I keep lamenting the fact that NYC has almost no Vietnamese restaurants worth going to, so when I go somewhere that DOES, I get as much in as I can. As I mentioned in my Monte Carlo Restaurant post, I only discovered Gil's Thrilling (and Filling) Blog my last night in Albuquerque, and it led me to Phở #1. This made me very happy indeed.
Their specialty is Bò 7 Món, or 7 courses of beef, a something traditionally served at wedding banquets. The table next to me was enjoying it quite audibly. But I was just one person and wanted to try some of the other things on the menu I had never encountered before. They were all winners. First up was Bò Lá Lốt: seasoned ground beef wrapped in wild betel leaves (rather like smaller, thinner grape leaves, referred to on the menu, mysteriously, as "Hawaiian loaf leaf") and grilled. It's one of the Bò 7 Món courses, and it earns its place there: tasty and fun to pick up and nibble on. I also had a variety of phở I had never tried before, Phở Sate Đặc Biệt, or sate beef phở. In this case, sate does not refer to grilled meat skewers, but a chili and garlic paste typical of the Mekong River delta. This is my new favorite variety of phở and I'll definitely order it if I ever see it again on another menu... which will involve going someplace that has decent Vietnamese restaurants... okay, I'll stop now.
As great as that phở was, the grand prize of the meal went to Ram Chiên, translated on the menu as "Central Vietnamese egg roll". This does not even begin to suggest its beauty, and I'm very glad I asked about it: it's BBQ pork, shrimp, scallion, and bean sprouts rolled in a rice wrapper and deep-fried. The rice wrapper comes out both crispy and chewy, and the marriage of BBQ pork and shrimp is of the happiest possible kind... in short, magnificent, and I hope I get to eat it again some day.
Phở #1
414 San Pedro SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
505-268-0488
(closed Wednesdays)
Showing posts with label New Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Mexico. Show all posts
Friday, July 15, 2011
Monte Carlo Restaurant
If you are planning to visit Albuquerque for any length of time and are interested in food (since you're reading this, I believe that can be assumed), do not fail to check out Gil's Thrilling (and Filling) Blog. He writes thoroughly and knowledgeably about every restaurant in the area worth going to, and--almost as important for a place like ABQ--a lot of places NOT worth going to. I was quite disappointed that I only found his blog on the last day of my most recent trip there. Still, it led me to Phở #1, so it's all good.
When my friend Thomas told me about Monte Carlo Restaurant, he thought it was my kind of place, and he was absolutely right. I later discovered that it had been featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives": while that host is unwatchable (is there anything more irritating than Guy Fieri talking about... well, anything, much less something as important as food? I think not), the show's research team definitely knows what it is about (I wonder if they have any openings?). And finally, I discovered that Gil has written about it much more thoroughly and persuasively than I ever could. So, in brief: go! This place is fabulousness embodied, in a style that has practically disappeared. With dark paneling, neon signs, and Naugahyde half-moon banquettes, it looks like nothing has changed in 40 years, and it could not exist anywhere else but the American Southwest. It's owned by a Greek family that understands food. The steaks are great and the prices reasonable. And one of it's entrances is through the liquor store with which it shares a building. Monte Carlo Restaurant is what is now, unfortunately, a one-of-a-kind experience and should not be missed.
Monte Carlo Restaurant
3916 Central Ave SW
Albuquerque, NM 87105
505-831-2444
When my friend Thomas told me about Monte Carlo Restaurant, he thought it was my kind of place, and he was absolutely right. I later discovered that it had been featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives": while that host is unwatchable (is there anything more irritating than Guy Fieri talking about... well, anything, much less something as important as food? I think not), the show's research team definitely knows what it is about (I wonder if they have any openings?). And finally, I discovered that Gil has written about it much more thoroughly and persuasively than I ever could. So, in brief: go! This place is fabulousness embodied, in a style that has practically disappeared. With dark paneling, neon signs, and Naugahyde half-moon banquettes, it looks like nothing has changed in 40 years, and it could not exist anywhere else but the American Southwest. It's owned by a Greek family that understands food. The steaks are great and the prices reasonable. And one of it's entrances is through the liquor store with which it shares a building. Monte Carlo Restaurant is what is now, unfortunately, a one-of-a-kind experience and should not be missed.
