mall and it shops.

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DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 Volume 17 Number 8 PUBLISHER

Larryl Lynch larryl@abqthemag.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Gena Goodson gena@abqthemag.com

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EDITOR'S NOTE

ell needless to say, 2020 has been a rough year. That’s why this issue of ATM is so important to us. And by “us”, I mean my fellow staffers and my fellow Albuquerqueans. This is our 16th year presenting the Best of the City Awards, which always makes the December/January double issue of Albuquerque The Magazine a fun ride. But this year, there’s just a little something extra behind it. You see, these awards are voted on and determined by you, the people of Albuquerque. And despite a global pandemic and community restrictions, you still turned up in huge numbers (online, of course) to vote for everything from the Best Taco, to the Best Green Chile, to the Best Local News Anchor, and Best Local Politician. I believe I speak for the entire ATM staff when I say it is inspiring to see so many people voting for the things they love about our city; so many people ready to tout our virtues; so many people ready to be optimistic, even positive, in these tough times. It was a huge reminder to our staff that Albuquerque is an amazing place—and that there is so much to love and be grateful for in this desert community of ours that nestles up against the snow-capped mountains, and straddles a tame, yet life-giving river. So, with that in mind, we want to say, THANK YOU. Thank you for your positivity, and for your dedication to the places and people you love. Most of all, thank you for helping us recognize excellence for 16 years—and counting. Okay, now that I’m a little misty-eyed, let’s get to the fun stuff. There were 293 categories this year, plus five Editor’s Picks (hey, you think we’re not going to get in on some of the excitement?). More than 210,000 votes poured in, and we were delighted to see that there was a great mix of perennial and firsttime winners. Check out the honorees, beginning on page 74. Make sure to also flip over to our Personality section on page 218, where Michelle Waterson breaks down some of the challenges of being a mom while fighting in the UFC octagon. We are sure all of the moms (and dads, you too) can relate, even if

your daily fights aren’t quite as literal as Michelle’s. The shopping season is heating up, and we’ve got you covered. Start with our ‘Til You Drop section on page 272, where you can find some great ideas for locally-made holiday gifts. Then jump to page 288, where we break down 25 Things You Didn’t Know About ABQ Uptown. These fun and under-the-radar factoids might make for good conversation starters as you hit the Uptown shopping scene with your loved ones. (My wife always loves it when I interrupt her with little factoids and trivia when we are out and about. Right, dear?) Plus, this issue has a dragon (page 281), a crazy fish (page 232), and an entire team of ghostbusters (page 29). In other words, there’s a little something for everyone. So please, enjoy the heck out of this Best of the City issue. The team here worked hard to put it together, just for you. Oh, one more thing: when you flip to page 38, you’re going to see two of the coolest, most representative pages we’ve ever put in this magazine. It’s a message from former Albuquerque poet laureate (and possibly ABQ’s most proud resident), Hakim Bellamy. The words express his undying pride and love for our city. That he recorded this ballad (and posted to YouTube) in May, in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, tells you even more about his love for ABQ. It’s safe to say his words reflect beautifully on the rest of us. (Pull up the YouTube clip, too. Your goosebumps will never feel so good.) Thank you for reading this issue of Albuquerque The Magazine. Stay safe out there, and remember, we are all in this together, because we all love it here. Sincerely,

Taylor Hood Editor-In-Chief

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

WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Got a poltergeist ruining your sleep? Or perhaps it’s just your standard old Class-5 floating vapor? Whatever your paranormal problem is in the Land of Enchantment, there’s only one team to call: the Zia Ghostbusters! In fact, it’s right on their business cards: “Zia Ghostbusters: We’re Ready to Believe You” (and for good measure, the cards echo the mantra in Spanish: “Estamos Listos Para Creer Tu”). And this ABQ crew of Gen-Zers is serious—sort of. Jarrod Arana, 21; Daniel Mullahey, 20; Shane Vespender, 19; Brandon Hertel, 20; Xander Chang, 20; and Chris Arana, 26, don’t actually bust ghosts, but they are great for drawing attention to local non-profits. In normal times, they’d have other gigs as well. “Because of the current events, we haven’t

had too many opportunities to be out in uniform,” says Jarrod. “Our goal when we started was to make people happy with what we do. That still stands, now more than ever.” For Halloween last year, Jarrod and some friends dressed up as Ghostbusters and went to the annual Old Town gathering. They were noticed immediately. “Originally it was just a fun thing. A bunch of friends wanted to dress up, and it turned into something more,” he says. The seeds of the group were actually planted long ago, when a group of friends first sat down and watched Ghostbusters. Little did they know, the same thing was happening all over the country. Today, the Zia Ghostbusters are part of a large, albeit loosely organized, national group of Ghostbusters.

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Jarrod—whose favorite character from the films is Ray (played by Dan Akroyd)—explains that what the group does isn’t exactly the same as Live Action Role Play (LARP), since most Ghostbusters use their real names and real-life backstories. A relatively new group, Jarrod says he and his Zia cohorts were just about to kick off their charity efforts when the pandemic hit. “We were kind of stopped in our tracks,” he says. “We plan on getting ahold of Make-A-Wish and other groups around to see what we can do to help out.” To check out what the Zia Ghostbusters are doing, follow their Instagram at zia_ghostbusters. —TH

ABQ

Electric Cars

Gasoline is pretty awesome stuff. It’s allowed us to turn all that chemical energy that dead organisms have been greedily hoarding for millions of years (in the form of petroleum) into a literal fuel for commerce, recreation, and innovation. Unfortunately, it also comes with its share of problems, including its conspicuous habit of leaving a bunch of nasty byproducts in the atmosphere in the wake of combustion. That’s a big part of why people are increasingly turning to electric vehicles (EV) as a way of getting around. Over the past several years, advances in storage technology (i.e. batteries) have turned electric vehicles from transportation novelties into fully viable vehicles, perfectly

capable of doing just about everything your old gas powered car can do without spewing all those hazardous, greenhouse effect-inducing gases into the air. Analyzing over 54,000 used EV sales from 2019 to 2020, automotive research firm and data-driven car search engine iSeeCars has uncovered the bestselling used electric vehicles in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States, including Albuquerque. According to their data, Duke City residents have a special affinity for the Nissan LEAF, which accounted for a full 33 percent of used electric vehicle sales. Next in line were the Volkswagen e-Golf (12.9 percent of sales) and the Chevrolet Bolt EV (11.3 percent of sales). —ZB

Most Popular ABQ Used EV (% EV Share) 12.9% Volkswagen Golf

11.3% Chevrolet Bolt EV

START BR A GGING

ABQ

Hilma E. Chynoweth

Director of Business Development Garcia Automotive Group “I love our majestic Sandia Mountains. Whether witnessing a dazzling dawn break over them; or hiking/ snowshoeing their many trails through ponderosa, spruce, and aspen; or relishing their stunning pink luster as the sun sets, they are an endless source of wonder. It’s so cool when you happen to turn east on the Big-I right at the golden hour and they’re glowing. ” 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.

33.0% Nissan LEAF 30

42.8% Other Vehicles

On December 29, 2006, 11.3 inches of snow fell on Albuquerque in 24 hours. This shattered the record of 10 inches that had stood since December 15, 1959.

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DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Podcasting

Are you just itching to be heard these days? Podcasts are the perfect scratch for you. The set-up is easy enough (most can be up and running for less than $200), and the content is whatever you or your guests desire. Plus, getting your show onto the streaming channels is a snap.

Given the ease of creation, it makes sense that there are a kajillion options for listeners to choose from. Here’s a look at a few of the more talked-about ABQ-produced podcasts (plus a few extra suggestions, in case your ears can’t get enough soundwaves from talking heads). —TH

ABQ

CHAMPIONS CORNER

ABQ BUSINESS PODCAST

TALKING GRAMMER

Hosts: Dominic Bramante (Head Coach, Northern Arizona Wranglers); Sebastian Noel (Pro View Networks host); Jack Vigil (CEO, Harmonix Technologies) Launched: October, 2018 What you’ll hear: Bramante and Co. (he’s the former coach of the Duke City Gladiators arena football team) talk about life issues from a championship mindset. Why you should listen: Who couldn’t use a little coaching? Memorable moments: Interviews with Teresa Tapia (widow of legendary ABQ boxer Johnny Tapia), and UFC fighter Diego Sanchez. When does it air? Once a week (more before COVID). Where to find it: Facebook and YouTube.

Host: Jason Rigby (Chief Marketing Officer of Tartle.com, a Santa Fe-based info technology company) Launched: November, 2018 What you’ll hear: An honest exploration of the struggles that entrepreneurs go through. Also, interviews with bestselling authors, and leaders of new tech companies coming to N.M. Why you should listen: It’s good insight for small business owners. Honest dialogue helps to understand the entrepreneurial spirit and vision for Albuquerque. Memorable moments: The first episode took place at 99.9 The Beat FM, a minority-owned ABQ not-forprofit hip-hop radio station. When does it air? New episodes drop four times a week. Where to find it: Spotify, iTunes. Also, abqpodcast.com.

Host: Geoff Grammer (sports reporter, Albuquerque Journal) Launched: August, 2017 What you’ll hear: Chats about Lobo basketball. Plus sports interviews (UFC star Holly Holm, former La Cueva Bear Bryce Alford). Why you should listen: Grammer thinks he’s funny (“This is by far the best podcast you can find anywhere featuring me talking about things”). But seriously, he delivers inside dope on the Lobos, plus top guests. Memorable moments: Twice, his 11-year-old daughter beat Grammer at picking winners in college basketball. Plus, a chat with ESPN’s Andy Katz, who held Grammer’s job at the Journal back in the 1990s. When does it air? During the college basketball season. Where to find it: Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud.

THE KING OF PODCASTING HAS ABQ ROOTS Albuquerque has had a few claims to infamy over the decades. Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos was born here in 1964. Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in part at the Sundowner Motel on Central Avenue in the 1970s. And in the early 1980s, Marc Maron graduated from Highland High School. Who, you say? If you’re a fan of podcasts, you know all about the stand-up comedian, who hosts WTF with Marc Maron, considered one of the biggest and most

ground-breaking shows in the genre. With more than 1,000 episodes, Maron has interviewed notables like President Barack Obama, Paul McCartney, Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Leonardo DiCaprio, and more. His long-form interviews and unlimited range of topics have set him apart. Need proof? His shows regularly get more than 5 million global downloads each month. Check him out at wtfpod.com, or streaming services.

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HYDROBAR BY KANGEN

CITY ON THE EDGE

START BRAGGING ABQ

Host: Ty Bannerman (radio host, KUNM, 89.9 FM) Launched: 2015 What you’ll hear: History yarn (like the Alvarado Hotel), plus topics like being a newcomer to ABQ. Why you should listen: The conversation will leave the beaten path to explore obscure and strange N.M. stories. Memorable moments: They tried to get the ghost at the Albuquerque Press Club to co-host with them. When does it air? Twice monthly for roughly an hour Where to find it: iTunes and Soundcloud (video episodes appear on YouTube).

Hosts: Co-founders of the Stop Bagging, Start Bragging campaign (Annemarie Henton, Head of Growth, Strategy & Marketing, Cantina Business Strategies and Development, Inc.; Emily Howard, Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center; Alexis Tappan, Co-Owner, The 2540 Group) Launched: August 10, 2020 What you’ll hear: Praise of ABQ from leaders, change agents and influencers. Why we should listen: It’s time we all bought into the notion that we live in an amazing city. Memorable moments: Chats with ABQ notables (meditation guru Michelle DuVal, TV writer/producer Daniel Abraham, former Lobo and pro basketball star Kenny Thomas) When does it air? Weekly. Where to find it: Sundays at 11 a.m. on 770 KKOB-AM and 96.3 FM, plus streaming platforms.

Water/Words

The Hydrobar is actually a hybrid—a store by day for fans of Kangen alkaline water, and a podcasting studio by night. The shop has a large daily flow of athletes, moms, families, coaches, and others looking for healthier H2o, and so owners Tim and Julie Baca decided to add a studio for live shows. Julie hosts “Happy Hour @ The Hydrobar,” where any number of guests (including pro athletes and politicians) stop by and occasionally put on headphones to chat. Plus, the studio is host to legendary New Mexico sportscaster Henry Tafoya’s “GameFace Live” show, as well as “The Chat,” hosted by longtime UNM Lobo follower JC Lopez. The shows can be heard on Facebook, and other streaming platforms.

Nerding Daily – Three locals named James, Robert, and Josh (who moved out of state but still co-hosts on occasion) tackle the popular movies and shows of the day in a humorous and wonderfully nerdy way. iHeartRadio named them Best Podcasts for Comic Book Geeks.

Albucrazy – With a quirky title (accompanied by the hilarious subtitle, “More than the Meth”) this podcast sees local comedians Ann Gora and Tito Dameron explore the “cool people, weird things, and wild places” of Albuquerque.

Lour After Hours – Co-hosted by ABQ Journal reporter Kevin Hendricks, this fan ‘cast interviews sports peeps, like Dan LeBatard Show producer Billy Gil, and ESPN baseball expert Tim Kurkjian.

The Buck and Dex Podcast – These former ABQ radio morning show zanies have taken their game to the podcast world. Longtime fans will delight in the return of the duo’s antics, while new listeners will get hooked on the smooth chemistry of the hosts.

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Breaking Math – Hosts Jonathan Baca and Gabriel Hesch break down complicated math problems for all to understand. They pull off a fun, creative, and often hilarious way to inspire STEM education in our community.

WORD ON THE

Street This column’s focus is to shed light on the origin of street names around ABQ. But we’re putting that on hold for this issue, so that we could dig up the answers to some other street-related questions. Q: What is the most common street name in New Mexico? A: Cedar. According to travel site bestlifeonline.com, New Mex-

ico has 85 different streets named “Cedar.” “Pinon” clocked in at number two.

Q: How much of Historic Route 66 actually ran through Albuquerque?

A: Approximately 18 miles of the famed road stretched through the Duke City. That’s the largest urban stretch of Route 66 anywhere in the country, making Albuquerque the ideal place to “get your kicks.”

Fid ’s Spa Day

Q: How are the different street designations determined? A: According to the City of Albuquerque:

•North-South designated as DRIVE or STREET. •East-West designated as ROAD or AVENUE. •Streets ending in a hammerhead or cul-de-sac designated as COURT, and if also intersecting another street, designated as PLACE. •Private Streets: designated as WAY, TRAIL, or LANE, regardless of orientation. —TH

With the holidays upon us, it’s that time of the year when folks tend to travel to see family. Though this year will look a little different (thanks a lot, COVID) there are still sure to be plenty of pets left all alone for the holiday season. So, what do you do with your beloved pet when you’re out of town? There is always the option of dropping them off with a friend, but your friends may be traveling also. Boarding may be your only option. Well, don’t fret. Albuquerque is packed with highly rated pet hotels where your furry best friend can relax, have fun, and be around others on the holidays. Here is some guidance when it comes to finding the perfect spot to give your pet the best experience possible.

Before you go:

The first step to boarding your pet is to find a good pet hotel. Some things to look for include: • Veterinary Services • Boarding Credentials • Animal to Human ratio. (For example, local kennel Caring Paws has a 10:1 ratio meaning there is one human for every 10 animals.) • The number and size of the rooms • Number of walks per day • Type of food served Of course, it is always recommended that you visit the facility prior to boarding your loved one. Next you need to decide what to pack. According to the American Kennel Club, the list is short, but very important. • Identification • Emergency contact information • A familiar blanket or t-shirt • Favorite snacks and toys • Extra food • Pet vaccination records • Medications

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The last thing you need to do is break the news to your pet. The exact wording varies greatly, but might we recommend something along the lines of, “You’re a good boy and we love you soooo much. We are going away for a while, but these nice people are going to take such good care of you. I promise we will be back.”

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While you are away:

One thing you can do while you are gone is call to check in. Pet hotels often encourage these check-ins. You should also make sure your pet hotel of choice has the amenities you are looking for. While you are gone, knowing these details can help greatly with relaxation. Canine Country Club and Feline Inn on 4th Street, for example, offers: - Personalized attention - Daily walks - Playtime in a large, toy-filled area - Specialty treats - Daily photos sent to the pets’ owners

When you get back:

This one is easy. Snuggle and hug your good boy or girl.

COVID-19:

Though there have been cases of animals contracting COVID, it is much rarer than in humans. Regardless, you should be safe and careful. Most pet hotels have their COVID guidelines prominently displayed on their websites, but always feel free to call ahead with questions or concerns. —TH

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

START

What’s happening with ABQ’s Big Winter events?

BR A GGING

Everybody loves the holidays. But this year, things are a bit different. Kids are home from school, and we’ve all become experts at using Zoom. Thanks a lot, coronavirus! Well, now it’s holiday season, when Albuquerqueans traditionally bundle up and show out for community events. Those gatherings are obviously not going to be like years past. Here’s how our beloved events are being affected (NOTE: these updates were accurate as of press time, and are subject to change).

Cancellations:

Twinkle Light Parade – The sight of lowriders and pickups, decked out in holiday cheer, slowly rolling down Central Avenue has become an icon of the Albuquerque Christmas experience. Unfortunately, due to COVID, the Twinkle Light Parade has been postponed to 2021, according to the City of Albuquerque.

Alternatives:

Lights of Enchantment — This drive-thru light display at Sandia Speedway is the perfect socially-distanced holiday event. Featuring over 350 light displays, this event is in its fourth year, and offers all the joy of the holiday season from your warm, cozy car. Visit lightsofenchantment.com for more details.

Nob Hill Shop & Stroll – Unfortunately, this exciting community shopping event has been postponed until 2021. Though the event isn’t happening, we encourage you to help support Nob Hill businesses by doing your holiday shopping there at any time. Best of the City – Another famed Albuquerque event that has been cancelled in 2020—and this one really hits the magazine staff in the gut. The giant, annual party to celebrate the winners in this issue won’t be happening this year. We apologize for the disappointment, and look forward to seeing you all in 2021!

Old Town Bike Tour — Taking place exclusively on December 24, Routes Bicycle Tours is offering three tours of Old Town’s luminaria-lined streets. Visit routesrentals.com for more details.

Possible Events:

River of Lights – One of Albuquerque’s favorite holiday traditions is a series of wire sculptures decorated with light strings at the Botanical Gardens. As of print time, the River of Lights is scheduled to start in early December. Head to riveroflights.org, or follow River of Lights on Facebook for more info.

ABQ

Candy Cane Course — This Christmas-themed run is perfect for the whole family. Featuring 5K and 10K runs, this race package includes plenty of great swag, and if you sign up by December 10, you get a free hoodie. The race will take place on Saturday, December 19. Visit gorunabq.com for more details. —TH

Dr. Kelly Caperton

Co-Founder and President Caperton Fertility Institue “Nothing is more magical than fall in Albuquerque. As soon as the aroma of roasting green chile fills the air, you know that wonderful events are soon to follow: colorful hot air balloons will dot the sky, the Bosque leaves will turn gold, and pumpkin patches will fill with children. ” 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.

Four years after the 1945 nuclear bomb tests at Trinity Site, the FBI opened their Albuquerque office, with 22 agents. Within two months, the team had more than 500 Atomic Energy Act cases under investigation.

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TWEET BEAT What the Twittersphere is saying about Albuquerque, 280 characters at a time.

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Dimitri Kapelianis @kapelianis Good morning, New Mexico! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another beautiful day to sit on a balcony, sip your coffee, and watch the sun rise over the Sandias.

New Mexico BioPark Society @nmbps Cheers to another #caturday Maya, Jaguar, @abqbiopark Zoo #nmbioparksociety #abqbiopark #albuquerque #newmexico #jaguar

My Only Secret @myonlysecret Thank you @abqbiopark for making a safe and fun walk through the zoo. The kids really needed to get out. But we are avoiding indoor activities for the most part. It was fun to see the animals again. #Albuquerque #abqbiopark #zoo #wearamask What do you have to say about #abq? Follow us at twitter.com/abqthemag

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MONTH 2020 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

One

Year

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2019 Warriors for Warriors On November 2, Kirtland Air Force Base brought together the warriors of our Air Force and the warriors fighting cancer for this marquee event. Attendees listened to speeches from survivors, enjoyed food and drink, and got a chance to mingle with the crew and view the aircrafts of the 58 Special Operations Wing. 1. Agastya Seward, Victoria Marasco 2. Michael Webb, Torie Clarke 3. Mitchel Waring, Elisabeth Waring 4. Kenny Johnson, Gabriela Gonzalez 5. Kevin Norman, Matt Finklestein, Karen Finkelstein, Jerry Linenger 6. Lizbeth Barrios, Nancy Gonzalez 7. Elaine Lujan, Laurie Lujan.

Faces & Places celebrates gatherings for charity and other events. Since the COVID-19 crisis currently prevents such gatherings, please enjoy some of our favorite F&P events from the past year. As soon as these events begin again, we promise to be there.

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Tocqueville Society Fundraiser On October 24 (2019), Albuquerqueans turned out for the Tocqueville Society event to raise funds for United Way of Central New Mexico. 150 donors were in attendance at Vara Winery to have some great wine and great conversation all to support a great cause. 1. Brian Blalock, Melody Wells, Rodney Prunty 2. Jeanette Brahl, Paul Cassidy 3. Evita Sinclair, Billy Gupton, Rachel Gupton 4. Craig Trojahn, Lynn Trojahn, Yashoda Naidoo, David Montgomery 5. Betty Harvie, Keith Harvie 6. Harris Hartz, Elisa Simon, Toby Simon 7. Chris Jenkins, La Tonya Walker

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Convoy of Hope Community Event Partnering with the City of Albuquerque, and local businesses on November 2 and gave out $1 million in food, gifts, and services to Albuquerqueans in need. The event was part of a nationally campaign to build better communities through giving. 1. Nannette Serrano, Justin Serrano 2. Maria Sizemore, Linh Tran, Rebecca Gomez 3. Jessica Gomez, Ivy Lindberg, Abbie Lindberg 4. Jonathan Millar, Darrol Hanush, Andrew Sanchez 5. Kim Serna, Heather Ortiz, Tracy Marquez 6. Justin Vigil, Wayne Davis, Dylan Julian, Alex Hill 7. Allie Kibbe, Cali Archibeque, Becky Dickinson

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Tenderlove Community Center Grand Opening Tenderlove Community Center has been helping Albuquerqueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low income and undereducated women for more than six years by teaching them sewing and other marketable skills. And on October 19 (2019), the community got to celebrate the Grand Opening of their new building. 1. Tammie Bedford, Gregg Hull, Dr. Bill Miller, Isaac Benton 2. Adeyemi Johnson, Debbie Johnson, Rodney Prunty, Erica Barreiro 3. Jo-Lynn Herbert, Nina Martinez, Renae King, Charles King 4. Janet Ortega, Mary Ade, Rebekah Najar, Anna Garcia 5. Valarie Maestas, Dennis Beard, Michelle Villegas 6. Diale Fomukong, Karen Navarro, Ellen Braden, Mike Parmelee 7. Celina Lopez, Lisa Chavez

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Urban Trash Charity Recyclable Materials Hair and Fashion Show Is it trash, or is it treasure? Albuquerqueans came together on October 19 (2019) at Toni&Guy Hairdressing Academy to find out. What they found was one of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most creative fashion shows featuring a one-of-a-kind, couture creation designed by the academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students and made from recycled materials. Even better, the event supported Make-A-Wish. 1. Dominique Ortega, Carla Venegas, Jailene Landeros, Adreanna Nunez 2. Jay Henry, Kasi Garcia 3. Tyler Carman, Emelia Heubeck, Alex Heubeck 4. Molly Salyer, Bill Weiland, Max Falk 5. Grace Jandt, Jaqueline Mendoza, Hailey Chacon, Erica Barela 6. Selah Carrasco, Jennie Lavorgna, Crystal West, Jamie Watts 7. Cassandra Gallegos, Magaly Contreras, Sarai Campos

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

TOP PICK saturday 5 | 8 pm Ugly Sweater Revue. Duke City Repertory Theatre is continuing the alternative holiday fun this December with their 5th Annual, 1st Virtual Revue. See magicians, burlesque performers, singers, and improvisors via livestream on YouTube and Facebook. Recommended for ages 18 and over. Info: dukecityrep.com. Cost: All performances are Pay-What-Its-Worth ($5 suggested donation).

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

tuesday 1– friday, january 15 |

Short Story Contest. Reading Works is a nonprofit, communitybased literacy program providing free tutoring to teens and adults in reading, writing and speaking English. For this fundraiser, write a story of under 100 words on one of these topics: water, the 1940s, bowling, ants. Seven cash prizes will be granted. Info: readingworks.org. Submission fee: $10 per story.

wednesday 2 | 10 am–12 noon

ARCA’s Poinsettia Celebration Drivethrough Sale. Proceeds from the sale of these beautiful poinsettias help ARCA open doors for children and adults with intellectual, developmental and cognitive disabilities. Info: ARCA Greenhouses, 181 E. La Entrada, Corrales, arcaopeningdoors.org, email mcody@arcaspirit. org, 332-6700. For 10 or more plants, order and pay on website. For smaller orders, order or come by, exact change or checks only. $8 each.

thursday 3 | 6 pm

Funny How Time Slips Away: A Night of 60’s Country Classics. Lucinda Williams’ concert series, Lu’s Jukebox, covers every high and lonesome corner of the country from Nashville to Bakersfield with refreshed classic Country favorites like “Night Life,” “Fist City” and more. Info: Tickets at ampconcerts.org to download or stream.

tues. 1–thur., january 7 | tuesdays 3–7 pm, thursdays 10 am–2 pm, sat. 1–5 pm

Off the Wall. Think of this art exhibition as lemonade, like when life gives you lemons you make something delicious with them. 16 artists have contributed work and offer a wide variety of mediums. 25% of sales benefit the Library. Info: Collin Meeting Room, Placitas Community Library, 453 State Highway 165, Placitas. Virtual exhibition: pclart. placitaslibrary.com.

saturday 12 | 6:30–8 pm

Shira Greenberg’s “Nutcracker on the Rocks” Archival Footage and Behind-the-Scenes Stories with Alumni Cast and Crew. Gather together via Zoom to watch selected scenes with live commentary and stories from alumni cast and crew. Ask questions and watch clips from this Keshet classic that ran for 20 years. Info: Tickets/ Registration: $0-$10, keshetarts.org, 2249808.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

Trust us, these are but a few ABQ events YOU CAN'T MISS. 7

friday 18, saturday 19 and sunday 20 |friday and saturday 7:30 pm, sunday 2 pm

The Twelve Dates of Christmas. This virtual event presents the play by Ginna Borne, a fun, flirty romp through the highs and lows of one New York actress’s quest for happy couplehood. Performed by Merritt C. Glover. Info: The Adobe Theater, adobetheater.org, 898-9222. Tickets: $8.

saturday 19 | 7-9 pm

A Winter’s Journey. Enjoy Franz Schubert’s “Winterreise” (A Winter’s Journey) with Metropolitan Opera colleagues Tim Willson, bass-baritone, and Conductor Emeritus Franz Vote, piano. Info: Live streamed from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel in Santa Fe. Tickets: $25 per household, nmpas.org or Hold My Ticket 877-466-3404.

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

friday 15, saturday 16 and sunday 17 | friday and saturday 7:30 pm, sunday 2 pm

Krapp’s Last Tape. This virtual one-man classic short play is Samuel Beckett’s realization of the folk belief that at death, your life flashes before your eyes. He is recollecting his life experiences as he inserts each tape, up to that very moment. 2 consecutive performances per show. Info: The Adobe Theater, adobetheater.org, 898-9222. Tickets: $8.

thursday 21 | 7–8 pm

Seven Generations of Red Power in New Mexico. During this virtual Third Thursday at the Albuquerque Museum, see the livestream concert focused around the Seven Generations of Red Power in New Mexico exhibit. Info: Online at ampconcerts.org. Tickets: Free.

please note

thursday 3 | 11:30 am–1:15 pm

At the time this listing was produced, many events were being canceled due to the COVID-19 virus. Please be sure to check the status of any event and venue to ensure that the event is still being held as scheduled.

December 2020 tuesday 1 | 10 am

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

Albuquerque Economic Development Quarterly Investors’ Meeting. Don’t miss the chance to hear from new and expanding employers, get an inside look at economic development in the Albuquerque metro area, and connect with business owners, decision makers and community leaders. Info: Virtual event, registration required, abq.org, 705-3777.

saturday 5 | 10:30 am

Placitas Community Library Holiday Open House. The Library’s annual Holiday Open House will be a live program starting with storyteller and entertainer, Shana Banana. We will celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukah, and Christmas as always. Children will also be able to visit with Santa. Info: Placitas Community Library, 453 Highway 165, Placitas, placitaslibrary.com, 867-3355.

sunday 6 | 2 and 4 pm

Robin Hood. This play, by playwright Tim Kelly, features the hero of Sherwood Forest taking on the wicked Prince John and Lady Merle of Cornwall. Cheer for Robin and his merry band as they struggle to rescue Maid Marian and secure Nottingham for the king’s return. Info: $6 per person (pre-sale); $8 at the door. Tickets: holdmyticket.com.

monday 7–friday 11 | 5–7 pm

Nutcracker on the Rocks - Virtual Zoom Workshop. Learn movement phrases from Shira Greenberg’s “Nutcracker on the Rocks,” one scene, or all five, all levels welcome. Movements will fit in spaces like your kitchen or living room, led by Greenberg and cast member Sarah Elizabeth Bennett. Info: Register at keshetarts.org, 224-9808. $25 per day/workshop; $100 for the week-all five scenes. Scholarship options.

tuesday 8 | 11 am–12:30 pm

Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior. This Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter Webinar helps interested persons learn more about managing the challenges of dementia-related behavior through practical information, resources and experts. Info: communityresourcefinder. org, (800) 272-3900. Free.

saturday 12 | 8 pm

Ugly Sweater Revue. See description on December 5 listing. Info: dukecityrep.com. Cost: All performances are Pay-What-ItsWorth ($5 suggested donation).

ALBUQUERQUE

Giving is not just about making a donation. It’s about making a difference. Please join Assistance League of Albuquerque to make a difference for children who have been removed from their homes because of violent or dangerous situations.

Please consider pledging a monthly donation.

Now more than ever we are called to make a difference. #GivingTuesday

Dec 1, 2020

PLEASE DONATE AT ASSISTANCELEAGUEABQ.ORG Look for the GivingTuesday button. 56

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tuesday 15–friday 18 | 11 am–12 noon

Skills Mid-Day Webinar for Dementia Caregivers. Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter presents this 4-day webinar on the training that encourages success in the lives of caregivers and families facing Alzheimer’s, including the importance of self-care. Info: communityresourcefinder. org, (800)-272-3900 Free.

thursday 17 | 6 pm

Have Yourself a Rockin’ Little Christmas. Lucinda Williams’ concert series, Lu’s Jukebox, appreciates that everyone needs a little Christmas cheer, especially this year. Blues, Rock and Roll, Country, Jazz and Noir, Lu has a little something special in store for every listener this year—naughty or nice. Info: Tickets at ampconcerts.org to download or stream.

saturday 19 | 8 pm

Ugly Sweater Revue. See description on December 5 listing. Info: dukecityrep.com. Cost: All performances are Pay-What-ItsWorth ($5 suggested donation).

monday 21–wednesday 23 and monday 28–wednesday 30 | 7:30 am–5:30 pm

“Science is Everywhere” Winter Break Camp. Students, grades K-7, will enjoy their one-day breaks from school by experiencing the wonders of science in these camps. Info: In-person camps at National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, 601 Eubank Blvd. SE, nuclearmuseum.org, 245-2137, x101. Online registration required, pricing available online, members receive discounted pricing.

thursday 31 | 6 pm

It’s Only Rock and Roll: A Tribute to the Rolling Stones. Lucinda Williams’ concert series, Lu’s Jukebox, tears through the material of the Stones as only an irreverent, Honky Tonk Woman can. This concert series and 2020 will end with a bang on New Year’s Eve. Info: Tickets at ampconcerts.org to download or stream.

January 2021 tuesday 5 | 10 am

saturday 23–saturday, february 20 |

Rio Rancho Youth Chorus Accepting New Members. RRYC is looking for singers ages 11-18 (6th grade through high school), especially tenor and bass. Rehearsals will be virtual or live per health restrictions. No auditions. No experience required. RRYC rehearses every Saturday, 2–4 pm, January 23–May 9. Info: RRYC, rr-yc.org, 977-4160. Enrollment fee: $75 per season.

saturday 23 | 12 noon–3 pm

Rio Rancho Players Community Theatre Group Auditions. RR Players are holding auditions for Thornton Wilder’s Our Town (ages 11 and up) for performances April 9–25. No experience required. We are also looking for crew if you prefer behind the scenes. Evening/Saturday Rehearsals, February 2–April 7. Info: RR Players, rr-cc. org/rio-rancho-players, 970-381-1944.

ONGOING: daily | various times

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

daily | various times

Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen– Meetings. This is an anonymous fellowship of relatives and friends of problem drinkers. Meetings are held on various days and times. We come together to share our experience, strength and hope to recover from the effects of another person’s drinking. Info: Al-Anon Information Service, aisnm.org, 262-2177.

daily |

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

daily |

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

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

daily |

Animal Humane’s Free Behavioral Helpline. This free service is available to all pet owners who are experiencing behavior problems with their dogs and cats. Animal Humane New Mexico’s trained behavior coaches answer questions and provide tips on everything from housetraining to living with multiple animals. Info: 9387900.

daily |

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

daily |

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

daily |

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

daily |

Roadrunner Food Bank. Volunteers are needed to help prep food for distribution, repack and sort items, and other activities while helping New Mexico’s hungry. The gift of your precious time helps solve hunger for so many people. Volunteers must register in advance. Shifts are available in two-hour increments, Mondays–Saturdays. Info: 5840 Office Blvd. NE, givetime@rrfb.org, 349-5358.

daily |

Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico. We provide a “home-awayfrom-home” for families whose children are in medical treatment. Operating the 30-guest-room Yale House, 20-guestroom Highlands House, and the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at UNM and Presbyterian Hospitals, volunteers make a vital difference in the lives of the people they serve. Info: Volunteer Coordinator, rmhc-nm.org, 842-8960, volunteer@ rmhc-nm.org.

daily |

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

daily |

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

daily | 8 am–5 pm

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

daily | various times

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

daily | 9 am–3 pm

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

daily | 9 am–5 pm

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

daily | 10 am–5 pm

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

daily | 10 am

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

daily | various times

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

mondays | 5–6 pm

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

mondays | 5:30 pm

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

every second monday | 6:30 pm

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

every second monday | 6:30–8 pm

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

every third monday | 6–7:30 pm

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

every fourth monday | 6:30– 8:30 pm

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

mondays–fridays | various times

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

mondays–saturdays | 10 am–5 pm

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

tuesdays | 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. Preregistration required, call 348-4451. Free.

tuesdays | 6 pm

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

tuesdays | 6:30–9:30 pm

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

tuesdays | 6:30–9:30 pm

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

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tuesdays | 7:30–10 pm

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

Support UNM Athletics with a new (or gift!) subscription to

tuesdays or thursdays | 9:30–10:30 am

Fine Wine Dance Classes: Moving FWD. These weekly online Zoom Classes running through December 3 are specifically for ages 55 and over, exploring movement and choreography as a community, focusing on improvisation and body awareness. No experience necessary. Registration is ongoing. Info: keshetarts.org, 224-9808 or email info@keshetarts.org.

$5 from every new subscription goes to student-athlete scholarships

tuesdays–saturdays | 9 am–5 pm

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

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

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

tuesdays–sundays | 10 am–5 pm

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

tuesdays, thursdays, fridays, sundays | 11 am

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

tuesdays, thursdays, and saturdays | various times

Ninja Park Obstacle Course Fitness Center. First place winner of the 2015 Women’s Area Qualifier in the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association (UNAA) competition, Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor Jessica Lucero teaches fun and challenging back-to-back classes every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday:

423 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 | (505) 242-4549 | inspiresalon.net

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Body Blast, 6 to 7 pm; Obstacle Technique and Efficiency, 7 to 7:30 pm; and Foam Rolling and Stretching, 7 to 7:30. Try one, two, or all three classes for free (firsttime participants only). Info: 883-9203, ninjaparkabq.com.

every first tuesday | 1–2:30 pm

Spanish Language Alzheimer’s Support Group. This meeting is for Spanishspeaking individuals caring for a family member with dementia. Info: Alamosa Community Center, 6900 Gonzales Road SW, Suite C, 363-8499 or (800) 2723900.

every first and fourth tuesday | 10 am–2 pm

Rug Hookers Demonstration. Join the Adobe Wool Arts Guild for a monthly demonstration of rug hooking in the Heritage Farmhouse. Info: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW, 848-7180, abqbiopark.com. Tickets: Included with admission.

every second tuesday | 11 am–1 pm

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

every second tuesday | 6–7 pm

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

every fourth tuesday | 7–9 pm

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

every last tuesday | 6–7 pm

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

wednesdays | 9:30 and 11 am

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

wednesdays | 10 and 11 am

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

wednesdays | 10:30 am

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

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wednesdays and saturdays | 11 am

every second wednesday | 6:30–7:30 pm

thursdays | 3–5 pm

wednesdays | 12 noon–1 pm

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

every thursday | 6 pm

Sculpture Garden Tours at Albuquerque Museum. Enjoy a pleasant stroll in our sculpture garden with a friendly docent who will share stories on the artists and their works. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq.gov, 2437255. Tour included with paid general admission. Kiwanis Club of Sandia. Join in for lunch, listen to interesting speakers, and learn how you, too, can help the children of Albuquerque and surrounding communities live better lives. Info: Wecks, 3913 Louisiana Blvd. NE, facebook.com/ sandiakiwanis.

wednesdays | 12:30 and 1:30 pm

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

wednesdays | 6–9 pm

Albuquerque Dance Club. ADC offers social dancing every Wednesday to a variety of music mix including swing, country, Latin, ballroom, and tango. No partner needed, over 21 only, ID required. Info: The Dirty Bourbon, 9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 299-3737. $5 cover.

wednesdays | 9 pm

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

wednesdays–sundays | 11 am–5 pm

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

every first wednesday | 9 am–5 pm

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

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

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

every second and fourth wednesday | 10 am–2 pm

Quilters Demonstration. The New Mexico Quilters will be working on their Botanic Garden quilt and other projects in the Heritage Farmhouse. Info: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave. NW, 848-7180, abqbiopark.com. Tickets: Included with admission.

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

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

thursdays | 10 am–12 noon

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

thursdays | 10:30 am

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

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

Class with Explora Maker-in-Residence. Explore the science of sound and make a musical instrument with Daveed Korup. Most Thursdays 3-5 pm; call to confirm. Limited places, first-come first-served at class time. Info: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW, explora.us, 224-8300. Included with general admission $6-$10. Stand-up Comedy at The Stage. This is a fun date night. Enjoy great food and drinks, and the nation’s best comics. Seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 6 pm, comedy starts at 7:30 pm. 21 and over. Info: Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Road, Santa Ana Pueblo, 771-5680. Tickets: $10.

every thursday | 6–9 pm

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

every first thursday | 9:30 am–12 noon

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

every first thursday | 6:30– 8:30 pm

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

every second thursday | 6–8 pm

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

every fourth thursday | 10 am–2 pm

every first friday |

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

every first friday | 1:30 pm

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

fridays | 10:30 am

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

fridays | 12 noon–1:30 pm

Grief and Loss Support Group. Grief is a natural process that can often be eased through sharing with others who have experienced the loss of a loved one or any other significant loss. Info: Jewish Community Center, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Preregistration required by calling 348-4451. Free.

fridays | 1 pm

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

fridays | 7–10 pm

Dance Party. Learn a new dance and meet new people each week at ABQ’s newest studio, with three beautiful ballrooms and state-of-the-art floating dance floors. Enjoy refreshments and an introductory dance class from 7–8 pm. Info: Holiday Dance Studio, 5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, 5084020, holidaydancestudio.com. $10.

Free Admission Day at Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Check out this award-winning, world-class facility highlighting the art, culture, history, science and sport of ballooning and other lighter-than-air craft. Info: 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE (North of Alameda), 768-6020, cabq.gov/ balloon. Tamarind Institute First Friday Tours. See the workshop facility, learn about fine art lithography, the current programs and the history of Tamarind (a division within the College of Fine Arts at UNM), a collaborative process video, and a printing demonstration. Reservations: tamarind. unm.edu. Info: Tamarind Institute, 2500 Central Ave. SE, 453-2159. Free.

every first friday | 8–10 pm

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

every other friday | 7–9 pm

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

every third friday | 7–9 pm

Cactus and Succulent Society of New Mexico. Discuss cacti and succulents; enjoy a program presented on a particular subject relevant to these plants. Program usually involves a slideshow. Not necessary to be a member to attend. Info: Albuquerque Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE, 296-6020 new-mexico.cactussociety.org.

saturdays | 10:30 am

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

saturdays | 12 noon–2 pm

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

saturdays | 1–2:30 pm

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

saturdays | 2–5 pm

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

saturdays | 2:30–4:30 pm

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

saturdays | 3:30 pm

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

saturdays | 5–8 pm

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

saturdays | various times

Prehistoric Preschool for Families. See description on Thursdays 10–12 am. Info: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, 841-2848, nmnaturalhistory.org. Tickets: see cost information online.

every saturday and sunday | 12 noon and 2 pm

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

saturdays | 12 noon–3 pm

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

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every saturday and sunday | various times

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

every first saturday | 10– 11:30 am

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

every first saturday | 10 am–12 noon

Military History Lecture. Listen to an interesting presentation of military history events and activities that affected New Mexico. Lectures include the History of the NM National Guard, Bataan Death March, WWII Army Air Corp bases in New Mexico, and others. Info: New Mexico Veterans Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE, 256-2042. Admission: Free. Donations requested.

every first saturday | 12 noon–3 pm

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

every second saturday | 10–11:30 am

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

every second saturday | 10 am–12 noon

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

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Better Deal? Better Experience? Yes. That’s what YOU said.

MyFordDealer.com

2020 2018 • 2019

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second saturday | 10 am–12 noon

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

every second saturday | 1 pm

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

second and fourth saturday | 12 noon–1 pm

sundays 10 am–2 pm

Rail Yards Market Express. Pre-order your favorite farm products, then drive through for non-contact pick up. Info: Rail Yards Market, 777 1st Street SW, railyardsmarket.org, 600-1109.

various days | various times

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

Did You

sundays | 10:30 am

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

sundays | 12 noon–5 pm

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

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.

We will beat ANY new Fo or put $1,000 cash

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

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

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

every last saturday | 7–9 pm

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

sundays | 9 am–1 pm

Free Sunday Mornings at Albuquerque Museum. Admission is free every Sunday morning. View the latest exhibition, try out interactive displays, stroll through the sculpture garden, and stop by the cafe for brunch. Info: Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, cabq.gov, 2437255. Free. $5 exhibition surcharge applies during free days at Albuquerque Museum.

sundays | 1–4 pm

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

sundays | 8 pm

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

every first, third and fifth sunday | 6–9 pm

Ballroom, Latin and Swing Dancing. Join USA Ballroom Dance. Free beginner lessons start at 5:30 pm. Info: Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins Street NE, 288-0313. Cost: members, $5; non-member, $8.

every second and fourth sunday | 10–11 am

Yoga with Cats. Enjoy cats frolicking and lounging as you participate in a yoga class for all skill levels. Info: Catopia Cat Cafe, 8001 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite C-5, call 508-4278 to reserve your spot. $14 per class.

Support UNM Athletics with a new (or gift!) subscription to

Find Your Ride at M

every second and fourth sunday | 2–4 pm

Stitching Group. Knitting, crocheting, from every new embroidering, tatting, spinning, crossFree Admission Day. Anderson-Abruzzo subscription goes to stitching and more. Join in the fun, share Albuquerque International Balloon ideas, patterns, experiences and more. All student-athlete scholarships Museum. Check out this award-winning, ages and experience levels welcome. Info: world-class facility highlighting the art, Erna Fergusson Library, 3700 San Mateo culture, history, science and sport of Blvd. NE, 888-8100. ballooning and other lighter-than-air craft. Code: GOLOBOS Info: 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE, 768abqthemag.com 6020, cabq.gov/balloon. Must present a signed buyer’s order from an authorized Ford dealership in New Mexico to qualify for the $1,000. The price of the overall vehicle is not valid with a trade. Full d

sundays | 9 am–1 pm

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DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

or 16 years, we’ve turned to you— the trusted reader—to cast your votes and pick the city’s best. And

you’ve always come through, even in a year that most of us would rather soon forget (thanks to the pandemic). For this issue of Albuquerque The Magazine, you voted on everything from food to fun, from beer to business, from shopping to services, producing winners and top 5 vote-getters in 293 categories. Before we present these well-earned awards, we would like to offer a gentle and possibly unnecessary reminder: not one of these persons, stores, restaurants, organizations or businesses was at full strength in 2020. In our navigation of COVID-19, we’ve seen restrictions on businesses; stay-at-home orders; self-quarantining; tempered

travel;

temporary

closures;

and, at times, much worse. Some remain closed for business as of this writing. Others have had to curtail the very things that make them such a vital part of our city. Like it or not, we’ve all had to adapt. So where does that leave us? Judging by your votes, ABQ still has plenty of amazing places to eat, shop, relax, rejuvenate, and—when things are safe again— congregate. And so we chose to present and write about the Best of the City honorees in their best and proper state, the Photos by Don James

and Michael Jacobs

way we’ve come to know and love them. Because at some point (hopefully soon), we’ll all return to being our best.

Dining Best Chef

Israel Rivera

The Shop Breakfast & Lunch 2933 Monte Vista Blvd. NE 433-2795 theshopbreakfastandlunch.com

he story behind the fresh and amazing cuisine at The Shop involves passion and free labor—lots of free labor. In the year or so before he opened his Nob Hill breakfast/lunch spot in 2015, chef Israel Rivera polished his culinary skills by working unpaid internships (“staging”) at acclaimed restaurants in San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles and New York City. “I would save up some money, then fly there, get a cheap motel, and work free for a week,” says Rivera, 34, who took time off from his paid jobs at ABQ restaurants at the time. “I think doing that is the main reason I’m able to cook at this level. It was a huge way to learn and grow.” For the past few years, The Shop has also grown, in both customers and reputation, thanks to the combined experiences of Rivera’s childhood in ABQ and his exposure to haute cuisine. The influence can be seen in many of his eatery’s dishes, such as the Blue Corn Blueberry donut, and the Duck Confit Bolillo sandwich. “I’ve been cooking my whole life. I got my first restaurant job at Dion’s (Pizza) when I was 15,” says Rivera, who has also worked at Flying Star, Relish, Savoy and Artichoke Café, among other local spots. “The dining scene (in Albuquerque) now is so much better than it ever was, and it’s really cool to be part of that.”

BEST OF THE REST:

Jennifer James (frenchish, 3509 Central Ave. NE, 433-5911, frenchish.co), Marc Quiñones (MAS at Hotel Andaluz, 125 Second St. NW, 2429090, hotelandaluz.com), Dominic Valenzuela (Tako Ten, 12501 Candelaria Rd. NE Ste. B, 5083518), Mike White (High Point Grill, 9780 Coors Blvd. NW, 312-8519, highpointgrill.com)

Best Breakfast Burrito

Stripes Burrito Co. 8050 Academy Rd. NE #101 plus 4 other metro locations 835-5214 | stripesco.com

reakfast burritos are in the DNA here—owner Gary Hines has been in the fast-casual, New Mexican-style restaurant business for four decades. The fluffy tortillas wrap around traditional fillings, but also include wild-card varieties, like chorizo and chicharron. Plus, you can get them smothered on a plate in red or green.

BEST OF THE REST:

Blake’s Lotaburger (2301 Carlisle Blvd. NE, plus 24 other metro locations, 880-9628, lotaburger. com), Twisters Burgers and Burritos (5501 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 830-9811, plus 16 other metro locations, mytwisters. com), Frontier Restaurant (2400 Central Ave. SE, 266-0550, frontierrestaurant.com), Golden Pride (10101 Central Ave. NE, plus three other metro locations, 2933531, goldenprideabq.com)

Best Bake Shop

Best Beef Jerky

Cake Fetish 2665 Louisiana Blvd. NE | 883-0670 | cakefetish.com

Mike’s Jerky 4900 Jefferson St. NE | plus 1 other metro location 573-8816 | oldworldjerky.com

ne of the first spots in ABQ to launch the minicupcake craze, everything here is made daily from scratch. One bite and it’s easy to see that the cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and other goodies are created the oldfashioned way: milk, eggs, butter, and sugar—no pre-mixes here.

BEST OF THE REST:

Flying Star Cafe (8001 Menaul Blvd. NE, plus 5 other metro locations, 293-6911, flyingstarcafe.com), A Heavenly Taste Cakery (730-4083), The Burque Bakehouse (4321 Ellison St. NE, 234-6294, burquebakehouse.com), ABQ Sweet Spot (9250 Golf Course Rd. NW, Ste. D, 900-3814, abqsweetspot.net)

hree things make this jerky stand out from the dozens upon dozens of other local brands: the texture (sliced very thin, with a more-dry, lessgreasy profile), the variety (more than two dozen creative flavors, such as Butter Mesquite, and Vinegar & Garlic Salt), and the fact that it’s only sold at their two ABQ retail locations and online.

Vigil’s Beef Jerky (7625 Second St. NW, 867-3283, vigilsbeefjerky.com), Jerky Boy (12165 Hwy. 14 N, B4, Cedar Crest, jerkyboynm.com), Get Hooked Beef Jerky (1502-A Wyoming Blvd. NE, 361-2607, gethookedonjerky.com), Jerky By Art (1717 San Pedro Dr. NE, plus 1 other metro location, jerkybyart.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

Best BBQ

Best Breakfast Spot

Rudy’s “Country Store” and BBQ

10136 Coors Blvd. NW plus 1 other metro location 890-7113 | rudysbbq.com

here’s nothing like meat that’s been slow-cooked with the smoke of burning oak. That method has made this Texas-based chain a favorite in New Mexico, where the two ABQ locations go through plenty of by-the-pound brisket, chicken, sausage, ribs, and pork. Fact: they’re continually smoking meat, so it’s always hot and fresh.

BEST OF THE REST:

Whole Hog Cafe (725 Central Ave. NE, plus one other metro location, 247-0189, wholehogcafe.com), Mr. Powdrell’s Barbeque (5209 4th St. NW, plus 1 other metro location, 345-8086, bbqandsoulfoodabq.com), The County Line (9600 Tramway Blvd. NE, 8567477, countyline.com), Nexus Brewery & Restaurant (4730 Pan American Fwy. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 242-4100, nexusbrewery.com)

Best Brunch

The Shop Breakfast & Lunch

The Grove Cafe & Market 600 Central Ave. SE | 248-9800 thegrovecafemarket.com

2933 Monte Vista Blvd. NE 433-2795 | theshopabq.com

he raves have been growing for this Nob Hill eatery, where freshness and presentation stand out. The morning menu features imaginative plates, like a potato-and-veggie hash that includes duck confit, or the chilaquiles, the tasty Mexican tradition of corn chips smothered in chile, topped with slow-cooked pork, eggs, and avocado.

BEST OF THE REST:

Frontier Restaurant, (2400 Central Ave. SE, 266-0550, frontierrestaurant.com), Weck’s (3913 Louisiana Blvd. NE, plus 11 other metro locations, 881-0019, wecksinc.com), Central Grill & Coffeehouse (2056 Central Ave. SW, 554-1424, centralgrillandcoffeehouse.com), Tia Betty Blue’s/Tia B’s LaWaffleria (1248 San Mateo Blvd. SE, plus one other metro location, 268-1955, tiabettyblues.com)

verything here is curated to perfection by owners Jason and Lauren Greene (he’s the chef, she’s the tastemaker). The breakfast dishes have a French influence, and come with copious amounts of fresh herbs and side sauces. On the coffee side, there’s something for every aficionado, including cold brew, espresso shots, even Chinese matcha. And the dessert case—filled with incredibly moist cupcakes, macaroons, and cookies—almost steals the whole show.

BEST OF THE REST:

The Shop Breakfast & Lunch (2933 Monte Vista Blvd. NE, 433-2795, theshopabq. com), Cinnamon Sugar & Spice Cafe (3500 Central Ave. SE, plus 1 other metro location, 588-2860, cinnamoncafeabq.com), Dave’s Valley Grill (6601 Fourth St. NW, 6395807, davesvalleygrill.com), Campo at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm (4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 338-1615, lospoblanos.com)

B e s t A p p e t i z e r M e n u

High Point Grill

DINING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

9780 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste. A 312-8519 | highpointgrill.com

few things to know about High Point chef/ owner Mike White: he’s self-taught, his creative dishes have earned lots of awards, and he loves mac & cheese. This award is due in part to the 10 variations of White’s mac dish, made with ingredients like crab, bacon, and New Mexico green chile. This Westside eatery also serves tasty treats like teriyaki pork belly tacos, and a variety of fresh salads.

BEST OF THE REST:

Ajiaco Columbian Bistro (3216 Silver Ave. SE, 266-2305, ajiacobistro.com), Jinja Bar & Bistro (5400 Sevilla Ave. NW, plus 1 other metro location, 792-8776, jinjabistro. com), Artichoke Cafe (424 Central Ave. SE, 243-0200, aritichokecafe.com), Kamikaze Kitchen (3517 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. D, 900-8296, kamikazekatering.com)

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Best Burger

Grassburger 11225 Montgomery Blvd. Ste. C plus 1 other location 200-0571 | eatgrassburger.com

es, the beef is grass-fed, which engenders a big following among those looking to source food that’s more natural. But the taste is also a big plus, as are the fresh potato buns. And for carb-counters, they offer bowls of their burgers, sans the bread. Also, this nimble franchise (two of their three nationwide locations are in ABQ) came up with a clever pandemic concept: grill-athome packs of beef patties and fixings.

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

BEST OF THE REST:

Blake’s Lotaburger (2529 Washington St. NE, plus 24 other metro locations, 8883141, lotaburger.com), Holy Burger (700 Central Blvd. SE, 242-2991, holyburgernm. com) Fuddruckers (4855 Pan American Fwy. NE, 344-7449 plus 2 other locations, fuddruckers.com), Laguna Burger (2400 12th St. NW, 352-8282, plus 2 other metro locations, thelagunaburger.com)

Best Burrito

Stripes Burrito Co.

Best Buffet

Taj Mahal Cuisine of India

1430 Carlisle Blvd. NE 255-1994 | tajmahalabq.com

ow in its 25th year of operation, this Indian cuisine favorite has (in nonCovid times) a bustling lunch buffet crowd for good reason: the selection of beef, lamb, chicken, and seafood dishes from the tandoor oven is vast, and the naan (traditional Indian flatbread) comes out hot, fresh, and often.

BEST OF THE REST:

Taaj Palace (1435 Eubank Blvd. NE, 296-0109, taajpalacenm.com), Tomato Cafe (7900 San Pedro Dr. NE, 821-9300, tomatocafe.com) Tucanos Brazilian Grill (110 Central Ave. SW, 246-9900, tucanos.com), Golden Corral (5207 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 872-3500, goldencorral. com)

8050 Academy Rd. NE #101, plus 4 other metro locations 835-5214 | stripesco.com

his local chain is now up to five locations, and the flagship burritos are a big reason for the rapid growth. The favorites (carne adovada, barbacoa) are stuffed with meat and fillings, and come out of the kitchen hot and quick for those on the go. Also, 15 percent of profits are donated to the local Veteran’s Administration (VA) hospital.

BEST OF THE REST:

Golden Pride (1830 Lomas Blvd. NE, 242-2181, plus 3 other locations, goldenprideabq.com), Frontier Restaurant (2400 Central Ave. SE, 266-0550, frontierrestaurant.com), Sadie’s of New Mexico (6230 4th St. NW, 345-5339, plus 2 other metro locations, sadiesofnewmexico. com), Twisters Burgers and Burritos (3240 Coors Blvd. NE, 839-6966, plus 16 other locations, twisters.com)

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Best Business Lunch Spot

Vinaigrette 1828 Central Ave. SW 842-5507 | vinaigretteonline.com

he vibe here is fresh, sunny, upbeat— and did we mention fresh? This Downtown eatery is big on salads, which are perfect for a lunchtime crowd looking for a meal that’s light, quick, and tasty. There are also plenty of soups, sandwiches, and sides on the menu, plus a wide selection of local beers and wines (in case your lunch is to celebrate the boss’ birthday).

