D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
June 2010
Table Talk
As promised last month, the Cienega Spa once again boasts a restaurant, Tre Rosat Café, reviving one of Silver City's favorite dining locations — formerly home to the Orchid Café. As they searched for a spot, restaurateurs Lyla Adrienne, King Crowder and Jason Marsh heard again and again that the spa, on the corner of Cooper and Broadway, next to the Grant County Courthouse, boasts the "best deck in town." Says Marsh, "People would rave about how much they loved eating at the Orchid and how wonderful that deck is."
Working with Cienega owners Pam and Robin Hogan, the trio opened for lunch on May 11. Adrienne adds, "We plan to begin hosting reservation dinners in the very near future. They'll mostly be on Friday or Saturday nights and we'll post the dates at the restaurant as well as on our website, which is currently in development."
For now, Tre Rosat Café is open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well as for special dining events. 101 N. Cooper St., 654-4919.
Another new Silver City eatery (also in a former favorite spot, the ex-Silver City Brewery at Pope and College) opened last month, just in time for the Blues Festival: Q's Southern Bistro, operated by chef Anthony Quintana — most recently at the Ramada Palms in Las Cruces — in partnership with his father, Ronald. Q's will be serving a limited version of its eventual menu while it ramps up. Daily 11:30 a.m.-midnight. 101 E. College Ave., 534-4401.
And Casa Mexicana, an eagerly awaited restaurant on Hwy. 180 West in the building that also houses A Better Chimney, is now serving. Breakfast is served all day — ranging from traditional American favorites such as eggs, sausage and hash browns to Mexican staples like huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos and chorizo, eggs and beans. The lunch and dinner menu includes burgers, sandwiches, 10 different Mexican plates ($6.50-$8), single Mexican items and a half-dozen burrito options. 534-0142.
Lest we forget about established Silver City favorites, the Café at the Kumquat has plenty to brag about. New Mexico Magazine singled out the café's blue corn pork belly tacos in its "Best Eats" issue in the "Best Local, Seasonal Ingredients/Uptown" category. (Other honorees in our corner of the Land of Enchantment were Nellie's in Las Cruces for its sopapilla compuesta, Best Comfort Food/Downhome, and the chocolate cream pie at the Pie-O-Neer Café in Pie Town, Best Dessert/Downhome.)
The Café at the Kumquat now has its beer and wine license, so folks can come enjoy tapas and a drink any time they're serving food (Mon.-Wed. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Thu.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.). Note that the Kumquat is now serving lunches on Mondays as well. And the Kumquat's new wall should be done just about the time you read this. 111 E. College, 534-0337.
In Las Cruces, Miguel's, promised in this space back in March, is now open and serving burritos and tacos. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, open 24 hours Fri.-Sun. 1140 E. Amador Ave., 647-4262.
If kicked-up Asian cuisine with an American touch is more to your liking, try the new Café Agogo. It's bringing an anim-inspired dcor and fare ranging from rice bowls to wraps to the former home of Red Mountain Caf. 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 1120 Commerce Dr., suite A, 636-4580.
But don't bother bringing your chopsticks to Dynasty Chinese Restaurant, 1210 El Paseo Road; its fortune cookie says, "Your eatery is closed."
Looking ahead in Las Cruces dining options, Zio's Italian Kitchen and SmashBurger have both announced plans to open near each other on Mall Drive. Zio's is a regional Italian chain with 15 restaurants including one in Albuquerque. SmashBurger — a burger and sandwich joint, as you might guess from the name — has locations from coast to coast, but Las Cruces would be its first New Mexico outpost.
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