Gourmet
Paul's Monterey Inn
Just retro-fitted your knowledge box for 1953? Walk into the vague, bar-like darkness and ask for a rusty nail; they won’t blink an eye. The faux leather booths are delightful and the prime rib is divine. We’ve gladly waited up to 45 minutes to be seated for carnivore’s delight, at a bar that makes you feel like Rat Pack’s gonna slip from behind a curtain. Wait, is that Frank?
Slate St Café
It’s so casual cosmopolitan, you’d almost think you were in some big fancy-ass city. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, with modern classics like French toast, a salmon club sandwich, mac and cheese with parmesan brittle, even a PB-&-J with bananas (“Elvis-style”).
Standard Diner
Though in no sense standard, nor in any way a diner, the Standard offers upscale goodies and ambiance for the discerning urbanite. Yep, it was featured on The Food Network.
The Candy Lady
Name another establishment within 500 mi. offering 17 distinct fudges AND chocolate boobs in the back room.
Thought so.
The Grove Cafe & Market
One of the few exclusively organic offerings in town; a refreshingly ambitious philosophy from owners Lauren and John. The airy, covered patio mirrors the inside space, and they heat it in winter!
Vernon's Hidden Valley Steakhouse
The closest thing to a speakeasy the Duke City offers these days, entry is simple: knock on a “secret” door in a liquor store and divulge the password (which has never changed). When you make your (required) reservation, they’ll tell you about their dress code, but they “know we live in Albuquerque.”
Zinc Blues Cellar
This ain’t about the swankish joint upstairs. This is the basement – the underground – where peeps relax with pricey drinks and damn good bar food, local live music and occasional touring acts.