BEST OF THE REST:

Nick & Jimmy’s Restaurant & Bar (5021 Pan American Fwy. NE, 344-9169, nickandjimmysrestaurant.com), The Daily Grind (4360 Cutler Ave. NE, 883-8310, dailygrindabq.net), Vic’s Daily Cafe (3600 Osuna Rd. NE, Ste. 105, 341-9710), Standard Diner (Permanently Closed)

Best Carne Adovada

Golden Pride 1830 Lomas Blvd. NE plus 3 other metro locations 242-2181 | goldenprideabq.com

his staple of New Mexican cooking (slow-cooked pork shoulder in red chile) is a popular filling for the burritos of this local chain. You can get the morning version, with eggs or hash browns, or the lunch/dinner option, which comes with just the tender meat wrapped in Golden Pride’s signature fluffy tortillas.

BEST OF THE REST:

El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina (10500 4th St. NW, 898-1771, elpinto.com), El Patron (10551 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 275-0223, plus 1 other metro location, elpatronabq. com), Sadie’s of New Mexico (6230 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, plus 2 other metro locations, 345-5339, sadiesofnewmexico.com), Monroe’s New Mexican Food (1025 4th St. NW, 242-1111, plus 1 other metro location, monroeschile. com)

Best Chicken Wings

Hooters

DINING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

4601 San Mateo Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 884-6600 | hooters.com

t’s hard to pin down exactly how many chicken wings Americans eat each year (even the National Chicken Council is vague on numbers), but it’s safe to say it’s in the billions. It’s also a fair assumption that we gnaw our fair share of wings at Hooters’ always-bustling ABQ locations, especially during the all-the-wings-youcan-eat event each July.

BEST OF THE REST:

Slate Street Billiards (2003 Southern Blvd. SE, Ste. 139, Rio Rancho, 994-0363, slatestreetbillards.com), Wings Gone Wild (101 98th St. NW, Ste. 109, 836-4622, wingsgonewildalbuquerque.com), Brixens (400 Central Ave. SW, 242-2400, brixens. com), Wing Stop (10401 Golf Course Rd. NW, Ste. 104, 792-9464, plus 4 others locations, wingstop.com)

Best Chinese Restaurant

Rose Garden Chinese Cuisine

10401 Golf Course Rd. NW | plus 1 other metro location 897-8889 | rosegardenabq.com

he two family-owned locations are both on the Westside, and offer the take-home convenience of ordering at the counter. The family meal packages offer a nice variety of items, and have plenty for everyone. For eat-in guests, the dining rooms are wellappointed, and the service is attentive.

BEST OF THE REST:

Rising Star Chinese Eatery (7001 San Antonio Dr. NE, Ste. S, 821-6595, risingstarnm.com), Fan Tang (3523 Central Ave. NE, 266-3566, fan-tang.com), Chopstix (6001 Lomas Blvd. NE, Ste. L, 268-8777, chopstixalbuquerque.com) Budai Gourmet Chinese (6300 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste. H-1, 797-7898, budaigourmet.com)

Best Chile Rellenos

El Patron

10551 Montgomery Blvd. NE | plus 1 other metro location 275-0223 | elpatronabq.com

he standard ingredients for a relleno are tasty enough (New Mexico green chile stuffed with cheese, then battered and fried), but you get something extra at El Patron: the creamy, tangy, heavenly serrano cream sauce. Of course, you can also get it smothered in the house chile sauce—or you can treat yourself and request both. We say live it up.

BEST OF THE REST:

La Salita Restaurant (1950 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Ste. H, 299-9968, lasalita.com), Cocina Azul (1134 Mountain Rd. NW, 831-2599, plus two other metro locations, cocinaazul.com), Tomasita’s (4949 Pan American Fwy. NE, 344-1204, tomasitas.com), Monroe’s New Mexican Food (1025 4th St. NW, 242-1111, plus 1 other metro location, monroeschile.com)

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BEST OF THE CITY 2020

Best Chips and Salsa

Sadie’s of New Mexico 6230 4th St. NW plus 2 other metro locations 345-5339 | sadiesofnewmexico.com

his family-run ABQ restaurant empire has been perfecting New Mexican food for half a century—a dedication that explains why they fry up the tortilla chips fresh every morning. The chips have to be good to keep up with Sadie’s salsa, which is made with local peppers in eight varieties, and also sold by retailers across the country (even in half-gallon containers!)

BEST OF THE REST:

El Patron (10551 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 275-0223, plus 1 other metro location, elpatronabq.com), Cocina Azul (1134 Mountain Rd. NW, 831-2599, plus two other metro locations, cocinaazul.com), El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina (10500 4th St. NW, 898-1771, elpinto.com), Papa Nacho’s (7648 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 821-4900, papanachosfood.com)

Best Cookie

Celina’s Biscochitos

Best Gluten Free Options

404 Osuna Rd. NW, Ste. A 269-4997 | celinasbiscochitos.com

he owner, Celina Aldaz-Grife, turned her grandma’s biscochito recipe into something of a cookie empire. While her standard version has become an ABQ staple (especially around the holidays), there are also varieties, including versions made with red chile, green chile, even chocolate chips.

BEST OF THE REST:

Bittersweets Bakery (9401-A Golf Course Rd. NW, 899-3018, bittersweetsnm.com), Insomnia Cookies (2132 Central Ave. SE, Ste. A-2, 333-4422, insomniacookies.com), ABQ Sweet Spot (9250 Golf Course Rd. NW, Ste. D, 900-3814, abqsweetspot.net), Rude Boy Cookies (115 Harvard Dr. SE, Ste. 7, 200-2235, rudeboycookies.com)

La Finca Bowls 300 Broadway Blvd. NE, Ste. G 308-8392 | lafincabowls.square.site

here’s a mind-boggling 100,000+ different bowl combinations you can create at this Downtown fresh-food spot. Okay, maybe our math is spotty, but it’s a lot—and you can go entirely gluten-free if you choose. Starting with your choice of protein (chicken, steak, salmon, or beans), you can add any variation from four dozen diverse grains, veggies, sauces, and extras (tasty stuff like goat cheese, sweet corn, coconut rice). And you can eat right from the handy to-go boxes if you’re doing takeout.

BEST OF THE REST:

Grassburger (11225 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. C, plus 1 other metro location, 200-0571, eatgrassburger.com), Paisano’s Italian Restaurant (1935 Eubank Blvd. NE, 298-7541, paisanosabq.com), Planty Sweet (4321 Ellison St. NE, 433-7111, plantysweet.weebly.com), Chello Grill (5010 Cutler Ave. NE, Ste. A, 881-2299, chellogrill.com)

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BEST OF THE CITY 2020

82 Best Cinnamon Roll

Best Deli

Cinnamon Sugar & Spice Cafe

Hello Deli

3500 Central Ave. SE plus one other metro location 588-2860 | cinnamoncafeabq.com

f it’s true that we eat first with our eyes, it’s probably because of goodies like these cinnamon rolls, which are glistening, gooey, decadent show-stoppers at both the Nob Hill and Mountain Run locations. Few diners leave without tasting the traditional rolls, which are doused with delicious cream-cheese icing. And for variety, there’s also a walnut raisin version.

BEST OF THE REST:

Frontier Restaurant (2400 Central Ave. SE, 266-0550, frontierrestaurant.com), Great Harvest Bread Co. (11200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 293-8277, greatharvestalbuquerque. com), Cinnabon (9911 Avalon Rd. NW, 8312001, plus 1 other metro location, cinnabon. com), Weck’s (3913 Louisiana Blvd. NE, plus 11 other metro locations, 881-0019, wecksinc.com)

Best Diner

7600 Jefferson St. NE 797-3354 hellodeliabq.com

kay, so there’s no meat or cheese sold by the pound at this deli. But in the same way Katz Deli in New York City is known more for their pastrami sandwiches, Hello Deli is more about the amazing entrées. The healthy ‘power bowls’ (think quinoa, egg whites), or the blue corn pancakes, might make you think of leaving the office for breakfast instead of lunch. And speaking of a pastrami sammie, theirs is called the New Yorker— one of more than two dozen sandwiches on the menu.

BEST OF THE REST:

Tully’s Italian Deli & Meats (1425 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 255-5370, tullysdeli.com), Relish Gourmet Sandwiches (8019 Menaul Blvd. NE, 299-0001, relishsandwichesabq.com), DG’s Deli (1418 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. NE, 247-3354, dgsdeli.com), Jason’s Deli (5920 Holly Ave. NE, Ste. A, 821-7100, plus 2 other metro locations, jasonsdeli.com)

66 Diner 1405 Central Ave. NE 242-4025 | 66diner.com

and-spun milkshakes. A giant Pez dispenser collection. A location that was once home to a gas station and garage. No matter where you turn, nostalgia flows at this appropriately named diner along America’s mother road, where the shakes and pies—and burgers and fries—still come hot from the kitchen, just like in yesteryear. Wanna know how cool this place is? Count how many people are clicking away with their camera phones— at both the food and decor.

BEST OF THE REST:

Owl Cafe (800 Eubank Blvd. NE, 291-4900, owlcafealbuquerque.com), Central Grill & Coffeehouse (2056 Central Ave. SW, 5541424, centralgrillandcoffeehouse.com), Lindy’s Diner (500 Central Ave. SW, Ste. 3114, 242-2582, lindysdinerabq.com), Standard Diner (Permanently Closed)

Best Donuts

Rebel Donut

Best Dessert Menu

Flying Star Cafe

9311 Coors Blvd. NW plus 1 other metro location 293-0553 | rebeldonut.com

t’s both quality and quantity at this ABQ chain, where they’ve created more than 1,000 different varieties of doughnuts since opening in 2012. They pioneered delicacies like Maple Bacon Bars (with an actual strip of crispy bacon on top), and Blue Sky cake donuts (the Breaking Bad homage topped with blue rock candy). Plus, they figured out how to put red and green chile in donuts, and they’ll even make New York-style ‘cronuts’ if you order in advance.

DINING

3416 Central Ave. SE | plus 5 other metro locations | 255-6633 | flyingstarcafe.com

espite the fantastic and ever-changing menu here, desserts will always be topof-mind at Flying Star. That’s because the dessert case—filled with goodies only skilled bakers could produce—is the first thing you see upon entering any of their six ABQ locations. Their stand-alone commissary handcrafts hundreds of cookies, dessert bars, pies and cakes daily, all made fresh with natural (and many times, locally-sourced) ingredients.

BEST OF THE REST:

Two Boys Donuts (6400 Holly Ave. NE, Ste. H, 302-0102, twoboysdonuts.com), Rise + Roast (401 Eubank Blvd. SE, Ste. E, 2071000, riseandroast.com), Bristol Doughnut Company (10301 Comanche Rd. NE, Unit 7, 596-0312, bristoldoughnut.co), Amy’s Donuts (6001 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste. G3, 881-4953, amysdonuts.com)

La Quiche Parisienne Bistro (5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. 17, 242-2808, laquicheparisiennebistro.com), Range Café (925 S. Camino Del Pueblo, Bernalillo, plus 5 other metro locations, 867-1700, rangecafe. com), Planty Sweet (2506 Washington St. NE, 4337111, plantysweet.weebly.com), Scarpa’s (5500 Academy Blvd. NE, 821-1885, scarpaspizza.com)

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Best Cupcake

ABQ Sweet Spot 9250 Golf Course Rd. NW, Ste. D | 900-3814 | abqsweetspot.com

his small Westside bakery (launched in 2018 by two cake fans who met at school parent-teacher night) makes decadent cupcakes topped with swirls of tasty cream and fun sprinkles. If the names of the flavors don’t draw you in (such as ‘Death by Chocolate’), then the colorful toppings of breakfast cereal or pieces of chocolate candy bars surely will. And if eating by hand is a little messy for you, ask for one of their special ‘cupcake cups.’

BEST OF THE REST:

Smallcakes: A Cupcakery (8101 San Pedro Dr. NE, 404-1800, smallcakesnm.com), The Grove Cafe & Market (600 Central Ave. SE, Ste. A, 248-9800, thegrovecafemarket.com), Q’s Cakes and Sweets Boutique (2720 Central Ave. SE, Ste. D, 514-6775, qcakes.com), Cake Fetish (2665 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 883-0670, cakefetish.com)

Best Food Truck

Urban Hot Dog Company 10250 Cottonwood Park NW, Ste. 400 898-5671 | urbanhotdogcompany.com

his Westside gourmet dog restaurant spun off a food truck...er, mobile kitchen...recently, and they’ve become quite the rage, parking at Marble Brewery downtown on a regular basis. The menu offers a slew of Urban’s exotic favorites (like the Asian Bahn Mi dog, with shredded carrots and sriracha mayo, or the Caprese, featuring tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil), plus starters like fried Brussels sprouts.

BEST OF THE REST:

My Sweet Basil (417-9840, soulaina.com), Sanchez Tacos (489-7194, sancheztacosnm. com), Cheesy Street (@cheesystreet), Street Food Institute (224-3623, streetfoodinstitute.org)

Best Frito Pie

El Patio de Albuquerque 142 Harvard Dr. SE | plus 1 other metro location | 268-4245 | elpatioabq.com

DINING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

n ABQ hidden gem since 1977, El Patio has had plenty of experience in perfecting the regional delicacy we’ve come to know and love. The Fritos-brand corn chips are mixed with spicy red chile sauce and ground beef, plus lettuce and tomatoes. Here, they top it with thick-cut Longhorn-style Wisconsin cheddar cheese—and then list it as the first appetizer on the menu. Why? Probably because customers are always asking for it.

BEST OF THE REST:

The Dog House Drive In (1216 Central Ave. SW, 2431019), Bob’s Burgers (1690 Rio Bravo Blvd. SW, plus 9 other metro locations, 877-8589), Laguna Burger (2400 12th St. NW, plus 2 other metro locations, 352-8282, thelagunaburger.com), Casa Taco (5801 Academy Rd. NE, 821-8226, plus 1 other metro location, casa-taco. com)

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BEST OF THE CITY 2020

85 Best Ice Cream

I Scream Ice Cream 2000 Carlisle Blvd. NE 268-0139

his family operation celebrated 15 years in business this past summer, and with the amount of fun and nostalgia customers get from a visit, there’s easily another 15 years to look forward to. The ice cream variety is fun (32 flavors, one more than you-know-who), plus you always get your first topping for free. And then there’s the decor, featuring wall-to-ceiling momentos, art, books, toys, electronics, cameras, you name it. In non-COVID times, it’s better than an ice cream truck parked at a playground.

BEST OF THE REST:

Baskin Robbins (5502 4th St. NW, plus 9 other metro locations, 345-3723, baskinrobbins.com), Cold Stone Creamery (4959 Pan American Fwy. NE, Ste. E, plus 5 other metro locations, 345-4178, coldstonecreamery.com) Icicles (5809 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Ste. H, plus 2 other metro locations, iciclescreamroll.com), Chocglitz & Cream (10660 Unser Blvd. NW, 8984589, chocglitzandcream.com)

Best French Restaurant

Le Troquet

228 Gold Ave. SW | 508-1166 | abqfrenchrestaurant.com

es, there’s an intimate coziness at this Downtown eatery (translation: the place is on the small side), but that’s exactly how bistros are in France. Since 2015, Chef Jean Pierre Gozard has not only given ABQ diners an authentic French ambiance, but food to match. The seafood, game and produce are perfectly crafted into exquisite entrées, which are ready-made for French and American wine pairing suggestions from the in-house sommelier.

BEST OF THE REST:

frenchish (3509 Central Ave. NE, 433-5911, frenchish.co), La Quiche Parisienne Bistro (5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. 17, 242-2808, laquicheparisiennebistro.com), La Crêpe Michel (400 San Felipe St. NW, Ste. C2, 242-1251, lacrepemichel.com), Chez Axel French Restaurant (6209 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 881-8104, chezaxelrestaurant.com)

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BEST OF THE CITY 2020

86 Best French Fries

High Point Grill

9780 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste. A 312-8519 | highpointgrill.com

he hand-cut fries here come plentiful as a side option for the burgers and sandwiches, or as a tasty stand-alone appetizer in the form of the Green Chile Cheese Fries, where extra hot N.M. roasted green chile queso gives the dish a poutine profile, and a red chile dusting adds local flavor and spice.

BEST OF THE CITY:

Laguna Burger (2400 12th St. NW, plus 2 other metro locations, 352-8282, thelagunaburger. com), Five Guys Burgers & Fries (6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, plus 2 other metro locations, 8843648, fiveguys.com), Blake’s Lotaburger (2529 Washington St. NE, plus 24 other metro locations, 888-3141, lotaburger.com), frenchish (3509 Central Ave. NE, 433-5911, frenchish.co)

Best Greek Restaurant

DINING

Gyros Mediterranean

Best Frozen Treats

The Paleta Bar

2325 San Pedro Dr. NE, St. 2J | plus 3 other metro locations 884-0049 | thepaletabar.com

aletas are ice cream bars on a stick, a tradition in Mexico made in fruit or cream flavors. But at this local chain, that’s only the beginning of the fun. You can have your treat dipped in three kinds of warm chocolate, then rolled in toppings, either traditional (almonds, pecans), or exotic (Fruity Pebbles, M&Ms). And then, if you’re still feeling adventurous, you can toss on some fresh fruit, like strawberries or bananas. Diet? What diet?

BEST OF THE REST:

Icicles (5809 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Ste. H, plus 2 other metro locations, iciclescreamroll.com), Frost Gelato (2201 Q. St. NE, Ste. 9A, 883-2522, frostgelato.com), Pop Fizz (1701 Fourth St. SW, 508-1082, pop-fizz.net), Bahama Bucks (8810 Holly Ave. NE Ste. A, plus 2 other metro locations, bahamabucks.com)

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106 Cornell Dr. SE 255-4401 | gyrosabq.com

iven this Greek eatery’s Universityarea location, it makes sense that the gyro sandwiches are quite popular with students on the go. But the rest of the menu is also authentic, with Meditteranean favorites like pastitso (macaroni & beef casserole) and spanakopita (spinach pie with phyllo dough). For the finale, there’s a half-dozen housemade Greek desserts, including baklava and rizogalo (rice pudding).

BEST OF THE REST:

Yanni’s Modern Mediterranean (3109 Central Ave. NE, 268-9250, yannisabq.com), Mykonos Café & Taverna (5900 Eubank Blvd. NE, 2911116, mykonosabq.com), Olympia Café (2210 Central Ave. SE, 266-5222, olympiacafenm. com), Zorba’s Fine Greek Cuisine (11225 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 323-2695, zorbasabq. com)

Best Chocolate Shop

The Chocolate Dude

3339 Central Ave. NE | 639-5502 | chocolatedudeabq.com

efore she became the new owner, Patty Klaus worked for the shop for three years, doing every job from barista, to chocolatier, to candy maker. “I just love everything about chocolate,” she says. That passion is evident in Dude’s variety of goodies, many of which are hand-created behind the counter in exhibition style. Not only are the items decadent, but they also check plenty of boxes (Non-GMO, Organic, Fair Trade, Vegan, Sustainable, Gluten-Free). And should you feel like kicking it up a notch, they’ll dip your selection in even more chocolate.

BEST OF THE REST:

The Candy Lady (424 San Felipe St. NW, 243-6239, thecandylady.com), Chocglitz & Cream (10660 Unser Blvd. NW, 898-4589, chocglitzandcream.com), Eldora Craft Chocolate (8114 Edith Blvd. NE, 433-4076, eldorachocolate.com), Chocolate Cartel (315 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Ste. A, 797-1193, chocolatecartel.com)

Best Gourmet Burger

Holy Burger 700 Central Ave. SE 242-2991 holyburgernm.com

urger is king at this Downtown eatery, which is coming up on a decade of serving their juicy, signature-shaped (almost spherical) patties on brioche buns. And it’s not just the meat and bread that go gourmet here; the toppings range from hearty (fried eggs, sautéed mushrooms) to the sublime (roasted red peppers, blue cheese). And true to the mission of a perfectly bespoke burger, they’re all cooked to a medium temperature.

BEST OF THE REST:

Brixens (400 Central Ave. SW, 242-2400, brixens. com), Grassburger (11225 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. C, plus 1 other metro location, 200-0571, eatgrassburger. com), Flamez Bistro (9821 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. C, 275-0522, flamezabq. com), Hollow Spirits Distillery (1324 1st St. NW, 433-2766, hollowspirits.com)

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BEST OF THE CITY 2020

Best Guacamole Best Hot Dog

The Dog House Drive In

1216 Central Ave. SW 243-1019

f you’re not familiar with this place, you’re obviously new to Albuquerque, so Hello. And if you want to build up your cred as a local, head to this Downtown frankfurter factory asap. You’ll marvel as they split the footlong dogs and sear them on a flat griddle, right next to the buns. You’ll salivate as they slather on queso and their signature red chile sauce (warning: mild it’s not). And when you’re outside noshing your heart out, you’ll recognize the eatery as a set location for more than a few Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul episodes. It’s how we roll. Welcome, comrade!

BEST OF THE REST:

Urban Hotdog Company (10250 Cottonwood Park NW, Ste. 400H, 898-5671, urbanhotdogcompany.com), Bob’s Burgers (1690 Rio Bravo Blvd. SW, plus 9 other metro locations, 877-8589), Costco (1420 N. Renaissance Blvd. NE, plus 2 other metro locations, 345-9411, costco.com), Laguna Burger (2400 12th St. NW, plus 2 other metro locations, 352-8282, thelagunaburger.com)

DINING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

88 El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina

Best Green Chile Stew

Garcia’s Kitchen

10500 Fourth St. NW | 898-1771 elpinto.com

here are two main approaches to make guacamole: smash a few avocados with some spices, or do it the El Pinto way. The process at this iconic North Valley restaurant starts by using only ripe Hass avocados (a larger variety that maintains freshness). The pieces are hand-scooped from the skin in large pieces, then folded into onions, tomatoes and spices. Why folding, and not mixing? When the chunky, layered deliciousness arrives at your table, you’ll get the picture.

BEST OF THE REST:

Sadie’s of New Mexico (6230 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, plus 2 other metro locations, 345-5339, sadiesofnewmexico. com), El Bruno’s Restauranté Y Cantina (8806 Fourth St. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, 897-0444, elbrunos.com), Garduno’s Restaurants (800 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, plus 2 other metro locations, 880-0055, gardunosrestaurants.com), Monroe’s New Mexican Food (1025 4th St. NW, plus 1 other metro location, 242-1111, monroeschile. com)

1736 Central Ave. SW plus 5 other metro locations 842-0273 | garciaskitchen.com

he green chile stew has been a menu favorite of Garcia’s for almost as long as the local chain has been around (since 1975). You can order it with or without beans, and you can even buy in bulk to take home, in either a pint, quart or (yes) gallon container.

BEST OF THE REST:

Cocina Azul (1134 Mountain Rd. NW, 8312599, plus 2 other metro locations, cocinaazul. com), Church Street Café (2111 Church St. NW, 247-8522, churchstreetcafe.com), Golden Pride (10101 Central Ave. NE, plus 3 other metro locations, 293-3531, goldenprideabq.com), Cheese and Coffee (119 San Pasquale Ave. SW, plus 1 other metro location, 242-0326, cheeseandcoffee.com)

Best Green Chile

Frontier Restaurant 2400 Central Ave. SE | 266-0550 frontierrestaurant.com

Best Gourmet Pizza

Village Pizza

4266 Corrales Rd, Corrales, plus 1 other metro location 898-0045 | villagepizzanm.com

wo middle school teachers founded Village in 1988 after perfecting a dough recipe. Today, the popular Corrales-based local chain offers five different types of dough, including whole wheat and gluten-free, and an array of exotic toppings, such as eggplant, oysters, and anchovies. And if you want to top your pie with something other than mozzarella cheese, they offer asiago, feta, and gorgonzola.

BEST OF THE REST:

Amore Neapolitan Pizzeria (3600 Cutler Ave. NE, Ste. 3, plus 1 other metro location, 554-1967, amoreabq.com), Il Vicino (3403 Central Ave. NE, plus 2 other metro locations, ilvicino.com), Farina/ Farina Alto (10721 Montgomery Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 298-0035, farinaalto.com), Sauce Pizza and Wine (2100 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 639-5402, saucepizzaawine.com)

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ou want the real deal? On certain days in the fall, you can see a tumbler fire-roasting fresh green chile in Frontier’s alley. For nearly 50 years, this famous Route 66 restaurant has been serving and selling New Mexico chile, either on numerous dishes, or in 56-ounce bulk bags to take home. Chile is taken so seriously here that warm kettles of selfserve green chile sauce are available for customers to scoop right onto their plates.

BEST OF THE REST:

Sadie’s of New Mexico (6230 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, plus 2 other metro locations, 345-5339, sadiesofnewmexico. com), El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina (10500 Fourth St. NW, 898-1771, elpinto.com), La Salita Restaurant (1950 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Ste. H, 299-9968, lasalita.com), Cocina Azul (1134 Mountain Rd. NW, 831-2599, plus two other metro locations, cocinaazul.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

89 Best Japanese Restaurant

Japanese Kitchen 6511 Americas Pkwy. NE 872-1166 japanesekitchen.com

he cornerstones of Japanese cuisine (at least for Americans) are in good hands here: sushi and teppan, which are handled expertly in these adjoining restaurants. Skilled chefs create eye-catching sushi, and their loaded boats are a hit with big groups. For fans of teppan, the grillmasters are equally adept at both cooking and comedy, keeping happy customers in stitches with physical humor while they prepare chicken, beef and seafood to order. The bar offers a big selection of sake, plus cocktails influenced by the Far East.

Best Grilled Cheese

Cafe Lush

BEST OF THE REST:

Azuma Sushi and Teppan (4701 San Mateo Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 880-9800, azumasushi-teppan-abq.com), Magokoro (5614 Menaul Blvd. NE, 8302061, magokoroabq.com), Ichiban Japanese Restaurant (10701 Corrales Rd. NW, Ste. 18, 899-0095, ichibannm.com), Sakura Sushi and Grill (6241 Riverside Plaza Ln., Ste. C-1, 890-2838, abqsakurasushingrill. com)

700 Tijeras Ave. NW |508-0164 | cafelushabq.com

he imaginative menu here is filled with healthy ingredients, and tasty combinations. That’s also true for the grilled cheese dish, which is fairly atypical, and not the gooey, melty sandwich most would expect. Their version is a bit healthier, and features assorted local cheeses and tomatoes tucked into either sourdough or multigrain bread, then grilled. It’s grilled cheese with all of the flavor, less of the guilt.

BEST OF THE REST:

Flying Star Cafe (8001 Menaul Blvd. NE, plus 5 other metro locations, 293-6911, flyingstarcafe. com), Cheesy Street (food truck, @cheesystreet), Frontier Restaurant (2400 Central Ave. SE, 266-0550, frontierrestaurant.com), The Range Café (925 S. Camino Del Pueblo, Bernalillo, plus 5 other metro locations, 867-1700, rangecafe.com)

Best Indian Restaurant

Taj Mahal Cuisine of India

1430 Carlisle Blvd. NE | 255-1994 | tajmahalcuisineofindia.com

he varied flavors of authentic Indian cuisine have been perfected here for more than 20 years, a tenure that speaks volumes to its quality. With a wide-ranging menu that includes flavorful butter chicken, garlic naan, and vegetarian and non-vegetarian curried dishes, this restaurant fills the bill when you’re in the mood for a more complete experience of Middle Eastern fare.

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BEST OF THE REST:

Taaj Palace (1435 Eubank Blvd. NE, 296-0109, taajpalacenm.com), Namaste Cuisine of India and Nepal (1580 Deborah Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, 896-3126, namastenm.net), Taste of India (1605 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 2946342, tasteofindiaabq.com), Curry Leaf (6910 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. C, 881-3663, curryleafrestaurant. us)

Best Green Chile Cheeseburger

Laguna Burger

2400 12th St. NW plus 2 other metro locations 352-8282 | thelagunaburger.com

hese hand-smashed burgers were once sold only at Laguna Puebloowned gas stations west of the city. But like an urban legend that came to life, Laguna Burger opened a true ABQ restaurant in 2017—and the already-popular burgers have forged an even bigger audience of die-hard fans. The house burger includes Hatch green chile, and they even have a roasted jalapeño burger on the menu.

BEST OF THE REST:

Owl Cafe (800 Eubank Blvd. NE, 291-4900, owlcafealbuquerque.com), Monte Carlo Steakhouse and Liquor Store (3916 Central Ave. SW, 8312444), Rex’s Hamburgers (5555 Montgomery Blvd. NE Ste. 16, 837-2827, rexshamburgersabq.com), Blake’s Lotaburger (2529 Washington St. NE, plus 24 other metro locations, 888-3141, lotaburger.com)

Best Late-Night Eats

Frontier Restaurant 2400 Central Ave. SE | 266-0550 frontierrestaurant.com

his is still the spot to satisfy your latenight craving, as it’s open until 1 a.m., seven days a week. There’s usually a mix of students staring at laptops, and those not quite ready to head home from bar-hopping. In either case, the Frontier menu is perfect, with plenty of New Mexican comfort food, like hash browns, eggs, bacon and chile. Oh, and the fresh tortillas and hot, buttery cinnamon rolls go nicely here, too.

BEST OF THE REST:

Cesar’s Mexican & Greek (5300 Lomas Blvd. NE, cesarsmexicanandgreek.com), Waffle House (2250 Yale Blvd. SE, 843-9194, plus 1 other metro location, wafflehouse.com), Lindy’s Diner (500 Central Ave. SW, 242-2582, lindysdinerabq.com), Taco Cabana (6500 San Mateo Blvd. NE, plus 5 other metro locations, 821-0203, tacocabana.com)

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant

Chello Grill

Best Hotel Restaurant

Campo at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm

4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque 338-1615 | lospoblanos.com

he keep-it-local concept melds seamlessly with fine dining here, as the dishes use ingredients primarily sourced from area farms (Campo translates to “field” in Spanish). Offerings include plenty of elegant pasta and seafood dishes, creating a bespoke experience that parallels the Inn’s acclaimed, farm-inspired guest rooms. French and New Mexican cuisine equally influence the menu, which is crafted by Chef Jonathan Perno, a Land of Enchantment native and multiple-time James Beard Award finalist.

BEST OF THE REST:

The Corn Maiden at Hyatt Tamaya (1300 Tuyuna Trail, Santa Ana Pueblo, 867-1234, tamaya. regency.hyatt.com), Mas Tapas Y Vino at Hotel Andaluz (125 Second St. NW, 242-9090, hotelandaluz.com), Bien Shur at Sandia Casino (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 798-3961, sandiacasino. com), The Ranchers Club of New Mexico at Crowne Plaza Hotel (1901 University Blvd. NE, 8842500, theranchersclubofnm.com)

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5010 Cutler Ave. NE, Ste. A 881-2299 | chellogrill.com

he menu features a large variety of stews, salads, sandwiches and kabobs (including lamb, salmon, even veggie). Other traditional dishes include hummus, saffron rice, eggplant dip and warm flatbread (naan). You can also try doogh, a savory Persian yogurt smoothie made with mint.

BEST OF THE REST:

Pars Mediterranean Cuisine (4320 The 25 Way NE, Ste. 100, 345-5156, parscuisine. us), Alqud’s Mediterranean Grill & Grocery (5555 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 888-2921, alqudsabq.com), Sahara Middle Eastern Eatery (2622 Central Ave. SE Ste. A, 2555400, saharamiddleeasterneatery.com), Café Istanbul (1415 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 294-9900, cafeistanbulabq.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

Best Italian Restaurant

Best New Mexican Restaurant

M’Tucci’s Restaurants 6001 Winter Haven Rd. NW, Ste. M plus 2 other metro locations 503-7327 | mtuccis.com

t’s not just the warm and authentic Italian dishes that give this growing local chain a great reputation. The commitment here is to the total experience, from a wide range of artisanal pizzas, to fresh pastas, and one of the biggest selections of seafood in the city. Plus, the bar is stocked with plenty of Italian wines and apéritifs, and the dessert menu includes fun items like lemon ricotta cookies and housemade tiramisu.

El Patron

Trombino’s Bistro Italiano (5415 Academy Rd. NE, 821-5974, bistroitaliano.com), Joe’s Pasta House (3201 Southern Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho, 892-3333, joespastahouse.com), Paisano’s Italian Restaurant (1935 Eubank Blvd. NE, 298-7541, paisanosabq.com), Farina/Farina Alto (10721 Montgomery Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 2980035, farinaalto.com)

Best Milkshake

10551 Montgomery Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 275-0223 | elpatronabq.com

very box gets a check mark at this Northeast Heights restaurant: attractive decor, spacious interior, fun patio, lively bar, tasty appetizers, generous portions, authentic dishes. Check, check, more checks. The New Mexican cuisine is spot-on, and includes hard-to-find comfort dishes like calabacitas, posole, natillas and chorizo tacos. And as a whole, the menu has something for everyone, including steaks, seafood, burgers, soups, salads and desserts.

BEST OF THE REST:

DINING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina (10500 4th St. NW, 898-1771, elpinto.com), El Bruno’s Restauranté Y Cantina (8806 4th St. NW, 897-0444, elbrunos.com), Los Cuates New Mexican Food (4901 Lomas Blvd. NE, plus 2 other metro locations, 255-5079, loscuatesrestaurants.com), Sadie’s of New Mexico (6230 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, plus 2 other metro locations, 345-5339, sadiesofnewmexico.com)

66 Diner

1405 Central Ave. NE 242-4025 | 66diner.com

here’s no way to truly make a great milkshake other than to do it by hand. Yup, that’s how they’re made here, using whole milk, ice cream, and a little time in front of the mixer. You can also upgrade with goodies like chocolate, caramel, pineapple and butterscotch. Or, if you wanna get ‘all shook up’ like your shake, you can ask for the ‘Elvis,’ made with The King’s favorite combo: peanut butter and bananas.

BEST OF THE REST:

Owl Cafe (800 Eubank Blvd. NE, 291-4900, owlcafealbuquerque.com), Q’s Cakes and Sweets Boutique (2720 Central Ave. SE, Ste. D, 514-6775, qcakes.com), Flying Star Cafe (8001 Menaul Blvd. NE, plus 5 other metro locations, 293-6911, flyingstarcafe.com), Holy Burger (700 Central Ave. SE, 242-2991, holyburgernm.com)

Best Pancakes

Best Patio Dining

Weck’s

El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina

3913 Louisiana Blvd. NE plus 11 other metro locations 881-0019 | wecksinc.com

here’s no flapjack mix used here, just scratch ingredients, including fresh buttermilk. The options include the house cakes (in stacks of two or three) or, if you’re really craving morning sweetness, the strawberry cheesecake pancakes, which get their pizzazz from cream cheese icing, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream. Other toppings include bananas, and chocolate or peanut butter chips.

BEST OF THE REST:

Central Grill and Coffee House (2056 Central Ave. SW, 554-1424, centralgrillandcoffeehouse.com), Hello Deli (7600 Jefferson St. NE, 797-3354, hellodeliabq.com), The Grove Cafe & Market (600 Central Ave. SE, 248-9800, thegrovecafemarket.com), The Shop Breakfast & Lunch (2933 Monte Vista Blvd. NE, 433-2795, theshopabq.com)

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10500 4th St. NW | 898-1771 | elpinto.com

hen this family restaurant was launched in the North Valley in 1962, the surrounding cottonwood trees certainly weren’t the towering canopies they are today. Today, that lush backdrop provides the appeal for El Pinto’s patio, which remains cool beneath the boughs, and shielded from any heavy breezes by a landscape of fences and vegetation. Combined with good New Mexican food and perfect margaritas, a seat here will have you in no hurry to leave.

BEST OF THE REST:

El Patio de Albuquerque (142 Harvard Dr. SE, plus 1 other metro location, 268-4245, elpatioabq.com), Casa de Benavidez (8032 4th St. NW, 8977493, casadebenavidez.com), Church Street Cafe (2111 Church St. NW, 247-8522, churchstreetcafe.com), Farm & Table (8917 4th St. NW, 5037124, farmandtablenm.com)

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BEST OF THE CITY 2020

93 Best Nachos

Sadie’s of New Mexico 6230 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque plus 2 other metro locations 345-5339 | sadiesofnewmexico.com

ith nachos—which all have mostly universal ingredients—it’s more about the layering and structure. At Sadie’s, the fresh chips are arranged to mingle evenly with the refried beans and beef or chicken, then topped with shredded cheese that gets melted down. Just before being served, you get the chopped lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and/or guacamole. Sounds like perfection to us. Plus, they come in two sizes (tip: if you order it large, you best be with a group).

BEST OF THE REST:

Casa Taco (5801 Academy Rd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 821-8226, casa-taco.com), Kamikaze Kitchen (3517 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. D, 9008296, kamikazekatering.com), El Patron (10551 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 275-0223, plus 1 other metro location, elpatronabq.com), Los Cuates New Mexican Food (4901 Lomas Blvd. NE, plus 2 other metro locations, 255-5079, loscuatesrestaurants.com)

Best Pizza

Slice Parlor

Best Pho

3410 Central Ave. SE plus one other metro location 232-2808 | sliceparlor.com

Basil Leaf Vietnamese Restaurant

ransplants from the East Coast love the New York-style thin pies at this Nob Hill pizza-and-beer spot. The trick is the ultra-hot deck oven, similar to those used in pizza joints all over NYC, which gives the crust that signature crispy bottom. And true to its namesake, you can get a single slice of more than a dozen varieties here, including blanco pizzas made with white sauce.

1225 Eubank Blvd. NE 323-2594 | basilleaf.us

he classic Asian dish comes in three sizes here, and you can choose from among eight proteins (including rare options like tripe, tofu and brisket) to go with your noodles. If you’re feeling a bit more hungry, there’s also an option to add as much meat as you see fit. Jalapeños, onions, cilantro and bamboo shoots complete the course.

BEST OF THE REST:

Pizza 9 (4000 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 8836463, plus 7 other metro locations, pizzanine.com), Village Pizza (4266 Corrales Rd., Corrales, 898-0045, plus 1 other metro location, villagepizzanm. com), Dion’s (8100 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 857-0100, plus 14 other metro locations, dions.com), Richie B’s Pizza (7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. A2, 3128579, richiebsabq.com)

BEST OF THE REST:

Viet Taste (5721 Menaul Blvd. NE, 888-0101), Pho Bar (3301 Southern Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho, 994-9150), Mr. Pho (6205 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 872-2311, mrphonm.com), Lime Vietnamese Restaurant (9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. 2, 219-3824)

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Best New Restaurant

Kamikaze Kitchen 3517 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. D 900-8296 | kamikazekatering.com

hen Nic Riccardi was a kid, his chef father used to moonlight at a Chinese restaurant on weekends. “He used to always bring home egg roll wrappers,” says Riccardi. “I would use them to roll up meat or leftovers, and cook them.” That experience never left Riccardi, and so the menu at his new Kamikaze Kitchen has items like the deepfried Eggroll-arito, which features chicken and green chile fried rice inside a huge eggroll wrapper. He also makes fried chicken batter out of crushed fortune cookies, and tacos with shells made from fried cheese. Having fun yet? Then how about the Cookie Dough Eggrolls, his most popular dessert? Riccardi says he came across a lot of his creative kitchen ingenuity during the nearly two years he operated Kamikaze as a food truck in ABQ. This past January, he moved into permanent digs inside the mini food hall at Wyoming Boulevard and Comanche Road. The eatery also features plenty of more traditional items, like cheeseburgers and quesadillas. His bestseller is a breaded chicken sandwich topped with orange sauce, Asian slaw, and sriracha mayo.

BEST OF THE REST:

Green Gene Vegan Cafe (2300 Central Ave. SE, 9330435, greengenevegancafe.com), Fun Noodle Bar (5317 Menaul Blvd. NE, 881-6888, funnoodleabq.com), Ten 3 (30 Tramway Rd. NE, 764-8363, ten3tram.com), The Jealous Fork (6904 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste. D, 3125506)

Best Posole

Best Place to Overindulge

El Modelo Mexican Foods

ChocGlitz & Cream

1715 2nd St. SW | 242-1843 elmodelomexicanfoods.com

artly because the operation here resembles a food factory more than a restaurant, this popular Barelas takeout spot is truly one-of-a-kind. And the food—created by a team of more than a dozen cooks in the huge industrial kitchen—never disappoints. The posole is sold only by the pint and quart, and is so good that many folks buy it in bulk, then take it home and serve it as their own recipe. Allegedly.

10660 Unser Blvd. NW, Ste. D 898-4589 | chocglitzandcream.com

he landscape of sweets here is vast and creative, from things dipped in chocolate (marshmallows, pretzels, cheesecake, apples, cannolis, Oreo cookies) to custom goodies, like personalized ice cream & cookie sandwiches, and molded chocolate treats. Plus, there’s a new daily assortment of handmade chocolates that feature classic accompaniments like almonds, pecans, and coconut. And did we mention the varieties of housemade fudge?

BEST OF THE REST:

Cocina Azul (1134 Mountain Rd. NW, 831-2599, plus 2 other metro locations, cocinaazul.com), Nick & Jimmy’s Restaurant & Bar (5021 Pan American Fwy. NE, 344-9169, nickandjimmysrestaurant.com), Golden Pride (10101 Central Ave. NE, 293-3531, plus 3 other metro locations, goldenprideabq.com), Barelas Coffee House (1502 4th St. SW, 8437577)

The Melting Pot (2201 Uptown Loop Rd. NE, Ste. 1A, 843-6358, meltingpot.com), Antiquity Restaurant (112 Romero St. NW, 247-3545, antiquityrestaurant.com), Tucanos Brazilian Grill (110 Central Ave. SW, 246-9900, tucanos.com), The Cheesecake Factory (6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, 883-2539, thecheesecakefactory.com)

Best Red Chile Best Queso

Casa Taco 5801 Academy Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location 821-8226 | casa-taco.com

es, queso means “cheese” in Spanish. But in New Mexican food, queso is more than just a topping— it’s melted goodness that redefines the term ‘comfort food.’ At Casa Taco, it’s practically its own menu item (the recipe for their version includes roasted green chile, cilantro, and a few secret ingredients). The chips and the nachos here get punched up to a new level when they’re covered in this tasty sauce.

BEST OF THE REST:

Sadie’s of New Mexico (6230 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, plus 2 other metro locations, 345-5339, sadiesofnewmexico. com), Church Street Cafe (2111 Church St. NW, 247-8522, churchstreetcafe.com), Tomasita’s (4949 Pan American Fwy. NE, 344-1204, tomasitas.com), Papa Nacho’s (7648 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 821-4900, papanachosfood.com)

Monroe’s New Mexican Food

6051 Osuna Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location 881-4224 | monroeschile.com

his local chain has been dishing up red chile in ABQ since the Kennedy Administration. Between their two restaurants and the jars of retail salsa, they go through 75 tons of chile every year. Their signature red sauce wins the ‘red or green’ question most of the time on their dishes, which says a lot. And while most local eateries offer green chile on their hamburgers, Monroe’s also has a Red Chile burger on the menu.

Sadie’s of New Mexico (6230 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, plus 2 other metro locations, 345-5339, sadiesofnewmexico.com), Duran’s Central Pharmacy (1815 Central Ave. NW, 247-4141, duransrx.com), Cervantes Restaurant and Lounge (5801 Gibson Blvd. SE, 262-2253, cervantesabq.com), Cocina Azul (1134 Mountain Rd. NW, 831-2599, plus 2 other metro locations, cocinaazul.com)

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Greenside Cafe 12165 N. Highway 14, Cedar Crest 286-2684 | greenside.cafe

esidents of the East Mountains know they have a gem in this casual eatery that features a menu more suited toward fine dining. Options include steaks, seafood, salads and fresh pasta, which are ready-made to pair with selections from their list of crisp domestic wines and local craft beers on tap. Fun fact: you can choose from a variety of enchiladas, including steak, chicken or veggie, or even an option with traditional Mexican mole sauce.

BEST OF THE REST:

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Pizza Barn (11 Plaza Loop, Edgewood, 2862700, pizzabarn.com), Prairie Star Restaurant & Wine Bar (288 Prairie Star Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo, 867-3327, mynewmexicogolf.com), Ribs BBQ (12220 North Highway 14, Cedar Crest, 281-4227, ribsbbq.com), Laguna Burger (Interstate 40, Exit 114, Laguna, 552-7762, plus 2 other metro locations, thelagunaburger.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

DINING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

96 Best Specialty Taco

Best Romantic Restaurant

Casa Taco

Antiquity Restaurant 112 Romero St. NW | 247-3545 | antiquityrestaurant.com

verything about this Old Town restaurant evokes romance. First off, reservations are a must, as it’s a popular choice for ‘occasion’ dining. The seating inside the historical space is intimate, with most tables made for parties of two. The menu is perfect for lovebirds, featuring exquisite steaks and seafood (if available, the incredibly large Alaskan King crab legs are a must-try). Plus, the finalé options are what you might find in a Paris bistro: dessert crêpes, chocolate mousse, and créme brûlée.

BEST OF THE REST:

Campo at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm (4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 338-1615, lospoblanos.com), The Melting Pot (2201 Uptown Loop Rd. NE, Ste. 1A, 843-6358, meltingpot. com), Vernon’s Speakeasy (6855 Fourth St. NW, 341-0831, thehiddensteakhouse.com), Indigo Crow Cafe (4515 Corrales Rd., Corrales, 898-7000, indigocrowcafe.net)

5801 Academy Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location 821-8226 | casa-taco.com

ike the name says, this house was built for tacos. Varieties range from the exotic (tilapia, and Caribbean ‘jerk’ chicken) to the classic (beef, chicken, grilled shrimp), with a few wild cards tossed in (tacos filled with calabacitas, or slowcooked brisket). You also have a choice on how you want your tacos finished: grilled (which gives them a crispy finish) or steamed, with two corn tortillas layered with cheese.

BEST OF THE REST:

Best Sandwich

Relish Gourmet Sandwiches

8019 Menaul Blvd. NE | 299-0001 | relishsandwichesabq.com

sing fresh, locally-baked bread, this Uptown shop elevates sandwiches into an art form. Or at the very least, they take them quite seriously. Using Boar’s Head meats and premium cheeses (including their housemade mozzarella), Relish offers an array of sandwiches, including favorites like the Albuquerque Turkey (topped with green chile and chipotle mayo) and the Luau, which brings smoked ham and grilled pineapple together in a baguette.

BEST OF THE REST:

Cheese and Coffee (2679 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 883-1226, plus one other metro location, cheeseandcoffee.com), Stripes Burritos Company (8050 Academy Rd. NE, plus 4 other metro locations, 835-5214, stripesco.com), Slow Roasted Bocadillos (200 Lomas Blvd. NW, Ste. 110, 243-3995), The Yeller Sub (7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 888-9784, yellersub.com)

Best Seafood Menu

Pelican’s Restaurant

10022 Coors Blvd. NW, plus 1 other metro location 899-2000 | pelicansabq.com

his homegrown ABQ chain has a timeless feel, from the rustic wood-and-leather interior, to the classic items on the huge menu. The entrées range from Ahi tuna and rainbow trout, to Chilean sea bass and coldwater lobster tail. Even the appetizer list is loaded with seafood choices (mussels, oysters, calamari). But they also remember the ‘turf’ portion of the equation, with plenty of steaks (including some aged in-house) on the menu.

BEST OF THE REST:

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen (5011 Pan American Fwy. NE, 345-0240, pappadeaux. com), Mariscos Altamar (1517 Coors Blvd. NW, 831-1496, plus 1 other metro location, mariscosaltamarabq.com), Down and Dirty Seafood Boil (4200 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 639-4758), Crackin’ Crab Seafood Boil (2100 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Ste. 413, plus 2 other metro locations, 4334611, crackincrababq.com)

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Tako Ten (12501 Candelaria Rd. NE Ste. B, 508-3518), El Cotorro (111 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 503-6202, elcotorroabq.com), Rusty Taco (6600 Menaul Blvd. NE Ste. T-002, 966-4915, plus 1 other metro location, rustytaco.com), La Reforma (8900 San Mateo Blvd. NE Ste. I, 717-1361, lareformabrewery.com)

Best Sopaipilla

El Modelo Mexican Foods

1715 2nd St. SW | 242-1843 elmodelomexicanfoods.com

he pillowy goodness is a big part of the menu at El Modelo, which specializes mostly in to-go and bulk orders of New Mexican food. You can get your sopas here by the dozen, or you can order the stuffed variety, which comes filled with beans and chile chorizo. Fun fact: this is one of the few spots in town to get a breakfast stuffed sopaipilla, with your choice of filling.

BEST OF THE REST:

Little Anita’s New Mexican Food (2105 Mountain Rd. NW, 242-3102, plus 8 other metro locations, littleanitas.com), Casa de Benavidez (8032 Fourth St. NW, 8977493, casadebenavidez.com), El Patio de Albuquerque (142 Harvard Dr, SE, plus 1 other metro location, 268-4245, elpatioabq. com), Padilla’s Mexican Kitchen (1510 Girard Blvd. NE, 262-0115)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

Best Soul Food

Nexus Brewery & Restaurant

4730 Pan American Fwy. NE plus 1 other metro location 242-4100 | nexusbrewery.com

f you’re searching for Southern fare in ABQ, you’ve found your spot. The menu is filled with soulful classics like chicken & waffles, gumbo, red beans & rice, and black-eyed peas. The side dishes include dirty rice, collard greens, and some Southern-fried favorites (okra, zucchini, pickles). And since this is still New Mexico, you can also get breaded and deep-fried chicharrones. South by Southwest, indeed!

BEST OF THE REST:

Frank’s Famous Chicken & Waffles (400 Washington St. SE, 712-5109, franksfamouschickenandwaffles.com), K’Lynn’s Southern & Cajun Fusion (4300 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Ste. O, Rio Rancho, 4533068, klynnsfusion.com), Mr. Powdrell’s Barbeque (5209 4th St. NW, 345-8086, plus 1 other metro location, bbqandsoulfoodabq. com), Firebird Nashville Hot Chicken by Faliqshah (3105 Eubank Blvd. NE, 293-1700)

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Best Sushi

Tamashi

Best Soup

Cheese and Coffee 2679 Louisiana Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 883-1226 | cheeseandcoffee.com

his Uptown eatery began as a bulk seller of cheese and coffee, but about 20 years ago they added sandwiches and soup. Safe to say, it was a good move. The soups have become so popular that the eatery has spun off a bulk seller known as Twin Sisters, where you can get your favorite comfort soups by the gallon. Of course, cups and bowls of the good stuff are still offered alongside the two dozen or so specialty sandwiches on the menu.

BEST OF THE REST:

Panera Bread (6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, 884-3040, plus 5 other metro locations, panerabread.com), Hannah & Nate’s (4512 Corrales Rd., Corrales, plus 1 other metro location, 898-2370), Christy Mae’s Restaurant (1400 San Pedro Dr. NE, 2554740, christymaes.com), Annie’s Soup Kitchen (3107 Eubank Blvd. NE, 296-8601, anniessoupkitchen.com)

Best Take-Out

6400 Holly Ave NE, Ste. G 717-2457 | tamashiabq.com

es, we’re landlocked in ABQ, but you’ll feel close to the sea after your dining experience here. Using premium tuna, scallops, shrimp, eel, crab and other ocean delicacies, the team of chefs here has set a high bar for fresh, creative sushi. And if you ever avoided sashimi (raw fish), it’s a good bet Tamashi will change your outlook. By expertly using sauces like chile, truffle, and traditional ponzu, the dishes have a delicate harmony that makes new fans on a daily basis. Plus, all the rolls are made to order, with the option of substituting rice paper for nori (seaweed), or having your roll baked.

BEST OF THE REST:

Sushi King (118 Central Ave. SW, 8425099, plus 2 other metro locations, sushikingabq.com), Sakura Sushi and Grill (6241 Riverside Plaza Ln., Ste. C-1, 890-2838, abqsakurasushingrill.com), Azuma Sushi & Teppan (4701 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 880-9800, plus 1 other metro location, azuma-sushi-teppan-abq. com), Ohana Hut (5740 Night Whisper Rd. NW, 508-4439, ohanahut.com)

Ohana Hut

Best Steakhouse

5740 Night Whisper Rd. NW 508-4439 | ohanahut.com

his in-house eatery for Marble Brewery’s taproom on the Westside is all about sushi and seafood, fusion and fun. Let’s start with the fun: they make a musubi with fried Spam; nachos, with the tortilla chips covered in crab, rice and spicy mayo; and a Tiger sushi roll dusted with spicy Cheetos. But they also have gourmet dishes, like the pork belly ramen bowl, the squid salad, and kimchi—all of which require time and skill to prepare. And most of their menu is available for takeout, a must in these pandemic times.

DINING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

BEST OF THE REST:

Fan Tang (3523 Central Ave. NE, 266-3566, fan-tang.com), Chen’s Chinese Restaurant (235 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 298-9214), Viet Taste (5721 Menaul Blvd. NE, 888-0101), Blended Acai (1 Central Ave. NW, Ste. A, 243-9177, blendedacai.com)

Monte Carlo Steakhouse & Liquor Store 3916 Central Ave. SW | 836-9886

ne of the few ABQ restaurants to hit the 50-year mark, Monte Carlo is a classic throwback. First off, there’s an adjoining liquor store out front (a fact that Guy Fieri found rather cool during the DD&D episode he shot here). Once you get past that (literally), you’ll step into the warmth and decor of a true neighborhood steakhouse. The menu has every cut, from the half-pound filet mignon, up to a man-size, 20-ounce porterhouse. The salads, sides and desserts are simple and hearty, and let the steaks take the spotlight. Oh, and that liquor store? You can meander over, buy a bottle of wine at retail prices, and have the restaurant pour it at your table for a small corkage fee.

BEST OF THE REST:

High Noon Restaurant & Saloon (425 San Felipe Ave. NW. NE, 765-1488, highnoonrestaurant. com), Vernon’s Speakeasy (6855 4th St. NW, 341-0831, thehiddensteakhouse.com), Texas Roadhouse (5900 Pan American Fwy. NE, 856-2226, plus 1 other metro location, texasroadhouse. com), The Ranchers Club of New Mexico at Crowne Plaza Hotel (1901 University Blvd. NE, 8842500, theranchersclubofnm.com)

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BEST OF THE CITY 2020

99 Best Taco

La Reforma

8900 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste. I 717-1361 | lareformabrewery.com

f you’re a fan of those streaming TV documentaries on tacos, you’ve gotta check this place out. The menu was created with an authentic nod toward Mexico, where every type of taco (there are more than you might think) is king. The offerings include al pastor tacos, which are plentiful in La Reforma (a section of downtown Mexico City), but hard to find in America. They’re made with marinated pork, cooked on a rotisserie, then sliced in thin pieces directly onto the soft tortilla. Those tortillas, by the way, are made daily here by hand. Talk about authenticity. They also offer the Mexican sandwiches known as tortas, plus burritos and quesadillas.

BEST OF THE REST:

Casa Taco (5801 Academy Rd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 821-8226, casa-taco. com), El Paisa Taqueria (820 Bridge Blvd. SW, 452-8997), Perico’s of Albuquerque (109 Yale Blvd. SE, plus three other metro locations, 247-2503, pericosmexicanrestaurant.com), Gobble This (308 San Felipe St. NW, 975-3969)

Best Undiscovered Restaurant

Best Sweets Shop

ABQ Sweet Spot

High Point Grill

9250 Golf Course Rd. NW, Ste. D 900-3814 | abqsweetspot.net

he selections are fun and creative at this small Westside bakery, from special-shape cookies to cake pops that look like your favorite smartphone emojis. But there’s more: the cakes can be customized for the kid in all of us (like a stack-of-pancakes cake, or a sheet cake in the form of a perfect American flag). Also, they offer cake rolls, which are just as you might imagine them in your head, but tastier.

es, it’s a bit off the main corridors, all the way over on the Westside (which, in case you weren’t sure, now has electricity and paved roads). Okay, kidding aside, if you haven’t yet, just cross the Rio Grande already and treat yourself. The menu from chef/owner Mike White includes something from every part of the globe: Wagyu burgers, Bavarian pretzels, and sandwiches from Philly (cheesesteak), Vietnam (Banh Mi), Nashville (hot chicken) and Louisiana (po’ boys). Plus there’s enough mac & cheese dishes to do your own flight, a great tap beer and wine selection, and to-die-for desserts. Did we mention the electricity? Okay, we’ve said our piece. How’s your mom?