Monte Carlo Restaurant
3916 Central Ave SW
Albuquerque, NM 87105
505-831-2444
Pro's Ranch Market
All the New Mexican food in in Albuquerque is great and all, but if you want something a little different, something a little closer to... oh... actual Mexican food, pay a visit to Pro's Ranch Market on the west side of town.
To say it's a big grocery store with a food court is hardly doing it justice, but that's essentially what it is. It's easily the most festive grocery store I've ever been to, and if only ALL food courts were like this. All the food preparation areas are visible to the public, so you can watch Mexican women make fresh tortillas (does that make them tortilleras?) or tamales--something I could do for hours. These chicks know what they're doing--they're real pros. There's a steam table with the dozen or so hot dishes prepared that day... I finally got to taste the birria I never got to taste in Mexico (delicious, of course). There's a huge--and hugely popular--juice and beverage counter, and my personal favorite, the torta counter. Their tortas are as good as I had anywhere in Mexico... if you like a little bit of everything (including head cheese, but you'll hardly notice it), the torta cubana is fantastic: your choice of grilled meat, plus two or three other coldcuts in there, plus cheese (normal and head) and avocado cream and... I know I'm forgotting something... on a toasted roll. When I saw torta ahogada up on the board, I got really excited, but a couple of questions revealed that what they make is not the classic torta ahogada of Guadalajara. Still, I'm sure it's great. The prices are, of course, super reasonable.
This is a mini-chain of markets--most of them are in Phoenix, with a handle of others in New Mexico and Texas. I wonder how we can get them to open one in New York City...
I can dream, can't I?
Pro's Ranch Market
4201 Central Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM 87105
505-833-1765
website
To say it's a big grocery store with a food court is hardly doing it justice, but that's essentially what it is. It's easily the most festive grocery store I've ever been to, and if only ALL food courts were like this. All the food preparation areas are visible to the public, so you can watch Mexican women make fresh tortillas (does that make them tortilleras?) or tamales--something I could do for hours. These chicks know what they're doing--they're real pros. There's a steam table with the dozen or so hot dishes prepared that day... I finally got to taste the birria I never got to taste in Mexico (delicious, of course). There's a huge--and hugely popular--juice and beverage counter, and my personal favorite, the torta counter. Their tortas are as good as I had anywhere in Mexico... if you like a little bit of everything (including head cheese, but you'll hardly notice it), the torta cubana is fantastic: your choice of grilled meat, plus two or three other coldcuts in there, plus cheese (normal and head) and avocado cream and... I know I'm forgotting something... on a toasted roll. When I saw torta ahogada up on the board, I got really excited, but a couple of questions revealed that what they make is not the classic torta ahogada of Guadalajara. Still, I'm sure it's great. The prices are, of course, super reasonable.
This is a mini-chain of markets--most of them are in Phoenix, with a handle of others in New Mexico and Texas. I wonder how we can get them to open one in New York City...
I can dream, can't I?
Pro's Ranch Market
4201 Central Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM 87105
505-833-1765
website
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Jeff's Joint BBQ
Taos, New Mexico, was not exactly the place I expected to have the best barbecue I've tried in years, but life is full of surprises. When I first drove past Jeff's Joint BBQ, I thought it looked promising somehow, and my instincts proved to be correct: this is the best BBQ I've had since Clark's Outpost in Tioga, TX (it was North Carolina before that).
The busy pitmaster (Jeff, presumably, although I did not have a chance to ask) wandered by the counter once or twice, and my inquiry as to the house specialty yielded the answer, "Ribs". Thanks. There are 4 kinds here: spare ribs, baby back, beef ribs, and short ribs. Naturally, I wanted to try all of them, and herein lies the biggest problem with going places solo as I so often end up doing. The intensely sweet but scattered woman behind the cash register was more of a hindrance than help with ordering, but in the end, I settled on a half rack of spare ribs over the baby back, plus half-pound orders each of beef ribs, short ribs, and sausage (to go--even I can't eat all that in one sitting).
