Food City http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/ en Copyright 2008 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:33:58 -0700 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss With apologies So sorry, friends. It's been more than a month since we've last spoken (?), and I've missed chatting about Albuquerque foods and trends.

Let's jump right in.

It's fall, which means it's my favorite time of the year for food. Mostly, I'm a soup hound.
I'm working on a project right now that has me in total soup mode, including testing a few highly recommended recipes (like Gov. Richardson's posole).
What's more, it was a wonderful first week of autumn, with chile, apples, and thick and savory soups.

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/10/with_apologies.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/10/with_apologies.html Food for thought Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:33:58 -0700 Sweet and smooth - Bernalillo wine fest winners We're approaching one of my favorites times of year. Sure, I love Thanksgiving, balloons against the morning sky and the leaves at Fourth of July Canyon. I love the silvery river at dawn.
But I also really love wine festival season in New Mexico.
Wines from the Land of Enchantment are developing nicely, and our dry earth is producing interesting varietals and plenty of local honors.

Look below for the winners for the 2007 New Mexico Wine Festival at Bernalillo competition. One thing I find interesting: Many of the winners lean toward the sweeter side, including the two that earned the top medals of the festival.

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/08/sweet_and_smooth_bernalillo_wi.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/08/sweet_and_smooth_bernalillo_wi.html Gossip/News/Trends Thu, 23 Aug 2007 08:17:02 -0700 The brew I am fascinated by this trend of "beer dinners."
For the uninitiated, it's an awful lot like wine/food pairing dinners, but, you know, with beer, instead.

Rio Rancho's Turtle Mountain Brewing Co. has been doing them, and the menu is fabulous. I'm not much into beer, but the savory food listings are quite tempting.

Now, Savoy, a restaurant heralded for it's chic wine menu, is getting in on the game. On Aug. 25, it will hold a pairing dinner with some choice entrees and appetizers. (For $10 more, you can sub wine for beer.)

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/07/the_brew.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/07/the_brew.html Gossip/News/Trends Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:22:40 -0700 Got fire? A call for entries is being made for the 2008 Scovie Awards. (You know, the ones that salute all things spicy and barbecue.)

I've still got plenty of my loot from the last fiery foods show, but I'm already looking forward to what the next one will offer.

This year, there's a new Scovie category: fresh salsas.

(More below.)

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/07/got_fire.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/07/got_fire.html Gossip/News/Trends Sat, 28 Jul 2007 07:33:13 -0700 Ours are better It appears that we've got mad skills in the kitchen.
And, by "we," I mean two CNM students.

Here's what we know:
Two Central New Mexico Community College culinary arts students took top honors at the SkillsUSA competition while competing against big-name culinary schools.

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/07/ours_are_better_1.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/07/ours_are_better_1.html Gossip/News/Trends Mon, 16 Jul 2007 08:28:58 -0700 Falling out I was trolling the CARNM site today and came across this interesting tidbit:
The Falls Steakhouse, on NM528 near the hill toward Rio Rancho, is for sale. I've not yet heard back from the realtor for details, but I'll keep you posted as I learn information.

The Falls, which we've written about now and again, is a high-end steak-and-seafood kind of place. It's known for two things: kobe (read: incredibly expensive) steak on the West Side, and several mammoth waterfalls on the property.

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/07/falling_out.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/07/falling_out.html Gossip/News/Trends Fri, 13 Jul 2007 13:02:26 -0700 Flying in. Flying out. In: Driving through Bernalillo last night, we saw a "Coming Soon" sign for a Flying Star! What a treat this should be for all those Range lovers looking for something new in town. It's just a few blocks north on the same street, so I fully anticipate seeing the herds (ha!) wander down for coffee and dessert after a meal.

Out (via a reader): "I wonder if you have any info about what has happened to Middle East Bakery on Menaul. I went by today hoping for fresh pita and lunch, and it is all closed down. Kaput! It was one of my favorites!"
Anybody know what's going on? Meanwhile, I'll do my best to dig something up.