BEST OF THE REST:

The Candy Lady (424 San Felipe St. NW, 243-6239, thecandylady.com), Chocglitz & Cream (10660 Unser Blvd. NW, 898-4589, chocglitzandcream.com), Le Chantilly Fine Pastries & Wedding Cake Designers (8216 Menaul Blvd. NE, 293-7057, lechantillybakery.com), Buffett’s Candies (7001 Lomas Blvd. NE, 265-7731, buffettscandies.com)

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9780 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste. A 312-8519 | highpointgrill.com

BEST OF THE REST:

Seared (119 San Pasquale Ave. SW, 999-8414, searedabq.com), La Finca Bowls (300 Broadway Blvd. NE, Ste.G, 308-8392), The Daily Grind (4360 Cutler Ave. NE, 883-8310, dailygrindabq.net), Richie B’s Pizza (7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. A2, 312-8579, richiebsabq.com)

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Best Vietnamese Restaurant

Basil Leaf Vietnamese Restaurant 1225 Eubank Blvd. NE | 323-2594

here are eight types of spring rolls on the menu here, and that’s just the chilled rolls. You can get the fried versions for even more options. The variety spills over to the rice dishes, where the proteins include exotic choices like ginger catfish, grilled pork chops, even seared filet mignon. The drinks also have true Asian influence, from Thai iced tea and plum soda, to shakes made from durian and jackfruit.

BEST OF THE REST:

Viet Taste (5721 Menaul Blvd. NE, 8880101), Coda Bakery (230 Louisiana Blvd. SE, Ste. C, 232-0085, codabakery.com), Lime Vietnamese Restaurant (9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. 2, 219-3824), Le Bistro Bakery & Vietnamese Cuisine (1313 San Pedro Dr. NE, 266-6118, lebistrovietnamese.com)

Best Vegan Options

Green Gene Vegan Cafe

DINING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

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2300 Central Ave. SE | 933-0435 greengenevegancafe.com

egan comfort food is the name of the game here, with many Asianinfluenced bowl dishes. There’s also plant-based burgers and dogs, and plenty of mac & cheese variations at this University-area eatery.

BEST OF THE REST:

Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Café (2201 Silver Ave. SE, plus 2 other metro locations, chaishoppe.com), Thai Vegan (5505 Osuna Rd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 884-4610, thaivegannm.com, thaivegannobhill.com), Wanderlust Eatery (1425 4th St. NW, 3478522), An Hy Quan (1405 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 332-8565, anhyquan.com)

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101

Best Waitstaff

BEST OF THE REST:

Joe’s Pasta House 3201 Southern Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho | 892-3333 | joespastahouse.com

he bustle of this popular Rio Rancho bistro is a result of several things: the authentic food and atmosphere, the family culture created by owners Joe and Kassie Guzzardi, and the hustle and dedication of the staff. And when the place gets really busy—as it usually does during both lunch and dinner—teamwork here becomes key. The Guzzardis have long used their restaurant and their local influence to help charitable causes and those in need, which may explain why so many of the Pasta House servers have been part of the team for years.

Greenside Cafe (12165 N. Highway 14, Cedar Crest, 2862684, greenside.cafe), Antiquity Restaurant (112 Romero St. NW, 247-3545, antiquityrestaurant. com), El Patron (10551 Montgomery Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 275-0223, elpatronabq. com), frenchish (3509 Central Ave. NE, 433-5911, frenchish.co)

Best Vegetarian Restaurant

The Acre

4410 Wyoming Blvd. NE | 299-6973 | theacrerestaurant.com

he meatless menu here is amazingly large and diverse, encompassing a little bit of everything, from salad, pasta and fruit dishes to sports bar-style comfort food, like nachos, sliders and hot dogs. And there’s a solid bet that the deft preparation will have no one missing their animal proteins. There’s also a nice selection of vegan options.

BEST OF THE REST:

Thai Vegan (5505 Osuna Rd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 884-4610, thaivegannm.com, thaivegannobhill.com), Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Café (2201 Silver Ave. SE, plus 2 other metro locations, chaishoppe.com), Chello Grill (5010 Cutler Ave. NE, Ste. A, 881-2299, chellogrill.com), Mata G (116 Amherst Dr. SE, 266-6374, mata-g.com)

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102

Best Thai Restaurant

he food here gives a lot of first-timers a pleasantly surprised reaction—how can tofu taste just like our beloved animal proteins? The magic comes from chef/owner Pat Phomnoi, who has created numerous dishes in the vein of Asian classics (like Pad 5505 Osuna Rd. NE Thai, dumplings and Tom Ka soup) using plant-based tofu instead of plus 1 other metro location pork, chicken or beef. Part of that magic is also in the texture, shape 884-4610 | thaivegannm.com and color of the tofu, which gives diners an experience that feels similar to real meat.

Thai Vegan

BEST OF THE REST:

Thai Kitchen (10707 Corrales Rd., 890-0059, thaikitchennm.com), Thai Tip Restaurant (1512 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. E, 323-7447), Thai Boran (3236 La Orilla Rd. NW, 492-2244, thaiborannm.com), Thai Spice (7441 Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NE, 503-1521, thaispiceabq.com)

e d i to r ’ s p i c k Best Way to Make Your Instagram Friends Jealous

Crazy Bomb Cups

2130 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste. G | 737-9233

DINING

irst off, if you think you’re creative when it comes to food, this is the spot for you. Secondly, the name “Crazy Bomb Cups” describes exactly what you get. The concept starts simply: you pick a cup (up to 16-ounces), then your choice of ice cream, then fruit. Here’s where the fun dial gets cranked up—you can now add any toppings you want, from an assortment that’s so long and crazy (get it?) that we would run out of ink trying to list them all. But here’s a taste: cotton candy, M&Ms, gummy worms, Fruity Pebbles (and other cereals), cookies, nuts, hard candy. And then there’s the wrapped candies, like Mexican marzipan, or striped coconut bars. And you can even go the savory route, by asking for a cup of corn (elote), and then topping it with tortilla chips, queso and... wait for it...jalapeños!

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Coffee Best Local Coffee Shop

Cutbow Coffee

1208 Rio Grande Blvd. NW 355-5563 | cutbowcoffee.com

java house can be hip and classic at the same time—this place is proof. The neo-farmhouse decor, the thick and colorful diner-style mugs, the sleek Dutch bean roaster—it’s no wonder grown-ups in the North Valley can’t get enough of Cutbow. Owner Paul Gallegos was once a master roaster for Peet’s Coffee before opening his hometown shop, which serves all the standards (espresso, macchiato, etc.), plus fun extras, like occasional tastings (“cuppings”), and coffee flights brewed in French presses.

BEST OF THE REST:

Zendo (413 2nd St. SW, 926-1636, zendocoffee.com), Little Bear Coffee Co. (2632 Pennsylvania St. NE plus 1 other metro location, 300-4685, littlebearcoffeeco.com), Humble Coffee Company (4200 Lomas Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 289-9909, humblecoffeeco.com), New Mexico Piñon Coffee House (5222 4th St. NW, 312-7876, pinoncoffeehouse.com)

Best Latte Art

Little Bear Coffee Co. 2632 Pennsylvania St. NE | plus 1 other metro location 300-4685 | littlebearcoffeeco.com

he foam stylings of the baristas here are Instagram-worthy. The symmetrical designs in the dine-in mugs filled with coffee come to life even more in the green-hued matcha lattes. They even do the deft swirls in the to-go cups. Who said drinking java can’t be fun?

BEST OF THE REST:

The Grove Cafe & Market (600 Central Ave. SE, Ste. A, 248-9800, thegrovecafemarket.com), The Brew Coffee Bar (311 Gold Ave. SW, 363-9453, thebrewabq.com), Michael Thomas Coffee Roasters (298-200 Bryn Mawr Dr. SE, plus 1 other metro location, 504-7078, michaelthomascoffee.com), Prismatic Coffee (Permanently Closed)

COFFEE

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

104

Best Espresso

Stan’s Coffee and Scones 250-5393 | stanscoffeeandscones.com

on’t be thrown off: yes, it’s a converted travel trailer, and no, you absolutely won’t be disappointed by the work of brewmaster Stan McCoy, especially his dark espresso. Working professionals in the Uptown area (where the trailer stays in regular rotation) swear by the stuff. It’s even offered with an option to add a whipped cream topping.

BEST OF THE REST:

Trifecta Coffee Company (413 Montaño Rd. NE, 8007081, trifectacoffeeco.com), Grinding Gears Coffee Company (Permanently Closed), Espresso Fino (222 Gold Ave. SW, 779-6078, espressofinoabq.com), Cutbow Coffee (1208 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 355-5563, cutbowcoffee.com)

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Best Coffee Shop Atmosphere

Best Coffee

Blackbird Coffee House

Pour Vida Coffee Roasters

206 San Felipe St. NW | 944-6789

pourvida.com

historic Old Town location perked up with a little velvet and plenty of color make this cafe a lively—yet beautifully serene—spot to sip and chat. The old-world interior (brick floor, beam-supported ceiling) goes perfectly with the modern infusion of ornaments and large-scale wall art, while the courtyard tables are nestled among lush plants and trees. Oh, and don’t forget to try the popular, flavor-infused specialty coffees.

he basis for Pour Vida is simple: local, fresh-roasted coffee beans will always taste better than the national brands at the grocery store. Why? Because a few weeks after roasting, coffee beans slowly start to lose their robust taste. This ABQ start-up’s solution is to custom-roast and ship the coffee to consumers, who get their beans within a few days of roasting. They even offer a monthly subscription service, so your caffeine supply never dwindles.

BEST OF THE REST:

Epiphany Espresso (3600 Cutler Ave. NE, Unit 2, epiphanyespresso. com), Napoli Coffee (3035 Menaul Blvd. NE, 884-5454, napolicoffee. com), Café Bella Coffee (2115 Golf Course Rd. SE, Ste. 102, 994-9436, cafebellacoffee.com), Satellite Coffee (2300 Central Ave. SE, plus 5 other metro locations, 254-3800, satellitecoffee.com)

BEST OF THE REST:

Cutbow Coffee (1208 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 355-5563, cutbowcoffee. com), Trifecta Coffee Company (413 Montaño Rd. NE, 800-7081, trifectacoffeeco.com), Whispering Bean Coffee Roasters (10701 Corrales Rd. NW, Ste. 3, 697-9919, whisperingbeancoffee.com), The Brew Coffee Bar (311 Gold Ave. SW, 363-9453, thebrewabq.com)

Best Baristas

Candlestick Coffee Roasters 4940 Corrales Rd., Ste. 500, Corrales 720-557-0364 | candlestickcoffee.com

kay, a little explanation is needed here: technically, there are no baristas at this Corrales coffee roastery. But what you get is owner Zach Smith, who roasts and sells beans from far-flung places like Peru, Ethiopia and Mexico. Smith does, however, sell pour-overs and drip coffee at his one-man operation, and is happy to share java knowledge with his customers while doing so. (Editor’s note: He was humbled when we reached out to him, and also worried that this award should have gone to a true barista team. Barista or not, the Best of the City votes say Candlestick is definitely a winner.)

BEST OF THE REST:

New Mexico Piñon Coffee (2420 Comanche Rd. NE, Ste. D2 plus 3 other metro locations, 298-1964, nmpinoncoffee. com), Napoli Coffee (3035 Menaul Blvd. NE, 884-5454, napolicoffee.com), La Vida Mocha (801 4th St. NW, 9341214, lavidamochaabq.com), Cutbow Coffee (1208 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 355-5563, cutbowcoffee.com)

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Drinking Best Craft Cocktails

Hollow Spirits Distillery

1324 1st St. NW | 433-2766 | hollowspirits.com

he operation here is focused on making spirits, which usually means taking a back seat to ABQ’s numerous breweries. But this attractive Martineztown distillery has found its own rhythm since launching in 2017, piling up acclaim (and awards) for their house label vodka, gin, rum and whiskey (heads-up: the whiskey bottles tend to sell out quickly).

BEST OF THE REST:

M’Tucci’s Restaurants (6001 Winter Haven Rd. NW, Ste. M, plus 2 other metro locations, 503-7327, mtuccis.com), Savoy Wine Bar & Grill (10601 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 294946, savoyabq.com), Apothecary Lounge in Hotel Parq Central (806 Central Ave. SE, 242-0040, hotelparqcentral.com), Jinja Bar & Bistro (5400 Sevilla Ave. NW, plus 1 other metro location, 792-8776, jinjabistro.com)

Best Bloody Mary

Vintage 423 8000 Paseo del Norte Blvd. NE 821-1918 | vintage-423.com

unday brunch without a Bloody Mary bar? Not at this upscale North ABQ hot spot, where tasty food and libations share equal billing. The selection goes beyond just tomato juice, olives and veggies—here you can load your glass with items like cold cuts, bacon, cheese and several different heat levels of hot sauce to go along with your choice from a wide selection of premium vodka.

BEST OF THE REST:

M’Tucci’s Restaurants (6001 Winter Haven Rd. NW, Ste. M, plus 2 other metro locations, 5037327, mtuccis.com), Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen (5011 Pan American Fwy. NE, 3450240, pappadeaux.com), Hotel Andaluz Ibiza Urban Rooftop Lounge (125 2nd St. NW, 242-9090, hotelandaluz.com), Lindo Mexican Grill & Seafood (7209 Central Ave. NE, 2662999, lindomexicogrillandseafood.com)

Best Happy Hour

M’Tucci’s Restaurants 4939 Pan American Fwy. NE plus 2 other metro locations 554-2660 | mtuccis.com

Best Bartender

Kicker Gonzales f you know your way around the ABQ cocktail scene (and who doesn’t?), you’re probably familiar with Kicker. If not, know this: his bar knowledge is spot-on, he’s got a decade of local experience, and his imaginative use of ingredients—plus great local booze from Hollow Spirits—means you’re in for a treat. Also, the guy is seriously cool and funny (ask him how he got his nickname).

ith plenty of happy regulars, the after-work hours at M’Tucci’s three locations come pretty close to the definition of a neighborhood bar. It’s not just the drink specials, it’s the personable vibe from the staff (many of the employees have been part of this local chain for years). Also, there are specially priced, bar-only menus (with creative appetizers that come out hot and quick).

BEST OF THE REST:

Photo by Alex Volek

Hollow Spirits | 1324 1st St. NW | 433-2766 hollowspirits.com

Seasons Rotisserie & Grill (2031 Mountain Rd. NW, 766-5100, seasonsabq.com), Nick & Jimmy’s Bar and Grill (5021 Pan American Fwy. NE, 344-9169, nickandjimmysrestaurant. com), El Patron (10551 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 275-0223, plus 1 other metro location, elpatronabq.com), Seasons 52 (6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, 348-5852, seasons52.com)

Elisa Tafoya (Bien Shur, Sandia Casino, 30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 796-7500, sandiacasino.com), Jake Larragoite (Apothecary Lounge, Hotel Parq Central, 806 Central Ave. SE, 242-0040, hotelparqcentral.com), Tyler Woodard (M’Tucci’s Restaurants, 6001 Winter Haven Rd. NW, Ste. M, plus 2 other metro locations, 503-7327, mtuccis.com), Eric Banda (The Dirty Bourbon Dance Hall & Saloon, 9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 296-2726, thedirtybourbon.com)

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DRINKING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

108 Best Hotel Bar

Level 5 Restaurant at Hotel Chaco

2000 Bellamah Ave. NW 318-3998 | hotelchaco.com

he experience here really is on another level, with a visually stunning interior that opens to an enormous covered patio with firepits— and 270-degree rooftop views of the city and the Sandia range. The cocktails are handcrafted, and include seasonal rotations. And since Level 5 is also the hotel restaurant, the food menu includes upscale entrées like steak, fish and fresh pasta.

BEST OF THE REST:

Ibiza Urban Rooftop Lounge - Hotel Andaluz (125 2nd St. NW, 242-9090, hotelandaluz. com), Hotel Parq Central - Apothecary Lounge (806 Central Ave. SE, 242-0040, hotelparqcentral.com), The Ranchers Club of New Mexico - Crowne Plaza Hotel (1901 University Blvd. NE, 884-2500, theranchersclubofnm.com), Q Bar - Hotel Albuquerque (800 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 843-6300, hotelabq.com)

Best Karaoke Bar

Silva Lanes Best Dessert Cocktail

The Copper Lounge

1504 Central Ave. SE | 242-7490 | copperloungeabq.com

aving cocktails at this University-area speakeasy is like taking a step back in time. The plush decor and bespoke vibe are from an era when adult beverages were held in a much higher regard. We think you’ll agree after sipping one of their frothy, handcrafted drinks—made with things like brandy and liqueurs, and garnished with dehydrated fruit and fresh sprigs.

BEST OF THE REST:

Seasons 52 (6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, 348-5852, seasons52.com), Trombino’s Bistro Italiano (5415 Academy Rd. NE, 821-5974, bistroitaliano.com), Sandia Casino - Bien Shur (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 796-7500, sandiacasino.com), The Standard Diner (Permanently Closed)

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3010 Eubank Blvd. NE 298-5583 | silvalanes.us

owling alley bars are typically lively and fun, and this is no exception. Neighborhood regulars love to stop in for a beer, and then stay and croon their favorite hits until closing time.

BEST OF THE REST:

Spectators Sports Pub & Grill (5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite 59, 275-1166, spectatorsabq. com), The Local Brewhouse (300 Unser Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho, 994-2007), Effingbar and Grill (5300 Sequoia Rd. NW, 833-3765, effingbaralb.com), Fiesta’s Restaurant (4400 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 881-0478, fiestasrestaurant.com)

Best Local Winery

Gruet Winery

Best Mojito

Seasons 52 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE 348-5852 | seasons52.com

hether it’s a classic like the mojito (made here with loads of fresh mint leaves) or any other libation, chances are the enjoyment level increases when you’re drinking it at this Uptown restaurant. The spacious bar and patio are a see-and-be-seen mecca for the lunchtime and happy hour crowds.

8400 Pan American Fwy. NE | 821-0055 | gruetwinery.com

he Gruet family moved to ABQ from France in the 1980s and recently celebrated three decades of successful wine production. The signature here is the lineup of American sparkling wines, such as their Brut and Blanc de Noirs. The trendy vintages have earned international acclaim from sommeliers and print media, such as Wine Spectator and The New York Times.

BEST OF THE REST:

D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro (901 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, B-100, 243-9916, lescombeswinery. com), Casa Rondeña Winery (733 Chavez Rd. NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, 344-5911, casarondena.com), Vara Winery & Distillery (315 Alameda Blvd. NE, 898-6280, varawines.com), Pasando Tiempo Winery (277 Dandelion Rd., Corrales, 228-0154, pasandotiempowinery.com)

BEST OF THE REST:

Seasons Rotisserie & Grill (2031 Mountain Rd. SW, 766-5100, seasonsabq.com), Tucanos Brazillian Grill (110 Central Ave. SW, 246-9900, tucanos.com), Farina Alto Pizzeria & Wine Bar (10721 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 298-0035, farinaalto.com), The Copper Lounge (1504 Central Ave. SE, 242-7490, copperloungeabq.com)

Best Retail BeeR Selection

Total Wine & More

Best Margarita

El Bruno’s Restauranté y Cantina 8806 Fourth St. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque | 897-0444 | elbrunos.com

uthenticity is key at this North Valley restaurant, right down to the use of handsqueezed lime juice in their margaritas. The bar stocks a vast selection of tequilas, ranging from clear blanco varieties, to oaky, barrel-aged anejos that give the traditional Mexican cocktail a more smoky and nuanced profile.

BEST OF THE REST:

Garduño’s Restaurants (800 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, plus 2 other metro locations, 222-8766, hotelabq.com), El Patron (10551 Montgomery Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 2750223, elpatronabq.com), El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina (10500 4th St. NW, 898-1771, elpinto. com), P.F. Chang’s (4440 The 25 Way NE, 344-8282, pfchangs.com)

6701 Uptown Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 830-2080 | totalwine.com

es, they carry all the major brands of domestic and imported beer, but the aisles here are also stocked with pretty much every Albuquerque craft brew, plus hard-to-find regional beers from producers like Kona and Deschutes. And if you still can’t find the right six-pack, shop on their website and arrange for store pick-up.

Best Sports Bar

The Salt Yard

3001 Osuna Rd. NE, plus 1 other metro location 750-9273 | thesaltyardnm.com

ize matters at The Salt Yard, as both of their locations have ample space to spread out and watch sports on their numerous TVs. Games like cornhole are in full play (including in the huge courtyard of their Westside spot) and the food and drink selections are vast. (Editor’s note: as of press time, The Salt Yard had temporarily closed both locations due to the pandemic.)

BEST OF THE REST:

Jubilation Wine & Spirits (3512 Lomas Blvd. NE, 255-4404, jubilationwines.com), Quarters (801 Yale Blvd. SE, plus 1 other metro location, 843-6949, quartersabq. com), Kelly’s Liquors (1903 Coors Blvd. SW, plus 8 other metro locations, 873-4477, kellyliquorsalbuquerque.com), Stoneface Tavern Package (8201 San Pedro Dr. NE, 822-8855)

BEST OF THE REST:

Spectators Sports Pub & Grill (5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite 59, 275-1166, spectatorsabq.com), Uptown Sports Bar (6601 Uptown Blvd. NE, 884-4714, uptown-sportsbar.com), Bubba’s 33 (4861 Pan American Fwy. NE, 344-7427, bubbas33.com), Twin Peaks (4441 The 25 Way, 343-8500, twinpeaksrestaurant.com)

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110 Best Wine List

Vintage 423

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

he selection is perfect for every palate, from sparkling to white to red wines, and at several price points. But the more acclaimed wines are kept in the temperature-controlled cruvinet, which offers the convenience of bythe-glass pours of labels like Silver Oak and Belle Glos. If you’re up for a high-end flight, they offer three-ounce glasses, too. And if you’re in the mood to sample, they’ll even do one-ounce tasters.

BEST OF THE REST:

Artichoke Cafe (424 Central Ave. SE, 2430200, aritichokecafe.com), MÁS Tapas y Vino - Hotel Andaluz (125 Second St. NW, 9239080, hotelandaluz.com), Savoy Wine Bar and Grill (10601 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 294-9463, savoyabq.com), The Ranchers Club of New Mexico at Crowne Plaza Hotel (1901 University Blvd. NE, 884-2500, theranchersclubofnm.com)

Best Wine and Spirits Shop

Jubilation Wine & Spirits

Best Tap Beer Selection

Billy’s Longbar

4800 San Mateo Blvd. NE | 889-0573

he tap selection is almost overwhelming at Billy’s. Almost. Actually, with more than 50 handles, it’s just right. The lineup includes popular regional beers from breweries like Stone and Lagunitas, plus imports that are hard to find on draft, like Guinness Stout. And there’s typically a few ciders and sour beers on tap.

BEST OF THE REST:

Backstreet Grill (1919 Old Town Rd. NW, Ste. 6, 842-5434, backstreetgrillot.com), Old Town Pizza Parlor (108 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 999-1949, oldtownpizzaparlorabq. com), High and Dry Brewing (529 Adams St. NE, 433-5591, highanddrybrewing.com), Neighbors Bar & Grill (2101 Vista Oeste NW, 832-7558, neighborsnm.com)

3512 Lomas Blvd. NE | 255-4404 jubilationwines.com

he selection is huge, and so is the wineand-spirits knowledge of the staff. The vino aisles are divided by global region, which includes plenty of wines that you won’t find on other retail shelves in ABQ. And the spirits section always offers plenty of discount deals, including seasonal booze-and-tumbler packages that are hard to resist.

BEST OF THE REST:

Total Wine & More (6701 Uptown Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 830-2080, totalwine. com), Quarters (801 Yale Blvd. SE, plus 1 other metro location, 843-6949, quartersabq.com), Stoneface Tavern Package (8201 San Pedro Dr. NE, 822-8855), Kelly’s Liquors (1903 Coors Blvd. SW, plus 8 other metro locations, 873-4477, kellyliquorsalbuquerque.com)

Beer Best Brew Master

Brady McKeown at Quarter Celtic Brewpub

1100 San Mateo Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 503-1387 | quartercelticbrewpub.com

e’s a true craft beer success story—a brewer who decided to launch his own brewery. Along with his partners, McKeown in 2016 opened an Irish pub in Midtown. Quarter Celtic? Try quarter-century, which is how long McKeown has been brewing suds in ABQ, a career he started while still in college at UNM. A bushel full of national beer awards (and a new second Celtic location in the Northeast Heights) proves two things: he’s found the right formula, and nice guys do finish first.

BEST OF THE REST:

Ted Rice at Marble Brewery (111 Marble Ave. NW, 243-2739, plus 2 other metro locations, marblebrewery.com), Jeff Erway at La Cumbre Brewing Company (3313 Girard Blvd. NE, 872-0225, plus 1 other metro location, lacumbrebrewing.com), Justin Hamilton at Boxing Bear Brewing Company (10200 Corrales Rd. NW, 897-2327, plus 2 other metro locations, boxingbearbrewing.com), Ted O’Hanlan at Bow & Arrow Brewing (608 McKnight Ave. NW, 247-9800, bowandarrowbrewing.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

BEER

112 Best Local Wheat Best Local IPA

La Cumbre Brewing Company Elevated IPA

3313 Girard Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 872-0225 | lacumbrebrewing.com

t’s a fair argument to say Elevated became ABQ’s first superstar canned beer in the couple of years after La Cumbre launched in 2010. As in, you know, ‘Hey, you gotta try this’ status. The craze, however, started on tap at the brew house, where the hopforward beer gained a following with an ‘elevated’ 7.2 percent alcohol, but a flavor profile that incorporated just enough malt to keep things smooth—the perfect balance for an IPA.

Tractor Brewing Company Haymaker Honey Wheat

ou can order this smooth brew on tap at any of Tractor’s five metro locations, but an extra treat is to buy the 4-pack of cans, which have fun designs featuring bees on honeycombs. At 11 IBUs, the taste is light and smooth, the wheat body giving way to a subtle honey finish.

BEST OF THE REST:

Toltec Brewing (10250 Cottonwood Park NW, 890-1455, toltecbrewing.com), Nexus Brewery & Restaurant (4730 Pan American Fwy. NE, 242-4100, plus 1 other metro location, nexusbrewery.com), Bosque Brewing Co. (834 US-550, Bernalillo, 3611876, plus 1 other metro location, bosquebrewing.com), Turtle Mountain Brewing Company (905 36th Pl. SE, Rio Rancho, 994-9497, turtlemountainbrewing.com)

Best Local Stout

Boxing Bear Brewing Company Chocolate Milk Stout

BEST OF THE REST:

Marble Brewery (111 Marble Ave. NW, 243-2739 plus 2 other metro locations, marblebrewery.com), Boxing Bear Brewing Company (10200 Corrales Rd. NW, 897-2327, plus 2 other metro locations, boxingbearbrewing.com), Rio Bravo Brewing Company (1912 2nd St. NW, 9003909, riobravobrewing.com), Canteen Brewhouse (2381 Aztec Rd. NE, 881-2737, plus 1 other metro location, canteenbrewhouse.com)

Best Local Pilsner

La Cumbre Brewing Company - Beer

3313 Girard Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 872-0225 | lacumbrebrewing.com

es, there’s sometimes confusion over the name (it’s called, simply, “Beer”). But by any moniker, suds aficionados in ABQ know this pilsner for its light lager appeal, mellow profile (only 23 IBUs), and a taste that brings home the hardware (for example, a gold medal at the 2016 World Beer Cup).

BEST OF THE REST:

Marble Brewery (111 Marble Ave. NW, 243-2739 plus 2 other metro locations, marblebrewery.com), Bosque Brewing Co. (834 US-550, Bernalillo, 361-1876, plus 1 other metro location, bosquebrewing.com), Boxing Bear Brewing Company (10200 Corrales Rd. NW, 897-2327, plus 2 other metro locations, boxingbearbrewing.com), Ex Novo Brewing Company (4895 Corrales Rd., Corrales, 508-0547, exnovobrew.com)

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1800 4th St. NW, plus 3 other metro locations 243-6752 | getplowed.com

10200 Corrales Rd. NW, plus 2 other metro locations 897-2327 | boxingbearbrewing.com

lenty of local brew houses have dabbled in making a chocolate milk stout, but at Boxing Bear, it’s a centerpiece of their tap lineup. Made with just a touch of milk sugar (which doesn’t ferment, so the sweetness lingers throughout the process), the dark beer has hints of espresso, chocolate and caramel. The brewery also often has a second stout or porter on tap, pleasing those of us who lean toward the ‘chewy’ beers.

BEST OF THE REST:

Bosque Brewing Co. (834 US-550, Bernalillo, 361-1876, plus 1 other metro location, bosquebrewing.com), Marble Brewery (111 Marble Ave. NW, 243-2739, plus 2 other metro locations, marblebrewery.com), Tractor Brewing Company (1800 4th St. NW, 243-6752, plus 2 other metro locations, getplowed.com), Bombs Away Beer Company (9801 Acoma Rd. SE, 554-3204, bombsawaybeer.com)

Best Local Red

Marble Brewery - Red Ale 111 Marble Ave. NW, plus 2 other metro locations 243-2739 | marblebrewery.com

little more hoppy, and brewed in the fashion of a European red ale, the profile with this popular beer has notes of tobacco, plum, toffee and caramel. It’s one of nine beers that Marble keeps on tap (and in retail cans) year-round.

BEST OF THE REST:

Tractor Brewing Company (1800 4th St. NW, 243-6752, plus 2 other metro locations, getplowed.com), Canteen Brewhouse (2381 Aztec Rd. NE, 881-2737, plus 1 other metro location, canteenbrewhouse.com), Red Door Brewing Co. (1001 Candelaria Rd. NE, 633-6675, plus 1 other metro location, reddoorbrewing.com), Rio Bravo Brewing Company (1912 2nd St. NW, 900-3909, riobravobrewing.com)

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Best Local Brewery

Steel Bender Brewyard

8305 2nd St. NW | 433-3537 | steelbenderbrewyard.com

ow in its 4th year, this family-owned operation is hitting all the right notes: well-appointed bar and dining room, bustling crowds, tasty and hearty food, award-winning beers, enthusiastic staff. Heck, there’s even plenty of parking at their spacious North Valley brewpub. Still, the key to any brewery’s success is how much people like the beer—and that love is certainly flowing here, judging by Steel Bender’s rapid expansion into more than 200 bars, restaurants and retail stores throughout the state.

BEST OF THE REST:

La Cumbre Brewing Company (3313 Girard Blvd. NE, 872-0225, plus 1 other metro location, lacumbrebrewing.com), Bosque Brewing Co. (834 US550, Bernalillo, 361-1876, plus 1 other metro location, bosquebrewing.com), Marble Brewery (111 Marble Ave. NW, 243-2739 plus 2 other metro locations, marblebrewery.com), Bow & Arrow Brewing (608 McKnight Ave. NW, 247-9800, bowandarrowbrewing.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

BEER

114 Best Local Seasonal

Best Local Sour

La Cumbre Brewing Company Project Dank

Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. – Strawberry Amigo Fruited Sour

3313 Girard Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro locations 872-0225 | lacumbrebrewing.com

alk about a true project, Dank began a few years ago as an experimental beer, a mish-mash of varying hops and grains fermented to the whims of the brewers at La Cumbre. And it was good—really good. So good, in fact, that it has become a regular part of the lineup. (Fun fact: the norules approach is still utilized every time it’s made—and it still works!)

BEST OF THE REST:

Boxing Bear Brewing Company - Paw Swipe, (10200 Corrales Rd. NW, plus 2 other metro locations, boxingbearbrewing.com), Marble Brewery - White Out (111 Marble Ave. NW, 243-2739, plus 2 other metro locations, marblebrewery.com), Tractor Brewing Company - Sod Buster (1800 4th St. NW, 243-6752, plus 2 other metro locations, getplowed.com), Nexus Brewery & Restaurant - Imperial Cream Ale (4730 Pan American Fwy. NE, 242-4100, plus 1 other metro location, nexusbrewery.com)

608 McKnight Ave. NW | 247-9800 bowandarrowbrewing.com

he beer here draws praise from top to bottom, but it’s no secret the Bow & Arrow brewers have a love for sour and fruit beers. Often, special batches are sold in bespoke 375ml bottles, which typically sell out quickly at this beautiful beer hall in Wells Park. The Strawberry Amigo Fruited Sour, made with actual strawberry purée and lemon peels, has remained on the board through ongoing popularity—it’s even packaged in pint cans.

Best Local Cider

The Craftroom 2809 Broadbent Pkwy. NE 717-1985 | thecraftroomnm.com

he undisputed king of the ABQ cider scene, The Craftroom typically has 10 tap handles devoted to a fun lineup of the flavorful beverages. Varieties include peach, pineapple, and black cherry, and some of them are sold at retailers under the Sandia Hard Cider label.

BEST OF THE REST:

Red Door Brewing Co. (1001 Candelaria Rd. NE, 633-6675, plus 1 other metro location, reddoorbrewing.com), Tractor Brewing Company (1800 4th St. NW, 243-6752, plus 2 other metro locations, getplowed.com), Boxing Bear Brewing Company (10200 Corrales Rd. NW, 897-2327, plus 2 other metro locations, boxingbearbrewing.com), Kelly’s Brew Pub (Permanently Closed)

BEST OF THE REST:

Ponderosa Brewing (1761 Bellamah Ave. NW, 639-5941, ponderosabrewing. net), Turtle Mountain Brewing Company (905 36th Pl. SE, Rio Rancho, 994-9497, turtlemountainbrewing.com), Tractor Brewing Company (1800 4th St. NW, 243-6752, plus 2 other metro locations, getplowed.com), Boxing Bear Brewing Company (10200 Corrales Rd. NW, 897-2327, plus 2 other metro locations, boxingbearbrewing.com)

Best Brewery Atmosphere

Steel Bender Brewyard

T Best Local Hefeweizen

La Cumbre Brewing Company – A Slice of Hefen

3313 Girard Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location 872-0225 | lacumbrebrewing.com

he smoothness and slightly sweet profile make this an excellent gateway beer for those new to the ABQ craft scene. In true (unfiltered) Bavarian style, this brew has a hazy profile, creamy texture, and surprisingly dry finish. There are hints of vanilla and banana in this popular hefeweizen, which is also sold by retailers in 16-ounce cans.

BEST OF THE REST:

Rio Bravo Brewing Company (1912 2nd St. NW, 900-3909, riobravobrewing.com), Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. (608 McKnight Ave. NW, 247-9800, bowandarrowbrewing.com), Turtle Mountain Brewing Company (905 36th Pl. SE, Rio Rancho, 994-9497, turtlemountainbrewing.com), Boxing Bear Brewing Company (10200 Corrales Rd. NW, 897-2327, plus 2 other metro locations, boxingbearbrewing.com)

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8305 2nd St. NW | 433-3537 steelbenderbrewyard.com

he sprawling compound of this North Valley pub gives it the feel of an estate or farmhouse. Make that, a very welldesigned estate or farmhouse. Brick, wood and steel harmonize with precisely aimed lights for an inviting interior, while the huge patio has both a covered portion and an open area—plus its own tap bar. There’s also private spaces for rent, and plenty of bar height community tables that are perfect for making new friends.

BEST OF THE REST:

Marble Brewery (111 Marble Ave. NW, 243-2739 plus 2 other metro locations, marblebrewery.com), Bosque Brewing Co. (834 US-550, Bernalillo, 361-1876, plus 1 other metro location, bosquebrewing. com), Sierra Blanca Brewing Company (1016 Industrial Rd., Moriarty, 832-2337, sierrablancabrewery.com), Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. (608 McKnight Ave. NW, 2479800, bowandarrowbrewing.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

115 Best Brewery StafF

Steel Bender Brewyard

8305 2nd St. NW | 433-3537 steelbenderbrewyard.com

ood customer service is all about putting the guest first, and that’s done in abundance by the enthusiastic staff here. Servers constantly communicate with bartenders (and vice versa), and managers seem to be genuine in checking on the well-being of customers. That synchronicity is key, since the popularity of the food keeps the kitchen as busy as the bar.

BEST OF THE REST:

Toltec Brewing Co. (10250 Cottonwood Park NW, 890-1455, toltecbrewing.com), Boxing Bear Brewing Company (10200 Corrales Rd. NW, 897-2327, plus 2 other metro locations, boxingbearbrewing.com), Starr Brothers Brewing Company (5700 San Antonio Dr. NE, Ste. B1, 492-2752, starrbrothersbrewing.com), Bosque Brewing Co. (834 US-550, Bernalillo, 361-1876, plus 1 other metro location, bosquebrewing.com)

Best Local Taproom

Best Local Canned Beer

Rio Bravo Brewing Company

El Vado Tap Room 2500 Central Ave. SW 361-1667 | elvadoabq.com

1912 2nd St. NW | 900-3909 riobravobrewing.com

his small, no-fuss brew dispenser has quite a bit going for it: it’s in the gorgeous new El Vado retail development, the patio is vast, and the taps exclusively pour beers from nearby Ponderosa Brewing.

he canning operation is on full display inside the Downtown taproom, and you can even get a tour if the timing is right. They also ‘can’ many of their seasonal and specialty beers (usually in cool, eye-catching label designs), so there’s a big variety for take-home options. Their 12- and 16-ounce cans are also sold in retail stores across the city.

BEST OF THE REST:

Marble Brewery (111 Marble Ave. NW, 243-2739 plus 2 other metro locations, marblebrewery. com), Matanza Craft Beer Kitchen (3225 Central Ave. NE, 312-7305, matanzanm.com), High and Dry Brewing (529 Adams St. NE, 4335591, highanddrybrewing.com), Starr Brothers Brewing Company (5700 San Antonio Dr. NE, Ste. B1, 4922752, starrbrothersbrewing.com)

BEST OF THE REST:

La Cumbre Brewing Company (3313 Girard Blvd. NE, 872-0225, plus 1 other metro location, lacumbrebrewing.com), Santa Fe Brewing Co. (3600 Cutler Ave. NE, 881-0887, plus 1 other metro location, santafebrewing.com), Canteen Brewhouse (2381 Aztec Rd. NE, 881-2737, plus 1 other metro location, canteenbrewhouse.com), Ex Novo Brewing Company (4895 Corrales Rd., Corrales, 508-0547, exnovobrew.com)

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116 Best Entertainment a t a L o c a l B r e w e r y

Rio Bravo Brewing Company 1912 2nd St. NW 900-3909 | riobravobrewing.com

I Best New Brewery

Ex Novo Brewing Company

4895 Corrales Rd., Corrales | 508-0547 | exnovobrew.com

he serene bosque byway seemingly was just waiting for this ultra-modern brewery, which was opened by Corrales native Joel Gregory, who previously created (and still owns) two other successful Ex Novo locations in Oregon. In a departure from standard business models, Gregory’s mission is to donate 100 percent of the brewery’s profits to needy causes. Several standard beers are on tap here, plus a few exotic strains (bitters, stouts, sours), in addition to numerous seasonal selections. The brew plant is housed in a separate facility across the parking lot from the taproom, which also has a large beer garden and plenty of outdoor seating.

BEST OF THE REST:

Thirsty Eye Brewing Company (206 Broadway Blvd. SE, 450-6884, thirstyeyebrew.com), Desert Valley Brewing Co. (3700 Ellison Rd. NW, 899-8494, desertvalleybrewing.com), Cantero Brewing Company (3351 Columbia Dr. NE, 312-8247, canterobrewing.com), Enchanted Circle Brewing Company (6001 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 433-2642, ecbrewing505.com)

n non-COVID times, the huge patio (with covered stage) becomes energized with the rhythms of live blues, country, and Americana bands at this Wells Park brewery. And acoustic acts regularly perform inside the massive taproom. For those who prefer to hold their brew in one hand while competing at something with the other hand, there’s ping-pong tables, cornhole games, and other fun distractions.

BEST OF THE REST:

Marble Brewery (111 Marble Ave. NW, 243-2739 plus 2 other metro locations, marblebrewery.com), Kaktus Brewing Co. (471 South Hill, Bernalillo, 818-7285, kaktusbrewery.com), Flix Brewhouse Temporarily Closed (3258 La Orilla Rd. NW, 445-8500, flixbrewhouse.com), The Blue Grasshopper Pub (Permanently Closed)

Best Brewery Food Options

BEER

Nexus Brewery & Restaurant

4730 Pan American Fwy. NE, plus 1 other metro location 242-4100 | nexusbrewery.com

t’s quite obvious here that authentic soul food and hearty comfort dishes make for ideal options to pair with craft-brewed beer. At Nexus, the freshness and portions never disappoint, making for a nice combination of folks looking to indulge in the beer with some nosh, and those looking to do a full dinner with family or friends.

BEST OF THE REST:

Steel Bender Brewyard (8305 2nd St. NW, 433-3537, steelbenderbrewyard.com), Boxing Bear Brewing Company (10200 Corrales Rd. NW, 897-2327, plus 2 other metro locations, boxingbearbrewing.com), Quarter Celtic Brewpub (1100 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 503-1387, plus 1 other metro location, quartercelticbrewpub.com), Ponderosa Brewing (1761 Bellamah Ave. NW, 639-5941, ponderosabrewing.net)

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Local Fun Best Hiking/Running/ Biking Trail

La Luz Trail

his scenic, challenging hike is on quite a few bucket lists. Starting at the western base of the Sandia Mountains, the winding, eight-mile trail steadily rises 3,700 feet in elevation. Those who have tried the trail know two things: you better pack plenty of water, and, if you get to the top, the ride back down the Tram will feel like a million bucks.

BEST OF THE REST:

The Bosque Trail, The Pino Trail, Piedra Lisa Canyon, Embudito Canyon Trail

Best Cigar Store

Monte’s Cigar Shop

Best New Business Idea

Sawmill Market

3636 San Mateo Blvd. NE | 881-7999 montescigarshop.com

heir humidor is stocked with thousands of stogies, including premium imported labels and boxed sets. The accessories include everything for the cigar smoker (torches, cigar caddies, humidors), and the pipe lover (tobacco, cleaning supplies). Plus, their smoking lounge offers lockers, so aficionados can keep their bespoke tobacco at the proper temperature and humidity.

BEST OF THE REST:

Up In Smoke (9520 Golf Course Rd. NW, 7927462), Mike’s 2 Smoke Shop (9421 Coors Blvd. NW, 792-7788), Havana House Cigar Shop (7600 Jefferson St. NE, Ste. 7, 7979688, havanahousecigarshop.com), Imbibe (Permanently Closed)

1909 Bellamah Ave. NW | 505-563-4470 | sawmillmarket.com

f you’ve ever been thrilled by a big-city food hall, like Eataly in New York City, then you’re in for a treat with Sawmill Market. The venue, which opened just as the pandemic descended upon us in March, is home to two dozen unique eateries and shops. All are locally owned, and feature craft food in a gorgeous setting: a historic, 34,000-square-foot lumberyard building that has been restored to a warm and engaging luster. The project is the brainchild of developer Jim Long, who has turned the Sawmill area into a sparkling destination with his company’s vision for nearby Hotel Chaco and Hotel Albuquerque.

BEST OF THE REST:

Tin Can Alley ABQ (6110 Alameda Blvd. NE, 208-0508, tincanalleyabq.com), Paixio Nail & Beauty Bar Event Boutique (1100 San Mateo Blvd NE, Ste. 28 , 2666950, paixaobeautybar.com), ABQ Rage Room (2715 Broadbent Pkwy. NE, Ste. A, 485-6320, abqrage.com), Electric Playhouse (5201 Ouray Rd. NW, 832-7562, electricplayhouse.com)

Best Art Gallery

Weems Gallery & Framing 7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. D 293-6133 | weemsgallery.com

his is the perfect all-encompassing spot for local and international art. Southwest-influenced fine art pieces mingle alongside works done in virtually every genre of painting. There’s also a full-serve framing department, filled with every material and style imaginable. Plus, the gallery showcases sculptures, jewelry, pottery, glasswork—all for sale at attractive prices.

BEST OF THE REST:

Weyrich Gallery (2935 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 8837410, weyrichgallery.com), Stranger Factory Gallery (1431 NM Hwy. 313, Ste. B, Algodones, 508-3049, strangerfactory.com), 516 ARTS (516 Central Ave. SW, 242-1445, 516arts.org), Ghostwolf Gallery (2043 S. Plaza St. NW, 2469653, ghostwolf.gallery)

Best Bowling Alley

Skidmore’s Holiday Bowl

LOCAL FUN

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

118

7515 Lomas Blvd. NE 268-3308 | holidaybowlabq.com

he owners completed a multimillion-dollar renovation last year, turning Holiday Bowl into a modern entertainment hub. The lanes now feature lounge-style seating—some even reserved for private parties. For kids, a large arcade was added. The new kitchen has artisanal pizzas and a large patio, and the bar features local craft beer on tap and plenty of sports on TV. Of course, you can still rent some bowling shoes and join a league.

BEST OF THE REST:

Starlight Bowling Center at Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel (54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo, 771-5353, santaanastar. com), Main Event Albuquerque (4040 Pan American Fwy. NE, 884-4928, mainevent. com), Round 1 (6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, 5104988, round1usa.com), Tenpins and More @ Rio Rancho (1416 Deborah Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, 892-7117, tenpins-more.com)

Best Balloon Rides

Rainbow Ryders, Inc. 5601 Eagle Rock Ave. NE 823-1111 | rainbowryders.com

lbuquerque is the global epicenter of hot air ballooning, and no one does the serene and majestic flights like Rainbow Ryders. Founder/owner Scott Appelman is one of the city’s balloon statesmen (he helped create many of the International Balloon Fiesta’s popular events, like the Special Shapes Rodeo). With daily flights on their fleet of 40+ balloons, the company has provided aloft experiences for half a million passengers since launching in 1983.

BEST OF THE REST:

World Balloon (6390 Coors Blvd. NW, 2936800, worldballoon.com), Air Carriage LLC (604-9549, albuquerquehotair.com), Discover Balloons (205 San Felipe St. NW, 842-1111, discoverballoons.com), Hot Air Balloonatics (5201 Antequera Rd. NW, 750-1679, hotairballoonatics.com)

Best Dance Venue

The Dirty Bourbon Dance Hall & Saloon 9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE 296-2726 | thedirtybourbon.com

ven for those who claim to have two left feet, two-stepping to country music can be fun. This Northeast Heights modern honky-tonk certainly understands the appeal, building their saloon around a 1,300-square-foot dance floor and booking a steady stream of live music to make sure it’s well used. Remember, it’s long-long-short-short—and don’t look down at your feet!

BEST OF THE REST:

Maple Street Dance Space (3215 Central Ave. NE, 366-4982, maplestreetdancespace.com), Effex Night Club (420 Central Ave. SW, 8428870, effexabq.com), Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel (54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo, 867-0000, santaanastar.com), The Cooperage Restaurant (Permanently Closed)

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Best Bed and Breakfast

Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm 4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW Los Ranchos de Albuquerque 344-9297 | lospoblanos.com

lready a popular destination for its lavender farm and restaurant, Los Poblanos became a true bespoke property by expanding to 50 guest rooms in 2017. Crafted in a neo-classical farmhouse style, the field cottages feature wooden floors, luxurious beds, and bath products from the on-site Farm Shop. Note: select room packages include breakfast at Campo, the property’s farm-to-fork restaurant.

BEST OF THE REST:

Cinnamon Morning (2700 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 345-3541, cinnamonmorning.com), Sarabande Bed and Breakfast (5637 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 348-5593, sarabandebnb. com), Casas de Sueños Old Town Historic Inn (310 Rio Grande Blvd. SW, 767-1000, casasdesuenos.com), La Perla (409 ½ 19th St. NW, 269-1630, historicabq.com)

Best City Park

A Park Above 2441 A Park Above Ct. SE, Rio Rancho 994-6338 | rrnm.gov

io Rancho, with a booming kid population, is always keen on making sure there are plenty of activities and outlets for the younger generation. A Park Above fits the bill perfectly: a playground experience that’s elevated above the norm. Here you’ll find immaculately kept facilities, slides, swings, and jungle gyms, all arranged in a fully inclusive space.

BEST OF THE REST:

Tiguex Park (1800 Mountain Rd. NW, cabq. gov), Hidden Park (3708 Mackland Ave. NE, cabq.gov), Mariposa Basin Park (4900 Kachina St. NW, cabq.gov), Haynes Park (2006 Grande Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho, rrnm.gov)

Best Golf Course

The Canyon Club at Four Hills 911 Four Hills Rd. SE | 299-9555 canyonclubgolf.com

he course is both challenging and beautiful, with a foothills terrain that changes in elevation from hole to hole, and lush fairways lined with towering trees. The private club also offers plenty of opportunities for non-members to get on the course, including Monday charity tournaments.

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BEST OF THE REST:

Best Girls’ Night Out

Best Dance Lessons

Best Guys’ Night Out

Effex Night Club

Dimensions School of Dance

Uptown Funk Dueling Pianos at Revel

420 Central Ave. SW | 842-8870 effexabq.com

losed temporarily due to the pandemic, this Downtown night spot is just waiting to return to being a world of fun for everyone. It’s the ideal spot to show off the moves, with dance floors on both the main floor and rooftop patio. The bartenders are hip, and the action is non-stop.

BEST OF THE REST:

Hotel Andaluz (125 2nd St. NW, 242-9090, hotelandaluz.com ), Hollow Spirits Distillery (1324 1st St. NW, 433-2766, hollowspirits. com), Kelly Jo Designs by Wine (6829 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, 341-1893, kellyjodesignsbywine.com), Uptown Funk Dueling Pianos at Revel (4720 Alexander Blvd. NE, 508-3093, uptownfunkbar.com)

4901 Paseo del Norte Blvd. NE, Ste. B plus 1 other metro location 821-6164 | dimensions.dance

his homegrown studio, launched in 2003, has expanded over the years to become the go-to place for youngsters looking to learn ballet, jazz, cheer or other forms of physical expression. The instructors are certified, and the space has been continually updated to match the growth. They even offer drop-in classes for adults who want to perk up their dance moves.

BEST OF THE REST:

Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts (4121 Cutler Ave. NE, 224-9808, keshetarts.org), Magnify Dance Center (8529 Indian School Rd. NE, 312-8371, magnifydancecenter.com), Holiday Dance Studio (5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. D, 302-0797, holidaydancestudio.com), Fishback Studio of the Dance (4529 Eubank Blvd. NE, 298-8828, fishbackstudio.com)

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4720 Alexander Blvd. NE | 508-3093 uptownfunkbar.com

he concept is infectious: a piano battle, with singalongs, and great cocktails. This fun bar has relocated inside the new Revel, a multientertainment venue that offers live music and a sports bar, among others.

BEST OF THE REST:

Effex Night Club (420 Central Ave. SW, 8428870, effexabq.com), The Dirty Bourbon Dance Hall & Saloon (9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 296-2726, thedirtybourbon. com), Main Event Albuquerque (4040 Pan American Fwy. NE, 884-4928 mainevent. com), Marble Brewery (111 Marble Ave. NW, 243-2739 plus 2 other metro locations, marblebrewery.com)

LOCAL FUN

Twin Warriors Golf Club (Hyatt Regency Tamaya, 1300 Tuyuna Trail, Santa Ana Pueblo, 771-6155, mynewmexicogolf. com), Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club (1 Club House Dr., Sandia Park, 281-6000, paakogolf.com), Sandia Golf Club (Sandia Resort & Casino, 30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 798-3990, sandiagolf.com), Arroyo del Oso Golf Course (7001 Osuna Rd. NE, 884-7505, cabq.gov)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

LOCAL FUN

120 Best Local Band

Baracutanga

baracutanga.com

he sound from this 7-member group is filled with an enormous diversity of layers: the performers represent several South American countries and the U.S., and their beats have influence from regions ranging from Peru, Ecuador and Cuba, to the Middle East and Africa. The variety of influences is also evident in their creative use of guitars, flutes, horns, accordions and numerous percussions. Check out a free song and video on their website.

BEST OF THE REST:

Of Light and Shadow (oflightandshadow.bandcamp.com), Red Light Cameras (rlcband.com), Reviva (revivaband.com), Entourage Jazz (entourageabq.com)

Best Instrumentalist

Best Live Theater Venue

Popejoy Hall University of New Mexico 203 Cornell Dr. NE 277-8010 | popejoypresents.com

he signature venue at UNM might be the renowned basketball arena, but if so, then this facility is certainly a close second. With nearly 2,000 seats (including an old-school balcony section), and world-class acts (Hamilton, anyone?), it’s not hard to enjoy a night at the theater here.

Michael Anthony michaelanthonyonline.com

e’s been playing guitar for a living for 60 years, sharing stages along the way with legends like Miles Davis, Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand. And since 1980, this Brooklyn native has been plying his trade in New Mexico as both a session professional, and a jazz guitar instructor at the University of New Mexico.

BEST OF THE REST:

Lee Taylor (leetaylormusic.com), RJ Perez (guitarjperez.com), Kyle Martin (kylemartinmusic.com), Ryan McGarvey (ryanmcgarvey.com)

Best Local Club DJ

DJ Remainz

BEST OF THE REST:

Albuquerque Little Theatre (224 San Pasquale Ave. SW, 242-4750, albuquerquelittletheatre.org), Musical Theatre Southwest (6320 Domingo Rd. NE, Ste. B, 265-9119, mtsabq.org), The Vortex Theatre (2900 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 247-8600, vortexabq.org), The Adobe Theater (9813 4th St. NW, 898-9222, adobetheater.org)

@PartyRockerRemainz

he pandemic has put a damper on nightlife everywhere, but in normal times, the dance floor is never empty when this DJ is spinning the sounds. His work has won him a basketful of awards, including several from readers of this magazine.

BEST OF THE REST:

Pete Nic (@Albuquerque_DJ), DJ Quico (@DJQuicoColumbia), Alissa Divine (@DjAlissaDivine), Flo Fader (@DJFLOFADER)

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Best Local TV Commercial

Best Local Architectural Treasure

KiMo Theatre

Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys

423 Central Ave. NW | 768-3522 kimotickets.com

2711 Carlisle Blvd. NE | 544-4444 lernerandrowe.com

his Downtown venue is 93 years young, and still hosts live shows and special events. Built in a style known as Pueblo Deco, the KiMo has been renovated a few times over the years, and today still proudly displays renditions of the original Native American symbols, including the signature buffalo skulls with glowing eyes that adorn the stage arch.

BEST OF THE REST:

Hotel Andaluz (125 Second St. NW, 2429090, hotelandaluz.com), San Felipe de Neri Church (2005 North Plaza St. NW, 243-4628, sanfelipedeneri.org), Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm (4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, 3449297, lospoblanos.com), The Rail Yards (777 1st St. SW, 600-1109, railyardsmarket.org)

ven if these guys were actors, Glen Lerner and Kevin Rowe would be perfectly cast as injury lawyers. Their funny TV spots feature outrageous cartoon graphics and sound effects, and catchphrases like ‘Call us, we’ll take you from wreck to check.’ The longtime Arizona attorneys expanded to New Mexico three years ago, and now have offices in several more states. Which proves that people love humor, even the legal kind.

BEST OF THE REST:

Fiddler Roofing LLC (208-0808, fiddlerroofingnm. com) Bella Diamonds and Watches (7200 Menaul Blvd. NE, 884-1024, belladiamondsandwatches. com), Crown Jewels and Coin (3248 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 884-4888, crownjewelsandcoin.com ), I’m The Blind Lady (12231 Academy Rd. NE, 2983000, imtheblindlady.com)

Best Local Festival

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

balloonfiesta.com

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es, it was one of the big event casualties of the 2020 pandemic. But here’s hoping it comes roaring back next year, because having 500 hot air balloons dot our morning skies every October is something we’d rather not live without. And knowing the Fiesta planning committee, they’ll surely use the down time to plan some fun new components for the 2021 spectacle.