It was all fantastic. This guy really knows what he's doing. The ribs all benefited from a nice dry rub, then were barbecued/smoked by an expert. The meat comes out so juicy and tasty that it hardly needs the tangy, not-too-sweet, house barbecue sauce served on the side, but is enhanced by it beautifully.
My big regret: not being able to try to the Saturday-only special, Stephane's grilled and sliced whole top sirloin. Maybe next time.
Closed Mondays, and be sure to get there before 9:00 p.m.
Jeff's Joint BBQ
1014 Paseo del Pueblo Sur
Taos, NM 87571
575-758-1027
website
The busy pitmaster (Jeff, presumably, although I did not have a chance to ask) wandered by the counter once or twice, and my inquiry as to the house specialty yielded the answer, "Ribs". Thanks. There are 4 kinds here: spare ribs, baby back, beef ribs, and short ribs. Naturally, I wanted to try all of them, and herein lies the biggest problem with going places solo as I so often end up doing. The intensely sweet but scattered woman behind the cash register was more of a hindrance than help with ordering, but in the end, I settled on a half rack of spare ribs over the baby back, plus half-pound orders each of beef ribs, short ribs, and sausage (to go--even I can't eat all that in one sitting).
It was all fantastic. This guy really knows what he's doing. The ribs all benefited from a nice dry rub, then were barbecued/smoked by an expert. The meat comes out so juicy and tasty that it hardly needs the tangy, not-too-sweet, house barbecue sauce served on the side, but is enhanced by it beautifully.
My big regret: not being able to try to the Saturday-only special, Stephane's grilled and sliced whole top sirloin. Maybe next time.
Closed Mondays, and be sure to get there before 9:00 p.m.
Jeff's Joint BBQ
1014 Paseo del Pueblo Sur
Taos, NM 87571
575-758-1027
website
Monday, January 10, 2011
Café Trang
It's too bad there are no Vietnamese restaurants of the quality of Café Trang in New York--I would be eating Vietnamese food a LOT more often when home. The phở is fantastic--rich beef broth, and the usual accompanying fresh ingredients. Even better is Bún Bò Huế Đặc Biệt (Chả Huế): a phở-like spicy soup, except with slightly thicker rice noodles, seasoned with lemongrass and fortified with ham hock and Huế ham, a cured meat product that resembles Spam. Marvelous on a cold afternoon. Another winner is Bò Lúc Lắc: stir-fried seared cubes of seasoned filet mignon with shallots.
It's not long on atmosphere, but don't let it put you off--they know what they're doing in the kitchen.
Café Trang
230 Louisiana Blvd SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
505-232-6764
website
It's not long on atmosphere, but don't let it put you off--they know what they're doing in the kitchen.
Café Trang
230 Louisiana Blvd SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108
505-232-6764
website
Little Red Hamburger Hut
If you're craving a burger in Albuquerque, skip the chains--skip EVERYWHERE else--and head to Little Red Hamburger Hut for the best red chile burger on the planet.
It's in a funky old adobe building that used to be a Wimpy's, so there was already an established hamburger tradition in that spot. And if you come here, you'd best be craving a burger, in fact, because there's precious little else on offer: fries, or a bowl of red chile (or slap 'em together: chile cheese fries!)... that's about it. But the burgers are so good, it won't matter. Served any way you want: on a bun, on a tortilla, with or without red chile, cheese, tomato, onions, pickle, mustard... you get the idea. They utter the phrase "satisfaction guaranteed" so often and with such heartfelt gusto that I honestly believe they would have cheerfully refunded my money if I had expressed any complaint whatsoever. But that was not to be--I, instead, returned to the counter and ordered a second double red chile-cheeseburger.
They can be closed at unexpected times--and they're always closed by 8 p.m.--so it's a good idea to call idea to be sure they're open.
