2008 Writing D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
September
2008
Table Talk
Breakfast News
Table Talk last month got a tip that a Denny's might be in the works for the space at 2005 Hwy. 180 in Silver City, the building vacated by Golden Corral over one year ago. Court Hall of Smith Real Estate represents the property and confirms that while he is in serious negotiations with a client interested in opening, yes, a Denny's in the space, the "complicated deal is still in the works," with no final word available by Desert Exposure press time. "I don't want to even breathe on the rumors," Hall says, adding that he has two back-up offers — for tenants of the non-restaurant variety — and that he expects to be able to report something more definitive in the coming weeks.
But regardless of whether the Grand Slam breakfast comes to town, Silver Citians have another great place for a morning meal and eye-opening cup of Joe. Vickie's Eatery, the cozy lunch spot at the corner of Texas and Yankie Streets in downtown Silver City, is now also serving breakfast seven days a week. Greg Bonds, who owns the restaurant with his wife Maryann Marlar, says the eatery started offering breakfast on the weekends and that was so successful, they decided to expand. Stop in for traditional biscuits with sausage gravy, Eggs Benedict, fresh fruit, quiche, steak and eggs and more. Bonds and Marlar also own the Yankie Creek Coffee House across the street, so count on good coffee to wash it all down. Plus there's freshly squeezed orange juice and carrot juice, made to order. Mon.-Sat. 7-10:30 a.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 388-5430.
Expanded Offerings
New things are afoot at Diane's Bakery and Cafe, too. Proprietor Diane Holloway checked in to say that she has lined up the restaurant's first "Wines and Foods by Country" evening, an interactive dinner and tasting with a sommelier — that's French for "someone who knows wa-a-a-ay more about wine than you" — on hand to discuss the vintages. "I just started talking about it with some of my very regular customers and I think I've already sold a dozen tickets," Holloway says. The first wines-and-foods event will take place mid-October, she says, and will be a monthly feature for the foreseeable future. 510 N. Bullard St., Silver City. 538-8722.
New Eateries
Grab a slice! Red Brick Pizza is open at 2808 N. Telshor Blvd., in the plaza across from Sam's Club in Las Cruces, offering thin-crust Pizza Rustica and much more, to eat in or carry out. The restaurant seats 74 customers, and serves up fire-roasted pizzas, sandwiches and salads. Keep with the Italian theme and enjoy gelato for dessert. 521-7300.
Las Cruces has a new bona fide rib joint. Tony Luhan has just opened The Rib Cage, a casual restaurant serving all manner of smoked meats, as well as homemade potato salad, coleslaw and macaroni and cheese. It's located at 939 N. Main St., where the Main Java Cafe used to be. Luhan, a Las Cruces native, attended culinary school and has cooked at several local restaurants, including the Double Eagle, the Hilton and the recently closed Meson de Mesilla. Luhan says The Rib Cage seats up to 40 customers and will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Take-out orders welcome! 523-0271.
Sweet Moves
Tommy's Cake Shop is moving from El Paseo to Las Cruces' Downtown Mall, effective Sept. 1. A spokeswoman says the new location will be slightly smaller but they are looking forward to being in downtown. 526-6599.
The Red Barn, Silver City's quintessential steakhouse on Hwy. 180, is now serving gelato for dessert, made locally by Alotta Gelato. "We're serving three or four flavors, I think, and they're selling well," says a spokeswoman at the Red Barn.
The Kitchen Is Closed. . .
Texas-based S&A Restaurant Corp., parent company of the Bennigan's and Steak & Ale chains, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and shut down — with one day's notice — 300 company-owned locations nationwide, including the Las Cruces Bennigan's restaurant at 1745 E. University Ave. in the Pan Am Plaza. The action is one of the largest restaurant bankruptcies in US history, and eliminates two sit-down chains that have been part of the casual dining landscape for decades, throwing thousands out of work. The chains will liquidate and are not likely to re-open.
Jack in the Box, the fast-food hamburger chain and pioneer in the concept of drive-through dining, emphasizes "on-the-go" convenience, according to the company's Web site. Now the Jack in the Box located at El Paseo and Idaho is gone, leaving the location at 501 S. Telshor Blvd. as the only Jack in the Box in Las Cruces and in the state.
And some small, independent Las Cruces restaurants also recently shut their doors. Lohman Deli-Mex at 605 E. Lohman Ave. and Great American Pizza, with outlets at 1001 E. University and 1970 N. Valley Dr., are closed.
Send restaurant news to donna@desertexposure.com