BEST OF THE REST:

Lavender in the Village (lavenderinthevillage. org), City of Albuquerque Summerfest Series (cabq.gov), NM Italian Film & Culture Festival (italianfilmfest.org), SOMOS ABQ (somosreimagined.com)

Best Movie Theater

3258 La Orilla Rd. NW, Building B-1 445-8500 | flixbrewhouse.com

hen the country went into COVID-19 shutdown last March, one of the first casualties was movie theaters. And as of press time, those in ABQ still haven’t re-opened, including this popular Westside theater. They make great burgers and appetizers, plus they brew their own brand of craft beer. And you can take any of it inside the theater, and even order more from the lounge chairs with built-in tables.

BEST OF THE REST:

Icon Cinema VIP Seating (13120-A Central Ave. SE, 814-7469, iconcinemas.com), Guild Cinema (3405 Central Ave. NE, 255-1848, guildcinema.com), Regal Winrock IMAX & RPX (2100 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Bldg. 400, 844-462-7342, regmovies.com), Century Rio 24 Plex and XD (4901 Pan American Fwy. NE, 343-9000, cinemark.com)

Best Martial Arts School

Thunderbird Martial Arts 12611 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. A-10 | 750-0873 thunderbirdmartialarts.com

f you never thought martial arts could be a family activity, think again. Thunderbird offers classes for beginners, experts, and all skill levels in between—and even provides family group plans. They do training in Tang Soo Do, a martial art that promotes emotional and physical health for sound self-defense. Don’t forget to ask about their free introductory lesson.

BEST OF THE REST:

Blackman Championship Martial Arts (5812 Signal Ave. NE, 856-5616, blackmantkd. com), New Mexico Shotokan Karate (2808 Girard Blvd. NE, 872-0725, nmsk.org), United Kenpo Karate Academy (9221 Coors Blvd. NW, 899-8361, ukkanm.com), Mountain Eagle Karate Academy (1704 Moon St. NE, 980-7564, mountaineaglekarate.com)

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LOCAL FUN

Flix Brewhouse

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

LOCAL FUN

122 Best Museum

¡Explora!

Best Place to Hear Live Jazz

Outpost Performance Space

1701 Mountain Rd. NW 224-8300 | explora.us

he world we live in is full of amazement. And much of it is brought to life at this hands-on, Old Town museum. The activities encompass science, technology, engineering, art, and math—all through fun demonstrations. And if you think it’s just for kids, just watch as adults turn into 6-year-olds with the interactive lava lamp exhibit. Though closed due to the pandemic, Explora still offers COVID-safe day camps. Check their website for more info.

BEST OF THE REST:

Albuquerque Museum (2000 Mountain Rd. NW, 243-7255, cabq.gov), New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (1801 Mountain Rd. NW, 841-2800, nmnaturalhistory.org), The Turquoise Museum (400 2nd St. SW, 433-3684, turquoisemuseum.com), National Museum of Nuclear Science & History (601 Eubank Blvd. SE, 245-2137, nuclearmuseum.org)

Best Place to Hear Your Favorite Band

Launchpad 618 Central Ave. SW | 764-8887 launchpadrocks.com

OVID or not, live music is alive and well here. Streaming concerts have become (at least temporarily) a way of life for many music lovers to get their fix, including Launchpad. But when things return to normal, this Downtown venue typically hosts up to 300 live shows a year. And yes, we’re all hoping to get back to normal at some point.

ince 1988, Outpost has made ABQ a better place through musical performances and hands-on lessons. In normal times, some of the jazz world’s superstars have done sets at their University-area space. Though the pandemic has them temporarily closed, they’re far from dormant: check out their amazing Tik Tok-style group rendition of Santana’s “Oye Como Va” on YouTube.

BEST OF THE REST:

Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro (3009 Central Ave. NE, 254-9462, zincabq.com), Hotel Andaluz (125 2nd St. NW, 242-9090, hotelandaluz.com), D. H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro (901 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Ste. B-100, 243-9916, lescombeswinery.com), Albuquerque Museum (2000 Mountain Rd. NW, 243-7255, cabq.gov)

Best Place to Spend a Rainy Day

ABQ Biopark Aquarium

2601 Central Ave. NW 768-2000 | cabq.gov

ainy days are a rare and welcome sight in ABQ (outside of regular appearances during the late summer monsoon season). So why not combine those gray clouds with a trip to the Aquarium, where you can observe and learn about a host of delightful aquatic critters. Peer at jellyfish, scrutinize sharks, or touch stingrays.

Best Place to People Watch

Old Town

albuquerqueoldtown.com

he mix of people to watch here is perfect. We don’t mean the gender or age mix; we’re talking about the ratio of locals to out-of-towners. You can relax in the plaza gazebo, and spend an entire day watching visitors hop from shop to shop, taking in the retail essence of New Mexico. The in-towners will be easier to spot— they’ll probably be checking out everyone else, just like you.

BEST OF THE REST:

Explora (1701 Mountain Rd. NW, 224-8300, explora.us), New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (1801 Mountain Rd. NW, 841-2800, nmnaturalhistory.org), Empire Board Game Library (3503 Central Ave. NE, 232-4263, empiregamelibrary.com), At home (with family and pets)

Frontier Restaurant (2400 Central Ave. SE, 266-0550, frontierrestaurant.com), Albuquerque International Sunport (2200 Sunport Blvd. SE, 244-7700, abqsunport. com), Coronado Center (6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, 855-7799, coronadocenter.com), New Mexico State Fair (300 San Pedro Dr. NW, 2229700, exponm.com)

Best Place to Pop the Question

At the Top of Sandia Peak

BEST OF THE REST:

Sunshine Theater (120 Central Ave. SW, 764-0249, sunshinetheaterlive.com), Route 66 Casino - Thunder Road Steakhouse & Cantina (14500 Central Ave. SW, 352-7866, rt66.com), Sister Bar (407 Central Ave. NW, 242-4900, sisterthebar.com), Isleta Amphitheater (5601 University Blvd. SE, 452-5100, livenation.com)

210 Yale Blvd. SE | 268-0044 | outpostspace.org

e’ve got no official numbers, but those in the know say it’s a common sight up on the mountaintop to see a young man on his knees with a velvet ring box in his hand. We only hope she says “yes”, every time.

BEST OF THE REST:

In the Bosque, On a Hot Air Balloon Ride, At the UNM Duck Pond, In Old Town

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Best Place to Get Married

Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm

4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW Los Ranchos de Albuquerque 344-9297 | lospoblanos.com

his serene North Valley compound has taken the romance game to a high level. The cottage-style rooms offer privacy, with rows of organic produce just outside your front door, and a cozy patio out back. With event space, catering, and amenities that brides crave (like having a bride-and-groom photo session in the middle of a field of colorful lavender plants), this spot will never disappoint.

BEST OF THE REST:

Nature Pointe Weddings and Events (30 Nature Pointe Dr., Tijeras, 596-0032, naturepointeweddings.com), ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden (2601 Central Ave. NW, 768-2000, cabq.gov), Hotel Andaluz (125 2nd St. NW, 242-9090, hotelandaluz.com), Casa RondeĂąa Winery (733 Chavez Rd. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, 344-5911, casarondena.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

124 Best Private Country Club

The Canyon Club at Four Hills Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners

Sandia Peak Tramway

LOCAL FUN

911 Four Hills Rd. SE | 299-9555 | canyonclubgolf.com

ocal investors purchased the Club a few years ago, and have improved the amenities and offerings of what was already a first-rate golfing facility. The renovated bar and grille hosts fun theme nights, while the Olympic pool is a summer haven for kids and adults, alike. During COVID, the Club also hosted drive-in movies, with pairs of attendees watching the flick from golf carts, all safely spaced apart.

BEST OF THE REST:

Tanoan Country Club (10801 Academy Rd. NE, 822-0422, tanoancountryclub.com), Albuquerque Country Club (601 Laguna Blvd. SW, 247-4111, albuquerquecountryclub.org)

30 Tramway Rd. NE | 856-7325 sandiapeak.com

t’s a must for visitors (and heck, even for those of us who live in ABQ). The longest aerial tram in the U.S. is a great way to introduce someone to our city. The car steadily climbs to an elevation of 10,000 feet in just fifteen minutes, and then you can check out the incredible panoramic view—plus the new Ten3 restaurant—before coming back down to the Tram’s base.

BEST OF THE REST:

Old Town (albuquerqueoldtown.com), The Turquoise Museum (400 2nd St. SW, 4333684, turquoisemuseum.com), Tinkertown Museum (121 Sandia Crest Rd., Sandia Park, 281-5233, tinkertown.com), Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm (4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 344-9297, lospoblanos.com)

Best Public Swimming Pool

Los Altos Pool

10100 Lomas Blvd. NE 768-4901 | cabq.gov

alk about a facelift: this 1950s-era outdoor pool was renovated last year, and re-opened as an indoor pool. The 25-meter pool offers swim lessons for kids, and lap-swim hours for adults.

BEST OF THE REST:

West Mesa Aquatic Center (6705 Fortuna Rd. NW, 836-8718, cabq.gov), Rio Rancho Aquatic Center (745 Loma Colorado Dr. NE, Rio Rancho, 891-5230, rrnm.gov), Corrales Pool (500 Jones Rd., Corrales, 899-8900, corrales-nm.org), Sunport Pool (2033 Columbia Dr. SE, 848-1398, cabq.gov)

B e s t S t a y c a t i o n S p o t

Hotel Parq Central

806 Central Ave. SE | 242-0040 hotelparqcentral.com

he four-story East Downtown building has historic roots, and when it was renovated into a hotel in 2010, it immediately became a modern way to stay and play. The property offers an on-site massage and therapy room, and provides complimentary car service. The rooftop Apothecary Lounge affords breathtaking views of the city—and a lineup of bespoke cocktails made by trained mixologists.

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BEST OF THE REST:

Sarabande Bed & Breakfast (5637 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 348-5593, sarabandebnb.com), Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa (1300 Tuyuna Trail, Santa Ana Pueblo, 8671234, hyatt.com), Hotel Andaluz (125 2nd St. NW, 242-9090, hotelandaluz. com), Hotel Chaco (2000 Bellamah Ave. NW, 2469989, hotelchaco.com)

e d i to r ’ s p i c k

Best Theater Troupe

Best Place to Act Like a Kid (With Your Kids!)

Duke City Repertory Theatre

Electric Playhouse

5201 Ouray Rd. NW | 832-7562 | electricplayhouse.com

rust us, there’s nothing quite like this house of interactive games. Using cuttingedge lighting and motion sensor technology, the activities range from simple but mind-altering (like a giant wall of ever-changing color that shifts in reaction to your touch), to fun and heart-pumping (a gymsized room filled with inflated rubber balls that you throw at numbered targets for points). The numerous play spaces are filled with different games, each intuitive enough for even small children to participate. The colorful displays on the walls and floors are each created from nothing more than lighting—and they all react to your movements. And when the family is fully satisfied from the foray through this digital world, they can sit down for a meal in the upscale restaurant/bar. (Or better yet, mom & dad can enjoy a cocktail while the kids play to their hearts’ and minds’ content.)

797-7081 | dukecityrep.com

his troupe has been having entirely too much fun since launching in 2010. From timeless classics (A Christmas Carol, Animal Farm) to fun renditions of Shakespeare in the form of their annual ‘Bard Crawl,’ (with performers doing plays in various brewpubs around town), the theme here has always been for-thepeople, by-the-people. Following the current pandemic hiatus, we eagerly await the encore.

BEST OF THE REST:

West End Productions (404-8462, westendproductions.org), Heartstrings Theatre Company (@heartstrings_theatre), Musical Theatre Southwest (6320 Domingo Rd. NE, Ste. B, 265-9119, mtsabq.org), New Mexico Young Actors (2701 San Pedro Dr. NE, Ste. 21, 821-8055, nmyoungactors.org)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

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Ten 3

e d i to r ’ s p i c k

30 Tramway Rd. NE 764-8363 | ten3tram.com

Best Place To Cuddle With A Cup and a Cat

Catopia Cat Cafe

hen Benny Abruzzo re-built the new restaurant atop the Sandia Mountain range last year, he spared no expense. And the wow factor can be readily seen through the enormous floor-to-ceiling glass panels that give visitors a gaze down upon Albuquerque from the edge of the mountain. Tip: time your dinner reservation so you catch both the sunset and the twinkling lights of our city at night.

8001 Wyoming Blvd. NE Suite C-5 | 508-4278 | catopiacatcafe.com

LOCAL FUN

Best View of the City

n some ways, it’s just a coffee shop, with cups of java, WiFi, and people meeting and chatting. But quickly, you notice the cats. They’re everywhere; chilling on the tabletops, waltzing across counters, snoozing on perches, being cuddled by customers—and they’re all adoptable. Which is the point of Catopia Cat Cafe, founded by Sandy Dierks, who used to play with cats as a kid at a vet hospital owned by her parents. Customers can engage in “Paint with Cats” and “Yoga with Cats” here, and even schedule a private group to come and spend time with the kitties. The best way to engage is to make an appointment on their website, then prepare for some quality feline time.

BEST OF THE REST:

Hotel Chaco (2000 Bellamah Ave. NW, 2469989, hotelchaco.com), Sandia Peak Tramway (30 Tramway Rd. NE, 856-7325, sandiapeak. com), Rainbow Ryders, Inc. (5601 Eagle Rock Ave. NE 823-1111, rainbowryders.com), Nine Mile Hill (ABQ’s west mesa)

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Shopping Best Designer J e w e l r y S t o r e

Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry

2201 Q Street NE, Ste. 9F 208-4500 | lmfj.com

hen this upscale, familyrun jeweler opened in ABQ Uptown in 2018, it was certainly a big deal. Originating from Louisiana, this was the first location outside the South for this 11-store chain—and locals took to it immediately. The bling of engagement rings and wedding bands alone would make a shopper swoon, but the cases here are also filled with fine earrings, bracelets and necklaces from renowned brands, like David Yurman, plus Lee Michaels’ own collection. At this store, husbands tend to have just as much fun shopping as their wives, with a regal selection of luxury watches, like Rolex, TAG Heuer, and Patek Philippe. Also, there’s a trained watchmaker on staff, so timepiece repairs are always made on-site.

BEST OF THE REST:

Crown Jewels and Coin (3248 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 884-4888, crownjewelsandcoin.com), Harris Jewelers (909 36th Pl. SE, Ste. A, Rio Rancho, 892-3841, harrisjewelersnm. com), Butterfield Jewelers (2411 San Pedro Dr. NE, 884-5747, butterfieldjewelers.com), Shelton Jewelers (Permanently Closed)

Best Clothing Boutique

Best Antique Store

Past, Present and In-Between 5017 Lomas Blvd NE | 232-6732 pastpresentandinbetween.com

his massive indoor space houses more than 100 co-op vendors selling antiques, furniture, vintage jewelry, and collectibles. The immense selection is sure to offer something for everyone, and for those looking to sell antiques, they also buy.

BEST OF THE REST:

A Few Old Things (8833 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos De Albuquerque, 922-1209), Found on 4th (8909 Fourth St. NW, 5082207), Nob Hill Vintage Boutique (300 Central Ave. SE, 355-9484), Antiques & Things (4710 Central Ave. SE, 268-1313, antiquesandthingsabq.com)

Strive 8000 Paseo del Norte Blvd. NE Ste. C14 | 821-4999 strive-abq.com

his North ABQ shop also does gifts, jewelry and greeting cards, but clothes are a specialty. From trendy tops made from synthetic fabrics, to classic tees created from natural fibers, the selection is broad. The store also mixes in shirts with fun and/or socially poignant messages, plus several that rep the state’s beloved Zia symbol.

BEST OF THE REST:

Articles For Her (8510 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. A, 298-6700, articlesforher.com), Silk Road Connection (5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. E-6, 292-7088, mysilkroadconnection.com), Wild Moon Boutique (206 San Felipe St. NW, Ste. 3, 247-2475, wildmoonboutique.com), Nob Hill Vintage Boutique (Permanently Closed)

Best Accessories

Best Bike Shop

Silk Road Connection 5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. E-6 292-7088 mysilkroadconnection.com

f you like a style that isn’t massproduced, this is the place for you. Filled with clothing, accessories and jewelry, the selection here has been hand-curated by the co-owners Patty Puhl and Berdel Boulanger since 2009. And if you see something you like, they’ve been known to negotiate with customers.

BEST OF THE REST:

The Cinchy Cowgirl (4908 Corrales Rd., Ste. D, Corrales, 899-9090, thecinchycowgirl.com), Articles For Her (8510 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. A, 2986700, articlesforher.com), Strive (8000 Paseo del Norte Blvd. NE, Ste. C14, 8214999), Retail Therapy (107 Amherst Dr. SE, 219-3761, retailtherapyabq.com)

Best Bargain Duds

Fat Tire Cycles

Assistance League of Albuquerque Thrift Shop 5211 Lomas Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 265-0443 | assistanceleagueabq.org

wo things stand out here: the quality of the items, and the stunningly low prices. They even occasionally run specials whereby you can get an entire outfit (shirt, pants) for just a couple of dollars. Their buying standards ensure that clothing and accessories are neat, clean and in good shape—plus all proceeds go to the Assistance League of Albuquerque.

BEST OF THE REST:

Savers (2620 Carlisle Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 888-0116, savers.com), Thrift Town (3900 Menaul Blvd. NE, 872-0647, thrifttown.com), Goodwill (2003 Southern Blvd. SE, Ste. 113, Rio Rancho, plus 7 other metro locations, 892-0215, goodwillnm. org), Buffalo Exchange (3005 Central Ave. NE, 262-0098, buffaloexchange.com)

421 Montano Rd. NE, 345-9005 | fattirecycles.com

icycles need tune-up and maintenance, just like cars. And at Fat Tire, the team is like a crew of two-wheeled mechanics, trouble-shooting bikes of all kinds so they run smooth and care-free. On the retail side, they sell mountain bikes, road racers, bikes for kids, even custom-built, high-end competition bicycles.

BEST OF THE REST:

High Desert Bicycles Inc. (6624 Caminito Coors Blvd. plus 1 other location, 8964700, highdesertbicycles.com), Two Wheel Drive (4001 Central Ave. NE, 243-8443, twowheeldrive.com), Sports Systems (6195 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 837-9400, nmsportsystems.com), The Bike Coop (120 Yale Blvd. NE, 265-5170, bikecoop.com)

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Best Bookstore

Bookworks

4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW 344-8139 | bkwrks.com

here always seems to be a bestselling author doing a reading and/ or signing at this cozy North Valley book seller. The retailer, which launched in 1984, also donates a portion of profits to local youth organizations, libraries and other causes.

BEST OF THE REST:

Barnes & Noble (3701-A Ellison Dr. NW, plus 1 other metro location, 792-4234, barnesandnoble.com), Title Wave Books (2318 Wisconsin St. NE, 294-9495, titlewavebooks.com), Organic Books (111 Carlisle Blvd. SE, 553-3823, organicbooks. net), Treasure House Books (2012 S. Plaza St. NW, 242-7204)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

127

SHOPPING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

128 Best Casual Jewelry Store

Lilly Barrack 4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW plus 2 other metro locations 345-4300 | lillybarrack.com

he sparkly pieces in the showcase here are worldly and sophisticated. So it’s a pleasant surprise to know they were created by ABQ’s own Lilly Barrack, who designs much of the handcrafted jewelry in her home studio. Her work has another duality: they’re elegantly suited for a fancy night out, and yet many of her pieces are right at home for casual daily wear.

BEST OF THE REST:

Silk Road Connection (5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. E-6, 2927088, mysilkroadconnection.com), Gertrude Zachary (1501 Lomas Blvd. NW, plus 1 other metro location, 247-4442, gertrudezachary.com), Ooh! Aah! Jewelry (110 Amherst Dr. SE, 265-7170, oohaahjewelry.com), Kendra Scott (2260 Q St. NE, Ste. 3b, 340-2280, kendrascott.com)

Best Bridal Boutique

Best Electronics Store

Bridal Elegance by Darlene

Baillio’s Appliance, Electronics and Mattress Store

4100 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste. 1B 830-2110 | bridalelegancenm.com

he name says it all: Darlene Archibeque has been outfitting ABQ brides for more than 35 years. This Midtown family business—Darlene’s daughter also works at the shop—is filled with racks upon racks of unique dresses. There’s also gowns for every occasion, and each one is custom-fitted so that customers always have a couture experience for that special night out.

BEST OF THE REST:

Ann Matthews Bridal (6121 Menaul Blvd. NW, 890-3736, annmatthews.com), Uptown Bride (2201 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Ste. D, 318-0411, uptownbrideabq.com), Forever Yours Bridal (524 Montaño Rd. NW, 345-9521), David’s Bridal (2100 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 837-2800, davidsbridal.com)

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5301 Menaul Blvd. NE 395-5611 | baillios.com

art of ABQ’s ‘half-century’ club (the few businesses that has been around more than 50 years), this family empire was built up, from a small television repair shop, to one of the region’s most trusted appliance and electronics retailers. To help make buying decisions, the big-screen TVs are set up with furniture, so you can grab a seat and experience them as you would at home. And there’s also a selection of new Apple computer and electronic products.

BEST OF THE REST:

Best Buy (55 Hotel Circle NE, plus 1 other metro location, 298-3585, bestbuy.com), Apple Store (2240 Q St. NE, 837-6480, apple.com), ListenUp (6916 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 296-6978, listenup.com)

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Best Gift Shop

Sarabande Home

4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW 344-1253 | sarabandehome.com

f you’ve ever been to this North Valley shop, you’ve probably found that it’s wonderfully indescribable. In short, it’s a fantastic way to dress up a home, with earthenware, candles and other countertop accessories. And the personal items—soaps, facial products, body scrub towels—make perfect gifts. Plus, they’ve got plenty of fun, yet educational, kids toys.

BEST OF THE REST:

Spur Line Supply Co. (800 20th St. NW, 242-6858, spurlinesupplyco.com), The Octopus and the Fox (514 Central Ave. SE, octofoxshop.com), Masks Y Mas (3106 Central Ave. SE, 256-4183, masksymas.net), Patrician Design (216 Gold. Ave. SW, 242-7646, patriciandesign.com)

Best Fashion Consignment Store

What Goes Around: A Consignment Boutique 6200 Coors Blvd. NW plus 1 other metro location 898-9897 | whatgoesaroundabq.com

lenty of name brand clothes can be had here for bargain prices. And there’s a wide selection of shoes, jewelry, handbags and accessories. And if you’ve got clothes that need a new home, call ‘em up and make an appointment to start their painless consignment process.

BEST OF THE REST:

Your Other Closet (5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. B51, 850-6573, yourothercloset.com), 2 Time Couture (2527 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 2423600, shop2time.com), La Casa Bella at the Promenade (5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. E11, 292-5344, la-casa-bella-at-the-promenade. business.site), My Best Friend’s Closet (Permanently Closed)

Best Hobby Store

SHOPPING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

130

Hip Stitch

Best Gaming and Comic Books Store

3100 Central Ave. SE 232-7800 | astrozombies.com

n the world of collectibles, the comic book market has always been strong. And the epicenter of that scene in ABQ is this hip retailer in the heart of Nob Hill. Teeming with classic, vintage and new comics for sale, the gang here will also give fair prices for your comics. Plus, there’s also a wall of action figures (talk about perfect gifts for the kids), and one of the biggest vinyl record collections in the city. Fun fact: music and movie stars (like Samuel L. Jackson) have taken part in a long-standing tradition of signing their signatures on the AstroZombies ceiling.

BEST OF THE REST:

Twin Suns Comics and Games (6301 Riverside Plaza Lane NW, 433-9490, twinsunscomics.com), Gamers Anonymous (1512 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. C, 332-0717, garetro.com), Lobo Comics (1016 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, Ste. D, 332-0499, lobocomics. com), Noble Gaming (9311 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste. 19, plus 1 other metro location, 8980256, playnoble.com)

BEST OF THE REST:

Artisan (3017 Monte Vista Blvd. NE, 2564540, artisansantafe.com), Quilt Works (11105 Menaul Blvd. NE, 298-8210, quiltworksabq.com), Mama’s Minerals (800 20th St. NW, Ste. B, 266-8443, mamasminerals.com), Hobby Proz (2225 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 332-3797, hobby-proz. com)

Sprouts Farmers Market

AstroZombies

2320 Wisconsin St. NE 821-2739 | hipstitchabq.com

ver wanted to learn to sew, quilt or embroider? This is the spot for you. They offer classes (moreso in non-COVID times) for all levels of aspiring crafters. And for those with more experience, you can get all your fabrics, needles, patterns and other supplies here, and even have your sewing machine serviced or scissors sharpened by on-site experts.

Best Grocery Store

5600 Coors Blvd. NW plus 5 other metro locations 355-3850 | sprouts.com

he signatures here include the huge organic selection, and the wellstocked vitamin/supplement aisle. But you also get a thriving produce section that has exotic items (ultra-spicy Ghost peppers, anyone?), and live herb plants, like basil. The house brand typically offers plenty of discounts, and is often sourced from small farms. And the wine and beer selections are carefully curated, so that you have options that aren’t always available at other markets.

BEST OF THE REST:

Albertsons (6200 Coors Blvd. NW, plus 9 other locations, 897-1800, albertsonsmarket. com), Trader Joe’s (2200 Uptown Loop Rd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 883-3662, traderjoes.com), Whole Foods Market (2103 Carlisle Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 260-1366, wholefoodsmarket.com), Smith’s (4700 Tramway Blvd. NE, plus 13 other metro locations, 292-5484, smithsfoodanddrug. com)

Best Health Food Store

Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers

4420 Wyoming Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location 292-7300 | naturalgrocers.com

healthy lifestyle starts with produce, and here the selections are all fresh, organic and non-GMO. This national chain started as a door-to-door sales operation in 1955, and that personal attention is still part of their retail philosophy. In-store nutritional health coaches can help you find the right vitamins or dietary supplements, and occasional guest presenters come in to talk about their experiences in finding good health through food and vitamins.

BEST OF THE REST:

Whole Foods Market (2103 Carlisle Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 260-1366, wholefoodsmarket.com), La Montañita Co-op (2400 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, plus 1 other metro location, 242-8800, lamontanita.coop), Sprouts Farmers Market (5600 Coors Blvd. NW, plus 5 other metro locations, 355-3850, sprouts.com), Keller’s Farm Stores (6100 Coors Blvd. NW, plus 1 other metro location, 898-6121, kellersfarmstores.com)

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Best Home Consignment Store

La Casa Bella at the Promenade 5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. 11 292-5344 | la-casa-bella-at-thepromenade.business.site

ew house goods are taken in daily at this high-end shop, with a penchant for luxury and eclectic furniture in like-new condition. It’s not unthinkable to refurbish your entire home from items found here. And don’t worry, if you see something you like but haven’t budgeted for it, they offer a 30-day layaway plan.

BEST OF THE REST:

Furniture on Consignment (2015 Candelaria Rd. NE, 344-1275, furnitureonc.com), A Few Old Things Antiques & Collectibles (8833 4th St. NW, 922-1209), ET Cetera (4514 Corrales Rd, Corrales, 899-0287), Your Other Closet LLC (5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. B51, 8506573, yourothercloset.com)

BesT Housewares Store

Now We’re Cooking 8100 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. F1 857-9625 | nowwerecookingabq.com

Best Gun Shop

Calibers Shooters Sports Center

4340 Cutler Ave. NE, plus 2 other metro locations 499-3249 | calibersusa.com

ven newcomers feel welcome here, with fun options like a virtual-target shooting range (live ammo, video targets) and bowling pin shoots (yes, fire at real bowling pins and keep score). For the serious shooter, there’s a wide selection of sporting and home-defense firearms, plus an on-site gunsmith for repairs or customizations. They also sell gun safes, ammo and accessories, and offer the city’s widest range of safety instruction (including private or ladies-only classes).

BEST OF THE REST:

Los Ranchos Gun Shop (6542 Fourth St. NW, 345-4276, losranchosguns.com), Right to Bear Arms (11200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. 10, 200-9747, righttobeararmsnm.com), Ron Peterson Firearms (4418 Central Ave. SE, Ste. 1210, 255-8695, ronpertsonfirearms.com), BMC Tactical (2617 Coors Blvd. SW, 877-5357, bmc-tactical.com)

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ere’s a good bet: you can’t walk in here and not find a kitchen gadget you just have to have. But that’s not all, walk in now, and you’ll also get: countertop kitchen appliances, glassware, cookware, salt-and-pepper grinders, pizza cooking stones, tart baking pans, cookbooks, and much more.

BEST OF THE REST:

Sarabande Home (4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 344-1253, sarabandehome.com), HomeGoods (10420 Coors Bypass NW, plus 1 other metro location, 792-4182, homegoods.com), At Home (11150 Lomas Blvd. NE, 545-6000, athome.com), WilliamsSonoma (2261 Q St. NE, 872-0486, williamssonoma.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

131

SHOPPING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

132 Best Local Eyeglass Shop

Best Home Furnishings

TEMA Contemporary Furniture 7601 Montgomery Blvd. NE 275-2121 | temafurniture.com

hen you become a grownup, this is where you shop for furniture. For nearly 40 years, TEMA has offered a showroom filled with luxury Danish chairs, recliners, couches and tables that you can order in the exact color of leather or fabric that you desire. Their in-house designers will tie all the pieces together from their selection of rugs, lamps and accessories—all you have to do is enjoy.

BEST OF THE REST:

Pottery Barn (2261 Q St. NE, Ste. 2C, 883-0904, potterybarn.com), Sukhmani Home (112 Amherst Dr. SE, 255-2889, sukhmanihome.com), Ashley Homestore (7912 Pan American East Fwy. NE, 7989400, ashleyfurniture.com), Ethan Allen (12521 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 291-9494, ethanallen.com)

Sandia Vision Clinic

3701 Eubank Blvd. NE. Ste. 3536, plus 1 other metro location 298-2020 | sandiavision.com

es, they have a wide selection of eyeglass and sunglass frames in every style. But they also offer contact lenses (including hard-to-fit types, like for those with astigmatism) and vision therapy. And for those seeking laser surgery, they provide pre- and postoperative care.

BEST OF THE REST:

Perfect Pair Optical Shop (2910 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste. 6, 355-5575, perfectpairoptical.com), Blink (201 Slate Ave. NW, 247-3463, blinknm.com), Albuquerque Vision Care & Advanced Eyewear (5343 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 273-8922, abqvisioncare.com), Eye Associates of New Mexico (5757 Harper Dr. NE, plus 5 other metro locations, 888-5757, eyenm.com)

Best Manly Store

Brotique 505

3600 Cutler Ave. NE, Ste. 14 | 257-5043 | brotique505.com

here’s a plethora of cool items here, most of them with some adornment of local pride (the word “Burque,” Spanish slang, chile, etc.). You can also find any number of hoodies or ball caps with the Zia symbol, plus a slew of dude gear (beard wax, pinky rings, keychains). Most of the items here are locally produced.

BEST OF THE REST:

Suits Unlimited (5406 Menaul Blvd. NE, 883-1060, suitsunlimited.net), Harbor Freight (4410 Central Ave. SW, plus 2 other metro locations, 836-9812, harborfreight.com), Charlie’s Hunting & Fishing Specialists (7600 Menaul Blvd. NE, 293-5290, charlieshuntingandfishingspecialists.com), The Man’s Hat Shop (511 Central Ave. NW, 247-9605, themanshatshop.com)

Best Local Garden Center

Best Place for a Shopping Spree

Jericho Nursery

ABQ Uptown

101 Alameda Blvd. NW 899-7555 | jerichonursery.com

anna give your yard a true makeover? Jericho offers plants, trees and shrubs, sure, but you can extend the aesthetic beauty with their incredible selection of flagstone, pottery, metal ornaments, yard statues, you name it. And for those who are more utilitarian with their property, there’s plenty of seeds, fertilizer, yard tools—even starter kits for raising chickens.

t’s sort of like an old fashioned town square, with plenty of retailers bunched next to each other. But this shopping mecca is ultra-modern, with stores like Williams-Sonoma, and the Apple Store. There’s plenty of free parking (even an underground garage), plus lots of food options, should you decide to rest and relax a bit before continuing that quest to max out your credit card.

BEST OF THE REST:

Osuna Nursery (501 Osuna Rd. NE, 345-6644, osunanursery. com), Plants of the Southwest (6680 4th St. NW, 344-8830, plantsofthesouthwest.com), Alameda Greenhouse (9515 Fourth St. NW, 898-3562, alamedagreenhouse.com), Rehm’s Nursery & Garden Center (5801 Lomas Blvd. NE, 266-5978, rehmsnurserynm.com)

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2200 Louisiana Blvd. NE 872-0263 | simon.com

BEST OF THE REST:

Chile Traditions (8204 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 888-3166, chiletraditions.com), Coronado Center (6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, 855-7799, coronadocenter.com), Buffalo Exchange (3005 Central Ave. NE, 262-0098, buffaloexchange.com), Q Shoes (8510 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. A3A, 508-5666, qshoestore.com)

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Best Motorcycle Shop

Thunderbird Harley-Davidson 5000 Alameda Blvd. NE | 226-8046 | thunderbirdhd.com

he market for motorcycles is strong here, despite the industry reporting a decline in new riders. Interest might tick back up with the unveiling of the LiveWire, the first electric motorcycle from Harley-Davidson, which is on display in the showroom. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a wide variety of standard cruisers and sport bikes, plus a rotating selection of pre-owned bikes. If you find what you want, they offer on-thespot financing. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the helmet!

BEST OF THE REST:

Raza Inc. (53900 2nd St. NW, 816-8795, razaincllc.com), Indian Motorcycles of Albuquerque (4509 Alameda Blvd. NE, 508-2830, indianmotorcycleabq.com), Sandia BMW (6001 Pan American Fwy. NE, 884-0066, sandiabmw.com), Moto-Authority (3702 Eubank Blvd. NE, 503-7613, moto-authority.com)

SHOPPING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

134 Best Sporting Goods Store

Best Place to Buy a Watch

Cabela’s

Bella Diamonds and Watches

5151 Lang Ave. NE, | 336-2700 cabelas.com

f you can’t find the outdoor gear you seek inside Cabela’s 70,000-square-foot store, you should ask a clerk, because it’s definitely here. From the rugged (new and pre-owned firearms, ammo) to the joyous (GPS locators, air mattresses) to the sublime (kayaks, fly fishing rods), each type of adventure seeker has an aisle just for them. And if you need a new adventure, check out their indoor archery test range.

7200 Menaul Blvd. NE | 884-1024 belladiamondsandwatches.com

re-owned luxury watches are a specialty here, as the inventory almost always includes plenty of high-end brands, like Rolex, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Cartier, Panerai and Omega. You can also get fair prices if you’re looking to sell your timepiece—and good service if you’re looking for repairs.

BEST OF THE REST:

REI (1550 Mercantile Ave. NE, 247-1191, rei.com), Sportsman’s Warehouse (1450 N. Renaissance Blvd. NE, 761-9900, stores. sportsmans.com), Charlie’s Hunting & Fishing Specialists (7600 Menaul Blvd. NE, 293-5290, charlieshuntingandfishingspecialists. com), Dick’s Sporting Goods (6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste. 2001, 884-4415, dickssportinggoods.com)

Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry (2201 Q Street NE, Ste. 9F, 208-4500, lmfj. com), Crown Jewels & Coin (3248 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 884-4888, crownjewelsandcoin.com), Harris Jewelers & Gemologists (909 36th Pl. SE, Ste. A, Rio Rancho, 892-3841, harrisjewelersnm.com), Màti (201 Romero St. NW, plus 1 other metro location, 244-1595, matijewelers.com)

Best New Car Dealership

Power Ford

1101 Montaño Rd. NE | 225-7288 powerfordnm.com

n the past decade, Ford has produced some of the most talkedabout new vehicles on the market (like the F-150 Raptor, and Shelby Mustang). But the sales team here puts just as much enthusiasm into every other model on the lot (talk about enthusiasm: each buyer even gets a red-carpet photo taken with their new car). Want even more enthusiasm? Numerous employees have been with the dealership for a decade or longer, and buy into a customer-first philosophy that includes occasional games, food and activities in the parking lot for visitors.

BEST OF THE REST:

Sandia BMW (6001 Pan American Fwy. NE, 884-0066, sandiabmw.com), Lexus of Albuquerque (4821 Pan American Fwy. NE, 489-2300, lexusofalbuquerque.com), Rich Ford (8601 Lomas Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 292-0000, rich-ford. com), Perfection Honda (2603 American Rd. SE, 898-0000, perfectionhonda.com)

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BEST OF THE CITY 2020

135 Best Nutrition Shop

Unleashed Sports Nutrition 2003 Southern Blvd. SE, Ste. 107, Rio Rancho plus 1 other metro location | 892-4800 unleashedsportsnutrition. com

hether you’re looking to lose weight or build muscle, the trained staff here knows what you need. They also carry products to help with joint relief and other ailments. And they can even deliver to you, if you so choose.

BEST OF THE REST:

Nutrishop (5010 Cutler Ave. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 881-0545, nutrishopnm.com), Peak Sports Nutrition (6121 Menaul Blvd. NE, 218-7325, peaksportsnutrition.jimdo.com), GNC (6300 San Mateo Blvd. NE, plus 7 other metro locations, 856-5232, gnc.com)

Best Product Made Locally

Best Second-Hand Store

Lavender Hand Sanitizer

Assistance League of Albuquerque Thrift Shop

Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm 4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW | 344-9297 | lospoblanos.com

5211 Lomas Blvd. NE | 265-0443 | assistanceleagueabq.org

ven before the coronavirus brought a huge need for hand sanitizer, this product was in development. The farm used their homegrown crops for the lavender oil, which is added for its natural healing and antiseptic properties. Also, Los Poblanos donated 10 percent of its inventory to the pandemic’s frontline workers.

his is bargain shopping done right. The sprawling shop has numerous specialty sections, include a high-end men’s wardrobe area, and retro/vintage racks for men and women. Also, since seasonal items are so popular, there’s a separate Program Room for holiday stuff that rotates items throughout the year.

BEST OF THE REST:

Piñon Coffee - New Mexico Piñon Coffee Company (2420 Comanche Rd. NE, Ste. D2, 298-1964, nmpinoncoffee.com), Horchata Rooibos Tea - Old Barrel Tea Company (2041 S. Plaza St. NW, 842-5722, oldbarreltea.com), Divinity Candy - Buffett’s Candies (7001 Lomas Blvd. NE, 265-7731, buffettscandies.com), Hand Painted Pottery - Kelly Jo Designs by Wine (6829 4th St. NW, 341-1893, kellyjodesignsbywine.com)

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BEST OF THE REST:

Buffalo Exchange (3005 Central Ave. NE, 262-0098, buffaloexchange. com), Savers (2620 Carlisle Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 8880116, savers.com), Animal Humane Thrift Shop (4646 Menaul Blvd. NE, 938-7915, animalhumanenm.com), Thrift Town Thrift Store (3900 Menaul Blvd. NE, 872-0647, thrifttownstores.com)

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Best Shoe shop

Q Shoes 8510 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. A3a 508-5666 | qshoestore.com

es, they take fashion seriously here— remember, we’re talking shoes. But they also know how critical it is for shoes to provide comfort, and through years of retail experience, owner Saundra Thompson has found a wide variety of brands and styles that check both boxes. Shoes for running, hiking, nursing, work and even just fashion are all fitted to help ease foot and heel (and even back and neck) pain. It’s their way of helping you look good and feel good.

BEST OF THE REST:

Sketchers Warehouse Outlets (2100 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Ste. 414, plus 2 other metro locations, 884-1191, sketchers.com), Designer Shoe Warehouse (2100 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Ste. 312, 871-6085, stores.dsw.com), Heart and Sole Sports (2817 San Mateo Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 884-5300, heartandsolesports. net), Terra Firma (Permanently Closed)

Best Specialty Food Store

Talin Market World Food Fare

SHOPPING

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136

88 Louisiana Blvd. SE | 268-0206 talinmarket.com

e’ll just say it out loud: Talin makes food shopping fun. With aisles that designate foods from each region of the world, it’s inviting to make new dishes you’ve always wanted to try. Chile, soft drinks, desserts, liquor, tea, and chocolates are just a few of the global products available here. You can also find a selection of authentic cookware and serving dishes to go with the foreign fare.

BEST OF THE REST:

Whole Foods Market (2103 Carlisle Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 260-1366, wholefoodsmarket.com), Eurozone Food Distributors (3700 Osuna Rd. NE, Ste. 515, 9802648, eurozonefoodsnm.com), La Montañita Co-op (2400 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, plus 1 other metro location, 242-8800, lamontanita.coop), Chile Addict (325 Eubank Blvd. NE, 237-9070, chileaddictstore.com)

Best Tuxedo Rentals

Suits Unlimited

5406 Menaul Blvd. NE | 883-1060 | suitsunlimited.net

he team here understands that, when it’s the big event, you want to look your best. For nearly 50 years, this family-run business has measured tuxedos to perfection, and even rents designer brands like Michael Kors and Kenneth Cole. For specialty events, they carry matching bow ties and cummerbunds in nearly every shade imaginable. And the on-site tailors will fine-tune your look to perfection.

BEST OF THE REST:

Mr. Tux (4900 Lomas Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 255-7463, mrtuxnm.com), Forever Yours Bridal and Formal Wear (524 Montaño Rd. NW, 345-9521), Mens Wearhouse (10260 Coors Bypass NW, 890-5667, menswearhouse.com), Ann Matthew’s Bridal (6121 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste. D, 890-3736, annmatthews.com)

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Best Undiscovered shop

Spur Line Supply Co.

800 20th St. NW | 242-6858 | spurlinesupplyco.com

he items here are classy and minimalist, with a focus on works crafted by makers in Albuquerque and the Southwest. You can probably be sure that the high quality and unique nature found here will make for beloved gifts, such as leather fly swatters, smudge sticks, and desert-influenced botanical soaps.

BEST OF THE REST:

St. James Tearoom (320 Osuna Rd. NE, Ste. D, 242-3752, stjamestearoom. com), Blue Portal - Assistance League of Albuquerque Gift Shop (2107 Church St. NW, 243-6005, assistanceleagueabq.org), Figments Tea Shoppe and Gallery (8510 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. A7, 323-1606, figmentsteashop.com), Pennysmithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Paper (4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 345-2353, pennysmiths.com)

SHOPPING

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

138 Best Used Car Dealership

Houston Wholesale Cars

4718 Lomas Blvd. NE | 255-5200 houstonwholesalecars.com

he surprise isn’t that this small Lomas Boulevard car lot has won this honor for 10 years straight. It’s more in how they’ve done it, by using the simplest formula: sell dependable used cars at a great price. Sounds easy, but these guys do a thorough bumperto-bumper inspection before they buy any car for resale, and they avoid selling high-mileage cars, so customers can expect more reliability. Plus, they work with body shops to fix any small blemishes before putting a car on the lot. And when you’ve picked out your chariot, they scan all financing options to make sure you get the best loan rate. Like we said, simple.

BEST OF THE REST:

Doral Motors (6701 Lomas Blvd. NE, 907-9549, doralmotorsnm.com), CarMax (5500 Alameda Blvd. NE, 858-2438, carmax.com), M & F Auto Sales (2922 Coors Blvd. NW, plus 2 other metro locations, 8392299, mandfauto.com), Integrity Automotive (9790 Coors Blvd. NW, 899-1141, abqintegrity.com)

Best Western Wear Store

Best Store for Musicians

Dan’s Boots and Saddles

Lesmen’s Pro Audio, Lighting, & Video

6903 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque 345-2220 | dansboots.com

ll the authentic labels are in abundance at this North Valley western mecca: Carhartt, Wrangler, Cinch. There’s even plenty of options for those out-of-towners who just want to look the part (leather purses with fringes, or snap-button western shirts). This 3rd-generation family-owned store also boasts one of the biggest western boot selections in the state, with true ranch brands like Justin, Tony Lama and Ariat.

f music is your life, this is your shop. Beyond just instruments and sound gear, the crew here also offers recording studio rental, sound mixing, even help in selling locally-produced tunes online. They also deal in pro-level video, both in retail sales and rentals (when movie productions need extra gear, they come here).

BEST OF THE REST:

Boot Barn (10200 Coors Bypass NW, plus 2 other metro locations, 7920411, bootbarn.com), Cavender’s Western Outfitter (1431 Mercantile Ave. NE, 344-2069, cavenders.com), The Cinchy Cowgirl (4908 Corrales Rd., Ste D, Corrales, 899-9090, thecinchycowgirl.com), Big R (1307 Warrior Way, Santa Ana Pueblo, 200-0742, bigronline.com)

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5413 Lomas Blvd. NE | 268-2111 | lesmens.com

Baum’s Music (2908 Eubank Blvd. NE, 292-0707, baumsmusic.com), Robertson & Sons Violin Shop (3201 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 889-2999, robertsonviolins.com), Music Go Round (7116 Menaul Blvd. NE, 875-0100, musicgoround. com), Guitar Center (6001 Menaul Blvd. NE, 889-6300, guitarcenter.com)

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People Best Humanitarian Group

A Light in the Night Community Outreach

379-0013 alightinthenightnm.org

wo Tone Grant had just moved to ABQ in 2005 when she heard some disturbing news: a homeless person had froze to death on our streets. Having been homeless in Los Angeles, she was particularly moved. “I couldn’t just ‘not’ do something about it,” she says. “So I put out a box for supplies, and the donations just started rolling in.” Fifteen years later, her non-profit continues to grow in volunteers and donors, with the ongoing goal of providing essential daily supplies to those living on Albuquerque’s streets. Their website offers great insight on how to understand the issue of homelessness—and smart ways to get involved in the cause.

BEST OF THE REST:

Rio Grande Valley Blue Star Mothers (345-6724, bluestarmothers.org), Guardians of the Children - Rio Grande Chapter (gocriogrande.com), Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico (5840 Office Blvd. NE, 247-2052, rrfb. org), Paws and Stripes (617 Truman St. NE, 999-1201, pawsandstripes.org)

Best Blogger

Albuquerque Mom’s Blog albuquerque.momcollective.com

his free online resource has become more of a powerful and positive movement, not only for ABQ moms looking for advice, but for information on how to navigate life in general. Utilizing her skills as a digital marketing executive, founder Vanessa Bush (pictured with daughter Evangeline) created a team of dozens of local contributors/moms, who post smart missives about health, education and safety—including plenty of tips on dealing with the pandemic.

BEST OF THE REST:

Dark Side Brew Crew (nmdarksidebrewcrew. com), New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan ( joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com), New Mexico Foodie in Fashion (melissalouellis. wixsite.com/nmfoodieinfashion), Sparrows and Lillies (sparrowsandlily.com)

PEOPLE

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

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Best Business Owner

Best Columnist

Larry Ashby Christy Mae’s Restaurant

Joline Gutierrez Krueger

1400 San Pedro Dr. NE | 255-4740 christymaes.com

ince Ashby’s family bought this Midtown diner in the mid-80s, it’s become synonymous with comfort food in ABQ. And during those years, he’s held numerous jobs here: server, host, boss. That continuity has created both loyal customers and longtime employees. And it doesn’t hurt that the homey atmosphere at Christy Mae’s is truly a pleasant throwback, from the country decor to the wonderfully oldschool menu (pot pies, ham steaks with grilled pineapple, banana nut bread, peanut butter pie).

BEST OF THE REST:

Norm and Sandy Ruth - Deluxe Design (561 Quantum Rd. NE, Rio Rancho, 892-8090, deluxedesign. com), Frank Holloway - Hollow Spirits Distillery (1324 1st St. NW, 433-2766, hollowspirits.com), Jaysun Aspera - About Seniors Moving (550-8790, aboutseniorsmoving.com), Steve Mackie - Tenpins and More @ Rio rancho (1416 Deborah Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, 892-7117 tenpins-more.com)

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Albuquerque Journal

aving a front-page newspaper column is a journalist’s dream, and Gutierrez Krueger certainly deserves this pinnacle of success. Her writing has introduced readers to hundreds of interesting ABQ personalities and stories, each through a viewpoint shaped by her own life’s experiences. Having lived her early years as a self-described “hitchhiking...wild child,” to becoming a mother of six kids (five adopted), it’s no wonder her column always looks at all sides of an issue. We’d expect nothing less from an enlightened journalist who continues a journey she started after graduating from Albuquerque High School (yes, she was on the school yearbook staff).

BEST OF THE REST:

D’val Westphal (Albuquerque Journal), Geoff Grammer (Albuquerque Journal), Leslie Linthicum (Albuquerque Journal)

Best Albuquerqean Who Made It Big

Gadi Schwartz

aised in ABQ, this former KOB, Ch. 4 reporter made the jump to network correspondent when he was hired by NBC News in 2016. His stellar reporting led him to assignments covering the Olympics in both 2016 and 2018. Schwartz is also a groundbreaker of sorts, having been tapped by NBC in 2017 to host “Stay Tuned,” the first daily news show to be broadcast on the social media app Snapchat.

BEST OF THE REST:

Holly Holm, Neil Patrick Harris, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Steven Michael Quezada

Best Local Actor

Best Local Athlete

Neil Patrick Harris

his La Cueva High School alum’s resumé is one of the most diverse in Hollywood history: he starred in the feature film Clara’s Heart when he was only 13 (earning a Golden Globe nomination), then went on to TV stardom on shows like “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” and “How I Met Your Mother.” He then took his talents to the stage, where his many credits include starring in (and later directing) the production of Rent. He’s also his generation’s preeminent host, having handled those duties at the Tony, Emmy and Academy awards shows. For good measure, Harris also won both an Emmy and a Tony award. And did we mention he’s hosted “Saturday Night Live?”

er mixed martial arts legacy was cemented in fame for all eternity with her ‘head kick heard ‘round the world’ knockout of Ronda Rousey in 2015. But this Manzano High School alum isn’t done fighting just yet; her recent dominant win over Irene Aldana puts the 39-year-old into contention for a possible title shot again soon. And if you’ve ever met Holm around town—her sweet disposition and genuine kindness toward fans is legendary—you’re surely with us in wishing her a rise back to the top.

BEST OF THE REST:

Alex Bregman, Nicco Michelle Waterson

BEST OF THE REST:

Steven Michael Quezada, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jerry Angelo, Jeremiah Bitsui

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Montaño, Jarrin

Solomon,

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B e s t L o c a l A u t h o r

PEOPLE

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

142 Rudolfo Anaya

his year marked the passing of this legend of Chicano literature. Best known for his classic novel, “Bless Me, Ultima,” this Albuquerque High and University of New Mexico graduate had an extensive catalog of fiction and non-fiction to his credit. In 2016, Anaya was bestowed with the National Humanities Medal by President Obama (along with filmmaking legend Mel Brooks and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy). The Westside resident was still writing prolifically into his 80s, having recently published both a children’s book (“Chupacabra Meets Billy the Kid”) and a picture book (“No More Bullies!”). Anaya died this past June at age 82.

BEST OF THE REST: Joseph Badal, Ryan Bellamy, Natalie Gail

Tannen,

Hakim

Best Local Instagram Account

Watermelon Mountain Ranch

@wmranchnm

here’s nothing quite like the joy you see on the face of someone who’s just adopted a pet. You’ll see plenty of these heart-warming images on this site, along with shoutouts to volunteers and organizations that help make this Rio Rancho pet adoption center thrive in finding new homes for animals.

BEST OF THE REST:

New Mexico True @newmexicotrue, Rebel Donut @rebeldonut, Solaish Santiesteban @solaish, Caleb James @ calebjamesmaker

Best Local Comic

Sarah Kennedy

rom bonafide ABQ roots (a Cibola High and UNM grad who worked for years at Dion’s Pizza), Kennedy is climbing the national comedy ladder. She did local stand-up gigs before moving to New York City in 2014, where she did the Today Show, and took the mic at legendary comedy club, Caroline’s. Back in ABQ since last year, she even managed to stay sharp during the pandemic by creating a short comedy film about a band that formed during, you guessed it, the pandemic. Her effort—titled humorously as “The Fabulous (name TBD)s”—was bestowed with “Best Mockumentary” in October at the All The Laughs Comedy Awards in Atlanta.

BEST OF THE REST:

Nicolina Nicthe, Steven Michael Quezada, Lauren Poole, Rusty Rutherford

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Best Local Twitter Account

Best Local Investigative Reporter

Jackie Tony Donnie (JTD)

Larry Barker

KRQE Channel 13

e’s a true old-school sleuth, even though his official title is ‘Investigative TV Reporter.’ Barker has the smarts to know where to look for incriminating info—and the determination to connect the dots to uncover wrongdoings. His investigations have helped keep New Mexico corruption and con artists in check since the 1970s, earning him numerous awards and accolades along the way.

@jtd1003

hese morning radio hosts are all about sharing fun and uplifting stuff they find on the Internet, like their re-posting of the Albuquerque man caught on camera removing a campaign sign from his neighbor’s yard. Doesn’t seem so uplifting, you say? Well, the guy was naked, and we did say uplifting and fun.

BEST OF THE REST:

Orbit, Isotopes Mascot - @Orbit_ Isotopes, Mayor Tim Keller - @ MayorKeller, Louie Lobo, UNM Lobos Mascot - @LouieLobo, Albuquerque Business First - @ABQBizFirst

Nancy Laflin (KOAT, Ch. 7), Colton Shone (KOB, Ch. 4), Chris Ramirez (KOB, Ch. 4)

Best Local to Have Lunch With

Danielle Todesco

KOB Channel 4

his local TV news standout has quite a connection with her audience: not only was she born and raised in ABQ, she’s been on-air here for nearly 10 years. Plus, she’s endeared herself to viewers with both her work (she anchors the live, two-and-ahalf-hour morning show) and her personal life (letting viewers peek inside her home for her fun DIY segments, some of which Todesco shoots herself on a cell phone).

BEST OF THE REST:

Steve Stucker (KOB, Ch. 4), Tania Armenta (Visit ABQ), Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, Shelly Ribando (KOAT, Ch. 7)

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Best Meteorologist

Steve Stucker

KOB Channel 4

e might be the state’s most recognizable person, partly because he’s been doing on-air weather for 30 years at the same TV station, and partly because he’s as friendly in person as he is on TV. His morning forecasts air during the 4:30-7 a.m. weekday show, but Stucker is also wellknown for his work with animal charities, plus his annual presence at Balloon Fiesta (wearing his infamous balloon hat loaded with commemorative pins).

BEST OF THE REST:

Joe Diaz (KOAT, Ch. 7), Eric Green (KOAT, Ch. 7), Eddie Garcia (KOB, Ch. 4), Erica Meyer (KRQE, Ch. 13)

PEOPLE

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Best Morning TV News Show

B e s t

KOAT Channel 7 Morning Show

Shelly Ribando KOAT Channel 7

er personable yet professional presence on the main anchor desk has been reassuring KOAT viewers since 2007. The ability to handle live interviews—and give apropos commentary after stories—reflects on Ribando’s years of work as a reporter and producer in her native New York and Florida before moving to ABQ. And viewers also love her use of social media to give a glimpse into her work and life.

hree hours fly by with the easy nature and smooth delivery of anchors Royale Dá and Todd Kurtz (with weather updates from meteorologist Eric Green, and news alerts from reporter Sasha Lenninger). Rather than just re-hashing last night’s news, this crew follows breaking events with live reports, and offers real-time peeks into weather and traffic from cameras around the city.

BEST OF THE REST:

Danielle Todesco (KOB, Ch. 4), Dean Staley (KRQE, Ch. 13), Tessa Mentus (KOB, Ch. 4), Doug Fernandez (KOAT, Ch. 7)

KRQE, Ch. 13 - Morning Show, KASA, Ch. 2 - NM Style, KOB, Ch. 4 Morning Show, KOB, Ch. 4 - Good Day New Mexico

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BEST OF THE CITY 2020

145

Best Radio Show

Best Radio Personality

JTD in the Morning

Donnie Chase

100.3 The Peak | @jtd1003

100.3 FM The Peak

his trio has won this category so many times that we’re thinking of renaming it The JTD Award. We’re being facetious, of course, but not by much. These merry on-air bandits began stealing hearts together in 2003, partly due to their amazing chemistry. The repartee between Jackie and Tony comes naturally, since they’re married. Add in the presence of Donnie—who’s equal parts whip-smart and naive— and magically, the three-way conversation never gets dull.

n ability to laugh and share personal stories (even if he’s the butt of a joke) makes Chase endearing to listeners of the wildly popular morning drive-time radio show he co-hosts with husband-and-wife team, Jackie and Tony. The Moriarity native is also all about civic pride, and uses his huge social media presence to spread plenty of information—and inspiration.