Little Red Hamburger Hut
1501 Mountain Rd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-304-1819
website
It's in a funky old adobe building that used to be a Wimpy's, so there was already an established hamburger tradition in that spot. And if you come here, you'd best be craving a burger, in fact, because there's precious little else on offer: fries, or a bowl of red chile (or slap 'em together: chile cheese fries!)... that's about it. But the burgers are so good, it won't matter. Served any way you want: on a bun, on a tortilla, with or without red chile, cheese, tomato, onions, pickle, mustard... you get the idea. They utter the phrase "satisfaction guaranteed" so often and with such heartfelt gusto that I honestly believe they would have cheerfully refunded my money if I had expressed any complaint whatsoever. But that was not to be--I, instead, returned to the counter and ordered a second double red chile-cheeseburger.
They can be closed at unexpected times--and they're always closed by 8 p.m.--so it's a good idea to call idea to be sure they're open.
Little Red Hamburger Hut
1501 Mountain Rd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-304-1819
website
Duran Central Pharmacy
New Mexicans have fierce running debates about who has the best red or green chile... many would say that the top contender in both categories can be found at the Duran Central Pharmacy.
This place serves what was easily the best red chile I tried anywhere--even better than Mary & Tito's. The green chile I sampled was also the best I have ever tried, although I don't order it very often. Good, solid New Mexican fare at very reasonable prices--I had a beautifully seasoned beef burrito, wrapped in a lightly-toasted, ultra-fresh flour tortilla... it could not have been better, and it cost about eight bucks.
Skip the more touristy places and go for this local institution (or Mary & Tito's). Enter the pharmacy, and the counter area with a few tables is in the back.
Duran Central Pharmacy
1815 Central Avenue NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-247-4141
This place serves what was easily the best red chile I tried anywhere--even better than Mary & Tito's. The green chile I sampled was also the best I have ever tried, although I don't order it very often. Good, solid New Mexican fare at very reasonable prices--I had a beautifully seasoned beef burrito, wrapped in a lightly-toasted, ultra-fresh flour tortilla... it could not have been better, and it cost about eight bucks.
Skip the more touristy places and go for this local institution (or Mary & Tito's). Enter the pharmacy, and the counter area with a few tables is in the back.
Duran Central Pharmacy
1815 Central Avenue NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-247-4141
Mary & Tito's Cafe
After two extended trips to Albuquerque, I can unequivocally say that the best traditional New Mexican cooking I tried was at Mary's & Tito's Cafe. Everything about the place fairly shouts "grandma", from the old-style southwest diner decor to, most importantly, the cooking.
No surprises on the menu... it's typical enchilada/burrito/taco/tamale fare, but everything is prepared carefully and--dare I say it?--lovingly. Everything on the combination plate I ordered was fantastic: a beef taco, a cheese enchilada, and the most perfectly-fried chile relleno I've ever had, surrounded by superb red chile. (The local joke--Q. "What's New Mexico's state question? A. Red or green?"--is answered almost invariably "red" by me.) One can order a side of carne adovada for five bucks, and it's great: lots of carne (pork) seasoned with adovo, almost like a New Mexican pulled pork. So often it's a dish of adovo with little bits of carne swimming in it.
Prices are eminently reasonable... they're downright cheap when you consider that Mary & Tito's was recently awarded the James Beard Foundation's 2010 America's Classics Award. They definitely deserved it!
Mary & Tito's Cafe
2711 4th Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
505-344-6266
No surprises on the menu... it's typical enchilada/burrito/taco/tamale fare, but everything is prepared carefully and--dare I say it?--lovingly. Everything on the combination plate I ordered was fantastic: a beef taco, a cheese enchilada, and the most perfectly-fried chile relleno I've ever had, surrounded by superb red chile. (The local joke--Q. "What's New Mexico's state question? A. Red or green?"--is answered almost invariably "red" by me.) One can order a side of carne adovada for five bucks, and it's great: lots of carne (pork) seasoned with adovo, almost like a New Mexican pulled pork. So often it's a dish of adovo with little bits of carne swimming in it.
Prices are eminently reasonable... they're downright cheap when you consider that Mary & Tito's was recently awarded the James Beard Foundation's 2010 America's Classics Award. They definitely deserved it!
Mary & Tito's Cafe
2711 4th Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
505-344-6266
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