D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
September 2009
Table Talk
Happy Anniversaries
Vicki's Eatery is rolling out the carpet this month at its new digs in the greatly refurbished former Elk's Lodge at the corner of Texas and Market Streets in Silver City. Owner Greg Bonds and his wife/partner MaryAnn Marlar completed their move-in process late last month and Bonds reports that Vicki's will celebrate a formal grand re-opening, in sync with the anniversary of his ownership of the breakfast and lunch hot spot. Same name, same great menu. No across-the-street delivery, though. If a Yankie Creek latte's your thing, pick it up at the coffee shop and carry it to the lodge yourself!
And happy anniversary to Shevek & Co! Chef Shevek Barnhart checked in to note the milestone of the Mediterranean-themed restaurant's eighth year. Building on a theme of "eights," the aproned one invites patrons to help his eatery celebrate its eighth anniversary on the eighth of this month, receiving a free hors d'oeuvre with a beer or wine purchase.
With Six You Get Egg Roll
It seems Silver City must have a point of critical mass for Asian cuisine restaurants. Asian Buffet soon will rise from the ashes of the recently demised China Gate Chinese restaurant — or at least in the same building tucked in behind the Snappy Mart on Hwy. 180 where the defunct eatery flamed out earlier this year. Seekers of Oriental fare can breathe a sigh of relief as Asian Buffet brings the town's complement of Asian eateries back up to the local norm.
But scratch one for Las Cruces: It appears that the oh-so-recently opened China Temple has checked out. The Asian eatery opened just months ago at 1030 El Paseo Road in the building that used to house J.W. Flours and A Taste of Home cafe. Diminished signs of life have been noted at the Asian eatery and the business phone voicemail is not working.
Soon to fill the city's Asian Eatery Void, however, Japanese Kitchen will open a Las Cruces location. Construction is underway at 141 S. Roadrunner Parkway, where The Pepper Mill used to be. An opening date has not yet been set for the El Paso-based purveyor of sushi and hibachi-grilled fare.
Can't Tell the Eateries Without a Scorecard
Also on the Cruces dining horizon: Realtor Emily Coss hopes to open a restaurant at 212 W. Hadley Ave., where her current Cruces business, Coss Real Estate, now resides. Coss is awaiting a zoning change from the powers that be. Once that's in place, she plans to open the Water Street Cafe, serving up soups, salads, sandwiches, pastries and coffee. The eatery will seat 30 indoors and another 30 on the patio.
And good news for lovers of seared and seasoned cow and pig flesh. Dickey's Barbecue Pit has opened at 1660 S. Valley Dr. in Las Cruces. Dallas-based Dickey's takes the place of the now-defunct American BBQ Factory. The restaurant employs about 20 individuals and offers take-out, delivery and catering as well as sit-down. The menu offers the usual myriad forms of smoked and slathered beef and pork, including brisket, polish sausage, pulled pork, ribs and more. Even the green beans have bacon in them. Don't miss the fried okra! 525-2525.
The Las Cruces City Council approved a Master Winegrower liquor license for Amaro Winery, LLC, clearing the way for owner Kelly Allen's company to make, bottle and sell the "noble rot" from its location at 601 W. Amador Ave. The wine will come from grapes grown on eight acres Allen's family owns near Mesquite. Allen hopes to open later this year, and plans to produce about 12 kinds of wine, varying from sweet whites to mellow reds. Amaro Winery will have a tasting room and offer tours.
And Fiesta Foods has reportedly passed the halfway point of its rather massive renovation. Horizontal freezers have been replaced with modern uprights, and though the square footage has not increased, customers say the place feels bigger. The store will add a bakery and tortilleria.
Buns in the Oven
By the time you read this, Schadel's Bakery will be about ready to open in the former Bad Ass Bakery location at 300 S. Bullard. The historic Silver City bakery name is scheduled to return on Sept. 5. Hours will be Tuesday - Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 538-1876.
— Donna Clayton
Send restaurant news to donna@desertexposure.com