BEST OF THE REST:

Chaz Malibu (Big 98.5 FM), Erica Viking & The Hoff (Coyote 102.5 FM), TJ Trout (KKOB News Radio 96.3 FM), Swami Rob (The 94 Rock Morning Show)

TJ Trout (KKOB News Radio 96.3 FM), Chaz Malibu (BIG 98.5 FM), Bob Clark (KKOB News Radio 96.3 FM), Erica Viking (Coyote 102.5 FM)

Best Local Politician

Brian Colón

New Mexico State Auditor

he role of leader is made for Colón, who not only serves as our State Auditor, but also devotes much of his personal time to charity and educational causes. And his extensive use of social media keeps his brand active—and his constituents on their toes. The Valencia County native has college degrees in law and finance, and once ran for mayor of Albuquerque.

BEST OF THE REST:

Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, U.S. Representative Deb Haaland, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller

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Best Reporter

Sasha Lenninger

KOAT Channel 7

he California native brings a perfect mix to the local TV news scene: she’s a grown-up reporter who asks tough questions, but also a Millennial who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty doing participation journalism or light-hearted stories. Lenninger has also shared her personal side with viewers, as she’s talked about coaching Special Olympics basketball, and spending time with her sister, who suffers from Down Syndrome.

BEST OF THE REST:

Justin Matthews (KOAT, Ch. 7), Chris Ramirez (KOB, Ch. 4), Nancy Laflin (KOAT, Ch. 7), Chris McKee (KRQE, Ch. 13)

PEOPLE

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Best Sports Reporter

Best Talk Show Host

Van Tate

Bob Clark

KRQE Channel 13

tarting from his days as a journalism student at NMSU in the 1980s, this Pennsylvania transplant has called New Mexico home. After a decade in TV news, Clark took over the morning host duties at KKOB in 2006. His engaging and fact-filled style—listeners love that he’s passionate but fair—attracts bigname guests, and often leads to a flood of phone calls from folks looking to chime in and join the conversation.

ate played football at UNM back in his college days, but as a true sports journalist, he never goes easy on the Lobo coaches with soft questions. He also shines a light on community sports, often doing stories on noteworthy area high school athletes. And if you’ve ever seen him juggle the info and games on his Friday night high school football show, it’s clear that the guy loves his job.

BEST OF THE REST:

Jared Chester (KRQE, Ch. 13), Lee Faria (KOB, Ch. 4)

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KKOB News Radio 96.3 FM

Jeff Siembieda (610 AM KNML), Jim Villanucci (101.7 FM ESPN), J.J. Buck (610 AM KNML), TJ Trout (KKOB News Radio 96.3FM)

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Best Visual Artist

Mark Weaver

Best Vocalist

Delphia Giovanna

his Albuquerque native and trained architect is also a student of block printing (carving into a material to print an impression; that’s his self-portrait above). Though he’s been perfecting his block craft since the 1970s, his beautifully simple abstract images were never exhibited until two years ago. Last year, one of his prints was selected to hang in the permanent collection at Outpost Performance Space.

delphia.online

mwarchitecture.net

o stranger to touring big cities or having her songs make the Billboard charts, this ABQ crooner is also passionate about social causes (a past sexual assault inspired her to speak out). With a soulful vocal style and mesmerizing stage presence, Delphia is also a talented songwriter and musician. Though the pandemic has put a damper on live performances this year, you can still hear her music on Spotify and other streaming services.

BEST OF THE REST:

Susan Gomez (rockyourbodyfaba.com), Jade Leyva (Facebook @ JadeLeyvaArt), Sean Wells (Facebook @seanwellscreates), David Santiago (stjameart.com)

BEST OF THE REST:

Ryan McGarvey (ryanmcgarvey.com), Hillary Smith (hilljam.com), Kyle Martin (kylemartinmusic.com), Shane Wallin (shanewallinmusic.com)

Best TV Personality

Royale Dá

KOAT Channel 7

iewers have a deep sense of familiarity with Dá, who grew up in New Mexico (she’s a member of the Pueblo de San Ildefonso) and has been at KOAT for more than a dozen years. Not only have we watched as she worked her way up from reporter to anchor, but along the way she got married and had two children, openly sharing details of both life events with viewers.

BEST OF THE REST:

Chad Brummet (KRQE, Ch. 13/KASA, Ch. 2), Tessa Mentus (KOB, Ch. 4), Mark Ronchetti (previously with KRQE, Ch. 13), Steve Stucker (KOB, Ch. 4)

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Casinos Publisher’s Note:

As all of us know, very few things were “normal” in 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Stores were shuttered, restaurants and bars had to limit seating, and workplaces across the city have been disrupted and altered since March. We are lucky that our city has five fantastic casinos, and from among them we’re happy to present this year’s Best of the City winners in 14 categories. These venues, unfortunately, were among the businesses affected the most by COVID-19. And so, given that there are still limitations on many of their offerings, we felt it wouldn’t be fair to write about these winners in their current state, but rather, as they are in normal times. Thus, the information for the winner in each category is drawn from their most recent Best of the City appearance. All other info is correct and current. Thanks for voting for your favorites, and please join us in looking forward to having all ABQ businesses back to full health in 2021!

Best Late Night Casino Snacks

Best Casino Dealers

Route 66 Casino Hotel

Isleta Resort & Casino

14500 Central Ave. SW | 352-7866 | rt66casino.com

t’s no secret that casinos attract the night-owl crowd, and at Route 66, that demographic can refuel for one final gaming run at the Casino Snack Bar, open 24 hours and situated between the Main Street Restaurant Patio and the Player’s Club. With sandwiches, soups, nachos, fries, bakery items and more available, you’ll have the energy to gamble through the wee hours of the night.

BEST OF THE REST:

Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel (54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo, 867-0000, santaanastar.com), Sandia Resort & Casino (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 796-7500, sandiacasino.com), Isleta Resort & Casino (11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, 724-3800, isleta.com), The Downs Racetrack & Casino (145 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 767-7171, abqdowns.com)

11000 Broadway Blvd. SE | 724-3800 | isleta.com

hen you’re winning on the roulette or blackjack table life seems great, no matter the surroundings. But when things aren’t going your way, Isleta’s dealers tend to make losing more bearable, thanks to the perfect blend of professionalism, service and—perhaps most importantly—a good sense of humor.

BEST OF THE REST:

Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel (54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo, 867-0000, santaanastar.com), Sandia Resort & Casino (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 796-7500, sandiacasino.com), Route 66 Casino Hotel (14500 Central Ave. SW, 352-7866, rt66casino.com), The Downs Racetrack & Casino (145 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 767-7171, abqdowns.com)

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Best Casino Buffet

Route 66 Casino Hotel

14500 Central Ave. SW | 352-7866 | rt66casino.com

repare to be overwhelmed by the selection at this all-you-can-eat buffet (now known as the Buffet 66 Fresh Market), which features wide-ranging fare from sushi to barbecue to Latin street food to American comfort classics. Better yet, specials and promotions are plentiful throughout the week.

Best Casino Rewards Program

BEST OF THE REST:

Sandia Resort & Casino (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 796-7500, sandiacasino.com), Isleta Resort & Casino (11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, 724-3800, isleta.com), Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel (54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo, 867-0000, santaanastar.com)

54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo | 867-0000 santaanastar.com

Best Casino Entertainment Venue

Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel - The Stage 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo | 771-5680 | thestageatthestar.com

his two-level, multi-million dollar venue would fit right in with the bright lights of Sin City. Instead, The Stage allows New Mexico guests to have an intimate view of wellknown comedians such as Sinbad, Kevin Smith and Jim Breuer, and on weeks when the big names aren’t in town, The Stage holds what it calls “New Mexico’s Funniest Date Night” with live standup every Thursday. Of course, the venue is nothing if not versatile, as it also hosts EDM concerts, cabaret revues, musical tributes and dinner theater throughout the year.

BEST OF THE REST:

Sandia Resort & Casino (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 796-7500, sandiacasino.com), Isleta Resort & Casino (11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, 724-3800, isleta.com), Route 66 Casino Hotel - Legends Theater (14500 Central Ave. SW, 352-7866, rt66casino.com), The Downs Racetrack & Casino (145 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 767-7171, abqdowns.com)

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Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel

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t pays—sometimes literally—to join the Star Rewards Club, a tiered rewards program that features cash discounts on dining, bowling and the gift shop. Membership also offers point multipliers redeemable for cash or free play, plus other specials, like holiday promotions and loyalty giveaways. Regulars here have figured out the secret: keep playing, because the rewards stack up quickly.

BEST OF THE REST:

Isleta Resort & Casino (11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, 724-3800, isleta.com), Sandia Resort & Casino (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 7967500, sandiacasino.com), Route 66 Casino Hotel (14500 Central Ave. SW, 352-7866, rt66casino.com), The Downs Racetrack & Casino (145 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 767-7171, abqdowns.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

150 Best Casino Concert Series

Best Casino Valet Program

Sandia Resort & Casino

Isleta Resort & Casino

30 Rainbow Rd. NE 796-7500 | sandiacasino.com

11000 Broadway Blvd. SE 724-3800 | isleta.com

picturesque and recently renovated outdoor amphitheater with a capacity of 4,000 attracts top-flight bands and performers from across the country. And during inclement weather, the acts are moved indoors to a 27,000-square-foot ballroom. Some of 2019’s notable Sandia headliners included Foreigner, Pitbull, Boyz II Men, Little Big Town and the Steve Miller Band.

BEST OF THE REST:

Route 66 Casino Hotel (14500 Central Ave. SW, 352-7866, rt66casino.com), Isleta Resort & Casino (11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, 724-3800, isleta.com)

t’s easy to arrive like a king here, with a huge covered area with multiple valet lanes. Service is quick, and your cars are parked safely in a private lot by the attendants. The perk is complimentary (of course, we always like to give a tip). The best part? The gaming floor is just a few steps inside the door.

BEST OF THE REST:

The Downs Racetrack & Casino (145 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 767-7171, abqdowns.com), Route 66 Casino Hotel (14500 Central Ave. SW, 3527866, rt66casino.com), Sandia Resort & Casino (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 796-7500, sandiacasino. com), Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel (54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo, 867-0000, santaanastar.com)

CASINOS

Best Casino Nightclub

Isleta Resort & Casino Triple Sevens Saloon 11000 Broadway Blvd. SE 724-3800 | isleta.com

ith DJs spinning dance tunes and live musical acts several times per month, Triple Sevens is an ideal spot to break away from the buzz of the casino. Keep an eye out for fun weekly events, such as Latin Night, Lip Sync Battle and Karaoke. Also, the venue offers full menus for food, beer and cocktails.

BEST OF THE REST:

Sandia Resort & Casino - Tlur Pa Lounge (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 796-7500, sandiacasino. com), Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel - The Stage (54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo, 867-0000, santaanastar.com)

Best Casino Entertainment

Sandia Resort & Casino 30 Rainbow Rd. NE | 796-7500 sandiacasino.com

here’s non-stop action at Sandia—even away from the gaming machines and tables. The enormous Tlur Pa Lounge sits prominently off the casino area, with seating for more than 200 people, a large dance floor, and a 25-foot hi-definition video board. Bien Shur offers a rooftop restaurant and bar, and there’s also poolside cocktail service in the warmer months.

BEST OF THE REST:

Isleta Resort & Casino (11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, 724-3800, isleta.com), Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel (54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo, 867-0000, santaanastar.com), Route 66 Casino Hotel (14500 Central Ave. SW, 352-7866, rt66casino.com), The Downs Racetrack & Casino (145 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 767-7171, abqdowns.com)

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Best Casino Bar

Isleta Resort & Casino Center Bar

Best Casino Restaurant

Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel - Juniper Steakhouse

11000 Broadway Blvd. SE 724-3800 | isleta.com

ituated in the middle of all the casino action, the Center Bar, known for its unique circular design, is a great place to enjoy a beer or cocktail while people-watching. The service is prompt and courteous, and there are even a few gaming machines to play while you imbibe. Pro tip: It’s also an ideal rendezvous point for large groups to meet up after gambling to their hearts’ content.

ust like in Vegas, this casino features an upscale, fine-dining restaurant. And even better, Juniper lives up to its claim of “affordable elegance.” The reasonably-priced menu features hand-cut, dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and other culinary delights. The curated wine list features finer bottles, and the cocktails are hand-crafted. The venue also offers a special daily lunch menu, featuring signatures like their Prime Rib Dip.

BEST OF THE REST:

Route 66 Casino Hotel - Thunder Road Steakhouse & Cantina (14500 Central Ave. SW, 352-7866, rt66casino.com), Isleta Resort & Casino - Embers Steakhouse (11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, 724-3800, isleta.com), The Downs Racetrack & Casino- The Crown Room (145 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 767-7171, abqdowns.com), Sandia Resort & Casino Bien Shur (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 796-7500, sandiacasino.com)

BEST OF THE REST:

Sandia Resort & Casino - Tlur Pa Lounge (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 796-7500, sandiacasino. com), Route 66 Casino Hotel - Pub Lounge (14500 Central Ave. SW, 352-7866, rt66casino.com), Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel - Lounge 54 (54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo, 867-0000, santaanastar.com), The Downs Racetrack & Casino (145 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 767-7171, abqdowns.com)

Best Casino Gift Shop

Route 66 Casino Hotel 14500 Central Ave. SW | 352-7866 rt66casino.com

here’s definitely a bit of nostalgia involved with the shopping experience here, as there are a multitude of gifts — T-shirts, trinkets, hats, signs, postcards and more — commemorating the famous Route 66 name. Even if you don’t make a purchase, there’s plenty of photo-ops to be had while surrounded by fun memorabilia.

BEST OF THE REST:

Isleta Resort & Casino (11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, 724-3800, isleta.com), Sandia Resort & Casino (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 796-7500, sandiacasino.com), Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel (54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo, 867-0000, santaanastar.com)

54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo 867-0000 | santaanastar.com

Best Variety of Table Games

Route 66 Casino Hotel 14500 Central Ave. SW | 352-7866 rt66casino.com

ure there’s traditional blackjack, craps and roulette, but there are myriad options when it comes to specialty games here, as well. Test your skill and fortune at Trifecta/Jackpot Blackjack, Commission Free Mini Baccarat, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em. Intrigued? You should be. With more variety comes more opportunity.

BEST OF THE REST:

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Best Slot Machines

Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd., Santa Ana Pueblo | 867-0000 | santaanastar.com

his marks 10 years straight that Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel has won this category. And it’s easy to see why: they offer more than 1,600 slot machines, all certified by Strictly Slots Magazine. And the variety is truly astounding, which helps keep things interesting as you search for your big payouts. Those seeking a more private experience can visit the high-limit room, where the increased bets mean the possibility of bigger wins.

BEST OF THE REST:

Isleta Resort & Casino (11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, 724-3800, isleta.com), Sandia Resort & Casino (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 796-7500, sandiacasino.com), Route 66 Casino Hotel (14500 Central Ave. SW, 352-7866, rt66casino. com), The Downs Racetrack & Casino (145 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 767-7171, abqdowns.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

151

Health & Beauty Best Dispensary

Verdes Foundation

7301 San Antonio Dr. NE plus 1 other metro location 280-2814 | verdesfoundation.org

t Verdes, it’s not just about selling cannabis, despite being one of the largest operations in the state. The attention here is on health and wellness—evidenced by the fact that there are numerous trained nurses on the staff, including co-owner and Director of Dispensary Operations, Rachael Speegle. The business began serving patients in 2010, and has expanded to a second dispensary in Rio Rancho. Both locations carry an expansive line of flowers, edibles, concentrates and accessories.

BEST OF THE REST:

Cannaceutics Inc. (4316 Carlisle Blvd. NE, Ste. D, 6728734, cannaceutics.org), Sacred Garden (3600 Cutler Ave. NE #12, plus 1 other metro location, 257-3748, sacred.garden), Natural Rx (8612 Paseo Alameda NE, Ste. E, plus 1 other metro location, 404-8214, nrxnm.com), R. Greenleaf (5201 Ouray Rd. NW, plus 5 other metro locations, 200-9060, rgreenleaf.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

153 Best Day Spa

Betty’s Bath & Day Spa 1835 Candelaria Rd. NW | 341-3456 bettysbath.com

his North Valley spa has been pampering and refreshing weary bodies for 20 years. In addition to specialty offerings—like hot tubs filled with skin-rejuvenating salt water—the spa also offers private suite services for couples. There’s even an online store with house brands of essential oils, lotions and scrubs.

BEST OF THE REST:

Pure Radiance Advanced Skin Care (4611 Greene Ave. NW, Ste. 304, 890-8678, pureradianceskin.com), The Back Porch Day Spa (8525 Indian School Rd. NE, 822-9700, thebackporchdayspa.com), The Remedy Day Spa (113 Vassar Dr. SE, 265-9219, theremedydayspa.com), Green Reed Spa (Sandia Resort & Casino, 30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 798-3980, sandiacasino.com)

Best Fitness ClasS

Athlete Ready

he facility was launched in 2014 with a large emphasis on helping to strengthen and train ABQ youth who play competitive sports. But there are also classes for adults and groups looking to get fit, plus they offer nutrition guidance, even for those with busy work schedules, or with specific health or physical concerns. Founder Jared Saavedra expanded his operation last year to a second location in Atlanta.

BEST OF THE REST:

Pilates Caliente (Blissful Spirits Hot Yoga, 4300 El Pueblo Rd. NE, 688-7772, blissfulspirits.com), Orangetheory Fitness (5010 Cutler Ave. NE, Ste. F, plus 2 other metro locations, 359-7011, orangetheory. com), New Mexico Sports and Wellness (7120 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. 8B, plus 4 other metro locations, wellbridge.com), Defined Fitness (6210 Riverside Plaza Lane NW, plus 6 other metro locations, 899-0086, defined.com)

Best Esthetician

Conrad Sanchez

Conrad Sanchez Skin Care | 7400 Hancock Ct. NE, Ste. E 985-8883 | conradsanchezskincare.com

anchez is an ABQ native with worldly experience (he served for years in New York and Paris as an aesthetic and skin care specialist for beauty-and-fashion giant Chanel). He launched his local skin care company in 2004, specializing in many cutting-edge technologies, such as dermabrasion, microneedling and chemical peels. The shop also offers a variety of other services, including acne and anti-aging treatments, and facials for men.

BEST OF THE REST:

Kasey Serrano (818-8698, ritualnm.com), Lorena Jaramillo (500-4959, styleseat.com/ lorenajaramillo), Kristy Manning (Alluraderm MD Med Spa, 9501 Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NE, Ste. B, 821-9630, alluraderm.com), Veronica Navagato (Halo Med Spa, 203 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Ste. 3, 433-4043, halomedspaabq.com)

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HEALTH AND BEAUTY

3700 Osuna Rd. NE, Ste. 623 489-6314 | athleteready.com

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

154 Best Alternative Wellness Practice

The DocSpa 6801 Jefferson St. NE, Ste 350 884-8900 | thedocspa.com

lternative treatments have taken on growing popularity in recent years, and the board-certified doctors here are on the cutting edge of this segment of health care. Of course, they are also versed in comprehensive services like primary care, acupuncture, anti-aging treatments, hormone therapy, tattoo removal, and laser liposuction. With locations in Albuquerque and Edgewood, this team has the metro area covered.

BEST OF THE REST:

Functional Family Medicine (7301 Jefferson St, NE, Ste. G, 922-9800, functionalfamilymedicine. net), Precision Chiropractic (8220 San Pedro Dr. NE, Ste. 120, 503-6498, precisionnm.com), Zentral Wellness (120 Morningside Dr. NE, 2660881, zentralabq.com), Elite MD (801 Encino Pl. NE, Ste. C-7, 218-7006, elitemdlui.com)

Best Barbershop

Top Tier Barber Shop 507 San Mateo Blvd. NE | 255-1918

un and hip haircuts are the name of the game here. Custom cuts typically get uploaded to the shop’s social media pages, and folks waiting for their seat in the chair can pass the time on the pool table.

Best CBD Shop

Rio Grande Hemp Company 3621 Wyoming Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location 369-1060 | riograndehempcompany.com

he skyrocketing popularity of CBD has led to its use in numerous products, most of which they carry here. You can choose from plenty of food products (honey, infused water), as well as beauty products, like bath bombs and lotions. There’s also CBD dog treats, and even tinctures to give your pets the extract directly to help with aches and pains.

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Best Chiropractor

Dr. Damian Cata Precision Chiropractic 8220 San Pedro Dr. NE, Unit 120 503-6498 | precisionnm.com

he chiropractic method known as ‘neurostructural’ is aimed at fixing long-term spine issues, as opposed to adjustments. Dr. Cata is the city’s only doctor practicing this method—the ABQ native has even developed his own form of analysis on ways to identify signs of neurostructural shifting.

BEST OF THE REST:

Dr. Nick Speegle (Speegle Sport & Spine, 4101 Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NE, Ste. 118, 503-8376, speeglesportandspine.com), Dr. Eric Dahl (Apollo Chiropractic Health and Wellness, 6911 Taylor Ranch Rd. NW, Ste. C-8, 792-3311, apollo-chiro.com), Dr. Allen Miner (Health Quest Chiropractic, 803 Silver Ave. SW, 200-9937, newmexicochiro.com), Dr. Beau Hightower (Elite Ortho-Therapy and Sports Medicine, 301 Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Ave. NE, Ste. 232, elite-osm.com)

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BEST OF THE REST:

Whit’s Barber Lounge (1321 Eubank Blvd. NE, 507-5011), Finesse Barber Studio (10131 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste. H2, 385-3055), The Barberologist Lounge (6600 Indian School Rd. NE, 718-9697), The Fabulous Barbershop (2117 Central Ave. NW, 508-1649, fabulousbarbers.com)

BEST OF THE REST:

Sacred Garden (3600 Cutler Ave. NE Ste. 12, plus 1 other metro location, 257-3748, sacred.garden), Bosque CBD (219 Central Ave. SW, 4048105), CBD Boutique (3000 San Pedro Dr. NE, Ste. B, plus 3 other metro locations, 5882661, thecbdboutique.com), Raw Greens CBD (2639 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 433-3761, rawgreensabq.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

155 Best Nail Salon

Paixão Nail & Beauty Bar 1100 San Mateo Blvd NE, Ste. 28 266-6950 | paixaobeautybar.com

he salon’s name comes from the Portuguese word meaning “passion,” and that ethos is evident on a daily basis, as evidenced by its dedication to maintaining a clean and hygienic environment. Case in point: each client gets new files and buffers for manicures and pedicures, while all metal implements are sanitized and sterilized after each use. Be sure to try the revolutionary steaming hot towel service for pedicures, which includes three soothing massages with high-quality hand made products.

Best Makeup Artist

Jacqueline Chavez he journey continues onward and upward for Chavez, who is no stranger to this award. She had viewed makeup as a hobby, until she accepted a job working the retail counter at Sephora in 2008. “Being there and seeing everything really piqued my interest,” says Chavez, a Santa Fe native. “I felt like it was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” She went on to sell Mary Kay beauty products, and then began freelancing makeup for weddings and events. Today, she’s an in-demand makeup professional, synonymous with creating beautiful faces that appear in movies, plays and photo shoots all across New Mexico.

BEST OF THE REST:

Ashlynne Padilla (507-0472, Instagram @ashlynnemua), Conrad Sanchez (Conrad Sanchez Skin Care, 7400 Hancock Ct. NE, Ste. E, 985-8883, conradsanchezskincare. com), Genica Lee (Genica Lee Hair & Makeup Artist, genicalee.love), Leslie Baca (Tijeras Hair Co., 2801 Indian School Rd. NE, 255-5544, tijerashairco.com)

Best Massage Therapist

Cute.icle Lounge (8150 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 821-0229, cuteiclelounge.com), Athena Day Spa (9784 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste. C, 792-9885, athenadayspaabq.com), Princess Spa & Nails (9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. 6, 323-4113, princessspaandnails505.com), Glam Nail Bar & Spa (8224 Menaul Blvd. NE, 835-5040)

Best Medical Spa

Bair Medical Spa 8810 Holly Ave. NE, Ste. F 881-1532 | bairmedicalspa.com

Sara McDonald

he aging process is squarely in the crosshairs of this well-equipped, high-tech spa. The ownership team of Dr. Dean and Kristie Bair and their staff have been perking up aging skin and wrinkles since 2004—and even do plenty of treatments popular with younger patients, such as lip enhancements and laser hair removal.

Essential Therapy Massage By Sara 1420 Carlisle Blvd. NE, Ste. 105 | 948-1631

his longtime local masseuse has clients that have been regulars for years, and her options include many of the more popular massage techniques, such as Swedish, deep tissue and hot stone. She also specializes in techniques that help alleviate injuries, plus specialty massages, such as those designed to provide relief and comfort for expectant mothers.

BEST OF THE REST:

The Spa at Western Dermatology Consultants (10151 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. 1A, 855-9267, westerndermatology,com), Elite MD (801 Encino Pl. NE, Ste. C-7, 218-7006, elitemdlui.com), AlluraDerm MD Med Spa (9501 Paseo del Norte Blvd. NE, Ste. B, 8219630, alluraderm.com), The Doc Spa (6801 Jefferson St. NE #350, 884-8900, thedocspa. com)

BEST OF THE REST:

Veronica Castillo (Athlete Ready, 3700 Osuna Rd. NE, Ste. 623, 489-6314, athleteready.com), Robert Wilder (Apollo Chiropractic Health and Wellness, 6911 Taylor Ranch Rd. NW, Ste. C-8, 792-3311, apollo-chiro.com), Shonna Caddell (Pure Radiance Advanced Skin Care, 4611 Greene Ave. NW, Ste. 304, 890-8678, pureradianceskin.com), Rochelle Garcia (Fountain of Health, 2620 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste. H, 803-0174, fountainofhealth.life)

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HEALTH AND BEAUTY

BEST OF THE REST:

Make Up Artistry | 459-9090 | jacquelinechavez.com

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

156 Best Hair Salon

Mark Pardo SalonSpa

8001 Wyoming Blvd. NE #2009 plus 5 other metro locations 298-2983 | markpardo.com

stablished in 1973, this local chain now has six locations, and offers an immense array of salon and spa treatments beyond just hair cuts and styling. You can maximize your beauty by getting eyelash extensions, eyebrow tinting, even lessons on how to apply makeup. And for men, your hair is in good hands here: get your grey head hair blended, or your unwanted back hair removed.

BEST OF THE REST:

Salon Helena (7913 Menaul Blvd. NE, 884-4955, salonhelena.com), Tijeras Hair Co. (2801 Indian School Rd. NE, 255-5544, tijerashairco.com), Femme Chic Beauty (723 Mountain Rd. NW, 639-5233, femmechicbeauty.com), Alwayz Hair Stylist (5101 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste. 6, 414-7144)

B e s t H e a l t h C l u b

Defined Fitness 6210 Riverside Plaza Lane NW plus 6 other metro locations 899-0086 | defined.com

ust because Defined does fitness on a large scale (soon to be 8 metro locations, some as big as 60,000 square feet), doesn’t mean it’s impersonal. The team includes nearly 50 personal trainers, and offers a fitness class for every interest, including yoga, tai chi, Zumba, BodyCombat, BodyPump, cycling and many more. The workout equipment is updated regularly, and the offerings include the use of hi-tech scales that measure body muscle, fat and water levels in 15 seconds.

BEST OF THE REST:

YMCA (4901 Indian School Rd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 595-1515, ymcacnm.org), New Mexico Sports and Wellness (7120 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. 8B, plus 3 other metro locations, wellbridge.com), Chuze Fitness (9350 Eagle Ranch Rd. NW, plus 1 other metro location, 5466120, chuzefitness.com), Jewish Community Center (5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 332-0565, jccabq.org)

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Best Hairstylist/Colorist

Michelle Halusco

Femme Chic Beauty | 723 Mountain Rd. NW 639-5233 | femmechicbeauty.com

he has formal training from Urban Academy (now Toni & Guy) and CNM, but Halusco learned just as much from trial-andcorrection as she did in the classroom. “I used to practice cutting and styling on my family and friends. I got my foundation by messing up a lot of people’s hair,” she says, laughing. “A lot of (it) was self-taught. When you mess things up, you learn quickly how to fix them.” After honing her style, and working for others for a bit, the ABQ native opened Femme Chic in 2012. She says the idea of running and marketing her own business has appealed for her since her younger days. “I was always competitive. I’m a perfectionist, a Type-A personality,” says the former St. Pius X High School cheerleader. “I love hair, and I love being creative, so I’m grateful to be in this industry. I’m also thankful I have an amazing and supportive clientele.”

BEST OF THE REST:

Gina Levi (Shear Madness, 722 Grove St. NE Ste. A, 459-1045) Eric Rico (Accounting Cuts, 2001 Mountain Rd. NW, Building F Ste. A, 575-4181739, accountingcuts.com), Antonia Medrano (La Vida Hair Studio, 6300 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Ste. F-2 Room 122, 900-5272), Stelina Carter (S Carter Hair Studio, 9780 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste. D, 974-7397, Instagram @ scarterhairstudio)

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B e s t H o t e l S p a

Mist Spa Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa

1300 Tuyuna Trail, Santa Ana Pueblo 867-1234 | tamaya.regency.hyatt.com

amaya Resort is one of only four metroarea hotels with a AAA Four-Diamond rating—which should tell you all you need to know about the Mist Spa. They offer a complete list of facials and massages, including stress-relieving sessions via the Japanese Reiki technique. The facilities include state-of-the-art exercise equipment, and the relaxation lounge offers goodies like fruit, nuts and chile-infused chocolate.

BEST OF THE REST:

Green Reed Spa - Sandia Resort & Casino (30 Rainbow Rd. NE, 798-3980, sandiacasino. com), The Spa - Isleta Resort & Casino (11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, 848-1977, isleta.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

157 Best Tattoo Artist

Carlos Cordova

Archetype Tattoo | 2019 Menaul Blvd. NE 265-0972 | archetypetattoo.com

ordova puts the ‘artist’ in ‘tattoo artist.’ He began learning the craft back in the 1990s—but put his apprenticeship on hold to earn a degree in art. After college, he rebooted his tattooing career in 2005, and his list of happy clients continues to grow daily from work at Archetype Tattoo. The ABQ native’s style has a wide range, from his preferred genre of ‘dark horror,’ to uplifting images done in the intricate technique of ‘watercolor tattoos’ (check out his work online; it’s too cool to even try to describe here).

BEST OF THE REST:

Ben Shaw (Archetype Tattoo, 2019 Menaul Blvd. NE, 265-0972, archetypetattoo.com), Bale Sisneros (Por Vida Tattoo, 1014 Central Ave. SW, 896-2329, porvidaabq.com), Tyson Gonzales (Tinta Cantina, 3902 Central Ave. SE, 265-9606), Johnny Mac (True Grit Tattoo, 5001 Central Ave. NE, 312-8162, truegrittattoos.com)

Blissful Spirits Hot Yoga 4300 Paseo del Norte Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 688-7772 | blissfulspirits.com

wner Melanie St. Georges teaches some of the classes herself, and is a proponent of the Barkan method of hot yoga (which incorporates a wider range of postures, and avoids any poses that require locking the knee). But the classes here come in all varieties, including many virtual sessions that grew out of necessity, due to the pandemic.

Best Yoga Instructor

Denise Gonzales

Blissful Spirits Hot Yoga | 4300 Paseo del Norte Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location | 688-7772 | blissfulspirits.com

onzales, who has previously won this award, has a large and loyal following of yoga enthusiasts—even in times of COVID, where her classes have gone remote by using Zoom. She completed the training to become a hot yoga instructor in 2011, and is on the management team at Blissful Spirits.

BEST OF THE REST:

Lisa Kehoe (Vivify Hot Yoga, 1137 Commercial Dr. SE, Rio Rancho, 994-9451, vivifynm.com), Ashley Fathergill (YogaZo, 937-671-8917, yogazoabq.com), Donna Marlow (Blissful Spirits Hot Yoga, 4300 Paseo del Norte Rd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 688-7772, blissfulspirits.com), Kelly Carpenter (Blissful Spirits Hot Yoga, 4300 Paseo del Norte Rd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 688-7772, blissfulspirits.com)

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Vivify Hot Yoga (1137 Commercial Dr. SE, Ste. 101, Rio Rancho, 994-9451, vivifynm. com), Sweat Yoga Studio (4500 Osuna Rd. NE, Ste. 200, 363-8021, sweatyogastudio. com), Yogazo (937-671-8917, yogazoabq. com), Mi Vida Yoga (2418 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 508-5943, mividayoganm.com)

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Best Yoga Studio

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

158 Best Tattoo Shop

Archetype Tattoo

2019 Menaul Blvd. NE | 265-0972 archetypetattoo.com

f stereotypes existed about tattoo shops, owner Ben Shaw flipped them all upsidedown when he opened his Midtown shop in 2010. Not only is he versed in bloodborne pathogens, CPR and first aid, Shaw also co-founded the state’s Guild of Ethical Tattooists, an organization designed to raise awareness and safety standards for body art. And before you start to think he’s overly linear, know this: art and creativity are central to his being (he’s one of the most sought-after tattoo artists in the city).

BEST OF THE REST:

Por Vida Tattoo (1014 Central Ave. SW, 8962329, porvidaabq.com), All Is One (3225 Central Ave. NE, 255-4461, allisonetattoo. com), True Grit Tattoo (5001 Central Ave. NE, 312-8162, truegrittattoos.com), Sacred Skin Tatu (421 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 492-7296)

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Best Tanning Salon

Suncare Spray Tan and Skin Care Salon

Best Personal Trainer

Roman Escandón Athlete Ready | 3700 Osuna Rd. NE, Ste. 623 | 489-6314 | athleteready.com

ears ago, when Escandón was a student-athlete at Del Norte High School, he says biology and physiology classes helped him decide on a career involving health and fitness. He went to UNM, and ended up assisting as a skills coach for the soccer program. Over the next several years, he trained athletes at numerous area gyms before becoming co-owner of Athlete Ready in 2019. The program’s founder, Jared Saavedra, had gained acclaim by helping train numerous local youth stars, like Jordan Byrd (now a running back at San Diego State) and Amaya Brown (a junior on Florida State’s women’s basketball team). “Our mission is to elevate the standard of training in New Mexico,” says Escandón, who moved to ABQ from Colorado when he was 10 years old. “We want to produce more high-caliber young athletes.” He says his current client roster includes UFC flyweight Jordan Espinosa, and that his ratio of trainees is about half adults, half youths.

BEST OF THE REST:

Kelly Carpenter (Blissful Spirits Hot Yoga, 4300 El Pueblo Rd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 688-7772, blissfulspirits.com), Jordan Chavez (Zia Strength Systems, 2440 Alamo Ave. SE, Ste. 106, 705-1599, ziastrengthsystems.com), Mark Morgenstern (UFC Gym, 1650 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho, 994-4269, ufcgym.com\riorancho), Freddy Sandoval (New Mexico Sports and Wellness, 7120 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. 8B, plus 3 other metro locations, wellbridge.com)

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9370 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste. 200 plus 1 other metro location 897-7520 | suncareabq.com

he options to fortify your skin’s glow are numerous at this salon, which launched in 1985. In addition to traditional tanning beds (they have more than 50), Suncare also offers spray tanning, skin treatments, a hydration steam pod, and the FIT Bodywrap, which helps with musclerelated injuries, calorie burning, and toxin release.

BEST OF THE REST:

Solarius Spa (12500 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. 107, 299-3116, solariusspa.com), MaddTan (3500 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste. 8, 7157476, maddtan.com), Sun in a Million Tanning Salon & Beauty Bar (11200 Montgomery Blvd. NE Ste. 15, 323-1988, suninamillion.com), Däs Spa (8201 Golf Course Rd. NW, Ste.A-4A, 8904070, dasspaabq.com)

Kids

Best Kids’ Birthday Party Place

SAGA Gymnastics

B e s t D a y C a r e

B e s t F a m i l y R e s t a u r a n t

Children’s Choice Child Care Services

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews

10601 Lomas Blvd. NE, Ste. 101 296-2880 | childrens-choice.org

nhancing and supplementing the educational experience for ABQ school children has been the mission here for two decades. With locations at 13 schools across the city, they provide both before- and after-school care, plus summer programs. And the sessions are as diverse as parents would like them to be: kids can engage in art or motor-skill activities, or be provided a quiet area so they can concentrate on homework. And to maintain kid energy, snacks are provided.

BEST OF THE REST:

Covenant Schools (7120 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. 19A, plus 1 other metro location, 856-5493, covenantschools.com), Precious Moments (9555 Osuna Rd. NE, plus 3 other metro locations, 323-9800, preciousmomentslc.com), Kids Academy (5528 Eubank Blvd. NE, 237-1080, daycarealbuquerque.com), Salam Academy (8015 Mountain Road Pl. NE, 888-7688, salamacademy.org)

emember when Disney started putting grown-up humor in animated films, so parents would love them just as much as their kids? This chain is the restaurant equivalent, with a bevy of kid-friendly activities and menu items alongside craft beer, fancy cocktails and gourmet burgers. But ABQ’s three locations are still all about the kiddos, who love the wall-size chalkboards as much as parents love that sodas are served with lids and straws. And the kid menus—which include Spanish translations—even have healthy stuff, like apple slices and sides of broccoli.

his party locale has it down: Parents bring kids, refreshments and cake, and SAGA provides the space, tables, invitations, and even the balloons, plus an entire gym area just for the birthday boy/girl and his/her friends to tucker themselves out with fun. And after the bash, they’ll even help you clean up.

BEST OF THE REST:

Hinkle Family Fun Center (12931 Indian School Rd. NE, 299-3100, hinklefamilyfuncenter.com), ¡Explora! (1701 Mountain Rd. NW, 224-8300, explora.us), Cool Springz Trampoline Park (5205 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 3455867, coolspringz.com), Main Event Albuquerque (4040 Pan American Fwy. NE, 884-4928, mainevent.com)

Best Story Time

BEST OF THE REST:

Tomato Cafe (7900 San Pedro Dr. NE, 821-9300, tomatocafe.com), Dion’s (10401 Montgomery Blvd. NE, plus 13 other metro locations, 293-7183, dions.com), Village Pizza (3200 La Orilla Rd. NW, Ste. E-2, plus 1 other metro location, 219-3766, villagepizzanm.com), Flying Star Cafe (4026 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, plus 5 other metro locations, 344-6714, flyingstarcafe.com)

Best Summer Camp

BEST OF THE REST:

¡Explora!

2100 Louisiana Blvd. NE plus 2 other metro locations 225-8597 | redrobin.com

3400 Candelaria Rd NE 884-6949 | sagagymnastics.com

1701 Mountain Rd. NW 224-8300 | explora.us

ids sometimes forget that they’re in camp here, because they’re having such a blast. This Old Town interactive science center has day programs for kids up to 5th grade, creating immense fun out of subjects like robotics, math, technology, art and more. They also have spring and winter camps, and even offer financial assistance so that everyone can enjoy and learn.

Blast! Academy at New Mexico Sports and Wellness (7120 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. 8B, plus 3 other metro locations, wellbridge.com), Albuquerque Academy - Think Academy Programs (6400 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 858-8811, aa.edu/community/think-academy/ think-summer), Gorham Scout Ranch (5841 Office Blvd. NE, 345-8603, gorhamscoutranch.org), Children’s Choice Child Care Services (10601 Lomas Blvd. NE, Ste. 101, plus 13 other metro locations, 296-2880, childrens-choice.org)

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Cherry Hills Library

6901 Barstow St. NE 857-8321 | abqlibrary.org

egular children story hours are popular at this city library branch. In fact, there’s quite a dedication to making the public library welcoming for kids: there’s a designated children’s area, plus a restroom just for kids.

BEST OF THE REST:

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum - Stories in the Sky (9201 Balloon Museum Dr. NE, 7686020, balloonmuseum.com), Barnes and Noble (6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 883-8200, barnesandnoble. com) Playbox Discovery Center (1510 San Pedro Dr. NE, 217-9500, playcafenm.com) Bookworks (4022 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 3448139, bkwrks.com)

Best Kids’ Haircut

Shear Madness Haircuts for Kids 8001 Wyoming Blvd. NE | 255-5502 shearmadnesskids.com

our child will never again cut his own hair (“Oh, nooooo, what did you DO?!”) after one visit here. It’s all about the kiddos, from the minicar barber seats, to the toys and games in the waiting room. The staff is specially trained to handle kid clients (the trick: be exceptionally patient), and even offer extra services, like kid manicures and ear piercings. They also sell kid-targeted hair products, like detangling sprays and brushes, lice treatments, and organic shampoos and conditioners.

BEST OF THE REST:

Craft Barbershop (95 NM-344 Edgewood, 492-6243), Whit’s Barber Lounge (1321 Eubank Blvd. NE, 507-5011), The Barberologist Lounge (6600 Indian School Rd. NE, 718-9697), Kidz Place Haircuts & More (1520 Deborah Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, 892-5439)

Best Preschool

Covenant Schools

premium is placed on staffing here: the teachers’ yearly training hours are more than the state requires, and they’re certified in infant and pediatric first aid and CPR, plus many of them have degrees in early childhood education. Programs include reading, physical education and dance. Also, parents can check in on their kids’ day in real-time using the smartphone app Brightwheel (you might remember it from TV’s “Shark Tank,” where dads/investors Mark Cuban and Chris Sacca scooped it up).

BEST OF THE REST:

A Child’s Garden (215 Locust St. NE, 7642920, achildsgardenabq.org), Immanuel Lutheran Preschool (300 Gold Ave. SE, 243-2589, immanuelabq.org), Kids Under Construction Inc. (4601 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 293-4448, kucipreschool.com), Paradise Hills Community Preschool (5976 Avenida La Barranca Ct. NW, 898-3122, phcp.org)

Bricks & Minifigs 6001 San Mateo Blvd. NE | 369-1574 bricksandminifigs.com

his nationwide chain is the end-all, be-all of Lego, selling everything from classic bricks (so you can build to your heart’s content) to specialty sets. In case you’ve been out of the Lego game lately, you should check out the latest fancy offerings, like their huge Star Wars selection (Baby Yoda, anyone?), Andy Warhol art replicas, even detailed classic car sets. Plus, they offer classes, and buy used collections.

BEST OF THE REST:

Astro Zombies (3100 Central Ave. SE, 2327800, astrozombies.com), Color Wheel Toys (113 Carlisle Blvd. SE, 289-2463, colorwheeltoys.com), Grayskull Toys and Collectibles (10000 Coors Bypass NW, 835-5350, grayskull-toys-and-collectibles. business.site), Out of the Blue Toy Store (Permanently Closed)

e d i to r ’s p i c k

Best Kids’ Classes

Dimensions School of Dance

Best Toy Store

7120 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. 19A plus 1 other metro location 856-5493 | covenantschools.com

4901 Paseo del Norte Blvd. NE, Ste. B plus 1 other metro location 821-6164 | dimensions.dance

eaching little ones the art and skill of dance is a big deal here, with no less than 10 separate programs, some for children as young as 18 months. And it’s not just the movements they’ll learn; instruction is also given in body coordination, flexibility, dance terminology, even etiquette. Classes include ballet, tap, tumbling, hip-hop and more. Plus, the classes grow as the skills do, with teenagers progressing to classes in jazz, modern and theatrical dance.

KIDS

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

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BEST OF THE REST:

Magnify Dance Center (8529 Indian School Rd. NE, 312-8371, magnifydancecenter.com), New Mexico School of Music (10701 Montgomery Blvd. NE, plus one other metro location, 294-4604, nmschoolofmusic.com), Athlete Ready (3700 Osuna Rd. NE, Ste. 623, 489-6314, athleteready.com), The Growing Stage (Permanently Closed)

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Best Yummy Distraction for the Kids

La Salita Restaurant 1950 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE Suite H | 299-9968 | lasalita.com

his might be the one exception for parents to allow kids to play with their food. The team here fries up cute (and yummy) animal-shaped sopaipillas for little tykes! The kid menu dishes (roll-ups or enchiladas) each come with a warm, fluffy sopa—cut out like a four-legged critter. Owner Stephanie Eddings (whose mom, Cynthia Seifert, founded La Salita in the 1960s) says she began working at the restaurant doing odd jobs when she was five years old, and later bussed tables before going off to college. She took over operations a few years ago, and says her team never forgets that kids eat, too. “We’re very family oriented,” she says. “We serve the little sopaipillas with real honey, plus cinnamon and sugar shakers. The kids love that.” Make that kids of all ages; Eddings reports that adults often order the animal sopas, too.

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Pets

Best Pet Boarding

Canine Country Club and Feline Inn 7327 4th St. NW Los Ranchos de Albuquerque plus 1 other metro location 814-5513 | caninecountryclub.com

ogs and cats have been doing extended sleep-overs at this local pet haven since 1972. And it’s easy to see why, with heated floors, controlled temperature spaces, private quarters and a lambs wool blanket for each pet (the cat units even include bay windows and skylights). You can also arrange for trained staff to provide grooming or private playtime each day for your pet. Plus, they conveniently have a location on each side of the Rio Grande.

BEST OF THE REST:

Pet Paradise (580 Quantum Rd. NE, Rio Rancho, 891-4100, petparadise.com), Caring Paws Doggie Day Care (2519 Madison St. NE, 883-7297, caringpawsdoggiedaycare.com), Monte Vista Pet Lodge (365 Unser Blvd. SE, Rio Rancho, 998-1494, mvpetlodge.com), New Mexican Kennels (4401 Yale Blvd. NE, 3440158, newmexicankennels.com)

Best Doggie Daycare

Dogtopia 3301 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste. S-17 365-1512 | dogtopia.com

Best Veterinarian

Blue Cross Animal Clinic

1921 Carlisle Blvd. NE | 255-5250 | bluecrossvetnm.com

nimal surgery and dentistry are routine for the staff here, but they also place a premium on preventative care, so that annual exams can catch harmful diseases or illnesses early. The clinic is owned by veterinarian Ashlee Andrews, an ABQ native who also runs Eubank Animal Clinic and a mobile vet operation. Blue Cross also provides pet food and medicine, including remedies to fight the same types of ailments that affect the rest of us (allergies, hip & joint relief, even chronic coughing).

BEST OF THE REST:

Juan Tabo Animal Clinic (3804-A Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 298-6761, juantaboanimalclinicabq. com), Aztec Animal Clinic (4340 Coal Ave. SE, 265-4939, aztecanimalclinic.com), TLC Pet Hospital (1300 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 275-3647, tlcpethospital.net), Petroglyph Animal Hospital (6633 Caminito Coors NW, 898-8874, pahvets.com)

verything here is geared to pamper your dog. The staff administers medications, nutritional lunches, and isolation ‘nap times.’ Soft rubber floors and soundproof rooms help soothe nervous dogs, and owners can even check in via a live webcam. Dogtopia also offers spa services (baths, ear/ teeth cleaning, etc.), and provides a report card showing how your pooch interacted with staff and fellow dogs.

BEST OF THE REST:

Camp Bow Wow (3228 Los Arboles Ave. NE, 881-3647, campbowwow.com), Pet Paradise (580 Quantum Rd. NE, Rio Rancho, 8914100, petparadise.com), Caring Paws Doggie Day Care (2519 Madison St. NE, 883-7297, caringpawsdoggiedaycare.com), Canine Country Club and Feline Inn (7327 4th St. NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, plus 1 other location, 814-5513, caninecountryclub.com)

‘‘

Best Pet Boutique

Best Dog Training

Groomingdale’s Pet Spa

Pawsitive Training ABQ

405 Montaño Rd. NE plus 1 other metro location 345-4455 | groomingdalesnm.com

he specialty here is the full grooming treatment for dogs, from shampooing and brushing, to nail trimming, to precise clipping of your pooch’s coat to their (and your) liking. You can also request flea & tick treatment, and ear cleaning and clipping. And for the finale, this shop has plenty of outfits and accessories to give your pet that Hollywood glitz & glamour.

553-5300 | pawsitivetrainingabq.com

ur dogs are as individual as we are, which is why owner Georgette Lombardo only trains in individual, at-home sessions. Her approach to getting your pooch to sit, fetch and follow other commands is done by using audible ‘clicks,’ so that your dog hears affirmation of good deeds—with results often in just one week. This Cibola High School graduate also offers a Zoom option for training, and yes, she’ll even work with puppies.

BEST OF THE REST:

Arie’s Dogland (3530 Pan American Fwy. NE, Ste. H, 884-4335, ariesdogland.com), Acoma Training Center (333 Wyoming Blvd. SE, 266-6436, acomatrainingcenter.com), Animal Humane New Mexico (615 Virginia St. SE, 255-5523, animalhumanenm.org), Good Buddy Dog Training (661 Quantum Rd. NE, Ste. V102, Rio Rancho, 221-7314, goodbuddydogtraining.com)

BEST OF THE REST:

Jack & Rascal’s (4401 Montaño Rd. NW, 5031779, jackandrascals.com), Boofy’s Best for Pets (8201 Golf Course Rd. NW, Ste. C-2, 8900757, boofysbest.com), Paw Chić (365-1133, pawchicmobilegrooming.com), Long Leash on Life (9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. 13, 299-8800, longleashonlife.com)

Best Pet Friendly Patio

Flying Star Cafe 4026 Rio Grande Blvd. NW plus 5 other metro locations 344-6714 | flyingstarcafe.com

hink this local chain loves pets? First off, they refer to each of their patios as a “petio.” And then they have free treats for your doggie, plus water bowls to keep pooches hydrated. Throw in plenty of shade on those spacious petios—plus great menu items for humans—and you & Fido can relax here without a care in the world.

PETS

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

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BEST OF THE REST:

Marble Brewery (111 Marble Ave. NW, plus 2 other metro locations, 243-2739, marblebrewery.com), Boxing Bear Brewing Company (10200 Corrales Rd. NW, plus 2 other metro locations, 897-2327, boxingbearbrewing.com), Green Jeans Farmery (3600 Cutler Ave. NE, 313-0042, greenjeansabq.com), O’Neill’s (4310 Central Ave. SE, plus 1 other metro location, 255-6782, oneills.com)

Best Local Pet Food Store

Long Leash on Life

9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. 13 299-8800 | longleashonlife.com

wners Norm Shrout and Ken Wormser have based their business on the idea that pets, like humans, live longer and better if they have proper diet and nutrition. Their Northeast Heights shop sells pet food that is more natural, with less processing, and void of animal digest, corn, chemical preservatives and artificial colors. They also sell healthy chicken, duck and wild bird feed, and use local suppliers whenever possible.

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BEST OF THE REST:

Pet Food Gone Wild (2415 Southern Blvd. SE, Ste. 102, Rio Rancho, 994-0101, petfoodgonewild. com), Boofy’s Best for Pets (8201 Golf Course Rd. NW, Ste. C-2, 8900757, boofysbest.com), Clark’s Pet Emporium (4914 Lomas Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 2685977, clarkspets.com), Jack and Rascal’s (4401 Montaño Rd. NW, 503-1779, jackandrascals.com)

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

163 Best Pet Grooming

Jack and Rascal’s 4401 Montaño Rd. NW | 503-1779 jackandrascals.com

here are several options here for your pet’s hygiene, starting what a simple bath. You can also have fur grooming, teeth cleaning, nail clipping, ear scrubbing— even treatments to reduce shedding. Want something more on the cutting edge? Try adding a Color Package, a new-to-market technique where you can have your pet’s fur dyed to your specification, even making Spot up like a four-legged bumblebee or ladybug.

BEST OF THE REST:

The Doggie Den Grooming (2525 Madison St. NE, 200-9837, doggieden.biz), Poochini Pet Grooming (7007 Jefferson St. NE, Ste. E, 856-2259, poochinipetgrooming.com), Studio Canine (3901 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Ste. D, 8309123), Pretty Pets (5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. B25, 293-1600, prettypetsnm.com)

B e s t P e t S u p p l y S t o r e

Clark’s Pet Emporium 4912 Lomas Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 268-5977 | clarkspets.com

lenty of stores have dog and cat stuff, including Clark’s. But this longtime shop also provides supplies for birds, fish, reptiles, spiders, rabbits, chinchillas, hamsters, hedgehogs, and other exotic critters. With a selection of more than 10,000 items in its inventory between two ABQ locations, you can get food, toys, first aid supplies, medication and just about anything else for your pets.

BEST OF THE REST:

Jack and Rascal’s (4401 Montaño Rd. NW, 503-1779, jackandrascals.com), Boofy’s Best for Pets (8201 Golf Course Rd. NW, Ste. C-2, 890-0757, boofysbest.com), Long Leash on Life (9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. 13, 299-8800, longleashonlife.com), Village Mercantile (3675 Corrales Rd., Corrales, 8979328, thevillagemercantile.com)

Best Place to Adopt a Pet

Animal Humane New Mexico 615 Virginia St. SE | 255-5523 animalhumanenm.org

hey create online profiles with age, name and pics of the available pets, so that adopters can start seeing the animals they might want to take home. Since 1965, the organization has placed more than 10,000 homeless or at-risk ABQ dogs and cats into new homes (including 100 percent of healthy pets). The animals are also spayed/neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and given a complete health check prior to adoption.

BEST OF THE REST:

Watermelon Mountain Ranch (3251 Westphalia Blvd. NE, Rio Rancho, 267-6227, wmranch.org), Lap Dog Rescue of New Mexico (934-2202, lapdogrescue.org), Lucky Paws Pet Adoption Center (Coronado Center, 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE, 764-1100, cabq.gov), Catopia Cat Café (8001 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Ste. C-5, 508-4278, catopiacatcafe.com)

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B e s t P e t R e s c u e

Watermelon Mountain Ranch 3251 Westphalia Blvd. NE, Rio Rancho 267-6227 | wmranch.org

ince 1996, cats and dogs have been rescued here in large numbers— close to 200,000 total. New Mexico’s largest no-kill animal shelter features numerous programs that benefit both animals and humans, such as their foster program, which places up to 200 animals temporarily with families each month.

BEST OF THE REST:

Animal Humane New Mexico (615 Virginia St. SE, 255-5523, animalhumanenm.org), Lap Dog Rescue of New Mexico (9342202, lapdogrescue.org), F.A.T. Katz (2100 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Ste. 322, 293-2830, fatkatzabq.org), NM Dog (886-1729, nmdog. org)

Services Best Auto Repair Shop

Car Crafters 600 Montaño Rd. NE, plus 5 other metro locations | 881-8889 | carcrafters.com

he team here prides itself on being able to fix all cars from bumper to bumper. They hire only certified mechanics, and use high-definition cameras to ensure your car is properly aligned. Luxury brands like Porsche and Tesla are in good hands here, whether it’s an oil change or major repair. The collision repair crew is Gold Class certified, which means they meet the highest work and training standards in the industry.

BEST OF THE REST:

The Garage (6441 Western Trail NW, 226-8054, thegaragenm.com), Blue Castle Automotive (2321 Isleta Blvd. SW, 452-0465), Reincarnation Inc.-The Subaru Guys (1300 2nd St. NW, 9339293, reincarnationnm.com), Bill and Mike’s Automotive, 3910 Menaul Blvd. NE, 503-1594, billandmikesauto.com)

B e s t C a r W a s h

The Rain Tunnel Car Spa Best Adult Education Classes

Pima Medical Institute 4400 Cutler Ave. NE plus 2 other metro locations 800-477-7462 | pmi.edu

any of the city’s nursing and dental assistants got their start after completing the one-year certificate program at Pima, which also offers Associate and Bachelor degrees in the medical field. Students also do hands-on externships with medical professionals.

