[2] CHOWTOWN 2018 SPRING 03.14.2018 Pi(e) Day Event LOOKLOOKK WHO’SW COOKING!COOK Join in the fun by throwing a pie in the face of Where:Where: some of NM's top business leaders! $20 generalgeneral admissionadmission ticketticket includes all-you-can-eatall-you-can-eat pie samples (of(of all 308 Menaul Boulevard NE kinds - including pizza!) & beverages.beverages. Onlyy 3003 ticketstickets available.availableailable. WWhenhen: Get yoursyours today!today! Wednesday 3/14/18 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ForFor moremore informationinformation about the LifLifeROOTSeROOTS Pi(e)Pi(e) DayDay EventEvent or toto purchasepurchase tickticketsets visit COMPLIMENTARYCYOMPLIMENTAR wwww.LifeROOTSnm.orgww.LifeROOTSnm.org or call 505-255-5501.505-255-5501. VALET PARKING AVAILABLE Get readyready toto “Let“Let the Pies Fly” and enjoenjoyoyy a daydaayy spent celebratingcelebrlebrraating all things pie …while…while raisingraising moneymoneeyy toto maintain and increaseincrreease quality servicesservices and employmentemplooyyment opportunities forfor individuals with disabilities ! ProudlyProudly SponsoredSponsored By: empoweringempoowering lilives.ves. shapingping futurfutures.rees. SPRING 2018 CHOWTOWN [3] INDEX LETTER FROM THE FOOD AND DRINK EDITOR AT THE WEEKLY ALIBI DOWNTOWN 5 FAIRGROUNDS 7 FAR NORTHEAST HEIGHTS 8 I-25 C0RRIDOR 9 MIDTOWN 11 NOB HILL 12 NORTH VALLEY 14 NORTHEAST HEIGHTS 17 OLD TOWN 19 SOUTH VALLEY 20 SOUTHEAST 21 UNIVERSITY 23 UPPER NOB HILL 24 UPTOWN 25 WESTSIDE 27 BERNALILLO 27 Downtown Growers’ Market ERIC WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY CORRALES 28 t’s been such an unseasonably warm winter that the Brewing, Albuquerque’s newest craft brewery that’s run Isteady transition into spring feels anticlimactic. The by the good folks of Humble Coffee. For a delicious, EAST MOUNTAINS 28 only way to tell that the season is changing is because locally-sourced meal you can visit the new Los Poblanos birds have started nesting throughout the city and restaurant, Campo, or the tried-and-true Farm & Table. making a racket in the mornings. The branches they’re Get a tasty paleta at Pop Fizz and find somewhere to go LOS LUNAS 28 hanging out on are still bare, but something in the air swimming, or get the best salad of your life at (perhaps all the dust) signals that that’s about to Vinaigrette. And, of course, head to the Downtown change. Growers’ Market or the Rail Yards Market for the OUT OF TOWN 28 With spring comes the farmers’ markets, the best freshest of fresh fruits, veggies, baked goods and food places to buy local produce. Lettuce, garlic, beans and truck meals. There’s other farmers’ markets around town turnips are coming into season, and local restaurants too, you know: You can check out where they are and PLACITAS 28 will be buying more of their produce from neighboring when they operate at farmersmarketsnm.org/find-a- Rio Grande Valley farmers. You’ll likely notice that market. RIO RANCHO 29 some of the fruits and veggies you buy at the store will This is our spring Chowtown: a resource for you to start tasting better and looking healthier. Joy of all joys: use all year for those nights when you want to go out Avocados will soon be getting cheaper. somewhere new for dinner and need a recommendation. SANDIA PUEBLO 29 It’s a time of year when we want to eat as much fresh, These are all the restaurants, bars, food trucks and made-from-scratch food as possible. We want to find all coffee shops we’ve been visiting in the past year. Yeah, the best patios in the city to sit on and get a sunburn we eat out a lot. SANTA ANA PUEBLO 29 while we drink pints all afternoon. Most of all, we want What are your favorite patios in the city? What to bite into that first Early Girl tomato over the sink spring/summer foods are you most excited about? What and get so messy we have to take a shower afterwards. recipes do you like to make during the warmer months? SANTA FE 29 While it’s not generally acceptable to have that kind Drop me a line at [email protected] to let me know; your of over-the-sink experience at a restaurant, there are tips are always appreciated. plenty of other worthwhile springtime treats to enjoy at TAOS 30 dining and drinking establishments in Albuquerque. For -Robin Babb, pints and patios, you can head to High and Dry Food and Drink Editor at the Weekly Alibi FOOD TRUCK 30 CALL (505) 346-0660 EXT.248 OR EMAIL [email protected] TO PLACE AN AD KEY: $ = Inexpensive, $8 or less | $$ = Moderate, $8 to $15 | $$$ = Expensive, $15 to $20 | $$$$ = Very Expensive, $20 and up [4] CHOWTOWN 2018 SPRING that stretches across the Asian continent. Think pho and green salsas, and don’t miss out on the carne asada five dollar salad special and a six dollar daily special like pad Thai with a side of Japanese cold sesame noodles. burrito. the meatball sub. Other dishes include strawberry salad, The warming Thai soup is restorative on chilly days. quinoa wrap and taco plate. Sandwiches are also Inside, it’s clean, classy, calm and open until 11pm on CAFÉ LUSH available. the weekends. 