Cuisine

CUISINE CUISINE

Our official state question is: “Red, green or Christmas?”

In other words, what is your preference in chile?!

What’s the story behind Santa Fe’s chile?

We take the question “Red, green or Christmas?” very, very seriously, in large part because chile production has a significant impact on New Mexico’s economy. In 2021, New Mexico produced 51,000 tons chile, with an estimated value of $45 million, making it the top cash crop in the state.

Most of the magic happens 250 miles to Santa Fe’s south in the “Chile Capital of the World,” Hatch, New Mexico. Across the state, restaurant owners and individuals alike eagerly await the arrival of the autumn crop to replenish their troves.

How should I answer the question “Red, green or Christmas?”

Heat may be what determines your selection, but neither red nor green is consistently hotter. Ask your server which option packs the most punch. “Christmas” means a combination of green and red, perfect for those seeking the best of both worlds.

What makes a chile red or green, and how are they processed?

It’s all about timing: Red chiles are simply green chiles that have remained on the vine longer and ripened fully. However, once picked, the green chile is typically roasted as a fresh whole chile, then peeled, and served diced, while red chile is dried and processed into a powder, then cooked into a thick roux-based sauce.

USA TODAY 10Best voted Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta #4 in the “Best Wine Festival (2022)” list.

Chile as an ingredient

Try the green chile apple pie, cheesecake, cornbread, and other freshly baked breads at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market. Or taste green chile mac ‘n’ cheese, a green chile cheeseburger, or green chile stew and you may never go back. Find red chile powder in pumpkin soup, jelly, infused in dark chocolate, or on the rim of a Santa Fe Margarita Trail margarita! For the “Christmas” treatment, take advantage of every Huevos Rancheros (Spanish for rancher’s eggs) opportunity you’re given!

Eat it like a local

Chile is a staple! Come autumn, most households purchase their roasted green for the year, and store it in individual bags in their freezer. And you can find their savory powdered red in the cupboard, marked mild, medium, or hot. Consider taking some chile home as a spicy reminder of your visit!

What is Northern New Mexican cuisine?

Neither Tex, nor Mex, the cuisine is a blend of Hispanic and Pueblo influences. The hearty beans, fresh corn, spicy green and red chile sauces, and fluffy tortillas are only the beginning. Think tacos, tamales, posole, enchiladas, chile rellenos, sopaipilla, pan dulce, fajitas, and stews. You can find these dishes and more at nearly all restaurants in Santa Fe.

DID YOU KNOW?

Car owners have their choice of three standard license plates styles. The newest on the block is the chile plate, which won “America’s Best License Plate Award” for 2017. The turquoise centennial plate won in 2011.

315 Restaurant & Wine Bar 315 Old Santa Fe Trail 315santafe.com | 505.986.9190 A French Bistro influenced by the seasonal availability at the local farmers market. Wine list features more than 250 selections from around the world with a strong emphasis on France, specialty cocktails, and a thoughtful menu of rare whiskeys. Outdoor dining.

CUISINE

SANTA FE’SChefs & Restaurants

Santa Fe’s culinary scene is a gastronomic

epicenter in the Southwest with hundreds of oneof-a-kind, locally owned restaurants to choose from. Beyond red and green chile, you can sample modern fusion options and diverse cuisine from around the globe, including Japanese, Indian, African, French, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, South American, Mediterranean, Spanish, and more. You can also find classic steakhouses, cozy brew and gastro pubs, eateries specializing in mouthwatering BBQ, fresh seafood, and delicious dining options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free eaters.

Geronimo And Santa Fe is home to the only AAA Four Diamond restaurants in the state of New Mexico— Geronimo on Canyon Road, Terra at the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, Sazón near the Plaza, and Sassella next to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.

The City Different also boasts several chefs who have been nominated for the James Beard “Best Chef: Southwest” awards, with Chef/Owner Mark Kiffin of the Compound Restaurant (in 2005) and Chef/Owner Fernando Olea of Sazón (in 2022) receiving top honors.

Truly all of the chefs are artists and integral members of the community, heralded for their talent and service. See them at work with a ticket to one of the events at September’s Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta, where 50 chefs and 90 wineries pair their expert flavors for thousands of attendees.

To plan your culinary journey, pick up a copy of the Santa Fe Dining Guide or visit santafe.org/dine.

Sazón

SPOTLIGHT

Sazón ranked at #8 and Geronimo at #15 in the 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers Choice list of “Best Fine Dining Restaurants in the United States.”

Lino’s Trattoria and Pizzeria & Chile Line Brewery 204 N. Guadalupe St. linostrattoriapizzeria.com | 505.982.8474

Look no further, Lino’s and Chile Line Brewery offers an extensive selection of locally made beers, wines, spirits, and wood oven pizzas. Also offering live entertainment in our taproom. Stop by today and see why we’ve become a local favorite!

FARM TOChef

USA TODAY 10Best voted Santa Fe Farmers’ Market #6 in the “Best Farmers Markets (2022)” list.

Dine out in The City Different to enjoy farm-fresh, local food!

Agriculture continues to play a large

role in New Mexico’s economy. In fact, it is the state’s third-largest industry with the Census of Agriculture reporting 25,044 farms in the Land of Enchantment. Many of those are successful niche farms within 100 miles or fewer of Santa Fe, and you could be lucky enough to try their produce.

A longstanding tradition, the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market loosely started during the late 1960s and the early days of the farm-to-table movement. Today, you can purchase produce from more than 150 vendors on Tuesdays and Saturdays at a permanent location in the Railyard Plaza.

Jen Judge

Among the thousands of Farmers’ Market goers are many of The City Different’s awardwinning chefs, who have a favorite farmer for each ingredient on their menus. Some chefs have formed deeper relationships, collaborating on grow and harvest plans to ensure not only the sustainability of the farm, but the promise of their restaurant’s brand as a destination for ethically and locally sourced, fresh food.

If local food is a priority for you, definitely visit the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market and do a little bit of research to determine if the restaurant you’ve booked has a farm relationship!

Erin Wade of Vinaigrette

Osteria d’Assisi 58 S. Federal Place osteriadassisi.com | 505.986.5858

Premier Italian restaurant with a wide variety of authentic Italian dishes you’re sure to love. Private and Semi-Private rooms for business dinners, birthday and anniversary parties. Full bar and extensive wine list. Live Music. Open daily 4:30 - 9:00pm.