BEST OF THE REST:

Central New Mexico Community College (900 University Blvd. SE, 224-3000, cnm. edu), Albuquerque Oasis (3301 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste. 18, 884-4529, albuquerque. oasisnet.org), Self Serve (112 Morningside Dr. NE, 265-5815, selfservetoys.com), UNM Continuing Education (1634 University Blvd. NE, 277-0077, ce.unm.edu)

5101 Lomas Blvd. NE plus 3 other metro locations 266-7705 | raintunnelcarspa.com

his family business continues to grow, both in locations and services (including oil & lube changes, and tire rotations). That concept of full service is evident in the washing process, which comes with exterior hand-drying (and a streak-preventing blast of compressed air into those pesky areas, like door handles). Rain Tunnel also offers monthly unlimited wash plans and auto detailing (including a courtesy shuttle).

BEST OF THE REST:

Mister Car Wash (4200 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 832-7103, plus 10 other metro locations, mistercarwash. com), Extreme Mobile Detail (1903 4th St. NW, Ste. C, 489-9368, extrememobiledetail.net), Crispy Clean Mobile Carwash (2822 2nd St. NW, 804-2222, crispycleanmobilecarwash.com), Whale of a Wash (2323 Wyoming Blvd. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 292-5326, whalecarwash.com)

Best Alterations

Final Stitch

7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. B3-4 | 883-3818 | final-stitch.com

wner Masood Suliman began sewing and tailoring clothes in the family business when he was just 10 years old. After earning an economics degree from UNM, he opened his own shop, where he personally oversees much of the work. His alterations give suits and dress shirts a bespoke look, and many ABQ brides have had their gowns nipped and tucked here for that perfect fit.

BEST OF THE REST:

Threads Alterations (3107 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. 8, 271-2819), JulieAnn’s Fashion Boutique (119 17th St. NW, 910-0146, julieannsfashionboutique.com), Alterations by Kathy (234 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 266-9530), Superior Tailoring and Alterations (792-1498, superioralterationsnm.com)

Best Collision Repair Shop

Quanz Auto Body

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

165

9111 Eagle Ranch Rd. NW, plus 3 other metro locations 897-1949 | quanzautocare.com

he homegrown ABQ shop just marked 40 years in business, and has a huge following to show for it (between their four locations, more than 30 cars are fully repaired every day). They fix any type of damage, including hail and minor dents, and work directly with most major insurance companies so that no time-consuming estimates are needed. Their huge facilities are equipped with manufacturing-grade welding and painting processes, and they use laser alignment to repair auto frames (critical to making sure heavily-damaged cars run like new again). They also offer around-the-clock towing, as well as a local shuttle service—and have even been known to give a customer a loaner car, should the need arise.

BEST OF THE REST:

Car Crafters (600 Montaño Rd. NE, plus 5 other metro locations, 881-8889, carcrafters.com), Caliber Collision Centers (221 Dorado Pl. SE, plus 2 other metro locations, 237-0181, calibercollision.com), Duke City Auto Body and Collision Center (121 Tennessee St. NE, 916-1536, dukecityautobody.com), Crown Coachworks (431 Edmon Rd. NE, 344-1090, crowncwx.com)

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BEST OF THE CITY 2020

166 Best Dry Cleaner

The Cleanery 5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. E4 plus 1 other metro location 298-2629 | thecleanery.com

I Best Customer Service

BEST OF THE REST:

Floor and Decor 4936 Pan American Fwy. NE 355-4796 | flooranddecor.com

SERVICES

n a refreshing change from most big-box retailers, the staff here makes it a point to seek you out and offer help. The nationwide flooring specialist opened this huge ABQ location in 2018, and offers free design services; just bring pictures of your space, and they’ll get a plan started. Plus returns and refunds are done painlessly—and always with a smile. They’ll even store your purchased items for a couple of weeks (in case your project isn’t quite ready to get off the ground).

Stellar Senior Housing Experts (4600 A Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste A200, 504-8884, stellarseniorhousingexperts. com), Blink (201 Slate Ave. NW, 247-3463, blinknm. com), America’s Mattress (1620 Alameda Blvd. NW, plus 4 other metro locations, 886-1948, americasmattress. com), Chick-fil-A (5009 Montgomery Blvd. NE, plus 8 other metro locations, 8844171, chick-fil-a.com)

f you’ve got some particularly expensive (or overly exotic) fine clothes, you’ve found the right cleaner. The Cleanery is the only certified couture level dry cleaner in the state, a designation that requires yearly screenings and re-certifications. Everyday fabrics are handled just as cautiously here, as are specialty services, like wedding dress preservation. They also offer pick-up and delivery.

BEST OF THE REST:

Hangers Cleaners (12231 Academy Rd. NE, Ste. 101, 294-6200, abqhangers.com), Granbury Cleaners (4314 Lomas Blvd. NE, 255-1476), Bestway Cleaners (7331 San Antonio Dr. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 821-2929), Davis Cleaners (5300 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste. 3114, plus 2 other metro locations, 884-6011, daviscleanersabq.com)

Best Florist

Albuquerque Florist

Best Classes for Gun Owners

The Savvy Shooter

3121 San Mateo Blvd. NE plus 1 other metro location 881-3336 | albuquerqueflorist.com

here are probably two modes to buying flowers: either you planned ahead, or you need an arrangement right now. This longtime florist has you covered either way. Their experienced team crafts beautiful bouquets for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, sympathy or any other occasion. And their enormous walk-in cooler of readymade flowers in vases is the perfect way to rescue the day in case, you know, you forgot.

286-6454 | thesavvyshooter.com

wner Jodi Newton took up firearms instruction to help alleviate women from a fear of guns and self-defense. She offers basic pistol intro classes, concealed carry certification, private lessons—even gun safety for kids. For experienced shooters, she also offers refresher and renewal classes for concealed permit holders.

BEST OF THE REST:

Flowers by Zach-Low (414 2nd St. SW, 2478650, flowersbyzacklow.com), Peoples Flower Shops (3520 Candelaria Rd. NE, plus 4 other metro locations, 884-1963, peoplesflowers. com), Sonrisa Blooms (6855 4th St. NW, 3453777, sonrisablooms.com), Signature Sweets and Flowers (3322 Coors Blvd. NW, Ste. 5N, 833-5400, signaturesweetsandflowers.com)

Albuquerque Firearms Training (9677337, albuquerquefirearmstraining. com), The Amador Group (366-9643, theamadorgroupllc.com), Pale Horse Defense, LLC (314-6578, palehorse-defense.com), Calibers Shooters Sports Center (4340 Cutler Ave. NE, plus 1 other metro location, 8005103, calibersusa.com)

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Best Garage D o o r C o m p a n y

Garage Door Doctor

5901 Wyoming Blvd. NE | 977-8004 garagedoordoctornm.com

f you have troubles with your garage door or the remote control, these folks are ready to make a house call. They’ve been delivering swift, reliable installations and repairs in the Albuquerque area for nearly 40 years, and even sell and install modern- or classic-style new garage doors.

BEST OF THE REST:

Overhead Door Company of Albuquerque (5656 Pasadena Ave. NE, 344-3667, overheaddooralbuqueruqe.com), Precision Garage Door of Albuquerque and Santa Fe (5640 Venice Ave. NE, Ste. K, 822-0597, garagedoorsalbuquerque.com), Garage Doors by Nestor (7911 Lorraine Ct. NE, 897-5962, garagedoorsbynestor.com), Windsor Door Sales, Inc. (3901 Bogan Ave. NE, 345-6604, windsordoorsales.com)

Merry Maids 9401 Menaul Blvd. NE | 412-6464 merrymaids.com

es, they have regular maid service. But they also offer one-time cleaning, like if you need the house spotless for the holidays, or if you’re moving out of an apartment. Their reliable staff knows how to clean with attention to detail, including removing all dirt from lights and fixtures, or deep-cleaning your shower and bath. And if for some reason you’re not satisfied, let them know and they’ll re-clean free of charge.

BEST OF THE REST:

Molly Maid of Greater Albuquerque (1024 1st St. NW, 407-0704, mollymaid.com), The Cleaning Authority (2815-C Broadbent Pkwy. NW, 273-2875, thecleaningauthority.com), Mrs. Clean (122 San Pedro Dr. SE, 266-5318, mrscleanco.com), The Happy House Cleaning Services (1775 Mesa Grande Loop NE, Rio Rancho, 382-2872, thehappyhouseofnm.com)

Best Dealership Service Department Best Frame Shop

Weems Gallery & Framing 7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Ste. D 293-6133 | weemsgallery.com

he selection of frame styles and colors here is truly amazing (translation: HUGE). Their craftsmen can customframe virtually any piece, using highquality materials and techniques, and the turnaround time is always quick. Also, many of the beautiful pieces for sale in the gallery were framed in-house.

BEST OF THE REST:

Frame City and Gallery (3810 Central Ave. SE, 296-4648, framecityandgallery. com), Teresa’s Frame Shop (4400 Silver Ave. SE, 265-1105), Achievement Gallery (4421 McLeod Rd. NE, Ste. D, 881-4625, achievementgallery.com), Hobby Lobby (10000 Coors Bypass NW, plus 3 other metro locations, 899-6740, hobbylobby.com)

Best Green-Living Services

Best House C l e a n i n g S e r v i c e

Power Ford 1101 Montaño Rd. NE | 933-7883 powerfordnm.com

e all want our cars in good hands, so it’s comforting to know that many of the service employees here have been on the team for two decades or more. And not just Ford dealerships, they’re versed in repairing and maintaining any brand of vehicle. They offer a wide selection of new tires, and can handle mounting and balancing, too. Plus, in keeping with their mantra of making it all about the customer, their mobile service unit can run and help you, should you lock your keys in your car, need a jump-start or even, you know, run out of gas (hey, it happens).

BEST OF THE REST:

Rich Ford (8601 Lomas Blvd. NE, plus one other metro location, 292-0000, rich-ford.com), Garcia Honda (8301 Lomas Blvd. NE, 260-5000, garciahonda.com), Sandia BMW (6001 Pan American Fwy. NE, 884-0066, sandiabmw.com) Perfection Honda (2603 American Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, 221-5069, perfectionhonda.com)

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Sandia Green Clean 4001 Ellison St. NE | 404-3071 sandiagreenclean.com

he path to a safe, clean house involves products and people. At Sandia, the products are 100-percent non-toxic and eco-friendly, and the staff goes through a rigorous hiring process, with professional training on the safety and proper use of the cleaning ingredients.

BEST OF THE CITY 2020

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BEST OF THE REST:

Get a Grip Resurfacing (8905 Adams St. NE, 268-0929, getagrip.com), Green Sweep (1015 5th St. NW, 392-5240, greensweepnm.com), Little Green Bucket (901 12th St. NW, 819-3447, littlegreenbucket.com), Preferred Cleaning LLC (234-0864, 505clean.com)

Best Landscaping Services

Green Summit Landscape Management 8019 Edith Blvd. NE | 990-5754 greensummitlandscapemanagement.com

eautify the backyard? Sure, but this team goes far beyond that, providing landscape design, irrigation, weed management, and even ensuring the health of your outdoor plants and shrubs. The 75-person team includes an ownership group that all roll up their sleeves and work as managers, and several field employees who have earned certifications and licenses. Plus, the crew also handles commercial projects, engages in plenty of educational field trips, and loves to show their team spirit on social media.

BEST OF THE REST:

Yellowstone Landscape (7525 2nd St. NW, 898-9615, yellowstonelandscape. com), Diaz Landscaping Management (661 Quantum Rd. NE, Ste. 12, Rio Rancho, 4331449, diazlandscaping.net), Urban Earth Landscaping (8814 2nd St. NW, 333-8327, urbanearthlandscaping.com), 2 Brothers Landscaping (1012 Casa Roja Pl. NW, 2612681, 2brotherslandscapingnm.com)

Best Limo/Chauffeur Service

Best Local Computer Experts

Lucky Boyz Limousine

Your Neighborhood Computer Man

303 Arvada Ave. NW | 314-3628 luckyboyzlimos.com

f you’re thinking old-time limos here, you’re out of touch. The Lucky Boyz lineup includes town cars of all sizes, stretch Hummers, even a 25-passenger party bus (complete with sound system and built-in beverage coolers). Drivers are prompt and courteous, and work hard to ensure that guests have a safe and funfilled night.

BEST OF THE REST:

All American Limo Inc. (1220 4th St. NW, 8777576, americanlimosabq.com), Uber (uber. com), Star Limo (3201 University Blvd. SE, 8489999, 505starlimo.com), Carey Limousine Southwest Carriage Limousine (3501 Prospect Ave. NE, 766-5466, careylimonm.com)

SERVICES

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4938 Casa del Oso NE 508-2124 | yncm-abq.com

he big chain retailers will sell you a computer, but how many of those salespersons can troubleshoot any problems that might arise? Lee Geer certainly can. He specializes in set-up, service and repair—whether it’s for home or business, work or gaming—and he can also help with TVs, stereos and other electronics.

BEST OF THE REST:

J-BIT Tech (3636 Menaul Blvd. NE, Ste. 101, 2890086, jbitabq.com), Computer Corner (3101-A Menaul Blvd. NE, 881-2333, compcorner.com), Sandia Computers (3625 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 332-7777, sandiacomputer.com), The PC Place II (9324 Menaul Blvd. NE, 293-1867, pc-place. com)

5565 4th St. NW plus 7 other metro locations 341-2683 | mvdnow.com

he time saved (and headaches avoided) here are legendary. We all know a trip to the state motor vehicle office can be frustrating. At MVD Now, you can quickly renew driver’s licenses, registrations, emission certifications, and more, at eight convenient locations. Plus, the handy online appointment system ensures that when you walk in, they’re ready for you.

BEST OF THE REST:

MVD Express (4100 Menaul Blvd. NE, plus 7 other metro locations, 225-8628, mvdexpress. com), Busy Bee MVD (1205 Old Coors Dr. SW, 242-0288, busybeemvd.com), Village of Tijeras Motor Vehicle Department (12 Camino Municipal, Tijeras, 281-3774, villageoftijeras. com), High Desert Title & Registration (10701 Lomas Blvd. NE, Ste. 114, 293-5521, highdeserttitle.com)

Special Touch Catering

Lobo Moving

MVD Now

Best Catering Company

Best Moving Company

803-9050 lobomoving.com

Best MVD Services

5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, Ste. B7 294-2396 | sptcatering.com

his is moving done right: the charge is upfront and hourly (even pro-rated by the minute). And if you choose to use your own truck, you can just buy services á la carte, like hiring Lobo for only packing, or only loading/ unloading. Plus, they use modern trucks, thick padded blankets, and a team of very, very careful movers.

vents big and small get extra attention from this longtime family caterer. Chef/owner Tammy Montoya trained at CNM, and her food is as innovative as it is tasty, with out-of-thebox offerings like hors d’oeuvres bento boxes, and custom Mother’s Day cakes. Plus, they cater breakfast, with items like mini burritos, red chile casseroles, and fruit kabobs. Plus, they have an event center, where guests can celebrate special occasions.

BEST OF THE REST:

About Seniors Moving (550-8790, aboutseniorsmoving.com), Moving Solutions, Inc. (125 Dale Ave. SE, 877-0704, movingsolutionsus.com), Two Men and a Truck (800-3451070, twomenandatruck.com), Joe’s Moving (1204 Bridge Blvd. SW, 8429504)

BEST OF THE REST:

Atrios Catering (417 Tramway Blvd. NE, Ste. 12, 298-4800, atrioscatering.com), Royal Empire Catering (335 Woodward Rd. SE, 247-1173), Eatentions (577-2316, privatechefmichelle.com), Conchita’s Cafe (400 Gold Ave. SW, Ste. 119, 339-6774, conchitascafe.com)

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Best Plumbing Company

Best Painting Company

Andy’s Painting, Inc. 2515 Princeton Dr. NE | 934-0660 andyspainting.com

here are few surfaces that can’t be improved by this team. Walls and ceilings, sure, but they can also paint your kitchen cabinets and fences; refinish and stain your decks; and either paint your home exterior, or apply fresh stucco coating. They even do drywall repair before painting, if necessary. And the best part? If there’s something about the job that didn’t sit well with you, they’ll come out and make it right.

BEST OF THE REST:

A1 Painting LLC (4700 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 448-6486, a1paintingllc.com), Paramount Painting & Decorating, Inc. (11100 Orr Ave. NE, 235-3926, paramountpaintingnm.com), Mike’s Quality Painting (3416 Vista Alameda NE, Ste. A, 508-5342, mikesqualitypainting. com), Paintsmith, LLC (280-7795, paintsmithllc.com)

B e s t T r a v e l A g e n c y

TLC Plumbing & Utility

All World Travel

5200 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite C-1 294-5031 | awtravel.com

5000 Edith Blvd. NE |761-9644 tlcplumbing.com his company set sail 15 years before

et’s face it, when we need a plumber, it’s usually at an inconvenient hour. Which is probably why this team offers 24-hour emergency services, and employs only certified plumbers (who also do continuing education to stay current). The 30+-year company continues to grow in size and scope, also offering heating, cooling, electrical and construction services.

BEST OF THE REST:

Day and Night Plumbing, Heating, Cooling (510 General Hodges St. SE, 974-5797, dayandnightplumb.com), Bosque Heating, Cooling & Plumbing (3530 Pan American Fwy. NE, Ste. A, 444-7200, hvacalbuquerquenm. com), Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling (4300 2nd St. NW, 349-4404, abqplumb.com), Unlimited Plumbing LLC (11920 Candelaria Rd. NE, 268-5122, unlimitedplumbingllc.com)

e d i to r ’ s p i c k Best Local Biz That Supports Local Biz

Selflane Food Delivery App selflane.com

hen the stay-at-home orders increased the need for food delivery last spring, this local company saw an opening. “We noticed that people pay a lot of money for it, but don’t always get good service,” says Kevin Zhou, who launched his delivery service in 2017 with partner Charlie Liu. But things for Selflane really expanded in March, when customers began realizing the high cost of delivery from national services like GrubHub and UberEats, who charge consumers and restaurants for the service. Zhou’s team charges more modest fees (11 percent for service, $2.99 and up for delivery), but just as importantly, does not charge restaurants. “The restaurants have employees, and everyone needs to make a living during COVID,” explains Zhou, who grew up working in his family’s ABQ restaurant, Golden Eggroll Express. His company counts more than 140 restaurants that use his service, which employs a roster of about 30 to 40 drivers. D E C .

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the Internet was invented, and while searching online travel options is certainly convenient, nothing beats booking through an expert. The seasoned pros at All World know all the options, including any particular destination’s hotel amenities, attractions, restaurants and insider tips. Plus, they specialize in cruise planning, particularly river and yacht adventures, plus trips to exotic locations, like the Galapagos Islands or Iceland.

BEST OF THE REST:

Rio Grande Travel Centers, Inc. (6500 Holly Ave. NE, Suite A-2, 292-7044, rgtravel.com), Sun Tours (1700 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Ste. 100, 889-8888, suntoursus.com), AAA New Mexico (9231 Coors Blvd. NW, Suite 5&6, plus 1 other metro location, 792-1938, newmexico.aaa. com), LBAC Travel (10424 Bitter Creek Dr. NW, 726-8780, lbactravel.com)

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Eva,

Adopted from Animal Humane

give the gift of

HOPE to homeless pets

Make a life-saving gift to Animal Humane New Mexico!

Donate.AnimalHumaneNM.org

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF ALBUQUERQUE

Sustainable Design Fashion/ Furniture/ Home DÃ©cor/ and more Not only does your purchase contribute to an eco-friendlier environment by extending the lifespan of the object --it supports our philanthropic programs which transform lives and strengthen our community.

Thank You To our supporters

5211 LOMAS BLVD. NE 505.265.0619

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EXPANDED ELEVATED EXEMPLARY THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR US! CLOSE TO HOME

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FAR FROM ORDINARY

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Thank you for voting

Albuquerque!

WINNER

ORDER ONLINE | CASA-TACO.COM ALBUQUERQUE: 5801 ACADEMY RD NE & 111 COORS BLVD NW | ELEPHANT BUTTE: 704 HWY 195

THANK YOU e bu q u e r q u

A lb R US! FO R VOT ING FO

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS 15% OF ALL NET PROCEEDS ARE DONATED TO THE VA HOSPITAL

LOCATIONS: 2204 MENAUL BLVD NE 801 JUAN TABO NE 5211 GIBSON BLVD SE 8505 ACADEMY NE COMING SOON 2505 WYOMING BLVD NE

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CONRAD SANCHEZ SKIN CARE CUSTOM FACIAL TREATMENTS DERMAPLANING MICRODERMABRASION CHEMICAL PEELS HYDROFACIAL SPA MICRONEEDLING CRYOCORRECT BY SKINCEUTICALS PCA SKIN

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the secret to

SKINCEUTICALS CONRAD SANCHEZ ACTIVES

BEAUTIFUL SKIN? CONRAD SANCHEZ SKIN CARE We are a premier skin care spa dedicated to helping members of our community look and feel amazing. With an emphasis on preventive care through dynamic and integrative approaches, we offer a variety of ways to develop a healthier skin lifestyle while offering minimally invasive aesthetic services. Simply put, we help people look and feel better about their skin health, appearance, and satisfaction in life through our procedures, products, and services.

505.985.8883 ConradSanchezSkinCare.com 7400 Hancock Ct NE Suite E Albuquerque, NM 87109

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Thank you for voting for us! Re p u ta t i o n i s E ve r y t h i n g !

10660 UNSER BLVD NW, STE D, ABQ NM 87114 505.898.GLTZ (4589) • CHOCGLITZANDCREAM.COM

WE HAVE PROUDLY SERVICED OVER 53,000 VEHICLES

Owned and operated for over 22 years in business! 2321 ISLETA BLVD. SW, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87105 • 505.452.0465

TO P 5

IF IT’S BEEN A WHILE, COME BACK AND SEE US! 6230 Fourth St. NW 15 Hotel Circle NE 5400 Academy Rd NE 345-5339 296-6940 821-3388

One of Albuquerque’s Oldest Nurseries With New Roots

266-5978

5801 Lomas Blvd. NE (Between San Mateo & San Pedro)

www.REHMSNURSERYNM.com

O P E N

D A Y S

W E E K

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Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the best! OPEN DAILY

7AM - 2PM

WINN

Let us cater your next event! event! Let

2056 Central Ave SW | 505.554.1424 | centralgrillandcoffeehouse.com

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www.groomingdalesnm.com

Thank you, Albuquerque!

WINNER

2 Locations for Your Convenience!

Northeast Heights (505) 822-1000

North Valley (505) 345-4455

More than a moving company

TO P 5

we move hearts, not just boxes DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

aboutseniorsmoving.com 505-550-8790 187

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PATIO + FOOD TRUCKS

529 ADAMS ST. NE / 505.433.5591 / HIGHANDDRYBREWING.COM

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THE BARBEROLOGIST LOUNGE An intimate, creative space where you can come and relax during your grooming services! The fusion of barber services in a salon setting sets my studio apart from the rest! Come experience how detail makes the difference.

Past Present & In-Between

Specializing in Antiques, Collectibles, Vintage, & Mid-Century

Go Green, Shop

Rachel Romero

Past Present & In-Between

Owner Booking Information: shops.getsquire.com/book/the-barberologist-lounge-albuquerque/barber

6600 Indian School Rd (inside Sola Salon) Albuquerque, NM 87110

thing Where every

The Barberologist Lounge @barberologist_

Reuse • Reduce • Repurpose

We Buy Entire Estates!

(505) 232-6732 pastpresentandinbetween.com 5017 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

Want to sell antiques & collectibles? Text (505)450-7981 now.

ory. h as a s t

Albuquerque’s Premier Consignment Experience! Resale and Consignment Home Furnishings and Decor Women’s Consignment Boutique Design/Decorating Services Available 52 00 Euba nk Blvd. NE, Suite E11 | 505-2 92-5 3 4 4

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IMAGINATION

COLLABORATION

ENROLLMENT COMING SOON Infants • Preschool • Elementary 9360 Holly Avenue NE • (505) 822-5150 • montessorione.net

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Dr. Alissa M. Irons O.D.

WINNER

www.blinknm.com 505-247-3463 201 Slate Ave. NW, Albuquerque, N.M. 87102 DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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Cinnamon Sugar & Spice CafÃ© BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DESSERT

Open for limited dine-in service, take out, curb side, and Uber Eats delivery!

The Shops @ Mountain Run Mon-Sat 7am-3pm Sunday Brunch 8am-2pm (505) 492-2119

Nob Hill Open Every Day! 8am-3pm (505) 588-2860

5809 Juan Tabo Ave NE, 87111 sweet A

3500 Central Ave SE, 87106 sweet 1

cinnamoncafeabq.com

e andmad H h s e r F Daily! s t u n o D

7526 2nd Street NW, Albuquerque,NM 87107 extrememobiledetail.net (505) 489-9368

Locally owned family business for 10 years

Full Espresso Bar Featuring Locally Roasted Coffee! EAST SIDE

WEST SIDE

2435 Wyoming Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87112 505.293.0553

9311 Coors Blvd. NW, Suite QA Albuquerque, NM 87114 505.898.3090

MON-SUN

7am-3pm daily

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GET SOCIAL WITH US! @paixaobeautybar

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Sales Hours:

Integrity Automotive is proud to present to you affordable Luxury for Le$$, used cars in, Albuquerque NM. Unlike bigger dealerships your purchase at Integrity Automotive will be smooth and no hassle. We provide a fun and friendly environment and want to make your next visit an experience to remember. Our staff will help you get into the car of your dreams with one of the best selections of used vehicles in the southwest

Need Financing? Find a car of interest and submit a quick credit application right from our website. We swear by the name Integrity. Come by and experience it for yourself. Our sales team is more than knowledgeable and will make your next car purchase a pleasant one.

Monday - Friday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Saturday - 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Sunday - closed Service/Detail Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Weekends - Closed

9790 Coors Blvd NW Albuquerque,nm 87114 (505) 899-1141 abqintegrity.com abqintegrity

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O A UT H O R I T Y T O M EST.

2008

... in under 347,126,472 seconds!

YEARS

SUPERIOR MOTORCYCLE SERVICE, SALES, PARTS AND APPARE L

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! 3702 EUBANK BLVD. NE, ALBUQUERQUE NM 87111

MOTO-AUTHORITY.COM

505-503-7613

REPAINT SPECIALISTS

Call us for all of your painting needs at 505.508.5342 MikesQualityPainting.com 198

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247-1421 • 1405 CENTRAL NE

www.66diner.com

BURGERS • BLUE PLATES & ALBUQUERQUE’S BEST MILK SHAKES Lunch and Dinner Daily!

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CONGRATULATIONS ROBERT! 2020 GABF Gold Medal for

Maximilian Dark Lager

There is something here for everyone! Delivery

Curbside Pickup

Brunch

Lunch

Dinner

Family Meals

4410 Wyoming Blvd NE, ABQ

505-299-6973

8900 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Albuquerque | Lareformabrewery.com

TheAcreRestaurant.com

An Albuquerque Tradition Since 1971 For Red & Green Chile, fresh Flour Tortillas & the Frontier Sweet Roll

The ‘Best Breakfast Burrito’ and Amazing chicken and ribs!

2400 Central SE | FRONTIERRESTAURANT.COM

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10101 Central NE • 1830 Lomas NE 5231 Central NW • 3720 Juan Tabo NE

GOLDENPRIDEABQ.COM

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ONE COMMUNITY... ONE FAMILLY... THANK YOU ALBUQUERQUE! wall to wall flatscreens bold burgers STONE BAKED pizzas ice cold beer at 33° 33° 4861 Pan American Freeway NE Albuquerque,, NM 87109 Albuquerque

505 . 344 505. 344.. 7427 www.. bubbas33 www bubbas33.. com DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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“Fresh Roasted Specialty Grade Coffee”

N.Valley

UNM

N.E. Heights

5939 4th St NW Albuquerque, NM (505) 254-2424

2201 Silver Ave SE Albuquerque, NM (505) 262-2424

5200 Eubank Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM (505) 275-2424

Vegan

Vegetarian Gluten Free Made From Scratch!

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Thank you Albuquerque! 10701 Coors Rd. NW Suite #3 • (505) 697 - 9919

Whisperingbeancoffee@gmail.com • whispering bean.com Mon-Fri: 6am - 4pm, Sat: 7am - 4pm, Sun: 8am - 3pm

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505.503.1521 • thaispiceabq.com 7441 Paseo del Norte NE, Suite A • Albuquerque, NM 87113 206

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Southwest Women's Oncology & Health 5700 Harper Dr NE, Suite 410, Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505)843-7813 • swwomensoncology.com Attitude is everything. When facing difficult situations, how you respond and the team you choose to support you creates success in the face of challenges. We asked the team at Southwest Women’s Oncology, Albuquerque’s premier gynecologic oncology practice, how they support patients to create an attitude for successful outcomes. How does your team help you cope with an unexpected diagnosis? Dr. Preya Wisner states patients are much stronger and more resilient than they may think. “We strive to empower you by alleviating fear and uncertainty, answering any questions you may have. Our entire team stands with you and supports you through your journey. It’s all about helping you feel comfortable in an uncomfortable and stressful situation.” Dr. Karen Finkelstein notes how everyone on the team works to exceed patients’ expectations. “In our new office, every detail of your experience and treatment embodies our team’s ethos to treat you the way you would want your family treated. We anticipate your needs, even those you may not know you have.”

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Why did you choose Southwest Women’s Oncology & Health as your place of work? Our team chooses to work here because we make a difference in patients’ lives each day. Southwest Women’s Oncology is a special blend of a private practice environment that offers the latest technology and treatments in an intimate and supportive setting. Dr. Wisner explains, “It’s incredibly humbling to be chosen by our patients and their families to champion their battles. The lasting relationships we forge and the life lessons we learn are inspiring and invaluable.” If your team could tell women of all ages one piece of advice, what would it be? Listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, call and come see us. The earlier, the better. Trust your intuition and take a proactive approach to your health. It is always better to be reassured than worry at home. Our team is here to support you. WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

Dr. Gaylina Reachi Dr. Anne Scott Dr. Heather Preber ABQDentists.com Dr.Gaylina Reachi, Dr. Anne Scott, and Dr. Heather Preberâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;practicing at ABQ Dentists, ABQ Dentists East Mountains, and ABQ Dentists Uptownâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;are proud to serve Albuquerque and the surrounding areas with the highest standards of comprehensive, modern dental care. Dr. Reachi and her team create a comfortable, pleasant, and educational experience for their patients by cultivating close and attentive patient-doctor relationships and applying the most cutting-edge technologies in their practices. The team fulfills their desire to provide the most up to date services, highest quality results, and treatment options for their

patients by pursuing education in the latest techniques and technologies. This allows them to offer patients the most thorough yet conservative treatment options. The team behind ABQ Dentists, ABQ Dentists East Mountains, and ABQ Dentists Uptown, strives to treat patients like family. With an emphasis on patient education and comfort, they provide comprehensive care for your whole family, including preventive care, fillings, crowns and bridges, root canals, extractions, dental implants and dentures, as well as cosmetic dentistry, and sleep apnea management TMJ management with Botox injections. Anxiety control is managed with nitrous,

oral medication, and IV sedation for fearful patients. Dr. Reachi and her partners are focused on and committed to providing New Mexicans with a high quality and unique dental experience. They contribute their success to listening to and developing close relationships with their patients. These allow for thorough education, conservative treatment planning, and the best possible dental experience. The ABQ Dentists team are proud to call New Mexico home and look forward to meeting you and your family soon.

ABQ Dentists

ABQ Dentists East Mountains

ABQ Dentists Uptown

3900 Eubank Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87111 (505)293-8011

11896 Highway 14

7127 Prospect Place NE Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505)881-4365

Tijeras, NM 87059 (505)281-2030

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Dr. Monica Boehmer, DDS, PC Cosmetic and Family Dentistry

3309 Juan Tabo NE, Suite A, Albuquerque, NM 87111 (505)271-8009 • boehmerdds.com Spearheaded by Dr. Monica Boehmer, Monica Boehmer, DDS, PC has provided excellent, personalized, comprehensive dental care to Albuquerque-area patients for more than 25 years. Here, we value our patients’ time and intelligence. Together, we find the best route to achieving their goals for oral health and appearance. The Monica Boehmer, DDS, PC team have implemented protocols to combat COVID-19 and potential aerosols. We limit the number of people in the practice, employ sneeze-guards at the front desk, use HEPA filters throughout the office, and wear face masks and face shields when interacting with patients. As always, we also sterilize our instruments, equipment, and hard surfaces with medical grade disinfectant in between each patient. At Monica Boehmer, DDS, PC, we enhance our patients’ smiles with oral cancer screenings, soft tissue maintenance, fillings, crowns, implants, veneers, bridges, laser gum re-contouring, teeth whitening, full mouth reconstruction, and more. We adjust our techniques and approaches to meet the specific needs of patients, avoiding diagnoses that promote one-size-fits-all methods and procedures. Furthermore, we take a holistic approach to the entire oral cavity, recognizing that oral health starts at the lips and the health of the oral cavity can impact the entire body.

Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center of New Mexico, PC 6200 Uptown Blvd. NE, Suite 410, Albuquerque, NM 87107 (505)243-SKIN (7546) • nmdermcenter.com.com

The team at Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center of New Mexico has one central mission: to provide expert diagnosis and treatment to New Mexico dermatology patients, with a focus on skin cancer treatment and other serious dermatological diseases. Their governing ethos is to provide care that adheres to and even surpasses the highest standards of compassion and ethics. With a team of dedicated medical professionals, Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center of New Mexico strives to build patient-provider relationships rooted in trust, respect, and exceptional care. Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center of New Mexico has been in business since 2007, clocking in nearly 14 years of quality care. They maintain an onsite pathology/histology lab, cutting back on diagnosis times and allowing them to make pivotal, real time treatment decisions. The dermatology surgeons, general dermatologists, physician assistants, and support staff are invested in their patients’ wellbeing, and work diligently to deliver first-rate care in line with best practices for maintaining a safe environment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Commonwealth Financial Network®, received the highest score in the independent advisor segment of the J.D. Power 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2020 Financial Advisor Satisfaction Studies of customers’ satisfaction amoung financial advisors. Visit jdpower.com/awards. Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services offered through CES Insurance Agency.

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PERSONALITY P. 218 | BEHIND THE SCENES P. 223

MAMA TIGER Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson is one of the sport’s most decorated MMA fighters, having fought in three UFC Main Event bouts. She continues to find ring success, but being a mother has been her greatest journey (p. 218).

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

STORIES BEHIND INDIVIDUALS WHO MAKE ALBUQUERQUE GREAT

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

Karate Hottie Mama Michelle Waterson has called ABQ home during her continuing rise in combat sports. Now comes the added thrill: motherhood.

hen recently given the opportunity to go head-to-head with Shawn Porter, Michelle Waterson, though game as always, found herself unable to strike a blow against the two-time world champion welterweight boxer.

It was simply that kind of night for the Ultimate Fighting Championship team, which came up short in a battle for charity against opposition from the World Boxing Council on Celebrity Family Feud in a taped episode that aired in late October. While the MMA vs. boxing debate was settled—for one night, anyway—it was nonetheless a can’t-miss opportunity for Waterson, an Albuquerque-based UFC standout.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

“It was so much fun,” says Waterson, whose team nonetheless earned $5,000 toward the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. “Family Feud is one of my favorite game shows, and especially with [host] Steve Harvey on it. Just his facial expressions alone, it was kind of surreal being on set with the music and the crowd and the audience.” A little more than one month prior, Waterson competed in her third UFC main event, earning a split-decision triumph over Angela Hill in Las Vegas on September 12. That the promotion can call on Waterson to both serve as a game show ambassador outside the Octagon and as a headlining attraction in it speaks volumes about her value to the company at this point in her career.

It wasn’t all that long ago that Waterson was working as a ring-card girl for a local MMA organization in Colorado, looking for an opportunity to test her mettle inside the cage. While the promoter in charge scoffed at Waterson’s ambitions, fellow Coloradoan—and future UFC star and training partner Donald Cerrone— was listening. Cerrone’s message to Waterson was blunt: “If you’re serious, get

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

your butt in the gym.” Cerrone convinced Waterson that it was in her best interest to pack up and move to the Land of Enchantment to train at Albuquerque’s famed Jackson-Wink MMA academy (formerly known as Jackson’s MMA). As she has been throughout her life, Waterson was up to the task. “Actions speak louder than words,” Waterson says. “I would go in there and I would fight. I have technique and I have heart and I know that I’m a fighter. I let my actions speak for themselves.” Before she arrived at the proving grounds of the Duke City, Waterson— whose father is American and mother is Thai—had to endure a trial-by-fire in Thailand. Waterson, who initially took interest in martial arts as a kid to follow in the footsteps of her older brother, traveled overseas at age 20 to train where muay Thai originated. It was an eye-opening experience, to say the least. Or more accurately, it was her lower limbs that experienced the true

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awakening. “When I first came to the muay Thai gym, it was all outdoors, everybody was grinding and getting to work. These little kids, probably 6 years old, they were doing 10-minute rounds. In between rounds they weren’t resting, they were doing push-ups and sit-ups,” Waterson recalls. “I was just blown away at their work ethic.” Waterson’s stubborness proved to be an asset. “[The Thai fighters] made fun of me and said that I have American feet, which meant that they weren’t tough enough to train on the concrete that they all trained on. I kind of had to earn my stripes. They put me through the ringer. When I first got there, they would train for two to three hours. I remember after the first hour, they would cut me off. And I would ask, ‘How come they’re still training and I’m not?’ They said that they didn’t want me to not come back the next day. I was like, ‘No, I want the same treatment that they’re getting. That’s what I’m here for.’ They were afraid that I wouldn’t come back the next day. I wanted to be treated

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just like them. When I told them, I think I gained a little bit of their respect. It opened up a whole new world of martial arts to me.” Waterson was able to earn similar respect at Jackson-Wink, where she forged a bond with a stable of talented female fighters that included the likes of UFC and boxing champion Holly Holm and women’s MMA pioneer Julie Kedzie, who fought against Gina Carano on the first televised women’s fight on Showtime. The fighting aspect initially attracted Waterson to Albuquerque, and it’s what kept her here. Over time, a temporary career move became someplace to call home. “I didn’t quite understand it when I moved here, but everybody said, ‘you’re in the Land of Entrapment.’ I just laughed it off,” she says. “It was strange because I came here and I didn’t have the intentions of staying. But Jackson-Wink became my family, my home away from home, essentially. They embraced me and took me in and really nurtured me….I began to trust them and I formed connections that were really deep. Albuquerque became

my home because the people at Jackson-Wink, I really fell in love with the genuiness that they brought to life every day.” Eventually, Waterson met her husband, Josh Gomez, a former US Armed Forces amateur boxing champion who also competed professionally for a brief period. “[That] just completely made me feel whole,” Waterson says. “I think wherever you decide to sow your roots, it’s who you surround yourself with. The people here in Albuquerque have really embraced me. I like to call Albuquerque my home because of the people that are here.” Having a partner who understands what it means to devote one’s life to combat sports has been integral to Waterson’s own success, particularly after the birth of their daughter, Araya, in 2011. It was Gomez who put his fighting dreams on the backburner to help keep the family afloat while Waterson continued to pursue a career in MMA. Fighting, more than most careers, tends to be a selfish endeavor. “Josh understands the sacrifice it takes to get to the top. He understands the mental stress it can put on a person to

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have to fight, to have to get yourself to a place where you are in the zone and there are no distractions,” Waterson says. “And you don’t allow any excuses to creep into your mind. Those are all very hard things to grasp. I guess if you haven’t gone through those motions yourself, it’s hard to comprehend.” For some female athletes, pregnancy signals the end of their competitive peak. Waterson is well aware of that stigma, and her desire to buck that trend was the subject of an E:60 mini-feature. After a victory over Felice Herrig at UFC 229, which also turned out to be the highest-selling payper-view in promotion history, Waterson articulated her desire to be the sport’s first “Mom Champ.” She hasn’t reached that target just yet, but she is arguably more successful and more visible now than before she became a parent. “I guess why that is a goal of mine is because I would like, not just for mothers, but for parents in general to still go after their goals, dreams and ambitions even after having their children,” Waterson explains. “I’m a big believer in actions speaking louder than words. I think our children should see us going after our dreams. Even if having children does make it a little harder.” Her efforts have not gone unnoticed from those at the top of the UFC. “You wanna talk about being a role model for your daughter, being a strong, powerful, badass woman?” UFC president Dana White said on the E:60 feature.

“Michelle Waterson, if you look it up in the dictionary, she’d be it.” White’s unwavering support for Waterson—and female MMA—represents a stark contrast from the UFC boss’ initial stance nearly a decade ago, when he was on record saying women would never fight in the world’s largest MMA organization. Then Ronda Rousey came along. Several years later, women are an integral part of nearly every UFC card. Waterson has been around long enough to remember what it was like to struggle just to find an opponent to fight on the regional scene. Today, she can appreciate the guest celebrity gameshow appearances, ESPN documentaries and headlining fights more than most. “I do think that it’s cool to be on both sides of it,” she says. “To be on the side where Dana White says women will never step into the Octagon, and now being really good friends with him and him appreciating the value that women bring to the sport. I’m just really grateful to be able to say that I’m still in my prime and I have lived through both of these things.” Waterson, who turns 35 in January, is still at the top of her game as a fighter. But she realizes that endeavor has a shelf life. She has wide-ranging goals outside of the cage, from a career in film to teaching and mentoring youth in the community to running a business (the latter has already happened: Waterson and her husband recently opened up a Tako Ten restaurant

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

on Tramway). She has also worked closely with trainer Mike Winkeljohn’s non-profit organization, IncredAble Adaptive MMA, which works to “empower and provide youth and teens who experience a variety of environmental, physical, and cognitive challenges the skills and benefits of MMA.” “I’ve been able to see firsthand how it has changed these kids’ lives, and it’s just amazing to see,” Waterson says. Araya, though, doesn’t seemed destined to follow in her mother’s footsteps to the Octagon—at least not yet. While she enjoys following the storylines of the sport and the many fighters she knows from having grown up in a gym setting, there’s too much else to occupy a young girl’s attention—like school, girl scouts, gymnastics and choir, to name a few. And according to Waterson, Araya will have learned invaluable lessons from MMA even if she never competes. “She doesn’t know anything else other than people that are striving to accomplish greatness,” Waterson says. “The people that she grew up with are Jon Jones, Holly Holm, John Dodson, Coach Wink, Coach [Greg] Jackson. These people are known all around the world for their greatness, and that’s what she gets to be raised around. She gets to see the behind the scenes of what it is to be a champion. I think that those lessons are priceless.” Waterson leaves herself out of this equation, but there’s no doubt that she is on the same path as her celebrated peers. It’s been a different journey than she might have initially dreamed, but sometimes that can be the most valuable lesson of all. “I think there was a point in time where I did give myself a time limit as far as how long I should be fighting, but I don’t think that you can plan life out that way. It’s kind of funny because it’s come full circle on me,” Waterson says. “I remember being in high school and doing my five-year projection. I remember saying, oh I would be done with college and would have met my husband to be, we’d have a white picket fence and we’d have two kids and I’d be on my way as a physical therapist. Life just doesn’t happen that way. I’ve learned not to give myself time limits.” —TRISTEN CRITCHFIELD

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BEHIND SCENES THE

YOUR SNEAK PEEK AT JOBS THAT FLY BELOW THE RADAR

Born to Ride They say the luckiest people are those who do what they love for a living. Meet Rachel Reynolds, whose youth spent on horseback led to her Corrales equine business.

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Most of my childhood was spent on the back of a horse,” says Rachel Reynolds, co-owner of Red Horse Riding Company. The 36-year-old trainer funnels her ingrained knowledge into gentling and training horses, and teaching western riding in Corrales, while her father leads the company’s multi-day pack trips from El Rito, New Mexico.

PHOTO BYMICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

Reynolds has her father, Chance, to thank for her early introduction to horses and riding. Both of her parents worked on large cattle ranches, many of them in the Black Hills of South Dakota, throughout her childhood. Days spent in the saddle with her parents checking cattle gave Reynolds a sense of independence that many children don’t experience. “I would just get on a horse and ride. I felt very competent. I was exposed to that freedom from a young age,” she says. Becoming a trainer seemed an inevitability, the Taos native says. “I didn’t choose it. It’s who I am,” she says. She founded Red Horse Riding Company (redhorseridingco.com) four years ago, when she was pregnant with her son, August, who followed his mother into the saddle. “Before he could sit up all the way, he was on a horse. From a young age, he was used to the rhythm of being on a horse, the smell, the sounds,” she says. “It’s less about teaching. It’s an unspoken way of life.”

The family keeps around 10 horses in Corrales. However, Reynolds only uses four of them for her all-levels riding lessons. The rest of the herd are family animals, can’t be ridden by other people, or are retired. “All horses get old and have to retire at some point,” she says. “Our horses stay with us forever.” The herd grows when Reynolds takes on new horses to train. When Reynolds begins gentling a wild horse or a colt, much of her work is simply being around the horse to begin building trust. She ex-

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

perienced this recently when she began working with 6-year-old Sequoia, a Mustang the family adopted from Oregon. Reynolds spent the first few days with her hanging out around the corral or sitting down by the horse’s hay, so Sequoia could become accustomed to her presence and the sound of her voice. Eventually, they began working. “Horses are prey animals, so they are very reactive. You have to get them to use the thinking part of their brain,” Reynolds says. Over the course of a few days, Reynolds built to being able to touch and pet Sequoia. Because horses are herd animals, they crave this connection and sense of belonging. “It’s pretty emotional when they come to you the first time,” she says. “I would love it if mustangs could stay wild, and they didn’t have to be trained or domesticated. However, hundreds of wild mustangs are rounded up every year and those that aren’t adopted out are euthanized. It’s a bittersweet moment. It’s really exciting to have this animal trust you, but

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BEHIND SCENES it’s sad that it has to be that way.” After that first contact, a much longer process begins to build up to riding. Reynolds slowly introduces a halter and gets the horse used to its pressure in their mouths. She also works with the wild or young horse to desensitize them to things that may spook them once they have a rider. “There’s a lot of things you do on the ground before you ever introduce the saddle,” she says. Reynolds also works with older, domesticated horses and riders to overcome challenges. “I love it when I get colts or mustangs because I don’t have to undo bad habits,” she says. “[Horses with bad habits] are the hardest because they develop those bad habits because of people. It’s usually about training people, not training the horse.” Clients may come to her because their horse isn’t able to confidently ride out from the corral onto a path or because the horse throws a fit when they climb in the saddle. Some horses have deeper issues. Blueduck, a 12-year-old quarter horse, for example, had been sold multiple times

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and hadn’t been anywhere long enough to develop a sense of trust with his previous owners. When Reynolds began working with him, he would kick anytime a person would get close to him. “We can’t be certain what his life was like before, but he came to us being very defensive and aggressive. Horses aren’t naturally that way and usually have to go through some rough stuff to become like that,” she says. Only Reynolds and her 4-year-old son ride Blueduck, who is no permanent member of the Red Horse herd. When working with clients’ horses, Reynolds starts with getting to know the horse independently. Once she’s worked out any issues, she hands back the reins. She sometimes finds it difficult to transition the horse back to its owner, particularly with younger horses with whom she develops deep personal bonds through the training process. She tries to teach owners how to be good partners for their horses. “It can be difficult because I have to change the way the person is with their horse,” she says. “It gets really personal and uncomfort-

able. Some people are willing to change. Some aren’t.” She finds that many owners are surprised how much a horse’s atmosphere and environment affects their behavior. “To have a willing horse and a horse that you can work really well with, you have to start with their environment,” she says. Because horses are herd animals, she says you can’t have just one. “They also need to have pasture and be able to run around and exercise on their own terms,” she says. “They need to be able to forage and graze. And they need to have the freedom to do that when they want.” Reynolds relishes the challenge of working with each individual horse, which has its own personality, previous experiences, and preferences. “It’s really fun to be able to establish a connection and communicate with them,” she says. “It sounds cheesy but it’s not. [It’s] really rewarding and fun.” —ASHLEY M. BIGGERS

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

THE

BEHIND SCENES

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CREATIVES P. 228 | SHELFLIFE P. 230 | TIEMPO P. 232

CULTURE

THE HUMAN CANVAS A trip to a Dia de los Muertos parade convinced Melissa Gardner—a trained traditional painter—to try her art form using makeup instead of paint. Now her human canvases are drawing quite a bit of attention (pg. 228).

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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

TRANSFORMATION

t the tip of her paintbrush, Melissa Gardner is no longer a Burqueña, or a mom of two. She’s more akin to a fairy, a Frida Kahlo, a living calavera (sugar skull). Gardner puts the “artist” in makeup artist each Friday night as she streams her transformations to her 40,000-plus following on TikTok, where she’s found an eager audience for her original creations. The 34-year-old says she’s always been an artist, though for much of her life she painted acrylic on canvas. One year, when her family was participating in the South Valley’s long running Muertos y Marigold Parade in honor of Dia de Los Muertos, they needed someone to paint participants’ faces to look like Mexican sugar skulls. That turned out to be Gardner, and

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Melissa Gardner has gained fame among the TikTok faithful by turning her fine art training into mastery of makeup paint

she was instantly hooked. “I really thought there was something missing from makeup, which is that it’s an art form,” she says. The stay-at-home mom began transforming herself four years ago, always while her boys were sleeping. At first it was a hobby. Gardner enjoyed the shock value of creating fantastical or cartoonish looks. When she paints her makeup, it’s a homecoming. “It feels like that’s who I am. When I’m doing normal, everyday stuff, I feel different,” she says. “When I’m painting, I feel like myself. I’m in in my zone.” Her Mexican and Native American heritage often inspires her work, which she paints against a black backdrop with cans of brushes standing at the ready. Mexican textiles and embroidery impact her choice of pattern and color. Gardner holds a deep connection to Dia de Los Muertos, an annual celebration and remembrance of

those who have passed. Last year, when her grandmother and uncle died in the same week, she channeled her grief into makeup looks. For her uncle, she created a monarch butterfly calavera. (In Mexican culture, monarch butterflies represent the soul of a loved one who has died.) For her grandmother, she created a skull mask and added a flower crown in her grandmother’s favorite color, purple. Though she was crying as she applied her makeup, she says creating the looks helped her heal from her losses. She also draws from indigenous regalia, beadwork, pottery designs, and culture. When she was suffering from a mysterious illness in July 2019, a white wolf appeared to her in her dreams. In the Native American tradition, animals act as spirit guides. Not only did the wolf later appear in one of her transformations, it also inspired her to further her art even as she continues to

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

THE ART OF

COURTESY PHOTOS

battle neuropathy that will suddenly leave her hands numb. “I decided I was going to hit my makeup and show everybody,” she says. She joined TikTok in September 2019 under a handle inspired by her middle name, @niajeanartworks. Her growing audience clamors for her creations. “I get a sense of community from TikTok,” she says. “I’m finding an acceptance to my weirdness. I honestly thought, ‘I’m so weird I’m just going to stay in my corner.’ But I found people saying, ‘You’re really cool.’ For an artist, acceptance is really crucial to showing more of your art.” Gardner’s popularity on the platform landed her in the “It Starts on TikTok” global ad campaign. A clip of her lip-synching while wearing a look inspired by Frida Khalo appeared alongside those of some 30 other creators. The campaign ran on network TV, cable channels

such as ESPN and TNT, and streaming services such as Hulu from August to October. Thanks to TikTok, her hobby has started to become a career. Her style came to the attention of make-up mega brand Urban Decay, with which she recently partnered on a calavera look using all their products, and Latina-focused brand Reina Rebelde. In her hands, eyeliner becomes shadow for any effect and eyeliner outlines dramatic patterns no matter where they lie on her face. Even as TikTok and other platforms are flooded with makeup looks, Gardner tries to remain original. “Everybody has done everything,” she says. “Coming up with your own concepts and creating a whole look from scratch, that’s the hardest thing to achieve.” If she’s inspired by someone else’s look, whether it’s a tattoo artist or a fellow makeup artist, she gives credit

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

where it’s due. Once she imagines a look, she draws it out on a face form on her tablet before translating it onto her own face. She paints in a mirror, which means she has to paint everything backward. The left-handed artist says that particular skill has always come easily. She broadcasts her process, which can take between four and nine hours—as it did in the case of the Frida look that caught TikTok’s eye. After she finishes, she creates a series of TikToks to post on her account, lip-syncing to songs or duetting with other people’s posts. Gardner dreads removing her makeup at the end of the night. “It makes me so sad,” she says. “I feel like I’m wiping away a piece of me. I’m in a wonderland when I put my makeup on, and then I have to come back to Earth again.” —ASHLEY M. BIGGERS

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SHELFLIFE

TURN A PAGE WITH OUR LOCAL AUTHORS

THE STORIES BURIED BENEATH W GRAVEYARDS OF THE WILD WEST: NEW MEXICO By Heather L. Moulton and Susan Tatterson Arcadia Publishing 128 pages $24.99

COURTESY PHOTOS

hen Heather L. Moulton met fellow Central Arizona College professor Susan Tatterson, she knew it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. It was also the beginning of a collaboration between the writer (Moulton) and the photographer (Tatterson) that would produce an amazingly colorful book series exploring the graveyards of the Wild West. The second installment of the series, New Mexico, takes readers across the Land of Enchantment exploring cemeteries that have long been hidden by the vast high desert. ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE: How did you two meet? HEATHER L. MOULTON: We’re profes-

sors at Central Arizona College (I teach composition and literature; [Tatterson] teaches digital media and photography). We went to lunch one day and started chatting about her Abandoned book series, and I’d always been interested in ghost towns and abandoned areas, so she invited me along! That was four years ago. ATM: What inspired this series? HEATHER L. MOULTON: My fascination

with graveyards and the Wild West can be traced back to my childhood. My mom writes historical romance novels, and we would visit cemeteries because she was interested in history. SUSAN TATTERSON: I’d been visiting

abandoned sites since grad school. As I began work on [Abandoned Arizona], Heather joined me and she kept asking to stop at all the cemeteries. She would get so excited about them. I thought, if we’re going to these places anyway to take pictures for the Abandoned series, why not start taking pictures of the cemeteries and see if the publisher would go for a series. ATM: What stood out about New Mexico’s graveyards? MOULTON: Billy the Kid connects many

of the graveyards in the book. He’s buried in Fort Sumner; his mother is buried in

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Silver City; Pat Garrett is buried in Las Cruces; Billy was a dishwasher in Shakespeare [now a ghost town]. TATTERSON: As a photographer, I’m al-

ways looking for that perfect backdrop to anything I photograph, and New Mexico is truly stunning. The sky is so open, the clouds so dramatic. The landscape itself is so different. Some of the cemeteries were in rural areas and others in the middle of a city. ATM: Was there anything that surprised you while writing this book? MOULTON AND TATTERSON: One

thing that surprised both of us was the separation of Catholics and Protestants. Many Old West cemeteries (and even modern cemeteries) have different sections for different denominations, but we encountered several entirely separate cemeteries based on religion, in particular along Route 60. ATM: How long did it take to write? MOULTON: Each chapter probably takes

between four and eight hours, depending on how long it is and how much research I do. I do my writing on weekends, so it was probably six weeks to complete a book,

and then another week or two on editing. TATTERSON: I probably spend about the

same amount of time on the photographs. I take hundreds of photographs of each site we visit, and between five and 15 will end up in the book. We have to make sure we’re really coordinated when we’re at a graveyard because Heather may be looking for historical figures and I’m looking for good lighting. We’ve become a good team. ATM: How long were you on the road? MOULTON AND TATTERSON: I think it

was maybe three separate weekend trips and one or two day trips to visit all the places we wanted to include. We’d love to do a second (or third or fourth) New Mexico book because there are so many mining and cowboy graveyards.

ATM: What’s next? MOULTON AND TATTERSON: We are

currently finishing up [Graveyards of the Wild West: Nevada]. It should be released in the first half of 2021. Next up is California. We’re going to focus on northern and central California (not coincidentally because Wyatt Earp is buried in that area).

