D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
May 2012
Table Talk
Silver City's Curious Kumquat is shedding the last of its gourmet-grocery origins and becoming solely a restaurant. According to a letter sent to customers by owners Rob and Tyler Connoley, the "international and gourmet sections are no longer needed as they once were" because other local stores have filled that niche: "Every grocery in town, from the Food Basket to the Co-Op, has expanded its international and gourmet sections in the past eight years. Certainly, the popularity of television food shows had something to do with the growing American food culture, but we'd like to think we helped Silver City keep pace."
Besides, the Curious Kumquat restaurant has won raves, including a "best" mention in New Mexico Magazine. Adding tables to what was once the grocery area will allow seating for about 20 more guests. The front yard will also be transformed into a beer garden, and patrons will be able to order from the lunch menu until 5 p.m. rather than only until 2 p.m. The switchover should be complete by June 1, if not before. 111 E. College Ave., 534-0337.
Also in downtown Silver City, patrons of Tre Rosat ("Meal with a View," May 2011) hungry for its return from a construction hiatus can take hope from the progress on the restaurant's new Bullard Street location. After a longer-than-expected makeover on the former used bookstore, Tre Rosat owners Lyla Adrienne, King Crowder and Jason Marsh are now looking to an early-summer re-opening.
Shevek & Co. Restaurant has a busy month planned, with extended hours and special menu items through May 6 for the Tour of the Gila. Then moms dining on Mother's Day, May 13, get a free dessert. And the restaurant will be open late for the Blues Festival weekend, May 25-27. 602 N. Bullard, 534-9168, silver-eats.com.
Café Oso Azul at Bear Mountain Lodge also has something special in store for Mother's Day, with a three-course brunch menu, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Call for reservations. 60 Bear Mountain Ranch Road, 538-2538, www.bearmountainlodge.com.
Las Cruces, on the other hand, seems to be losing restaurants at a rapid pace. Most notable is the closing of La Iguana (see "Night (and Day) of the Iguana," February 2011), for which locals had high hopes not only for its food but as a lure to downtown.
Two other restaurants have closed almost as soon as they opened: Deli Dogs on Missouri and La Calesa on El Paseo.
Some consolation: As promised, the first Las Cruces franchise of El Paso-based The Bagel Shop has opened at 1495 S. Solano Dr.
And fans of Los Mariachis need not panic: It's simply moved up the street to 754 N. Motel Blvd. 523-7058.