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/07/flying_in_flying_out.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/07/flying_in_flying_out.html Openings & Closings Fri, 13 Jul 2007 08:21:34 -0700 Special delivery The NM State Fair Special Recipes competition is around the corner.
We've got the scoop on what the goods will be this year:

*NEW Stick With Canola Oil, Fry It For The Fair Contest
*Great American SPAM Championship
*Family Friendly Food Contest
*Bake For The Cure Contest
*NEW Make It With Malt-O-Meal Contest

The fair is Sept. 7-23. I've got loads of details on each contest, so if you're interested, drop me a line at tshope@abqtrib.com or call me at 823-3687. Otherwise, good luck. (I'd love to judge... except for that Spam competition.)

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/07/special_delivery.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/07/special_delivery.html Gossip/News/Trends Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:25:18 -0700 Speaking of Santa Fe... and cooking and creativity...

A one-time only class with chef Campbell Caruso will be offered to coincide with the Spanish Market in Santa Fe.

The news release says Caruso will "will demonstrate the cooking techniques, discuss the treatment of ingredients, answer questions and completely familiarize participants with this tempting cuisine in his own warm, low-key style."

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/06/speaking_of_santa_fe.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/06/speaking_of_santa_fe.html Gossip/News/Trends Fri, 15 Jun 2007 06:00:20 -0700 The creative class Organic gardener, author, professional photographer and chef Lois Ellen Frank will soon be leading a class on Native American cuisine at the downtown Santa Fe School of Cooking.

The menu (which I'll list below) looks fabulous (hello, lamb-stuffed chile rellenos!), and Frank says she will also focus the one-day class on kitchen techniques and "ingredient synergy." How could you pass this up?

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/06/the_creative_class.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/06/the_creative_class.html Gossip/News/Trends Thu, 14 Jun 2007 06:00:28 -0700 Speaking of Bernalillo... One of my all-time favorite comfort-food restaurants is back open!
La Casita in Bernalillo reopened late last week. The restaurant burned to the ground last year (I was devastated!), and the owners took it as an opportunity to renovate -- from the ground up.

Look for a full food review in coming editions of The Trib. Meanwhile, take a look for yourself, and feel free to order my favorite La Casita belly warmer: a bowl of rice and a side of sopapillas.

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/06/speaking_of_bernalillo.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/06/speaking_of_bernalillo.html Openings & Closings Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:54:50 -0700 Muy caliente Bernalillo artist Darry Willison's "Vino Caliente" has been selected for the commemorative poster for the 2007 New Mexico Wine Festival at Bernalillo. Willison's entry was chosen from among seven submissions for this year's poster competition.
The festival, by the way, will be held Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-3.

Willison, the news release says, is "known to the world at `America's Drawing Cowboy' and the nation's only western contemporary pop artist."

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/06/muy_caliente.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/06/muy_caliente.html Gossip/News/Trends Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:46:55 -0700 So, are we? The June issue of Food & Wine magazine discusses what makes a good food city -- and whether Philly is one.
Editor in Chief Dana Cowin had a refined list of criteria a town must meet to qualify (which we list below). After she revisited Philly, though, she changed some of her thoughts. (But you'll have to read the story to see how.)
So, what do you think? Is Albuquerque one of those towns?

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/06/so_are_we.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/06/so_are_we.html Gossip/News/Trends Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:21:36 -0700 Food for a cause On Tuesday (June 5) -- also known as National Hunger Awareness Day -- we have a chance to help in the fight against hunger in our own neighborhoods.

Several restaurants are donating a portion of their proceeds to Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico.

Hunger is a huge issue in this poor state, and we know it contributes to many other ills and illnesses. This is a chance to do good simply by doing something many of us do every day anyway -- eating out.

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/05/food_for_a_cause.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/05/food_for_a_cause.html Gossip/News/Trends Wed, 30 May 2007 13:21:15 -0700 Help wanted So, I'm planning this bachelorette party weekend for a friend.
It will involve a wonderful and relaxing weekend in Taos, a day at a spa, and a trip to a New Mexico winery for a tasting and tour.

Here's where you come in...

]]> http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/05/help_wanted.html http://blogs.abqtrib.com/albq/food/2007/05/help_wanted.html Food for thought Thu, 24 May 2007 06:41:17 -0700