—TH

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

SHELFLIFE

LOVE, HORROR, AND KALE KALE IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD

he Corrales Writing Group first T got together back in 2012, with the intention of simply creating a safe space to

get the members’ writing peer reviewed while socializing with other wordsmiths. To date, the writing group has have five anthologies. Their fifth, Kale is a FourLetter Word, spans the gamut of writing from horror stories and cooking recipes to simple musings, but all of them are linked by one thing: the dreaded/beloved, leaflike veggie, kale. *Get more information about the group on their facebook page: facebook.com/ WritersInCorrales

ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE: A lot of people seem to have a lot of strong feelings about kale. What inspired the group to put theirs in a book? CHRIS ALLEN: Well actually, one of our

members, Jim Tritten, has had a passionate hatred of kale for the last couple of years. It became a running joke in our meeting. If we met at a restaurant, god forbid they should serve kale. Then I gave Jim a gag gift, which was a picture of a kale monster. Then Pat had the idea that… we should all write stories about kale.

PATRICIA WALKOW: Kale is one of

these so-called superfoods that’s forced upon us, so we figured, why not be a little snarky about it?

PHOTO COURTESY JASMINE TRITTEN, LLC.

By The Corrales Writing Group Artemisia Publishing 134 pages $9.95

ATM: How long did it take to put this whole book together? PW: Normally, we self-publish our an-

thologies, but this one was different. I would say it took about nine months to put together everything after the stories were written. CA: Including writing time, I’d say it was

about a year.

ATM: The book is full of kale-related recipes. Did the group try all of them? CA: I cooked all of them. I had a great

crop of kale this year [in my garden], so I cooked every single one of the recipes. Now, since my husband hates kale, I ended up eating all of them. By the end of it, I was a little fatigued with kale.

ATM: Did the writing process change any of the members opinions about kale? PW: My husband wrote two stories in the

book, and he does not like kale. But now we get [a meal kit delivery service] and sometimes they have kale in the recipe, and I can sneak it in there, but if you ask him, he will say he hates kale. It tastes like rubber to him. CA: If you look at the very last recipe in the book, it was created by Jim Tritten.

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

And if you read it very carefully, I think you will see that Jim’s opinion of kale hasn’t changed one bit. ATM: What do you want people to take away from this book? PW: I want people to buy it [laughs]. No,

but I think Artemisia and the group decided to release this at the right time, because I think right now, we could all use a laugh. CA: I agree. I am on a mission right now

to get this book out there, because I think everyone is just really stressed out right now and we need to remember to laugh. —TH

Kale is a Four-Letter Word writers: CWG contributors: Chris Allen Maureen Cooke Sandi Hoover Jim Tritten Patricia Walkow Guest contributors: Jane Butel Sandi Cathcart Adrienne Evatt Jasmine Tritten Walter Walkow

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by mel minter

ABQ’S THRIVING LOCAL MUSIC SCENE

HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS COMING TO YOU VIRTUALLY The pandemic has altered just about every aspect of our lives, none more so than live music events. Confronted with the impossibility of hosting holiday celebrations in person, presenters have devised some innovative ways to share holiday cheer with their audiences.

A VIRTUAL HALLELUJAH

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Dr. Maxine Thévenot and Mr. Handel (aka Edmund Connolly) at last year’s Children’s Messiah event.

wished to sing along with members of Polyphony in the virtual choir could download the tracks, practice with them, and then record and submit their voice and photo for the choir, following instructions posted online. “So this has become now not only an event for a core group of Polyphony singers, but now it really is extended out to the community,” Thévenot says, noting that both children and adults were invited to participate. The finished product will be posted on Polyphony’s website (www.polyphonynm.com) and its Facebook (facebook.com/polyphonynm/) and Instagram (instagram.com/polyphonyvnm/) pages on December 19. You’re invited to sing along at home, too.

AN ORGANIC CHRISTMAS Internationally renowned organist Ken Cowan, associate professor at Shepherd School of Music at Rice University and head of the organ program, had been scheduled to perform live in concert at the Cathedral of St. John back in June, sponsored by Friends of Cathedral Music, says Dr. Maxine Thévenot, who is the director of cathedral music and organist at the cathedral. The pandemic required a different tack. Cowan was happy to accommodate, though he regretted he wouldn’t be able to visit Albuquerque. Instead, he has recorded a full-length video concert on two remarkable organs in Houston, which happen to be across Main Street from one another.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

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hen the pandemic hit, Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico, a professional choral ensemble under the direction of Founding and Artistic Director Dr. Maxine Thévenot, was forced to cancel or postpone several major events that had been in the works for some time. The closing event of 2020 was to be the fifth annual Children’s Messiah, a popular participatory event featuring selections from the Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah, paired with favorite carols of the season, costumes and pajamas, and storytelling. “Our board met online in June,” says Thévenot, who noted that they had delayed canceling the live event as long as possible, “and the decision was made to go virtual.” The first task “was organizing musicians that could get together to form some sort of backing track for what will be a virtual choir project,” she says. In July, get together they did in Thévenot’s living room and arranged a version of the Hallelujah Chorus for piano trio on the spot. “There are a number of firsts playing in that: staying socially distanced, doing this in the middle of July, so we were all decked out in our Christmas gear and Santa hats,” she says. Mr. Handel (Edmund Connolly), who appears at the live events, turns out to be quite tech savvy, and he helped Thévenot put together lead tracks for the singers who would be participating. Those tracks, with a scrolling musical score, were made available for download. Vocalists who

The program will offer a perspective on the Advent season, with a segue into the Christmas season. Selections include the Edwin Lemare transcription for organ of Engelbert Humperdinck’s “Overture to Hansel and Gretel”, chorale-based music by composers such as J. S. Bach, Max Reger’s chorale fantasy “Sleepers Wake,” variations by André Fleury on a Burgundian carol, and more. Tickets are available online at the Friends of Cathedral Music website (fcmabq.org) with a donation of $10 or more. The link to the video will be made available for a 48-hour period starting Sunday, December 20, at 3:00 p.m.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

One instrument, with nearly 4,500 pipes, is housed at Rice University. Built in 1991 by the C. B. Fisk Company in collaboration with Manuel Rosales, a wellknown voicer of organs, the instrument reflects the 19th-century instruments that you might find in a French cathedral. Situated in a smaller recital hall, though, it makes, “a really heroic effect,” says Cowan. “That’s a translation of ‘it can blow you out the back door if you’re not careful.’” The other organ, housed in the more intimate space of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, was built by the Fisk company in 1996. Fitted with about 3,000 pipes, the instrument was intended to play a somewhat more baroque repertoire than the first organ. “So just having notably different sounds and aesthetics, and one being in a hall and one in a church, I thought it would make an interesting contrast, especially on video,” says Cowan. The video offers a singular advantage over a live concert: you’ll be able to see the organist, who is typically out of sight. “It is an instrument that there are so many facets mechanically and otherwise, it is interesting to be able to look up close,” he says.

COOL YULE If you’re looking for a jazzy way to celebrate the holidays and support the local economy at the same time, head over to the Entourage Jazz store (entourageabq.com/store.html) to get a CD of the group’s popular Christmas album, Entourage Jazz Wishes You a Cool Yule. If you can wait till early January, you’ll be able to get the new LP version.

Aaron Howe directs the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus.

“It’s a completely different animal,” says Jim Williams, the organization’s board chair. “As a musician, you’re in a room with people, and you interact, and you hear. Now, I’m at home listening to a recording of my voice. It’s not at all what choral singing is about, and it’s very intimidating. But then, when the virtual

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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

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Rice University professor Ken Cowan changed his plans from a live ABQ performance to an online video concert.

Aaron Howe, artistic director of the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus, had never used a teleconference app prior to the pandemic shutdown in March. Faced with the prospect of producing a virtual chorus presentation, he thought, “Oh, my gosh, I don’t know anything about that. I don’t want to do that.” But the choice was virtual chorus or complete shutdown. “So I started assembling guys in our chorus who had some technical knowledge about recording and video editing,” says Howe, “and we put together a team of volunteers.” By May, the chorus’s first virtual concert was online, painstakingly assembled from individual recordings made by each member.

videos get together, you feel like, ‘Oh, I’ve accomplished something personally, but I’ve created art with other people.’ ” With three virtual productions under their belt, including a full-length concert in September, the chorus geared up for their Christmas concert, which will feature 10 full-chorus performances, some small group performances, and possibly some solos, as well—all spiced with a variety of video elements. “We’re calling it ‘Home for the Holidays,’ ” says Williams, who notes that the concert will, in both a lighthearted and a more serious way, address the pandemic reality of having to stay at home. “Some of the music we’re talking about is a way of processing that.” The concert will include a number of favorites from past holiday shows. “We had never really recorded them really nicely like we are now,” says Howe, “so that’s kind of like we’re making our very first holiday album, so to speak.” The chorus is looking into the possibility of making a CD/download of the concert available, as well. The concert, which is supported in part by a grant from the City of Albuquerque, will premiere on December 12. Go to the chorus’s website (nmgmc.org) for the Facebook and YouTube links, where the presentation will continue to live on.

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WINNER

BEST CHICKEN WINGS

YEARS IN A ROW!

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EATS P. 236 | EATS, ETC. P. 240 | FROM THE VINE P. 242 | BITES P. 248

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THAT FISH IS CRAZY! Chef Kitt Poolsawas showcases a seafood menu of traditional Japanese-style dishes at his Nob Hill sushi bar and Asianstyle grill, Crazy Fish (p. 236).

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | 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

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CRAZY FISH

East meets West with seafood pairings—like crab with green chile.

roperly prepared, there’s something magical about raw fish. Nowhere is this more expertly—or more frequently—illustrated than sushi. Crazy Fish, a Nob Hill sushi bar and Asian-style grill, is a living celebration of this staple of Japanese culinary tradition. There, chef and owner Kitt Poolsawas revels in the creation of sushi dishes ranging from simple sashimi (raw fish, unadorned) arrangements to variously complex, sophisticated, and playful rolls filled with delicious things like green chile, soft shell crab, and eel sauce. “I started work for a big restaurant in Orange County [California],” says Pool-

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sawas, recalling his earliest days as a sushi chef. “I worked for free for six months. I was hungry—I wanted to learn everything. I learned how to pick sushi, how to chef, how to make rice, tempura, everything.” Today, Poolsawas estimates he has clocked around 16 years and counting as a sushi chef. Six years ago, he made the transition to full-stakes business owner with the purchase of Crazy Fish. Since then, Crazy Fish has developed a solid reputation and a devoted following in the Nob Hill community. “The salmon in particular, we go through like 12 fish a week, and they’re

big,” says manager Danni Brown. “The company that we buy from, this whole time says that everybody else goes through like five or six, and we’re going through 12 a week. Even during COVID, we’ve been doing so many to-gos that we’re still kind of about where we normally are [when we’re fully open].” Sushi, as Poolsawas explains, is very much a product of individual identity and idiosyncrasies of the chef preparing it. Of course, that’s true of just about any food you can think of, but the relative simplicity of the ingredients and techniques involved in preparing sushi affords plenty of room for the chef ’s voice to ring through.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

SAKE TO ME Did we mention sake? No? Shame on us. Crazy Fish sports 11 varieties of domestic and imported rice wine. Oh, yeah—they’ve got imported beer, too.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

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MORE MOCHI Polish off your meal with some mochi ice cream—a Japanese confection where ice cream is delivered ensconced in pounded sticky rice, or mochi. Crazy Fish offers green tea, red bean, and mango flavors.

HIP DIGS Thanks to its location in the Nob Hill district, there’s usually plenty to do before and after your meal. Do some window (or actual) shopping at quirky neighborhood spots like Astro-Zombies and Mask Y Mas before hitting Crazy Fish, then stop off at any of the surrounding bars (COVID-permitting) for a night cap.

It wasn’t always thus. Sushi traces its roots back millennia, finding its origins in the paddy fields flanking the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. There, it wasn’t a matter of fresh fish but fermented fish— an essential innovation in a time when refrigeration wasn’t even a glimmer in anyone’s imagination. Gradually, fermentation times shrank, and vinegar became a less prominent ingredient until sushi solidified into something resembling its modern form in the 18th and 19th century. Riding the modern crest of these traditions, Chef Poolsawas and his team labor to deliver tasty freshness to their customDEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

GARLIC SASHIMI Sashimi is usually just fish, no frills. At Crazy Fish, you can order something special: garlic sashimi. Here, albacore, salmon, or tuna are topped with thinly sliced fresh garlic, white onion, cilantro, and tataki sauce, and served over a bed of sliced cucumber.

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Crazy Fish 3015 Central Ave. NE 232-3474, crazyfishabq.com

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

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ers, whatever their personal tastes might be. “Some customers are different—they like a specialty roll,” explains Poolsawas. “That’s why I have to know different customers. Some customers don’t want salmon. They like yellowtail, something that has been created for them all the time. It’s kind of open, you know?” That willingness to play and innovate is likely key to Crazy Fish’s popularity. They offer over four dozen regular rolls, alongside specials built around what Chef Poolsawas finds fresh and inspiring each week. “The Red Robin is really good,” says Brown. “It’s a lot of tuna. It’s spicy tuna, cucumber, avocado, and then they put tuna on top and they do a cream sauce and like a spicy mustard. It’s really good.” In addition to their popular sushi bar

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offerings, Crazy Fish also runs a full kitchen. There, they churn out a solid array of hot Asian-style fare. These include steak, chicken, and salmon bento boxes, a selection of rice dishes, yakisoba, and ramen. “If I want to get something from the back, the tonkatsu ramen is really good,” says Brown. “It’s really warm, especially during the colder months. It’s pork and chicken broth and yakisoba noodles and pork belly and fish cake.” Times being what they are, Crazy Fish is currently running at 25 percent capacity for indoor dining, meaning you can still dine on sushi as the gods intended: belly up to the sushi bar. But they also offer takeout and have partnered with popular delivery apps Doordash and Grubhub, meaning first-rate sushi and top-notch

ramen is ready and available even if you don’t feel like spending too much time outdoors just yet.—ZB

FEATURED DISHES RED ROBIN ROLL, $12.95

Spicy tuna and cucumber inside the roll, with tuna, mustard cream sauce, and eel sauce on top.

ESKIMO ROLL, $12.95

Cucumber, avocado, and crab are rolled inside and baked with white fish, dynamite sauce, eel sauce, fish eggs, and bonito on top

UNAGI ON RICE, $12.95

Unage (eel) served over a bed of rice with eel sauce.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

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Eats, Etc.

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

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

Teppan chefs at Hibachi One know that the show is as important as the grilling technique.

he geographical distribution of hibachi restaurants is noticeably skewed to the east. There are seven (depending on how strictly you count) in the Duke City, and five of them are east of Interstate 25. Fortunately, those living west of the 25—and the Rio Grande— have a stellar option in the neighborhood: Hibachi One. “Hibachi One has been here almost five years,” says Hibachi One manager Daniel Ordonez. “It’s a family-oriented place. A lot of kids come around here because we have a little pond for feeding the fish. A lot Kids like the grill food, and want to come here for their birthdays, for their celebrations.” Hibachi, it turns out, is a bit of a misno-

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mer as used here in the States. What we’re actually talking about when we’re planning an evening of hibachi is teppanyaki cooking—teppan being the metal plate and yaki being the method of cooking, grilling. And, while obviously pleasing to the youngster, teppanyaki is plenty entertaining and—crucially—plenty delicious for everyone. In addition to their tableside teppanyaki service, Hibachi One visitors can take advantage of private rooms where they can dine cross-legged around low tables in traditional Japanese style. Hibachi (or teppanyaki, depending on how pedantic we’re feeling) 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. “We also have our wine and saké cocktails,” says Ordonez. “We don’t have a full bar license, so we work with 20 percent wine base, but the drinks are really amazing.” Drink options include temptingly named house specials like the black diamond and blue Hawaiian, along with house takes on classics like the Long Island Iced Tea and margaritas. —ZB

HIBACHI ONE 3230 Coors Blvd NW 839-0808, hibachioneabq.com

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Made from scratch, the Stuffed Shells at Paisano’s are one of the restaurant’s many pasta combos.

After immigrating to the United States, the family continued cooking those old family recipes, even as they spread out across the country. The folks behind Paisano’s have long since developed their own suite of signature recipes, but they continue to work within the traditional mold, even going to so far as to roll, cut, and cook and their own pasta—a labor-intensive endeavor that speaks volumes about a commitment to traditional values and home-cooked quality. In addition to a range of delectable pas-

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Beef with roasted red potatoes are part of the upscale dining experience at Seared.

good pork chop is no mean feat. The corridor for success—undercooked pork on one side, something dry and difficult to chew on the other—is unusually narrow. A chef who can reliably and successfully tread that line is a chef who knows what they are doing. Alejandro Tenchipe, who launched the American bistro-style restaurant Seared with his wife Jan Barringer-Tenchipe in 2017, is just such a chef. Tenchipe, who has been honing his craft at restaurants across the United States for about 15 years, makes some of the best pork chops

in the Duke City. These are slow braised frenched pork chops, served with potatoes au gratin, fennel apple salad, and grain mustard sauce. Don’t adjust your radio or television set—that sudden rumbling sound is likely coming from your own stomach. Alejandro met his future wife Jan seven years ago, back when she was running a Cheese and Coffee franchise. “We got married in 2015,” says Alejandro. “We were working for different employers, and she was like, ‘let’s open something for us.’” From there, it was a matter of designing

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

tas, lunchtime visitors to Paisano’s can choose from a selection of Italian-style sandwiches. The Tuna Sandwich, for example, is filled with tuna pan-seared to medium rare and served on a calamata olive loaf with citrus aioli, olive tapenade, lettuce, onion, tomato, and ricotta salata dijonette dressing. —ZB

PAISANO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

aisano’s has been pleasing palates in the Duke City for nearly half a century. Originally opened by Joseph Camuglia in 1975, Paisano’s started life as a pizza restaurant. By 1982, they were offering a mix-and-match pasta menu, allowing patrons to craft their own combination of pasta and sauce. Since then, they have continued to expand and elaborate on their menu options, all the while consistently delivering rich, hearty Italian meals to customers new and old. Today, Paisano’s—still run by members of the Camuglia family—offers a thrilling selection of Italian classics. Their fettuccini alla carbonara features both bacon and the house sweet Italian sausage in a bold cream and parmesan sauce. Folks with a taste for the sea will want to consider the pan-seared sea scallops, where the delicious, meaty mollusk is served with angel hair pasta and tossed with a spicy roasted tomato-sweet red pepper sauce, shellfish broth, and herbs. These, of course, are flavors with deep roots in the Camuglia family, whose ancestors ran a trattoria in Castiglioni, Sicily back at the dawn of the twentieth century.

1935 Eubank Blvd NE 298-7541, paisanosabq.com a menu that could set itself apart from the competition. “[We wanted] something different from what we have here in New Mexico,” says Chef Alejandro. “Everywhere you go is, ‘red or green?’ So I just decided to do a little fine dining—what I’m comfortable working with, classic food, French, Italian style.” Beyond his killer pork-chop game, Chef Alejandro’s skills are still refreshingly on point. Elsewhere on the menu you’ll find options like Albuquerque Filet Oscar Medallions—filet medallions served with asparagus, bearnaise sauce, and capped off with crab meat and green chile—and roasted chicken—a boneless half bird with green chile calabacitas, roasted shallots, and pan gravy jus. Seared also sports a solid selection of international and domestic wines and rotating drafts from local brewers, so you’ll be able to find the perfect drink to pair with your plate. —ZB

SEARED 119 San Pasquale Ave SW 999-8414, searedabq.com

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

NEW WINE & NEW BARS M’TUCCI’S OLD WORLD NEW WINE

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M’Tucci’s Restaurants is unveiling their own wine label.

Haas and crew also sought to deliver something affordable. “It was making sure that the quality was there, that the value could be there, because there was a price range we had to be in in order to be kind of a house program,” says Haas. “And that was really around eight dollars a glass, at the highest, and that’s right where we’re able to come in. So we’re really happy about that.” For their inaugural run, M’Tucci’s

will be offering three varieties of house wine, all delivering flavors evocative of Old-World culture. “Your dolcetto, it’s not a heavy wine, like cabernet, but it’s not as light as pinot noir,” explains Austin Leard, M’Tucci’s Bar and Restaurant Manager. “It’s kind of right in between. It’s an Old World, Italian-style varietal. We wanted to go with something like that, because being an Italian restaurant, we want to

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

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Over the past seven years, M’Tucci’s has been burnishing a stellar local reputation, not only as a go-to spot for delicious Italian cuisine, but also for hand-crafted adult beverages. Their curated wine list sports nearly a hundred varieties, with bottles from Italy, France, Spain, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, and across the United States’ wine-growing Northwest Coast. Here’s the point: these guys know wine. And now they’re cashing in all that taste and experience in the form of carefully selected wines for their house label. “We wanted something different, first off. That was the most important thing,” explains M’Tucci’s Executive Chef John Haas. “We didn’t want to just have cab or merlot or that kind of stuff. We wanted rarer varietals in America that are a little more Old World European style. That’s definitely where we started. You go through the grapes and the pipelines and we’ve got verdelho, charboneaux, carignan, dolcetto—you know, these are not just your typical American lines.” This, to be clear, wasn’t a matter of the M’Tucci’s team suddenly turning into expert viticulturalists. Rather, it was about applying their collective knowhow and taste buds to develop wines that can comfortably and confidently carry the M’Tucci’s name. “We worked with the bottler and the farmers to pick out exactly which wines we want out of a huge selection of options from different farmers up in northern California,” says Haas. “More or less, we were just going through finding the right grapes that we like, grape varietals, working with the farmer and bottler to secure those, labelling it, and that was pretty much it.” In addition to crafting wines that would complement and amplify the flavors available on M’Tucci’s menus,

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Mercantile Wine Bar is now open at Sawmill Market in Old Town.

emulate the Italian culture.” “The red blend, we’re just calling rosso, it’s a little bigger, but it will work all the way down to charcuterie and all the way up to steaks,” says Haas. “That one is going to age phenomenally, too. We’re excited to see, as the months go by and we get into early next year and mid next year, that wine should only (age) a lot better, so it’s going to be fun to watch it mature and grow through the months.” Going forward, M’Tucci’s plans to develop special pairing menus that highlight the interplay between their house wines and menu items. “We’ll be doing a three-course meal that’ll be paired up with our wine, so first course, second course, third course will each have a different wine and have food paired with it,” says Haas. “It’ll be the same menu available at all the locations so people can come in and get a specific pairing that is perfectly suited to [the wine]. It’s a good way to be introduced to all three of them for a reasonable price.”

SAWMILL MARKET OPENS ITS WINE BAR Opening a business, you look ahead and try to plan for everything. Ideally, you want customers to be able to take advantage of what you’re offering from day one, sans frustrating and inconvenient hiccups. Rarely is that perfectly the case—most businesses have a lot of moving parts, meaning there’s always room for some kind of misfire. But rarer still is a business opening plagued by the sudden and accelerating arrival of a global health crisis. Sawmill Market—the much-anticipated market and food hall—officially opened its doors on March 10. The next day, New Mexico experienced its first COVID-19 case. Thus followed a number of proactive public health orders, until eight days later restaurants, bars, and breweries were limited outdoor dining exclusively. In short, cruel contingency dealt everyone a nasty hand—one that would

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

require no small measure of luck, fortitude, and ingenuity to survive. Fortunately, the folks at Sawmill have had the right mix of the above, adapting to the current situation with cheery, light-footed aplomb. Tenants—and owner operated ventures like Mercantile Wine Bar—are now open for limited on-site dining, with all the relevant health precautions in place—and business is going about as swimmingly as one might expect, all things considered. “It was initially designed as more of a tasting experience,” says Sawmill Market GM Mark Montoya, referring to Mercantile Wine Bar. “The food menu when we opened in March was meant to be kind of like a sushi menu, but with charcuterie and cheese and pickled vegetables. So you’ve got a board, and you could pick one ounce of this cheese, one ounce of this meat, and then all of your accompaniments with it. We’ve gone away from that, because you really can’t give people pens and boards and everything nowadays.”

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Mercantile, in short, has brought their business model into alignment with the oft hard and unforgiving arc of reality. And they’ve done so to remarkable success. “We really wanted to have a nice selection,” explains Montoya. “It’s a pretty large by-the-glass list—I think we offer anywhere from 20 to 24 different kinds of wine. We’ve scaled it back a little bit, but we wanted people to be able to taste different wines, and we have a three ounce, a six ounce, and then the bottle obviously.” The idea is to offer patrons a selection they can dig into and explore while preserving the ability to flex and grow. It’s a strategy aimed at keeping the Mercantile experience fresh and interesting, without turning into something overwhelming and pretentious. “I don’t think it’s the type of place where we want to have 300 or 400 bottles of wine,” says Montoya. “Just some cool selections from, you know, South America, all the way to, you know, all over the world.”

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Currently, Mercantile lets visitors tour the products of California and Northwest Coast viticulture, complimented by selections from France, Spain, Italy, and, yes, New Mexico. Most of these can be explored by the glass, but for a few, it’s bottle only. “You get to get a nice six-ounce pour of wine and just kind of float around the Market, enjoy it wherever you want,” says Montoya. “You can come right up, grab a glass of wine and take it anywhere in the market...so it’s not like some of the other places where they have like a beer garden or an area that’s roped off. You can go anywhere, as long as you’re on our property, including outside.” That means visitors are free to explore all the culinary delights available at Sawmill, glass of vino in hand. Wood fired pizza? Hit Hawt Pizza Co. Expertly prepared French pastries? Try Blue Door Patisserie. Cheesy nachos, overflowing with toppings? Think Flora Mexican Restaurant. WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

The newly-opened Mercantile Wine Bar at Sawmill Market offers good wine in a relaxed setting.

Of course, those with a hankering for more than just wine don’t necessarily need to set out for other pastures. Mercantile sports a simple menu populated by tempting options designed by Chef Christian Monchâtre. These range from a chef’s daily selection of sausages and mustards to an oven baked alsatian style “tarte flambée” flat bread with blue cheese, crème fraîche, seedless grapes, and onion. “Everything has been such a roller coaster this year,” says Montoya. “[We] put so much time into opening a market, and then all of a sudden everything stops. And then, reopening, you don’t really know what’s going to happen. We reopened and, luckily, we had a great turnout. We kind of noticed that people really want to be outside.” Amen to that. With the proper precautions in place—masks on, orderly entrances and exits, and scrupulously observed capacity limits—Mercantile Wine Bar (and Sawmill Market writ large) are in a perfect position to afford people precisely that.—ZB

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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FROM

THE

VINE

SPIRIT SPOTLIGHT

Creamy

Crisp

Refreshing

Sour

Sweet

SATURN

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PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Saturn, $9 Daydream Rum Bar 3128 Central Ave SE 266.4455, daydreamrumbar.com

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

PHOTO BY REECE MARTINEZ/ATM

The original version of the tiki classic was invented by a cat named J “Popo” Galsini, after which it promptly won the 1967 International Bartenders Association contest. Originally dubbed the X-15 in honor of Space Age test flight enthusiasm, the cocktail was later given the name of everyone’s second favorite celestial object—Saturn—in the wake of a tragic X-15 crash. At Daydream Rum Bar, the Saturn comes together with house-made passion fruit syrup, fresh squeezed lemon juice, house-made orgeat (a mix of confectioners sugar, amaretto rosewater, and almond milk), falernum (a syrup liqueur), and Hayman’s gin. “We take the lemon, passionfruit, falernum, the orgeat, and the gin and we first give that a dry shake so that it all kind of homogenizes with the orgeat,” says Daydream manager Paige Alvarez. “Then we give it a shake with some ice cubes, double strain it into a Nick and Nora glass, and do a channeled lemon peel over that.” It goes without say that we’re prepared for liftoff. —ZB

BITES

OUR EATS ALUMNI, CONDENSED INTO PERFECTLY SIZED SNACKS TO TAKE WITH YOU ON THE GO ALQUDS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL & GROCERY

POLICY:

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

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

AL’S BIG DIPPER

so call before visiting. During the pandemic, calling ahead is suggested.

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

ALDO’S NEW YORK STYLE PIZZERIA $ $

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

66 DINER

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

ABC CAKE SHOP

1830 San Pedro Drive NE, 255-5080, abccakeshop.com Specializing in custom cakes and cakes 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.

THE ACRE

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

ABUELITA’S NEW MEXICAN KITCHEN $

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

AJIACO COLOMBIAN BISTRO

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

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

accept reservations or major credit cards,

5 STAR BURGERS

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

AMADEO’S PIZZA AND SUBS

AMERASIA/SUMO SUSHI

Three locations, amadeospizza.com This family-run pizza place believes that there truly are a million different ways to make a pizza. Using fresh, high quality ingredients, they specialize in pizzas, subs, pasta, and fresh salads. 800 3rd St. NW, 247.1619 / 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

Two locations, amoreabq.com After relocating to Albuquerque from Naples, Italy, Gabriel and Kimberly Amador missed Neapolitan pizza. The husband and wife team, certified by the Association of Neapolitan Pizzaiuoli (APN), opened Amore, bringing a slice of Italy to Albuquerque. A Neapolitan brick oven fires delicious pizzas, such as the Margherita and the Zia, for 60 to 90 seconds at 905 degrees Fahrenheit. Local beer and wine compliment the pies perfectly.

ANATOLIA TURKISH MEDITERRANEAN GRILL

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

AN HY QUAN VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT

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

ANNAPURNA’S WORLD VEGETARIAN CAFÉ

ANNIE’S SOUP KITCHEN

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

ANTIQUITY RESTAURANT

$$$$

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

ARTICHOKE CAFÉ

$$$

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

ASIAN NOODLE BAR

AZUMA SUSHI & TEPPAN

318 Central Ave. SW, 224-9119, asiannoodlebar.com Every kind of noodle awaits at this Downtown eatery, from spicy sesame udon noodles to chicken pho with cilantro, jalapeños, and lime. Slurping has never been so tasty. Two locations, azuma-sushi-teppan-abq.com From flame-flipped teppan grill items to a substantial sushi selection, the menus at Azuma Sushi & Teppan have something for everyone. The green chile-infused New Mexico Roll and Filet Mignon Steak please palates daily and are perfect when washed down with an imported Japanese sake, soda, or beer.

B2B BISTRONOMY

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

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

BITES

DIVINE TAWOOK

The Arabic name for Jerusalem, al-Quds means “The Holy One.” Regardless of how someone may view the mythology of the Eastern Mediterranean, most folks can agree that the region has birthed a cuisine that regularly brushes up against the divine. Such is the case with the chicken tawook at Alquds Mediterranean Grill and Grocery. If this sounds vaguely familiar, this is the former San Pedro Mart, the wildly popular eatery near Montgomery Boulevard and San Pedro Drive. The Middle Eastern restaurant and grocer moved to new digs just a few hundred yards away—and still offers amazing cuisine. For their take on chicken tawook, Alquds marinates succulent cubes of chicken in a proprietary mix of oils, herbs, and spices for 24 hours, then cooks them over a charcoal grill.

Alquds Mediterranean Grill and Grocery 5555 Montgomery Blvd NE 888-2921, alqudsabq.com

BACKSTREET GRILL

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

BARELAS COFFEE HOUSE

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

BASIL LEAF VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT $$

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

BEN MICHAEL’S RESTAURANT

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

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

Served with either hummus or rice, Alquds’ chicken tawook comes with fresh, homemade pita bread. For a full taste of regional cuisine, we recommend pairing your chicken tawook with that classic Middle Eastern take on mashed chickpeas, hummus. —ZB Chicken tawook with hummus, $11.99

BENNY’S MEXICAN KITCHEN

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

BLACK BIRD SALOON

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

BLACK MESA COFFEE COMPANY

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

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

BLADES’ BISTRO

$$$

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

BLAKE’S LOTABURGER

BLEU CAFÉ

Various locations, lotaburger.com Blake’s became an Albuquerque establishment more than 30 years ago, and almost immediately garnered kudos for its out-of-this-world green chile cheeseburgers (the restaurant has since scored spots on National Geographic’s “top hamburgers in the nation” list and Albuquerque The Magazine’s Best of the City list). Everything is made from scratch as soon as it’s ordered—and not a second before. At Del Norte Sports and Wellness, 7120 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite 8B This in-gym café offers fresh food from scratch— paninis, burgers, wraps, burritos, protein shakes–to both gym-goers and the general public. Healthy and tasty? Check!

BOCADILLOS $

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

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BOSQUE BREWING CO.

Various locations, 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.

BRICKYARD PIZZA

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

BRIXENS $$$

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

BUDAI GOURMET CHINESE

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

BURGER BOY

THE BURRITO LADY

12023 New Mexico 14, Cedar Crest, 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. 938 Eubank Blvd. NE, 271-2268 The Burrito Lady—otherwise known as Consuelo Flores—cooks every one of her huge burritos herself, made-to-order. That means you should be prepared to wait (the line here can often go out the door). It’s worth it—ask for your burrito smothered if you want to really heat things up.

CAFE 6855

6855 4th St NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque 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 Road SE, Rio Rancho 306-6974, cafebellacoffee.com With made-to-order panini and tasty salads filled with the freshest seasonal ingredients, this restaurant’s farm-to-table concept is a smart—and delicious—one.

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CAFÉ CUBANO

CAFÉ LAUREL

At Laru Ni Hati Salon, 3413 Central Ave. NE, 255-1575, larunihati.com Who would guess that an upscale hair salon such as Laru Ni Hati would also be home to delicious Cuban food—platanos, Cuban sandwiches, dirty rice, and even espresso and hand-rolled cigars? 1433 Central Ave. NW, 259-2331, cafe-laurel.weebly.com The casual American café, open for breakfast and lunch, serves soups, sandwiches, burgers, salads, New Mexican favorites, and breakfast items in a bright airy atmosphere complete with local beers on tap. Peruse the daily selection of sweets and the full coffee bar for dessert (or breakfast).

CAFÉ LUSH

LA BAREN RESTAURANT

CAKE FETISH

700 Tijeras Ave. NW, 508-0164, cafelushabq.com Located on a quiet neighborhood corner, this café is perfect for a nice brunch or lunch and your wallet will not be hurt after your visit. The menu is glutenconscious, vegetarian-friendly and has some of the best gluten-free red chile in town. 230 Louisiana Blvd. SE Suite A, 232-6764, labarenrestaurant.com The pho and spring rolls have a die-hard following of Kirtland Airforce Base employees. Located across the parking lot from Talin Market, experience an extensive menu of traditional Vietnamese cuisine inside this dine-in and takeout eatery. 2665 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 883-0670, cakefetish.com Cake Fetish specializes in baker’s cups filled with heaven, such as the Sleepless in Albuquerque (chocolate cake with mocha French buttercream frosting) and the Inside-Out German Chocolate Cake (coconut and pecans and crowned with chocolate French buttercream).

CAMPO AT LOS POBLANOS

Thank You ! e Albuquerqu

$$$

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

CANVAS ARTISTRY

3120 Central Ave. SE, 639-5214, canvas-artistry.com Specializing in international street food with a local twist, expect seasonally rotating artsy fare made with local produce, daily and weekly specials, and art to boot. A great late-night spot with live spinning DJs featuring different genres each night.

CASA DE BENAVIDEZ

Kitchen

Safely serving you since 1975!

Visit our Newest Location 6390 Coors NW

8032 4th St. NW, 898-3311, casadebenavidez.com One of the original New Mexican eateries in the North Valley, this expansive property boasts a lush patio, fabled margaritas and authentic eats, including a trademark on the sopaipilla burger.

We treat you and your guests like family!

505•242•1199 | GarciasKitchen.com Catering

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

6 Albuquerque locations to serve you!

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BITES

VEGGIE STIR-FRY

Sixty or seventy years ago, the bare suggestion that you don’t need to eat a large hunk of meat with every meal would likely get you investigated by the House Committee on UnAmerican Activities. Fortunately, we’ve made a fair bit of progress since then, and restaurants trafficking exclusively in delicious vegetarian cuisine have flourished.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe is a perfect case in point, well illustrated by their stir-fry. Annapurna builds their signature dish from a rich medley of seasonal vegetables— carrots, broccoli, Napa cabbage, and zucchini—all marinated in a blazing blend of Bragg’s (an allergy-conscious, glutenfree soy sauce alternative), ginger, chile, and other spices. From there, it’s in with the tofu and your choice of basmati rice, brown rice, or rice noodles. This take on stir-fry carries a whopping kick, which is why chef and owner Yashoda Naidoo offers it “Thai style” with a balancing splash of coconut milk. “I eat it both ways and prefer it with coconut milk,” says Naidoo, explaining that she and her partner dine on Annapurna’s stir-fry a few times a week. —ZB Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe 2201 Silver Ave SE 262-2424, chaishoppe.com

CASA TACO

Stir-fry (Thai style), $10.25

2 locations casa-taco.com Both Casa Taco locations offer a window into owner John Pecherski’s signature take on the U.S. Southwest—a strange place where you could picture a classic John Wayne character lingering over a plate of Jamaican jerk chicken and Yucatan pork tacos. Casa Taco defies expectations.

CECILIA’S CAFÉ

230 6th St. SW,243-7070 Recognized on the Food Network’s “Diners, DriveIns & Dives,” and ranked No. 45 on the Travel Channel’s “101 Tastiest Places to Chow Down,” Cecilia’s Café offers tasty New Mexican treats, such as their Fireman’s Burrito or homemade chicharrones in a cozy atmosphere.

CENTRAL GRILL & COFFEE HOUSE

2056 Central Ave. SW, 554-1424, centralgrillandcoffeehouse.com This local favorite on Route 66, adjacent to Old Town, offers a bevy of breakfast and lunch options that will comfort your belly and your wallet. Here, you’ll find traditional New Mexican favorites, serious sammies, and solid caffeine with a staff famous for their classic Southwestern hospitality.

CERVANTES NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT $$

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

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CESAR’S MEXICAN & GREEK

CHRISTY MAE’S RESTAURANT

CHEBA HUT

CHURCH STREET CAFÉ

5300 Lomas Blvd. NE, 256-8017, cesarsmexicanandgreek.com Both the drive-thru and the dining room at Cesar’s are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On the Mexican menu, try the No. 15, a chile rellenos plate. Popular Greek items include the No. 64 Gyros sandwich and the No. 78 Chicken pita sandwich. Two locations, 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

Two locations, 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.

CHEZ AXEL

$$$

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

CHOCGLITZ & CREAM

10660 Unser Blvd. NW, 898-4589, chocglitzandcream.com Certified fair-trade chocolate and a chocolatier with 45 years of experience means you’ll find some of the best sweet-tooth satisfying offerings (including ice cream flavors such as raspberry red chile and Mexican coffee).

1400 San Pedro Drive NE, 255-4740, christymaes.com “Hearty” and “homestyle” are the key words here, a hands-down favorite of early-dinner lovers. Oldfashioned staples are the standards, so look for chicken salad, potpies, country-fried steak with homemade mashed potatoes, and beef stew.

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

CINNAMON SUGAR & SPICE CAFÉ

COCINA AZUL

CODA BAKERY

Two locations, 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. Three locations, cocinaazul.com The newest location of the Old Town favorite serves up the same tried and true home-cooked recipes you’ve come to love. Don’t miss location specific specials and local brews amid New Mexican staples. 230 Louisiana Blvd. SE Suite C, 232-0085 Wrap your hands around one of Coda Bakery’s unique, Vietnamese-inspired sandwiches. Beyond its popular lineup of sammies, Coda Bakery also puts a distinctive twist on Vietnamese street food, using from-scratch recipes, including the bread, its deli meats, and its desserts.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

BITES CONCHITA’S CAFÉ

400 Gold Ave. SW, Suite 119, 339-6774, conchitascafe.com What began as the food truck, Conchita’s Creations became a downtown café with breakfast, sandwiches, and salads. New Mexican favorites shine here, just like abuela made them—including tacos, Frito pie, and burritos.

CORN MAIDEN

$$$

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

CORRALES BISTRO BREWERY

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

THE COUNTY LINE BBQ

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

CRACKIN’ CRAB

Three locations, crackincrababq.com Their headline seafood boils are super customizable, allowing you to choose from a trio of house combinations or mix and match your own selection of crab, lobster, mussels, scallops, clams, or shrimp by the pound.

CRAVIN’ COOKIES AND MORE

THE DAILY GRIND

DURAN’S CENTRAL PHARMACY

DELICIAS CAFÉ

EAST OCEAN CHINESE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT $$

DG’S DELI

4360a Cutler Ave. NE, 883-8310, dailygrindabq.net This family-friendly restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, including huevos rancheros and a huge assortment of baked goods. On Friday and Saturday, look for spontaneous specials, such as stuffed French toast or steak and eggs. 6001 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 830-6561 Named after the city in Chihuahua, Mexico, Delicias delivers traditional fare of the region, like caldo de res (beef stew), gorditas, carnitas, flautas, and horchata. 1418 Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. NE, 247-3354, dgsdeli.com With 31 cold sandwich options and a wide variety of grilled hot sandwiches—ranging in size from mini to jumbo—there’s something for everyone here. Try the Green Chile Philly or the Lobo Club.

D.H. LESCOMBES WINERY & BISTRO $$

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

DION’S $

Various locations, 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.

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

DOG HOUSE DRIVE IN

CRAZY FISH SUSHI BAR AND RESTAURANT

DONUT MART

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

THE CROWN ROOM

$$$$

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

CURRY LEAF

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

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

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

DUGGAN’S $

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

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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

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

EL BRUNO’S RESTAURANTE Y CANTINA

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

EL CAMINO DINING ROOM

EL COTORRO

EL PATIO DE ALBUQUERQUE

6800 4th St NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, 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. 111 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 503-6202, elcotorroabq.com Made to order gourmet tacos are on full display among classic Mexican street food like elotes and ceviche. A full salsa bar lets you spice up your meat, fish, vegetarian, or vegan tacos. Taco Tuesdays feature $2 tacos and bottled Mexican beers. 142 Harvard Drive SE, 268-4245, elpatioabq.com A UNM favorite since 1977, this family-owned restaurant uses local ingredients and makes everything fresh daily in small batches. The #10 Green Chicken Enchiladas have won rave reviews for years, as have the tasty salsa and pillow-soft sopaipillas.

EL PATRON

Two locations, elpatronabq.com A customer favorite, El Patron’s menu includes dishes such as mouthwatering tacos, enchiladas, chile rellenos, and housemade chips. Wash them down with a tasty margarita.

EL PINTO

$$$

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

EL SABOR DE JUAREZ

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

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BITES EL SARAPE

3248 Isleta Blvd, 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, 293-6018 Opening 36 years ago, Eloy’s New Mexican Restaurant’s claim to fame is their consistent food and service, offering the same recipes that made them famous all those years ago. Try the No. 1 Eloy’s Deluxe Dinner, with a little bit of everything.

EMBER’S STEAK & SEAFOOD

$$$

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

FANO BREAD COMPANY

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

FAN TANG

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

FAREAST FUZION SUSHI BAR & LOUNGE

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

FARINA ALTO PIZZERIA & WINE BAR $$

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

FARINA PIZZERIA

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

FARM & TABLE

$$$

8917 4th St. NW, 503-7124, farmandtablenm.com This North Valley eatery’s ever-changing menu features seasonal produce, which often comes from the restaurant’s own farm. If the produce doesn’t come from the farm, it’s sourced from a slew of local vendors. Enjoy grass-and-alfalfa-fed steaks and produce-focused dishes that use local kale, chard, okra, chile, and tomatoes.

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THE FARMACY

3718 Central Ave SE, 227-0330 The Farmacy takes the idea of organic and local ingredients, and presents them in a way that tastes like comfort. The Farmacy provides a tasty menu of eight breakfast items, as well as eight sandwiches for lunch.

FRENCHISH $$$

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

FIESTA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT AND CANTINA

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

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

FLAMEZ BISTRO

FRONTIER RESTAURANT

9821 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 275-0522, flamezabq.com There’s a lot more to this burger joint than the beef. High-end, artistically inspired bistro fare, delightful appetizers, and burger bowls (with greens, sans buns) are only some of the fun finds at this neighborhood fave. Buffalo, salmon, turkey, lamb, get your protein boost here.

FLIX BREWHOUSE

3258 La Orilla Rd NW B-1 445-8500, flixbrewhouse.com Flix is a one-of-a-kind concept; a movie theater that serves full meals and an in-house brewed beer menu in its stadium-seating “dining rooms.” The dream is real, Albuquerque–you can catch the latest blockbuster in theaters while knocking back a pint and having dinner brought to you.

FLYING STAR CAFÉ

FORQUE KITCHEN AND BAR

Various locations, flyingstarcafe.com With handmade desserts to die for, artisan breads, and a menu filled with everything from eggs to enchiladas, the Flying Star offers plenty of options for every meal (and snack time) of the day. 330 Tijeras Ave. NW, 842-1234, albuquerque.hyatt.com Forque’s multi-level, tastefully decorated dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows and makes it easy to forget you’re dining at a Downtown hotel. The elegant presentation extends to the regional cuisine, which is prepared in the restaurant’s open kitchen by executive chef Eli White and his staff.

FORK & FIG

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

FOURTH AND ROMA CAFÉ

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

FRANK’S FAMOUS CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

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

FRIENDS COFFEE & SANDWICH SHOP $

2400 Central Ave. SE, 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.

FU YUANG KOREAN & CHINESE RESTAURANT $

3107 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite 16, 298-8989 Fu Yuang breaks away from tradition with its take on Korean and Chinese cuisine, but keeps it simple. Freshly made with high-quality meats, you’ll get perfectly-portioned dishes made without MSG, less oil, and all natural ingredients.

GARCIA’S KITCHEN

Various locations, 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 $$ Various Locations, 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

Two locations, 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

GIOVANNI’S PIZZERIA

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

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

GOLDEN CROWN PANADERIA

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

GRASSBURGER $

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

GREENSIDE CAFÉ

$$$

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

THE GRILL ON SAN MATEO

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

THE GROVE CAFÉ AND MARKET

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

GYROS MEDITERRANEAN

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

ONE COMMUNITY...

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

HADLEY’S TEA

HANNAH & NATE’S MARKET CAFÉ

HARTFORD SQUARE

ONE FAMILLY... THANK YOU ALBUQUERQUE!

7600 Jefferson St. NE, Suite 9, 821-4832 With about 200 different teas—half of them available in loose-leaf form—Hadley’s Tea is a tea lover’s oasis. Every tea that lines Hadley’s shelves is made with all-natural ingredients. A cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, otherwise known as the “tea sandwich,” is the perfect companion for your Lady Londonderry or strawberry green tea.

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

4512 Corrales Road, plus 1 other metro location, 898-2370 Offering breakfast and lunch, Hannah & Nate’s is all about flavor—whether it’s the flavor of traditional New Mexican cuisine, cuisines from throughout the world or the family recipes served. 218 Gold Ave. SW, 265-4933, hartfordsq.com Perhaps the only Albuquerque establishment that changes the menu weekly based on local produce options, this is a clean, smart, urban café that feeds suits and millennials in droves. Also serving up local coffees from Michael Thomas roasters, dine anytime and support the farm-to-table movement.

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

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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JAVA JOE’S

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

$5 from every new subscription goes

JC’S NEW YORK PIZZA DEPARTMENT $$

to student-athlete scholarships

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

Code: GOLOBOS abqthemag.com

JIMMY’S CAFÉ ON JEFFERSON HELLO DELI

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

HIBACHI ONE

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

HIGH POINT GRILL

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

HIGH NOON RESTAURANT AND SALOON

$$$

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

HOLY BURGER

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

HORSE AND ANGEL TAVERN

5809 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 299-0225 Whether you want a simple sandwich for lunch, appetizers and a beer in the afternoon, or steak and enchiladas at midnight, this Heights tavern is the place to be any time of the day.

HOT PINK THAI

2626 San Pedro Drive NE, 872-2296 For dine in or takeout, at lunchtime, you’ll get $1.50 off dishes over $10 and a free vegetable egg roll. Favorites include pumpkin curry, pad thai, and drunken noodles. Most dishes are customized with your choice of protein and spice level, from no chili at all to Thai hot.

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HOT TAMALES

1520 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE, 962-0123, hottamalesnmrestaurant.com This Rio Rancho restaurant serves bona fide New Mexican with hand-blended red chile and fireroasted green chile: Green Chile Stew Omelet, Hot Tamale Bowl, and Fajitas are just a few of the spicy dishes.

HURRICANE’S CAFE

4330 Lomas Blvd. NE, 255-4248 With Route 66 serving as the city’s heart, it’s always good to hop over to a good ol’ fashioned diner. Pick out a classic dish, such as pancakes or omelets from the lengthy breakfast menu, or chow down on a burger, enchilada, or chicken fried steak. Of course, you can take a stab at the hearty Disaster Burrito, but you’d better make plenty of room if that’s on your agenda.

I SCREAM ICE CREAM

2000 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 268-0139 The cozy dessert shop is filled with toys, gadgets, board games, and—oh yeah—34 flavors of ice cream and 28 different toppings. Each scoop comes with a free mix-in, and there are fresh mini doughnuts available on weekends.

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

JINJA BAR AND BISTRO

JOE’S PASTA HOUSE

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

KABAB HOUSE: AUTHENTIC PERSIAN CUISINE $

Various locations, ilvicino.com Using wood ovens to bake its thin-crust pizzas, Il Vicino (which means “The Neighbor”) also offers hearty calzones and award-winning brews from its own brewery.

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

INDIGO CROW CAFÉ

KAKTUS BREWING CO.

KATHY’S CARRY OUT

IL VICINO

$$$

4515 Corrales Road, Corrales, 898-7000, 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 Road NW, Suite 250, 890-4488, ironwoodkitchen.com This family operation’s goal: to serve meals made with whole foods at affordable prices. Try the green chile cheeseburger, with freshly-ground chuck, topped with fresh vegetables and roasted green chile.

JAPANESE KITCHEN

$$$

Two Locations, 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.

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

KATRINAH’S EAST MOUNTAIN GRILL $$

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

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

BITES KIMO’S HAWAIIAN BBQ

LA QUICHE PARISIENNE BISTRO

KOLACHE FACTORY

LA REFORMA

3239 Girard Blvd. NE kimosabq.com, 582-2797 Hawaii comes home. What began as a food truck is now a brick-and-mortar location also. Try freshfrom-the-isles Kalua Pork and Huli Huli Chicken plates served with sides like steamed cabbage, rice, and macaroni salad. 8001 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite B3 856-3430, locations.kolachefactory.com The Kolache Factory franchise out of Texas focuses on Czech style Kolaches that were traditionally a warm, semi-sweet pastry filled with sausage, cheese, or fruit and originated in Eastern Europe dating as far back as the 1700s.

LA CRÊPE MICHEL

400 San Felipe St. NW, Suite C2, 242-1251, lacrepemichel.com Heavenly soups, sandwiches, and crêpes await you at this charming French restaurant: whether filled with salmon, asparagus and Swiss cheese or zucchini, eggplant, and tomato, you’ll find a crêpe to whet your appetite. Reservations are recommended.

LA OJA RESTAURANT

201 Marquette Ave. NW, inside DoubleTree Hotel, 247-3344 La Oja Restaurant blends New Mexico and California cuisines, resulting in unique tastes that combine fresh seafood with local flavor. It’s MexiCali cuisine with a twist.

5850 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite 17, 242-2808, laquicheparisiennebistro.com Long considered an authentic French staple of downtown ABQ, La Quiche has comfortably settled into the Heights and the baked goods will comfort your lazy weekend brunch cravings with true Parisian cuisine from the mainland.

8900 San Mateo Blvd NE, Suite I 717-1361, lareformabrewery.com On the taco front, La Reforma is virtually unimpeachable, offering options like braised pork shoulder carnitas, tempura-battered white fish pescado, and rotisserie-broiled al pastor for carnivores, along with tempura-battered avocado (aguacate) for those looking for something plantbased.

LA SALITA

1950 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 299-9968, lasalita.com The name may mean “little room,” but this New Mexican restaurant always has a full house. The chile rellenos, chile con queso, sopaipillas, and shredded beef burrito (a Wednesday special) have earned loyal customers for 37 years.

LAGUNA BURGER

Various locations, 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.

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

LAS RISTRAS

$$$

4940 Corrales Rd. #400, Corrales 433-4192, lasristras.com Though New Mexican fare is a huge part of Las Ristras’ menu–all the usual suspects from tacos and chile rellenos to burritos and bowls of fresh posole are in evidence–they are joined by some of the most dynamic steaks on the Rio Grande.

THE LAST CALL

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

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

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

LAZY LIZARD GRILL

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

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BITES LE BISTRO VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

LOYOLA’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

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

4500 Central Ave. SE, 268-6478 loyolasfamilyrestaurant.com You’ll find both American and New Mexican goodies here, from fried chicken, roast beef and sandwiches to tasty local favorites such as burritos and posole.

LE CHANTILLY FINE PASTRIES

LUIGI’S RISTORANTE AND PIZZERIA $$

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

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

M’TUCCI’S ITALIAN

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

Three locations, 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.

LEVEL 5 AT HOTEL CHACO

MAC’S STEAK IN THE ROUGH

LE TROQUET

$$$

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

THE LIBRARY BAR & GRILL

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

LIMONATA ITALIAN STREET CAFÉ

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

Two locations, macsnm.com Taquitas, onion rings, guacamole salad, and an original “steak in the rough”—slivers of beef served with French fries, coleslaw, a roll, catsup, and a fresh green scallion… these are just a few of the reasons Mac’s has been in business for so many years.

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

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

MAY CAFÉ

MAZAYA CAFÉ

111 Louisiana Blvd. SE, 265-4448, maycafenm.com Traditional Vietnamese cuisine is easily customizable, fresh and healthy. The café’s spring rolls, made fresh to order, are popular with diners new and old. Try the pho or the bún. 120 Harvard Dr. SE 582-2447, mazayacafe.com Mazaya Café is dedicated to adding an authentic Mediterranean dining experience to the medley of options in the Nob Hill area–without breaking the bank for its diners. If you are looking to fill up, freshgrilled kebabs, a half-dozen wraps, shawarma, and three kinds of fried or steamed dumpling plates headline the restaurant’s entrée menu.

MICHAEL THOMAS COFFEE ROASTERS $

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

MICK’S CHILE FIX

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

MILLY’S $

Two locations, millysrestaurants.com If you’re not sure what to eat, have a little of everything with an American-New Mexican–Greek menu. This breakfast and lunch spot melds salads and sandwiches with traditional New Mexican and Greek entrees.

MIMMO’S RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA $$

MARIO’S PIZZA

Various locations, mariospizzaabq.com Gourmet pizzas, big bowls of pasta, custom calzones and New York-style sandwiches are the norm at this tasty Italian eatery.

3301 Coors Blvd. NW 831-4191, mimmosabq.com Mimmo’s serves authentic Italian food in a casual family atmosphere, with everything made on premise: the sauces, pizza dough, lasagna, noodles and meatballs. An all-you-can-eat lunch buffet is offered every day of the week.

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

MARISCOS ALTAMAR

MONICA’S EL PORTAL RESTAURANT

LITTLE BEAR COFFEE

MARY & TITO’S CAFÉ

MONROE’S RESTAURANT

LOS COMPADRES RESTAURANT

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

MATANZA CRAFT BEER KITCHEN

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

LINDY’S DINER

2632 Pennsylvania St. NE 917-8902, littlebearcoffeeco.com Located near Uptown, Little Bear is not just serving up quality brew, but also providing an outpost for the neighborhood and coffee community. 2437 Central Ave. NW 452-8091, compadresabq.com Family recipes like the No. 16 Taco Plate, tacos with carne y papas (beef and potatoes) and the restaurant’s Menudo, have kept locals coming back for more than 15 years.

LOS CUATES

Various locations 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.

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Two locations, 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.

3225 Central Ave. NE, 312-7305, matanzanm.com The New Mexican classic feast gets a sophisticated touch at the eatery serving up favorites such as carne adovada, to a wide range of salads, flatbreads and a cult-favorite brunch. One hundred taps feature local beer and wine.

321 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, 247-9625 Traditional New Mexican favorites make up the menu at this Old Town staple that has been around for 34 years. Monica’s roasts their own green chile, makes biscochitos from scratch and offers red chile straight from the pod. Two locations, monroeschile.com More than 50 years after they opened their doors south of Old Town, Monroe’s continues to serve reliable New Mexican favorites to a local fan base, and service around here is a team effort, so no glass goes unfilled.

