Special spots

Delightful dining and views

Angel Fire’s restaurants, from fine dining to cafes, bakeries and coffee shops, are all locally owned and operated, serving up some of the best Northern New Mexico has to offer. Stop in for a tasty and relaxing breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sit and enjoy. Of course, you can also pick up a picnic or dinner to go. Angel Fire Mayor Jo Mixon said two spots – the brand new Morning Star Restaurant and well-established Mikuna Grill are good

places to start.

MORNING STAR RESTAURANT

3377 Mountain View Blvd., 575-377-7019 Open daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Morning Star owners/ operators Stuart and Liliana Hanold opened the café in the popular Elk Horn Lodge last September 2021. Offering the super popular Ski Burger and local American, Mexican fare, they ramp it up Friday and Saturday nights with Italian dinner specials. Breakfasts start at 9 a.m., including delicious huevos rancheros, pancakes, omelettes, smothered breakfast burritos and more. Huge burgers and daily specials like pulled pork sandwiches, meat loaf plates and pies for dessert – all are making big waves in Angel Fire fare. The couple relocated to Angel Fire after various restaurant stints in Colorado. Chef Liliana actually offered the original Ski Burger in Eagle Nest, before Albuquerque native Stuart entered the picture. They later relocated the Ski Burger café to Angel Fire. Since then, after two children and a Foursquare Ministry in Colorado, good food and fellowship brought them back home to Angel Fire. “Come as a guest, leave as a friend,” is one of Liliana’s favorite Facebook posts. They mean it and after one visit, you will too. Morning Star is a true BFF!

MIKUNA GRILL

48 N Angel Fire Road, 575-377-7009 Tuesday–Sunday, 4-9 p.m., Closed Monday

Mikuna Grill is the only restaurant in the area that serves a fusion of Peruvian - Southwestern Cuisine. Established in 2017, Mikuna Grill started from the ground up and within just two months, it was established and has proven itself to be an Angel Fire staple for years now. “We have all 5 Star ratings on Facebook and our comments are flawless on Google,” Peruvian native Jazmin M says online. “We take pride in the food we serve and in how we provide our hospitality to our guests. Come in and taste for yourself!” The second annual Mimosas on Main Street will be held again on Father’s Day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on June 18, the Sunday of the Balloons Over Angel Fire weekend. All North Angel Fire Drive (AKA Bill Burgess Blvd.) will be closed to accommodate vendors and music all day. Last year 35 vendors set up tents, so this year the village expects even more vendors. Mikuna’s will be open and mimosas will be flowing just like last year’s big bash. Jazmin lists her last name only by its first letter, M, maybe because she’s so busy. Since opening Mikuna Grill in 2017, she opened three other businesses: The Bakery & Café (3420 Mountain View Blvd, 575-377-3992); the Ice Cream, Candy & Gift Shop (11 Halo Pine Terrace, 575-377-1010) and a cleaning service. Though unavailable for comment, her website puts her life’s work in perspective: “My love for my family and the recipes that bring me back to my childhood have continued to push me to share these same experiences with my community,” Jazmin says online. “I have taken my culinary education and all of my wonderful experiences at the dinner table with my children, and I have translated them for all of Angel Fire to enjoy. I hope that you will come in and taste the love that I have for my family, for Peru and for Angel Fire in every dish!” Bon appetit!