700 Tijeras Ave NW, 508-0164 • $ [Deli/Sandwiches, American, Organic/Locally DEEP SPACE COFFEE ASIAN PEAR Grown, Vegetarian/Health Foods, New Mexican] 504 Central Ave SW , 322-2812 • $ 508 Central Ave SW, 766-9405 • $$ Café Lush is like a daydream of the way things might be [Coffee/Tea/Espresso] This third wave café is focused [Korean, Asian, Fusion] On a Korean kick? This is the in some future hybrid of Europe and Albuquerque. It’s an on quality and experience. These caffeine astronauts best place in town. Not only is the proprietress the urban café on a quiet street corner with a small menu of serve specialty coffee enthusiasts and strive to deliver absolute nicest person you will ever meet, but her food is simple, yet well-crafted dishes and a pledge to use local, perfection. Chocolate, baked goods and other decadent heaven. Try the delicious bulgogi (Korean beef) tacos, seasonal and organic ingredients whenever possible. But delights pair perfectly with the java in your cup. While refreshing udon avocado salad, hearty bi bim bob with unlike in Europe, the red and green chile won’t you’re waiting try to find a repeated symbol on the Korean bbq chicken, tasty don kasu (crispy pork cutlet disappoint. eastern wall. with curry) and the savory vegetable pancake. Also, don’t forget to ask for a little cup of the best green tea ice CECILIA’S CAFÉ DIALOGUE BREWING cream you will ever taste. 230 Sixth Street SW, 243-7070 • $ 1501 First Street NW, 585-1501 • $$ BACA BOYS CAFE [New Mexican, American, Diner] Cecilia is the [Asian, Asian Fusion, Bar, Brewery] This indoor- matriarch of one of Albuquerque’s best breakfast burritos outdoor brewery is as cozy as it is fun. The bartenders are 102 Fourth Street NW, 200-0065 • $$ and red chile. Clinging close to the heart of Downtown on friendly and informative, and you’ll often find the owners [New Mexican] Baca Boys Café happened to appear Sixth Street and Silver, Cecilia makes the food herself in working the taps with a smile. The identifying feature of practically out of nowhere. That’s when the ZS & T’s Diner, the kitchen. The red chile is no joke and the prices are the outdoor patio are metal towers stretching high above near San Mateo and Menaul, pulled up stakes and pretty friggin’ cheap, too. the building. Enjoy Asian-fusion food from their resident headed for a more promising parcel in the middle of all food truck, Kitsune, or order a pizza from their wood fire that action happening Downtown. The lunch offerings, THE CELLAR pizza oven. including enchiladas with steak and calabacitas, are 1025 Lomas Blvd NW, 242-3117 DOG HOUSE DRIVE IN DOWNTOWN awesome and the bright, family-style vibe adds to the [Spanish] Rich colors and rustic materials create a join’s Nuevo Mexicano authenticity. The dessert is quaint industrial atmosphere (much like the Castilian 1216 Central Ave SW, 243-1019 • $ 2G’S BISTRO tremendous, a perfect summation of an overwhelmingly casas of yore). The Cellar offers lunch or dinner, but [American] The flashing sign beckons us to hot dog 414 Central Ave SE, (505)246-2040 • $$ positive gastronomic adventure. dinner offers a fuller menu. Dinner features tapas—hot or mecca, where we indulge in not only dogs but the [American, Deli/Sandwiches] If you’re in the mood for BARELAS COFFEE generous portions of house-roasted meats in a simple setting, 2G’s Bistro is the place to go. What are these HOUSE meats, you ask? Get a taste in the form of a rueben, 1502 Fourth Street SW, French dip, pulled pork slider, carne lunch burrito and 843-7577 • $ more. Plus they have a $5 kids’ menu. [New Mexican] This homey New Mexican joint is popular, AL’S BIG DIPPER and though it’s much bigger 501 Copper Ave NW, 314-1118 • $ inside than you can tell from [Deli/Sandwiches, American] Al’s still serves a hefty the street, regulars pack the menu of inspired hot and cold sandwiches. There’s an place tighter than a tamal. emphasis on homemade touches, from the sweet onion Barelas is known for huevos jam on the roast beef sandwich to the cookie that comes rancheros, and they are tasty with every order. Good salads, daily made-from-scratch here, slathered in particularly soups and a new sandwich special every day keep the good red chile and served lunch crowd on its toes.