MONTE CARLO STEAKHOUSE

$$$

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

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

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

MR. TOKYO

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

MUSTANG CAFÉ

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

NAGOMI RESTAURANT

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BALLOTS

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

ABOVE & BEYOND TEACHER AWARDS

Jan. 9–Feb. 3 2021

2400 Juan Tabo Blvd NE 298-3081, nagomirestaurantabq.com The Nagomi menu is virtually overrun with Japanese culinary classics. Nagomi is also one of the few places in Albuquerque where you can go to indulge in shabu-shabu, a Japanese-style hot pot

NAMASTE

Feb. 20–March 20 2021

Two locations, 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.

NEXUS BREWERY

NICK AND AND BAR

JIMMY’S

RESTAURANT $$

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

NOB HILL BAR AND GRILL

$$$

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

NOMAD’S BBQ FOOD TRUCK 206-7654

(FOR NURSES)

March 21–April 20 2021

HOW TO NOMINATE: Our city is full of beautiful, smart, amazing and SINGLE people, and every year we introduce a few of them to ABQ in our pages! We rely on YOU to nominate those you think could make our final list (even nominate yourself).

April 1–june 1 2021

HOW TO VOTE: There are few things more important than proper dental care, and so every year we ask local dentists to vote on those they trust most to care for a loved one. Dentists, you are invited to vote for your colleagues in a dozen dental specialties.

TOP DENTISTS

Two locations, nexusbrewery.com If the made-to-order fried chicken and waffles and mac and cheese has you drooling, reach for one of Nexus’ brewed in-house beers.

TOP-NOTCH NURSES

HOW TO NOMINATE: If we didn’t already know, 2020 has shown us the true heroism and value of our local nurses. We ask nurses to nominate their fellow superstars for this annual award on our website.

ALBUQUERQUE’S HOT SINGLES

NARUTO $

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

HOW TO NOMINATE: We shine some recognition on the amazing classroom mentors who make sure our kids learn and grow. We want YOU to nominate teachers in the ABQ area who go beyond the norm to educate our future generations.

(FOR DENTISTS)

BEST OF THE CITY

May 1–AUGUST 1 2021

Nov. 1–Dec. 15 2021

HOW TO VOTE: It’s your city, so who better than you to tell us the best places to eat, shop, play and spend in ABQ? More than 4 million votes have been cast since Best of the City launched in 2005, and we feature the winners in our huge annual December issue. It’s the gold standard of Albuquerque awards, and everyone wants to win. Why? Because you participate!

TOP DOCS

(FOR DOCTORS)

HOW TO VOTE: How do you get to know a good healthcare provider? There’s no science to it, but every year we ask the city’s doctors to vote, and we publish the list of winners, just for you. Doctors, thanks for your participation in voting for your top colleagues more than 30 medical specialties.

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

T O N O M I N AT E A N D V OT E , L O G O N T O A B Q T H E M A G . C O M

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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BITES

ITALIAN WINTER BRISKET Brisket, for those unfamiliar with the muscular anatomy of large domesticated ungulates, comes from the chest of the cow. It’s a cut riddled with fibrous collagen, making it notoriously tricky to cook properly. Done right, however, brisket can be one of the most screamingly tender and succulent cuts of meat out there. The ever-intrepid chefs at M’Tucci’s Twenty-Five have risen to the brisket challenge, debuting a smoked brisket perfectly tailored for the chilly winter months ahead. The secret here is all in the preparation.

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

“We’re doing a 21-day cure on it and then smoking it with applewood,” explains M’Tucci’s chef Sean Cronin. “The idea is it’s a little bit more comfort foodie, like when you’re having a bad cold winter day and you’re having like grandma’s pot roast. That’s kind of the theme and concept behind it.” The result is a spoon-tender piece of USDA prime brisket, served with a collection of root vegetables and ravioli—the perfect dish to warm you up when things start feeling a little too brisk.—ZB M’Tucci’s Twenty-Five 4939 Pan American Fwy 554-2660, mtuccis.com

OAK TREE CAFÉ

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

Smoked Brisket & Ravioli, $18

$$$

O’NIELL’S PUB

THE OWL CAFÉ

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

Two locations, oniells.com O’Niell’s boasts the same neighborhood feeling, many of the same staffers, and virtually the same menu (including the “weird sandwich,” the “burger in paradise,” and homemade fish and chips). Added: an outdoor patio and more beer choices.

OHANA HUT

O RAMEN

P’TIT LOUIS BISTRO NOB HILL

ORCHID THAI CUISINE

PACIFIC PARADISE TROPICAL GRILL AND SUSHI BAR $$

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

OLD TOWN PIZZA PARLOR

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

OLO YOGURT STUDIO IN NOB HILL

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

O’HARE’S GRILLE & PUB

4100 Southern Blvd. SE, 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.

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2114 Central Ave. SE, 508-1897 Yes, the Duke City has the real thing. O Ramen’s Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) spends 18 hours on the stovetop before it blesses your bowl; expect plenty of options for vegetarians and Japanese curry lovers, to boot. 4300 Central Ave. SE, 265-4047, orchidabq.com Orchid Thai has been serving hungry Albuquerqueans traditional dishes like Pad Thai at its Nob Hill location for more than a decade. But this award-winning eatery goes beyond the traditional with unique dishes like deep-fried sesame duck, green tea curry, and Szechwan eggplant, all made from scratch.

ORTEGA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

3617 Wyoming Blvd. NE, 298-0223 Rudy and Edna Ortega were never selfish with their old family recipes—they’re all over the menu at Ortega’s. The green chile relleno and when in season, red chile relleno, please palates year round. Of course, don’t leave without ending your meal with a delectable dessert, like the ice-creamstuffed strawberry sopaipilla.

800 Eubank Blvd. NE, 291-4900, owlcafealbuquerque.com World-famous green chile cheeseburgers, milkshakes, fajitas, quesadillas, meatloaf, burritos, fries… the list of drool-worthy dishes goes on and on. 3218 Silver Ave. SE, 314-1110, ptitlouisbistro.com The quaint French bistro features a small patio, yellow umbrellas, and white tablecloths—it’s pure Paris fashion, circa 1920, with the authentic French cuisine to match it.

3000 San Pedro Drive NE, 881-0999, pacificparadise-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, 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.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

PAISANO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

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

THE PALETA BAR

Various locations, thepaletabar.com A hidden Albuquerque gem, The Paleta Bar has taken a tried-and-true, frozen Mexican dessert to new heights. Since 2017, this paleta wonderland has been slinging refreshing Mexican popsicles in endless combinations of flavors.

PAPA FELIPE’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT $$

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

PAPA NACHOS

PARS CUISINE

7648 Louisiana Blvd. NE, 821-4900, papanachosfood.com Great, homemade Mexican food based on triedand-true family recipes is the specialty here: burritos, fish tacos, and the namesake nachos will all make your panza happy. 4320 The 25 Way NE, Ste 100, 345-5156, parscuisine.us For more than 20 years, Pars has served Persian and Mediterranean menu items in a unique atmosphere. Choose to sit on the floor under a large tent, and enjoy the talents of belly dancers, and enjoy tasty kebabs, gyros and more.

PELICAN’S RESTAURANT

$$$

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

PEREA’S TIJUANA BAR

4590 Corrales Road, Corrales, 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 $

Various locations, pericosmexicanrestaurant.com Serving delicious New Mexican food at affordable prices made Perico’s instantly popular, and the “home of the ½ lb burrito” is now an Albuquerque institution with three locations, catering services, and 22 different burritos.

PHO LINH

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

PIATANZI $$

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

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LOS ALAMOS 1789 CENTRAL AVE #4 LOS ALAMOS, NM 87544

PHONE: (888) 784-3494 | WWW.SOS-NM.COM

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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WINNER

Best New Mexican Food 6 Years In A Row!

The Daskalos family thanks our loyal customers and staff for making us #1 all of these years! Two Locations 10551 Montgomery Blvd. NE (505) 275-0223 8100 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 797-3311

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BITES PIZZA 9

Various locations, 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, 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.

PLANTY SWEET

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

POKI POKI CEVICHERIA

Two locations, pokipokinm.com Think deconstructed sushi if you’ve never had the traditionally Hawaiian poké. Completely customizable bowls with Latin and Asian fusion are the specialty here. Seven types of fish, twelve sauces, and 22 toppings make for endless combinations atop rice, chips, or a salad.

POLLITO CON PAPAS

Two Locations, pollitoconpapas.com Get ready for a punch of Peruvian cuisine. The menu is dotted with combinations of chicken, potatoes, and cilantro rice. The chicken is brined in vinegar and cumin for about 10 hours, then fired on a spit. The traditional drink, chicha, makes the perfect complement to any dish. The southeast part of town just inched a bit closer to South America.

PONDEROSA BREWING CO.

1761 Bellamah Ave. NW, 639-5941, ponderosabrewing.net A sister brew pub to Pints Brewing in Portland, Oregon, Ponderosa features a wide selection of American and German standard beers, with a classic menu of burgers, salads, and innovative appetizers.

POP FIZZ

Two locations, pop-fizz.net Made in-house from all natural ingredients, kids can’t miss the Mexican paletas (popsicles) and ice cream tacos. For adults, boozy pops, shakes, and beer compliment the small but substantial menu of sandwiches, burritos, and the coveted carne asada fries. Located at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the patio is dog-friendly, and you might see its ice cream truck around the city at summer events.

PRAIRIE STAR RESTAURANT

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

PRISMATIC COFFEE

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

PUEBLO HARVEST CAFÉ AND BAKERY

$$$

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

PUPUSERIA Y RESTAURANTE SALVADOREÑO $

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

QUARTER CELTIC BREWPUB

RICHARD’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT $$

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

RICHIE B’S PIZZA

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

RIO BRAVO BREWING COMPANY

ROCKIN’ TACO

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

ROMA BAKERY & DELI

THE RANGE CAFÉ

ROSEMARY $$

Two locations, quartercelticbrewpub.com Irish brews like the Crimson Lass and Rye’t Side of Dublin are paired nicely with Celtic pub fare with a New Mexico twist. Must-tries include the classic fish and chips, ruben, shepherd’s pie, and poutine with green chile.

QUARTERS BBQ

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

RANCHERS CLUB OF NEW MEXICO $$$

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

REBEL DONUT

Two locations, rebeldonut.com Not only can you find their set flavors, including their raised glazed, chocolate cake glazed, rebel red velvet, birthday cake, and toasted coconut, but you can also order custom-made donuts or choose to experiment with their daily creations.

RELISH GOURMET SANDWICHES

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

RESTORATION PIZZA

1912 2nd St. NW, 900-3909, riobravobrewing.com The pub and grill is bright and airy with high ceilings and a modern industrial style, mixed with the cozy rustic feel of a neighborhood bar, with 32 taps, including their award winning La Luz Lager. 3600 Cutler Ave NE, 401-1000, greenjeansfarmery.org Rockin’ Taco is housed inside of Albuquerque’s premier indoor/outdoor gathering place, Green Jeans Farmery. With a food truck vibe and an East Coast flare, this hidden gem is elevating the street taco. 501 Roma Ave. NW, 843-9418, romabakeryanddeli.com You’ll find more than fresh-baked cookies and pastries at this bakery—feast your eyes (and taste buds) on grilled sandwiches and eight fresh deli salads and soups. 4565 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Suite A 361-1842, rosemaryabq.com This plant-forward restaurant offers a soothing atmosphere, creative menu, and amazing food. Any menu item can be adapted to meet personal preferences and dietary restrictions.

RUDY’S COUNTRY STORE AND BAR-B-Q

Two locations, rudys.com Texas-style slow cooking over oak is what makes Rudy’s brisket, ribs and sausage so mouthwatering—not to mention the “sause.” Every serving comes with paper towels, unlimited sliced onions and pickles, and bread to mop up the leftover BBQ.

RUSTIC BUBBLE TEA CAFE

840 Juan Tabo Blvd Suite B, 505-1813, rusticbubbleteacafe.com Rustic Bubble Tea Café has all of the fundamentals of a bubble tea shop down, of course–the hint is in the name, after all–but what sets the independent Albuquerque startup apart is the Vietnameseinspired menu that accompanies their decadent beverages.

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

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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BITES RUSTIC ON THE GREEN

3600 Cutler Ave NE, 315-1148, rusticburger505.com Rustic simplicity is the key for this burger joint at Green Jeans Farmery, serving up five equallycraveable burger options and two different kinds of fries from its minimalist menu. Don’t let the simplicity fool you: this unique eatery does gourmet burgers that has fans coming back for more, including its Day of the Dead burger with a secret “Diablo” puree and the Divine Intervention, topped with bleu cheese and caramelized onions.

RUTILIO’S NEW MEXICAN FOODS

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

SADIE’S OF NEW MEXICO

Various locations, sadiesofnewmexico.com A staple in New Mexican cuisine, Sadie’s features enchiladas, carne adovada ribs, tacos, burritos, and of course, world-famous chips and salsa. Reservations are recommended.

SAHARA MIDDLE EASTERN EATERY

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

SAIGON RESTAURANT

Two locations, saigonrestaurantnm.com Vicky Truong’s secret to 12 years of success has been consistency. Truong maintains an extensive menu that caters to every type of eater. From summer dishes such as noodle bowls to winter mainstays like beef noodle soup, Truong will make sure you find your favorites.

SAKURA SUSHI & GRILL

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

SALATHAI $

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

THE SALT YARD

Two locations, 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.

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SAMURAI GRILL AND SUSHI BAR

$$$

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

SANTA FE BITE-ABQ

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

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

SANTIAGO’S NEW MEXICAN GRILL

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

SAVOY BAR & GRILL

$$$

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

SCARPAS BRICK OVEN PIZZA

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

SEARED $$

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

SEASONS ROTISSERIE AND GRILL $$$

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

SHARKY’S FISH & SHRIMP

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

SHOGUN JAPANESE RESTAURANT

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

THE SHOP BREAKFAST & LUNCH

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

SIAM CAFÉ

SIXTY-SIX ACRES

5500 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Suite 101, 883-7334, siamcafeabq.com With its array of freshly-made curries—all made with coconut milk and a wide variety of luscious spices—this restaurant scores high marks with Albuquerqueans who love Thai food. 2400 12th St. NW 243-2230, sixtysixacres.com If you had to boil Sixty-Six Acres down to two words, they would be “casual” and “classy.” Featuring craft cocktails and a wealth of locally sourced, globallyinspired dishes, Sixty-Six Acres is the ideal spot to grab a relaxed, refined meal.

SLAPFISH $$

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

SLATE STREET BILLIARDS

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

SLATE STREET CAFÉ

SERGIO’S LA DOLCE VITA

2740 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite 8, 554-2602 Fresh, made-from-scratch cookies, donuts, breads, pastries, cakes, and cannoli are on the mouthwatering menu at this Italian bakery.

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

SHARK REEF CAFÉ

SLICE AND DICE PIZZERIA

2601 Central Ave. NW, 848-7182 To conclude your tour of the Albuquerque Aquarium, grab a seat at this full-service restaurant whose dining room features a view of the oceanic reef exhibit. Catering to visitors, families, and daytime dates, the menu offers simple, fun options. Call ahead for special events, like themed dinners and holiday celebrations.

5720 McMahon Blvd, Suite B, 261-2058, sliceanddicepizzeria.com With both a sweeping library of board games and full menu of hot pies and subs, Slice and Dice is a venue for everyone from seasoned players to wideeyed beginners (or people just hungry for some pizza). They provide a space where you can gather with a few friends and take in the twin delights of pizza and board games.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

SLICE PARLOR

SOO BAK

SPINN’S BURGER & BEER

SQUEEZED JUICE BAR

Two locations, sliceparlor.com Made-from-scratch pizza dough that is hand stretched daily and cooked on a pizza stone. Have a slice of the old faithful pepperoni pizza; try the Pesto Pizza or the House Calzone. Don’t forget to enjoy the local artwork hanging on the walls. 111 Hermosa Dr SE 268-0017, soobakfoods.com Serving up a style of food known as “koi fusion”, Soo Bak offers a wide variety of delicious entrees including eight different varieties of kimichi. Try the Soy Crunch Kimichi, which comes with pickled chayote squash, onions, some jalapenos, and fish sauce, apple juice, soy sauce, and vinegar. 4411 Montaño Road NW, 899-6180, spinnsrestaurant.com Every burger served at Spinn’s is made with never-frozen, fresh-ground Angus beef. Try the restaurant’s signature Armadillo Burger. Spinn’s fries are cut and fried when you order them. Various locations, squeezedjuicebars.com

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

STEEL BENDER BREWYARD

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

ST. JAMES TEAROOM

$$$

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

STARR BROS. BREWING

STEVE’S ICE CREAM AND JAVA

STICKY RICE

5700 San Antonio Dr. NE, Suite B1 492-2752, starrbrothersbrewing.com With dishes ranging from American favorites to Southern fare, Starr Bros. Brewing is more than an award-winning brewery. It’s turned heads with Poutine Burqueño, a New Mexican take on the Canadian, greasy-spoon classic. The house burger, with high-quality beef and homemade green chile aioli, is a customer favorite. 323 Romero St. NW # 16, 242-8445 In addition to a dozen ice cream flavors and an array of sherbets, the ‘chill’ side of the menu boasts delightfully smooth malts and fountain drinks. For those looking for a good cup of Joe, Steve’s also delivers–offering a broad selection of coffees and a full set of espressos. 7600 Jefferson St. SE, Suite 5, 797-1288 Likely the only authentic Laotian sticky rice to be found anywhere in ABQ, this simple menu offers moist, slow roasted chicken and a few frills at prices you can’t beat with a chopstick. The family meal is a steal.

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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BITES STORMING CRAB

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

TACO SAL

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

TAJ MAHAL CUISINE OF INDIA

TALKING DRUMS

Three locations, stufys.com Tasty stuffed sopaipillas are on the menu of this customer favorite, which has been around since 1968. Each sopaipilla is made with a custom machine invented by the owners, then stuffed with savory fillings.

1606 Central Ave. SE 792-3221, talkingdrumsabq.com Talking Drums restaurant is serving up some unique African and Caribbean fair inspired by a form of communication expressed through specific drumbeats. Though most of the items are traditional, keep an eye out for some New Mexican flare.

SUSHI & SAKE

TASTE OF INDIA

STRAIGHT UP PIZZA

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

STUFYS $

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

SUSHI KING

1430 Carlisle Blvd. NE, 255-1994, tajmahalabq.com Taj Mahal is filled with all of your Indian favorites, from fresh naan (try the garlic version) to tasty saag paneer. The line goes out the door for the popular lunch buffet.

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

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

TEOFILOS $$

SUSHI XUAN

THAI BORAN

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

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

SUSHIYA $$

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

SWISS ALPS BAKERY

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

TAAJ PALACE

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

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

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

THAI CUISINE 2

4201 Central Ave. NE, 232-3200, thaicuisinenm.com thaicuisinenm.com/home2 Housed in perhaps the most curious A-frame along Route 66, this is the second-coming of a muchbeloved Westside Thai staple, and judging by the fandom, it’s simply better. Be wary of the heat in these dishes, and if you’re vegan/vegetarian, be very, very thankful.

THAI KITCHEN

10701 Corrales Road NW, 890-0059, thaikitchenabq.com Art Xaiyasiha is one of two siblings who crafted one of the Duke City’s first great Thai restaurants, Siam Café. Thai Kitchen is his very own venture, featuring his takes on authentic dishes that taste “just like they do back home.”

THAI SPICE

7441 Paseo Del Norte NE, 503-1521, thaispiceabq.com An extensive menu features authentic Thai favorites like Pad Thai or Thai fried rice. Lunch special includes an egg roll, entrée, and coconut milk tapioca pudding punctuated with an origami rose–topped straw.

THAI TIP RESTAURANT

THAI VEGAN

1512 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Suite E, 323-7447 The folks at Thai Tip make grocery store runs three times a day to ensure they have enough fresh ingredients for their delicious rice, Thai-style noodle dishes, stir-fries, and salads. Two locations, thaivegannm.com Utilizing local organic produce, you’ll get some of the healthiest food around, all without sacrificing taste. This non-vegan favorite has hearty offerings and a soy chicken that satisfies even the pickiest of meat eaters.

THEOBROMA CHOCOLATIER

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

THUNDER ROAD STEAKHOUSE AND CANTINA AT ROUTE 66 CASINO HOTEL

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

TIA BETTY BLUE’S

TIA B’S LA WAFFLERIA

TIA JUANITA’S

TINGLEY BEACH CAFÉ

1248 San Mateo Blvd. SE, 268-1955, tiabettyblues.com 1940s influence is sprinkled throughout this gem, from the décor to the food. The chile, red or green, is nice and spicy, just like your grandma made it. New Mexican breakfast and lunch items dot the menu (including many gluten-free and vegetarian options), but often have a unique twist, like ranchero blue corn waffles piled high with eggs, carne adovada, and chile. The coffee is fresh, and numerous specialty beverages are poured up daily. 3710 Campus Blvd. NE, 492-2007, lawaffleriaabq.com You’ve never experienced waffles of this magnitude. A residential home-turned-restaurant, anticipate artisan flare (lavender whipped cream, goat cheese, and caramel apple toppings) and plenty of goods for vegans and celiacs. Albuquerque International Sunport, 2200 Sunport Blvd. SE, 842-4280, fresquezcompanies.com Headed on a flight out of ABQ? Stop here for your New Mexican food fix: breakfast burritos, green chile chicken enchiladas, carne adovada. You can even take your green chile to go with the restaurant’s special “thermal bags” for travel. 1800 Tingley Drive SW, 248-8524, cabq.gov For runners and bikers along the Bosque Trail, or for the fishermen that frequent Tingley Beach lakes, the Tingley Beach Café is a well-kept secret for snack seekers, offering fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, pickles, and more.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

BITES

FRANCE FLEXES ITS MUSSELS We write about a lot of tasty dishes with a lot of fancy appellations in these pages. Rarely, however, do we get to include meals ranked as the national dish of an entire country. According to author Stéphane Spoiden, moules frites—or mussels with fries, if my mostly forgotten undergraduate French still serves—is considered the national dish of Belgium, the culturally rich, roughly Maryland-sized country sandwiched between France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Here, we’re talking about Chef Jean-Pierre Gozard’s take on the mollusk and potato-based dish, available at Le Troquet—a downtown Albuquerque gourmet French restaurant.

Le Troquet 228 Gold Ave SW 508-1166, abqfrenchrestaurant.com

TOLTEC BREWING

Moules Frites, $24.75

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

TOMASITA’S $$

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

TOMATO CAFÉ

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

TROMBINO’S BISTRO ITALIANO 5415 Academy Road NE, 821-5974, bistroitaliano.com

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

At Le Troquet, Chef Gozard prepares his moules frites by sauteing black mussels in a cream and diced tomato garlic sauce. These, then, are paired with just about everyone’s favorite take on the fried potato—French fries, or, in this case frites. It’s a flavorful celebration of land and sea, and a tempting treat for anyone with a taste for Old World culinary delights. —ZB

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

TSAI’S CHINESE BISTRO

2325 San Pedro Drive NE Ste 1E, 508-2925, tsaischinese.com Tsai’s offerings range wide across the traditional (diners especially recommend favorites like the Shrimp Kung Pao or Orange Beef) but those looking for something new to try should make for the Chef’s Specials.

TULLY’S ITALIAN DELI

1425 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 255-5370, tullysdeli.com This Italian deli serves two-dozen subs for dine-in or pick-up lunch. A fully stocked market features Italian pantry goods from pasta to olive oil. Don’t forget a box of pastries, cookies, biscotti, cake, or a famous cannoli on your way out.

TURTLE MOUNTAIN BREWING COMPANY $$

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

TWO BOYS DONUTS

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

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

TWO FOOLS TAVERN

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

UPTOWN SPORTS BAR

URBAN HOTDOG COMPANY

6601 Uptown Blvd. NE, 884-4714, uptown-sportsbar.com A huge sports venue with wall-to-wall televisions and all the extras—solid American fare alongside a wide selection of local and national beers. 10250 Cottonwood Park NW, Ste. 440, 898-5671, urbanhotdogcompany.com With about 20 choices—and even a vegetarian option—this restaurant has become a dog-lover’s go-to. Look for Chicago and NYC classics, plus adventurous temptations like the Crafty Dog (topped with mac ‘n’ cheese and bacon).

VERNON’S HIDDEN VALLEY STEAKHOUSE $$$

6855 4th St. NW, 341-0831, thehiddensteakhouse.com This unmarked restaurant requires a secret password to gain entrance. Once inside, you’ll discover a world of perfect steaks and gourmet seafood, paired with an unbeatable loungey atmosphere. Reservations are recommended.

VIC’S DAILY CAFÉ

3600 Osuna Road NE, 341-9710, vicsdailycafe.com With a full range of breakfast items, New Mexican favorites, and comfort food, this is a one-stop shop for tasty options like breakfast burritos, meatloaf, and coconut cream pie.

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BITES VICK’S VITTLES COUNTRY KITCHEN

YANNI’S MODERN MEDITERRANEAN $$

VIET TASTE

YASMINE’S CAFÉ

THE YELLER SUB

8810 Central Ave. SE, 298-5143, vicksvittles.com Rustle up your posse and head to Vick’s for heaping helpings of Texas-New Mexico fusion and breakfast served all day. Country comfort meets southwestern flair in an environment that welcomes suits and cowboys alike. Prepare to be stuffed. 5721 Menaul Blvd. NE, 888-0101, pwbportal.us/viet-taste-abq With more than 100 menu options—noodle and rice dishes, eight varieties of Pho, coconut shakes, and many more—this restaurant is true to its name, offering a real taste of Vietnamese cuisine.

VIET PHO

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

VILLAGE PIZZA

Two locations, villagepizzanm.com Family owned and operated, Village Pizza offers salads, nachos, calzones, pasta, and of course, signature pizzas, along with an all-you-can-eat buffet.

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

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

VINTAGE 423

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

3109 Central Ave. SE, 268-9250, yannisabq.com Impeccable Mediterranean cuisine paired with a fresh atmosphere that whisks you away to Grecian shores, you can always count on Yanni’s for savory spanakopita, perfect pasta, and other delicious treats. Reservations are recommended. 1600 Central Ave. SE, 242-1980 Yasmine’s is one of the few places in Albuquerque with shawarma—pitas filled with marinated chicken or beef that’s been pressed, stacked and cooked slowly on a rotisserie. Also try lamb and beef shish kababs, baba ghanoush, fatah, and four varieties of baklava. 7200 Montgomery Blvd. NE, 888-9784, yellersub.com Owner Mark Roerick has been perfecting his sandwiches since 1979 and the customer favorite, Steak & Grilled Onions Sub proves it. The potato chips, fries, and onion rings made from scratch the old-fashioned way sure won’t let you down.

ZINC WINE BAR AND BISTRO

$$$

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

ZORBA’S FINE GREEK CUISINE

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

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

WECK’S $$

Various locations, wecksinc.com For nearly 20 years, Weck’s has served up huge, tasty portions of breakfast and lunch. Examples: The Original comes with one pound of potatoes mixed with eggs, cheese, and chile; the “Scratch Made” Buttermilk Pancakes are more than seven inches wide.

WESTERN VIEW

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

WHICH WICH

WHOLE HOG CAFÉ

Various locations, whichwich.com A national brand with local twists, list your favorites on the bag and await a sammie that edges the competition. The UNM location is a student mainstay. Two locations, wholehogcafenm.com Get award-winning Memphis-style barbecue in a family-friendly atmosphere. Can’t-miss items include the pulled pork, potato salad, and the homemade banana pudding.

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BITES

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EXPERIENCE THE BEST I N L I M O U S I N E T R A N S P O R TAT I O N

RESERVATIONS | 505.836.4035 www.luckyboyzlimos.com | info@luckyboyzlimos.com 303 Arvada Avenue NW | Albuquerque, NM

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;TIL YOU DROP P. 272 | THE PAWS BUTTON P.278 | PASSENGER WINDOW P. 282 | PHOTO CONTEST P. 287 | 25 THINGS P. 288

PEACE, LOVE, AND ABQ The team at Guerilla Graphix began as a small art studio that produced t-shirts and New Mexico-related gifts on the side. Now it has become a symbol of community pride and Albuquerque love (p. 276).

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/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...

“2020 HAS BEEN SUCH A STRANGE YEAR. IT’S HARD TO WRAP MY HEAD AROUND WHAT 2021 WILL BE LIKE IN THE FASHION WORLD. WHAT ARE SOME UPCOMING TRENDS TO LOOK FORWARD TO?

T ER P X

Nancy Montoya Owner Strive Paseo Del Norte NE # C14 821-4999, strive-abq.com

OU R

Q: A:

Lyndsay Adler Retail Therapy 107 Amherst Dr SE 219-3761, retailtherapyabq.com

“I would say we are looking at anything comfy and cozy for 2021. We’re doing so much work from home, and people want to be comfortable working from home, so that means a lot of activewear, a lot of lounge sets, materials that feel good, feel soft. It’s getting real casual. It’s all about what’s going to be comfortable and still look nice. We’re doing some sweaters, and some pretty, bright colors, and stuff like that, but it’s all casual right now.”

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“2021 is all about comfort. The name of the game is loungewear and comfy fabrics. Stylish face masks are trending—I never thought I would say that!—which is definitely a change from years past. Also, people are not going out as much, so styles are much more casual. To meet these demands, we are bringing in super cute and stylish face masks, including locally made masks. And, as always, accessories that add a pop of color or style will be in next year as well—like hats, purses, bags, scarves and jewelry.”

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

RT PE

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‘TIL YOU DROP

Emilia Whitfill Wardrobe Stylist

Gee Loretta 10655 Montgomery Blvd NE 292-6652, geeloretta.com

“In fall we saw a lot of strange patterns mixed together, such as tie-dye and plaid mixed with florals. We’re going to see that still, transitioning into the spring. We’re going to see smaller florals mixed with a print, but in pastel tones. So we’re going to see a lot of fun mixes with patterns still, but definitely in the pastel tones. Another trend we’re going to be seeing, which I’m personally really looking forward to, is oversized pieces. And what I mean by that is like the boxy tops that you can, say, wear with leggings, and even going down into the pant section. We’re talking wider legs, along with boxier tops, and it’s just going to be a big deal, and big pockets. Oversized is going to be a big deal. Also, pops of color are going to be a huge thing this spring. So I’m talking here about your accessories. You’ll have something like an all camel outfit, which you’ll then match with, say, a turquoise purse. The rest of the outfit is monochromatic, so that pop of color is going to be huge deal.”

[

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

We Find It FOR YOU QUESTION

ANSWER

I never know where to look for good, interesting holiday decorations. Where should I start?

With so many great options for holiday shopping in the Duke City, it can certainly get overwhelming. We suggest staying as local as possible. Here are a few places to begin your New Mexico holiday journey.

ELEVATED ORNAMENTS If you’re looking for unique and well-crafted Christmas ornaments, your one-stop shop is going to have to be The Christmas Shop in Old Town. With a name like that, you might expect to find a mini-North Pole inside the shop’s four walls, and you wouldn’t be too far off the mark. Custom Nativities and fully dressed Christmas trees packed with dazzling, artisan-made ornaments welcome you upon entry, all year round. The shop curates finely made Christmas decorations of all kinds, but the real star here are the glimmering, glass blown and hand-painted ornaments featuring scenes of the Southwest. While The Christmas Shop offers something for everyone on your nice or naughty list, our favorites are the round, painted balloon ornaments, painted in all the stunning shades of an Albuquerque sunset, plus a little glitter for good measure. Evening Sunset Balloon Ornament, $26

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COURTESY PHOTOS

The Christmas Shop 400 Romero St NW #1 843-6744, stores.christmasinoldtown.com

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‘TIL YOU DROP LUMINARIAS FOR A CAUSE No matter what you celebrate, the holiday season in New Mexico means one thing: luminarias. But those charming little lights are hard work to make, especially if you have a big house or yard. This year, skip the hassle and support the arts all at once. For nearly forty years, Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program (AYSP) students and families have worked together to assemble and fold thousands of luminarias, as part of their annual fundraiser. Each dozen pre-made luminarias cost only $9, and all of the profits go toward supporting the youth symphony programming over the next year. The best part? The AYSP students will also deliver across the Albuquerque metro area. One Dozen Pre-Made Luminarias, $9 Albuquerque Youth Symphony 4407 Menaul Blvd NE 875-1319, aysmusic.org

HANG THE WREATH-STRA Want to spice up your holiday decor? Look no further than your own front door—that is, once you’ve hung up a chile pequin ristra wreath from Sichler Farms. Made by hand using all-New Mexico grown chiles, the 12” Treated Plain Chile Piquin Wreath is thoughtfully designed with a flat back so that it will lay flush against your door without crushing any of the beautiful chiles. The wreaths from Sichler are treated for extra durability so that you can use them over multiple seasons without worrying about wear and tear. Sichler Farms has operated in Los Lunas and Albuquerque going back six generations, and prides itself on friendly, family-oriented service. Order your wreath from their fully stocked web store and pick up a holiday gift box or two while you’re there for anyone on your list. 12” Treated Plain Flatback Chile Piquin Wreath, $38.99 Sichler Farms (Farm Store) 820 San Mateo Blvd NE 255-3338, sichlers.com

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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Shop Talk

Guerilla Graphix

3701 Central Ave NE (plus one other metro location) 503-8805 guerrillagraphix.com

or over a decade now, one screen printing shop with humble beginnings has been consistently putting out some of the best t-shirt designs in Albuquerque. From Zias to chile, sugar skulls and Breaking Bad jokes, to more political messages—like their now iconic “Make Art, Not War” design—it’s the shop’s high-quality artwork that stands out. “They started with some humor and some glib political angles, then slowly moved up into more of a souvenir store,” says current co-owner Dave Gittings. Though the shop has recently been through some changes, Guerilla Graphix has always been a family affair. Started in 2008 by father-daughter pair Travis Parkin and Ramona Snow Teo, Guerilla Graphix was meant to be a place for them to work on their own art together, shared with the world through stickers and t-shirts. Parkin had a vast breadth of life experience under his belt, having grown up in upstate New York before becoming a taxi driver in NYC, a flight attendant, and then opening a punk rock shop in the Mission District

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What began as a father/daughter operation in Old Town has become an icon of the Albuquerque art scene.

of San Francisco. He came to Albuquerque via Taos, where he’d opened a dance hall—named after his daughter—for a brief period of time. Teo was only eighteen years old when they opened Guerilla Graphix together, still a student at UNM, but ready to jump into the tricky business of being a shop owner all the same. From their start as a print shop that served small businesses in the Nob Hill neighborhood and sometimes printed their own work on the side, they grew into a two-location outfit complete with their own professional screen printing facility. They had a team of local artists working on designs, with a profit-share model so that every artist was fairly compensated. The company eventually expanded to provide full service graphic design and printing, then entered the wholesale market, providing other, bigger shops and retailers at the Sunport with their well-designed, popular merchandise. By 2018, business was booming, which of course was a blessing, but to Parkin and Teo, both artists in their own right, it was also quickly becoming a burden.

Neither of them wanted to let go of this amazing place they had created, but it no longer served the purpose they had set out with—instead of allowing them to work on their own art, as it once had, now it was increasingly getting in the way of their own artistic endeavors. In 2019,

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PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

‘TIL YOU DROP

they sold the business to their long-time screen print shop manager, Dave Gittings, and his brother Carl. “I will miss the crew and the work tremendously, but I am very happy to be starting a new chapter,” Teo said in a goodbye post on her blog. In the same farewell note, she goes on to talk about her new business, Divine Nature Arts, and about continuing to take art classes with Parkin. “I am so grateful to have such a motivated and inspiring dad who I get to continue collaborating with.” For his part, Dave is excited to carry on the creative spirit of Guerilla Graphix. When it became clear that Parkin was feeling burned out by the stress of managing the company, Dave stepped up. “I asked him if I could help in any way,” Dave says. “Travis said, ‘I can do you one better. I’ll sell you the company, but you can’t do it alone.’” Dave asked his brother, Carl, to go in on the business together, and he agreed. The two moved the shop’s printing facility to their current Nob Hill location on Central—which they affectionately refer to as “Base Camp”—at the beginning of 2020. The location, like the other two existing locations in Old Town and Taos, also has a small retail section for shoppers to browse, should they happen to come in. The shop had an open house in early March, and then, COVID happened. Luckily, the shop is still doing well. It is very important to Dave that the hardworking, creative spirit of Guerilla Graphix lives on in its current iteration. One of the main reasons he decided to buy the company was because he wanted to help out. “I love the company,” he says. “I love what it’s all about, and I didn’t want it to just—you know—go away.” But another big reason for taking the reins at the shop was that he sincerely loves the art of screen printing. Dave grew up in Pennsylvania, and in high school he started working as a printer at a wallpaper shop. After 20 or so years of that, he came to Albuquerque and started working as a screen printer off and on before finding himself at Guerilla Graphix. “It was really out of love for the whole industry. It’s just really special to me, screen printing,” Dave says, about his decision to take on the company. “It takes a lot of patience and problem solving. I’m in it for the love of it, for the spirit behind the whole thing.” —KELLI TRAPNELL DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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THE

PAWS BUTTON THE BEST FRIEND’S BEST GOODBYE KEEPING TABS ON ABQ’S FURRY FRIENDS

he loss of a pet can be extremely difficult. For many pet owners, their furry friends are members of the family. They are there for the good times and the bad. They don’t care if you are rich or poor, they just want to be with you. Closing out those years together is often a bittersweet experience, wrapped in happy memories and sad goodbyes. But what is to be done after your friend passes away? When I was a child it depended on which parent was tasked with seeing to our pets’ remains. If it was my father, there was usually a small grave dug in the backyard. If it was my mother, cremation was usually the route. I still have the urn containing the ashes of my childhood dog, a pug named Coal. Remembering her still makes me laugh. Their preferred memorial methods speak to their unique upbringings. For my father, born in the Midwest and raised by a real-life cowboy either near feed lots or farms, burying animals was just what was done. My mother, though no stranger to farm life herself, came from a long line of veterinarians. Her somewhat more pragmatic approach came more from dealing with cats and dogs than bulls and sheep. These days, there is a much wider va-

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La Puerta Natural Burial Ground is a serene final resting place.

riety of options for memorializing your furry best friend. There are still pet cremation services—offered at virtually every veterinary office—and despite Stephen King’s best efforts to frighten us all away, there are still pet cemeteries (or the backyard, if you’re my old man). What is new is the thought and care that has gone into the industry in recent years. Take, for example, Best Friends Pet Cre-

mation Services, which is part of French Funeral & Cremations. At Best Friends you choose between three different options for pet cremation. First is the Witnessing Cremation, which gives pet owners a chance to be present and participate in the cremation process. Then there is Private Cremation, in which there is only one pet in the chamber at a time. Finally, there is Communal Cremation, where

Coal, age 9

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Best Friends Pet Cremation offers an extensive memorial package.

several pets are cremated at once and their ashes scattered in the Best Friends Forever Pet Cemetery at Sunset Memorial Park. Best Friends Pet Cremation also offers the opportunity to purchase a placard at Sunset Memorial Park to commemorate your pet. Packages can even include keepsakes—such as pendants and lockets— that contain a small amount of your pet’s ashes. French Mortuary offers a full pet memorial service package, but they also offer pet owners the opportunity to be buried next to their pet when the time comes. Another option for seeing to your pet’s remains is La Puerta Natural Burial Ground. A part of the Green Burial Council, La Puerta Natural Burial Ground is roughly 40 acres of natural burial area at the foot of the Manzano Mountains, adjacent to 14,000 acres of protected open space. What is green burial? According to the Green Burial Council, “A natural (green) burial is a traditional burial and is sanctioned by state statutes. The body is simply returned to the earth wrapped in a bio-degradable burial shroud or is placed in a pine or bamboo casket or willow carrier, without the use of embalming chemicals.” Not only is this a beautiful final resting place for humans, there is a special section set aside just for pets. La Puerta can help owners select a pine or willow casket or shroud, they can even transport your beloved pet, if it is something that is needed. Whatever you feel your furry loved one’s final wishes might have been, there is a way out there to make it happen. I’ll make sure to let my pop know when the time comes. —TH

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RIGHT NOW...YOU NEED LOCAL NEWS YOU CAN TRUST

SHELLYRIBANDO

DOUGFERNANDEZ

5PM 6PM 10PM

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PET OF T H E MONTH

PET OF THE MONTH ATM readers’ furry, fuzzy, feathered, or scaly best friends. This month's winner: Matilda

n some ways, Matilda is just like your “traditional” pet—say, a dog or cat. She loves belly pets, and treats, and being held. She loves to climb and play and sit on her human.. Like a lot of very luck pets, Matilda has a human child that she loves and who loves her back: meet Caydence, Matilda’s 3-and-a-half-year-old owner. “Every morning she checks on [Matilda] and greets her with a good morning,” says Caydence’s father, Jared Trujillo. “She always enjoys going to buy crickets at the pet store. She’s excited for Matilda to get bigger so she can walk her on her dragon wing leash.” That anticipation is because the pet is a bearded dragon (though her owners call her a “speedy dragon,” due to her habit of zipping all around a room and climbing the walls.) Another thing, those treats she loves, they are mostly crickets and worms. It makes sense that Caydence would be so attached to “Tilda”, as she calls her. The roughly two-month-old bearded dragon came to the Trujillo family as the result of a little girl’s wish, whispered in her loving father’s ear. “[Caydence] loves dragons and said she wants a dragon one day,” says Jared. “Every time [we went to the pet store] she would run to the breaded dragons. I’ve had experience with reptiles and thought Matilda would be a good starter pet for her.” When not relaxing on top of Caydence’s head, Matilda likes to bask under her lamp, hang out with her best friend—a Russian tortoise named Joe Squirt—and take long naps.—TH

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.

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

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THE

PASSENGER WINDOW

THE SILVER GARDENS TURBINE

alking through Downtown Albuquerque, there’s certainly plenty to see at eye level. But try glancing up now and then and you are likely to see some pretty cool stuff as well. Take, for instance, the wind turbine sitting atop the Silver Gardens Apartments (100 Silver Ave SW, 246-8500, silvergardensapts.com). Glistening in the Albuquerque sunlight, the turbine looks more sculpture than windmill. It’s white arms, curved in elegant parabolas, twist and turn around a space-age looking central pillar. The turbine, a seemingly perfect marriage of form and function, stretches into the sky, nearly a third the height of the building it rests upon. Gone are the days of the giant, cloth-draped windmills of Don Quixote—at least when it comes to creating a green living environment like

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The futuristic looking rooftop structure offers a smooth combination of beauty and energy.

Silver Gardens. Developed by the Johnathan Rose Company’s southwest affiliate Romero Rose, planners and architects designed this 121-unit, urban, green, mixed-use development to be environmentally friendly and affordable. (Silver Gardens Apartments was built with the help of local non-profit the Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico, which coowns and co-developed the $21 million project.) In addition to the wind turbine, Silver Gardens Apartments also includes a rooftop rainwater collection system for irrigating the community garden, and a 15,000-square-foot central courtyard, decorated with drought-resistant native plants. In fact, the building is so environmentally conscious it won the 2011 EPA Smart Growth Award, the 2011 Charles

L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award, the 2011 EcoHome Design Merit Award, and the 2011 Associated General Contractor’s Best Building Award. It also bears the distinction of being the first affordable housing project in the US to receive funding for carbon offsets (the building earns income for offsetting more than 1,000 tons of carbon emissions). With all of that in mind, it seems fitting that the defining characteristic of the building, at least aesthetically, is a wind energy turbine. The turbine itself is called a “vertical-axis wind turbine.” It was developed by New York-based company Urban Green Energy (UGE) and is now owned by Vertical Air, which has placed their vertical turbines all over the world, including on such famous structures as the Eiffel Tower. —TH

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

Now open! Come experience our new Xfinity Store in the Cottonwood West shopping center. Explore our latest product innovations in a completely reinvented and totally interactive environment.

Cottonwood West Xfinity Store 10131 Coors Blvd. NW Suite C5 Albuquerque, NM 87114

Store Hours

Monday – Saturday: 10:00am – 6:00pm Sunday: 11:00am – 5:00pm

Your local Xfinity Store is open with new healthy practices in place. We are committed to helping make your experience as safe as possible by practicing social distancing, increasing cleanings, and requiring everyone to wear face coverings.

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PIECE OF T H E PAST

LOBO THEATER

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS/ATM

It’s home to a church these days, but Route 66’s oldest standing theater has a long, storied history of firsts.

or over 60 years, the green and orange neon sign that denotes the historic Lobo Theater would greet travelers passing through Albuquerque down the famed Route 66. Large two-tone posters on the outside walls announced movie times and concert lineups. Albuquerque teens sold tickets through the tiny holes in their old-timey glass booths. Designed by Latif Hyder, the Lobo Theater took over a space previously occupied by a gas station. (Fun side note: the gas station was called the Iceberg and was built in the likeness of, you guessed it, an iceberg, complete with a polar bear climbing the white, stucco façade.) Upon opening, it became the first theater on Albuquerque’s east mesa, which was then the fastest growing area of the city. It also has the honor of being the first suburban theater in the state.

The grand Lobo Theater opened its doors for the first time on August 19, 1938. By the early 40s, it was bought by Hoblitzekke & O’Donnell, a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures. But the Lobo Theater was never much interested in competing with the large movie palaces that developed in the 50s and 60s. Instead, it catered to university students and, for over a half century, it was a hub of independent, classic, and cult films. Longtime Albuquerqueans will remember it as the

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

place to be for the annual midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show. It was even the location of its own independent film, Collecting Rooftops (2002). On August 4, 2000, at the end of its run as a movie house, the Lobo was the last theater in the city with an accessible balcony (the Highland Theater still had one, but it was closed to the public due to disrepair). Today it is leased as Calvary Nob Hill, an arm of Calvary Albuquerque, but it remains the oldest standing theater on Route 66. —TH

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1800 Tequila Reserva..........................................................................................71 3 Advertising.......................................................................................................40 66 Diner........................................................................................................... 199 A Heavenly Taste Bakery...................................................................................179 About Seniors Complete Moving Services, LLC..............................................187 Albuquerque The Magazine......................................................... 45,216,259,265 Albuquerque Florist............................................................................................35 Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling.....................................................28 All World Travel...............................................................................................14,15 AlluraDerm Med Spa..................................................................................172,173 American General Media................................................................... 60,220,257 Animal Humane Association............................................................................175 Annapurna's World Vegetarian Cafe................................................................204 Assistance League.........................................................................................56,176 BB Fab (House Ad)..................................................................................42,46,47 Bill Stanage Wealth Management Group LLC.................................................215 Blake's Lota Burger...........................................................................................190 Blink!.................................................................................................................193 Blue Castle Automotive.....................................................................................183 Blue Rose Photography.....................................................................................261 Bridal Elegance by Darlene...............................................................................185 Bubba's 33...................................................................................................203,255 California Closets................................................................................................23 Casa Taco.......................................................................................................... 180 Central Grill and Coffee House........................................................................184 ChocGlitz & Cream...........................................................................................183 Christy Mae's.....................................................................................................176 Cinnamon Sugar & Spice Cafe.........................................................................195 CNM...................................................................................................................171 Cold Stone Creamery....................................................................................... 199 Comcast............................................................................................................ 283 Comfortable Dentistry 4U.................................................................................49 Conrad Sanchez Advanced Skin Care............................................................... 181 Corona Hard Seltzer......................................................................................... 239 Cosmetic Dentistry of New Mexico: Dr. Byron Wall........................................2,3 CPR - Cell Phone Repair.................................................................................. 277 Crown Jewels & Coin........................................................................................194 Crystal Springs.................................................................................................225 Dave's Valley Grill............................................................................................. 255 Deluxe Design...................................................................................................178 Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center of New Mexico.......................................214 Dr. Gaylina Reachi DDS...................................................................................213 Dr. Monica Boehmer, DDS...............................................................................214 Duke City Software.......................................................................................... 245 el jimador SilverTequila...................................................................................... 72 El Patron...........................................................................................................262 Elite MD........................................................................................................... 210

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ADVERTISING REGISTRY Ethan Allen Furniture........................................................................................ 25 Exhibit Solutions of New Mexico......................................................................27 Extreme Mobile Detailing.................................................................................195 Fat Tire Cycles/Taos Motor Imports................................................................189 Floorscapes.......................................................................................................226 Flying Star Cafe.................................................................................................251 Frontier Restaurant......................................................................................... 200 Garage Door Doctor..........................................................................................184 Garage Doors by Nestor..................................................................................207 Garciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Enterprises, Inc. / Garcia's Kitchen......................................................251 Get A Grip.........................................................................................................177 Glam Nail Bar & Spa.......................................................................................... 44 Glazed Grinders............................................................................................66,67 Golden Pride BBQ, Chicken & Ribs............................................................... 200 Grassburger.......................................................................................................175 Groomingdale's Pet Spa....................................................................................187 Harris Jewelers & Gemologists.........................................................................187 High & Dry Brewing.........................................................................................188 Houston Wholesale Cars LLC...........................................................................4,5 I'm the Blind Lady.............................................................................................182 iHeart Media.....................................................................................................279 Inspire Salon...................................................................................................... 59 Integrity Automotive.........................................................................................197 International Protective Service........................................................................ 8,9 Juan Tabo Animal Clinic...................................................................................188 Kelly Jo Designs.................................................................................................188 KOAT-TV..........................................................................................................280 Kubota Tractor Inc....................................................................Inside Back Cover La Casa Bella...................................................................................................... 191 Laguna Burger..................................................................................................268 La Reforma Brewery........................................................................................ 200 Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry.......................................................... 50,51,Back Cover Lilly Barrack......................................................................................................250 Lucky Boyz Limo..............................................................................................270 Merry Maids...................................................................................................... 6,7 Mesa Tractor........................................................................................................63 Mike's Jerky........................................................................................................174 Mike's Quality Painting.....................................................................................198 Montessori One Preschool...............................................................................192 Moto Authority.................................................................................................198 Mrs. Clean.......................................................................................................16,17 MVD Express...................................................................................................209 National Distributing Company.......................................................................69 New Mexico Sports & Wellness......................................................................269 Optimum Health................................................................................................19 Osuna Nursery..................................................................................................192 Paixao Nail & Beauty Bar................................................................................. 196 Past, Present & In Between............................................................................... 191

Pendleton Canadian Whiskey.............................................................................71 Power Ford..........................................................................................................64 Radiology Associates of Albuquerque................................................................41 Rainbow Ryders...............................................................................................202 Rebel Donut......................................................................................................195 Rehm's Nursery..................................................................................................183 Rhino Roofing.................................................................................................12,13 Rio Grande Hemp Company............................................................................195 Route 66 Casino Hotel............................................................Inside Front Cover Route 66 Cleaners...................................................................................... 68,265 Rudy's Country Store & BBQ.......................................................................... 196 Sacred Garden.................................................................................................... 48 Sadie's Restaurant & Cantina............................................................................183 Sandia Area Federal Credit Union......................................................................21 Sandia Automotive..........................................................................................10,11 Sandia Green Clean..........................................................................................205 Sandia Resort & Casino....................................................................................179 Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel...........................................................Belly Band,48 Santa fe Mixes....................................................................................................70 Sazerac Rye Whiskey...........................................................................................73 Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey....................................................................... 31 Ski Apache...........................................................................................................43 Slate Street Billiards..........................................................................................234 Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits...................................................................247 Southwest Office Solutions..............................................................................261 Southwest Women's Oncology.........................................................................212 Southwestern HR Consulting............................................................................37 Starr Brothers Brewing..................................................................................... 199 Stripes Biscuit Company/Stripes Burrito company....................................... 180 Tamashi.............................................................................................................224 Teller Genuine Vodka.........................................................................................70 Tequila Herradura............................................................................................... 72 Thai Spice.........................................................................................................206 The Acre........................................................................................................... 200 The Barberologist Lounge................................................................................. 191 The Remedy Day Spa.......................................................................................203 The Shop Breakfast & Lunch...........................................................................204 The Verdes Foundation.................................................................................... 201 Tin Can Alley.....................................................................................................176 Two Boys Donuts.............................................................................................208 University of New Mexico Athletic Department............................................... 52 Veterans Integration Center............................................................................. 277 Weems Galleries................................................................................................175 Western Dermatology Consultants, PC...........................................................186 Wheatley Vodka...................................................................................................73 Whispering Bean..............................................................................................204 WisePies...........................................................................................................284

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. | DEC 2020 2020 / JAN. / JAN 2021 2021

PHOTO CONTEST

SEASONS COLLIDING

COURTESY PHOTO

By Pam Dorner

e haven’t exactly gotten very many big snowstorms here in recent years. Like the rain, snow is a source of amusement and wonder for Albuquerqueans. So, in late October of this year, when Albuquerque and the surrounding areas were blanketed with a layer of snow roughly 10 inches thick, amateur wildlife and landscape photographer Pam Dorner grabbed her Canon 5D4 and 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and

went down to the Willow Creek Open Space in Rio Rancho. “As soon as the sun starting popping through the clouds that day, I headed to the Bosque to photograph the beautiful contrast of the colorful leaves over the new-fallen snow,” says Dorner. “To get almost a foot of snow this early in the year was truly special.” Dorner took up photography several years ago when her sister-in-law gave her an old Canon 6D camera. “It has become

a passion to try and capture the beauty of New Mexico seen daily,” she says. “We have the most amazing skies!” Since then, Dorner has photographed wildlife and landscapes all over the country. She has even photographed coastal brown bears in Alaska. But she always comes back to New Mexico. “My favorite area is the Rio Grande Bosque,” she says. “That’s really where most of my time is spent.” —TH

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

DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021 | ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE

287

13. Music is played during shopping hours via all-weather speakers. 14. This is the city’s most popular spot for retailers; the vacancy rate is less than 1 percent.

15. Uptown opened just in time for Christmas shopping in November of 2006.

16. There are 10 dining options. 17. Outdoor lighting allows easy af-

With

ABQ Uptown

ter-dark shopping.

1. There are 32 “exclusive-to-market”

shops.

One of them is the Apple Store, the only one in the state.

3. Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Cal-

ifornia Pizza Kitchen and several other retailers are also the state’s only location.

4. There’s enough retail space to hold 47 basketball courts (220,000 square feet). 5. USA Today named it the 2nd-best place to shop in ABQ (behind Old Town). 6. The Elephant Bar restaurant is the last

9. The architect was ABQ’s Dekker/

Perich/Sabatini, which specializes in Southwest and green design.

mall sits on the 10. The former site of St.

Pius X High School, which moved to the Westside in 1988.

18. There are about 1,000 parking spaces.

19. 300 of those spaces are in the underground garage.

offers 20. Simon.com up-to-date discount deals for Uptown shops.

21. The @abquptown Facebook page offers tips for shoppers.

22. During summer months, there’s a grower’s market of produce and crafts. 23. The perimeter has more than 70 trees, including several desert willows. 24. Uptown has at least one local retailer, Mati jewelers.

25. The neon spire in the center plaza is more than 50 feet tall.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL JACOBS

The unveiling of The Pit at UNM in 1966. The rise of the Sandia Peak Tramway the same year. The launch in 1972 of what is now the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. These are all things that made us instantly feel like a grown-up city. Here’s one to add to that list: the opening of ABQ Uptown in 2006, a shopping mecca that brought big-name retailers to our front door. Apple Store, Mac cosmetics and Pottery Barn are just some of the places we used to visit when we travelled to Los Angeles, Denver or, yes, even Scottsdale. No more—they’re now part of the smart, beautiful, 20-acre layout that includes more than 50 shops, restaurants and clothiers. The modern wave of stores actually has one aspect that’s very much old-school: it’s an outdoor mall, an ode to the way we used to shop before mega-malls sprouted across the U.S. in the 1970s. With easy-access parking and gorgeous landscaping, it’s a perfect blend of yesterday and tomorrow. Here are a few other curiosities about this shopper’s delight.—KEVIN SMITH

11. Simon Property Group (former owner of Cottonwood Mall) purchased ABQ Uptown in 2012. 12. There are 198 luxury apartments, featuring granite counters and 12-foot ceilings.

remaining from a chain that once had more than 30 locations.

7. The first stores to open were JoS. A. Bank, and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry.

288

PHOTO BY DON JAMES/ATM

8. The first food retailer was Starbucks.

WWW.ABQTHEMAG.COM | DEC. 2020 / JAN. 2021

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