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Enjoy food from Santa Fe’s 30 Top Restaurants for less than a dollar each(Sometimes including wine)By Madelyn MillerImagine being invited to taste special preparations by the top chefs in Santa Fe set in beautiful art galleries. This isn’t something special I got to do because I was a food writer. In fact, for the $30 admission ticket anyone can enjoy the food from the 30 top restaurants who participate in the annual ARTfeast. This is the Santa Fe Gallery Association’s fund raiser for art in public schools, so you can even feel good about the contribution. I am not sure how you will feel about all the calories that will tempt you, but it certainly is the most cost-effective way to experience the best Santa Fe has to offer. Know Before You Go
Bring your appetite and be prepared for heaps of food, from pan-seared elk to Asian lettuce wraps, tapas and outrageous desserts. What Do People Wear
The Best Food and Art Pairing
In front of some Western art, there was a bowl of chocolate “cow patties in a cow patterned bandana on a bed of shredded paper straw, and a tiered presentation of deviled eggs in front of the pictures of chickens and rooster. Clever. There were several stagings of Southwestern chuck wagon food colorfully presented. And best of all, there was plenty of food left.
The Best Execution of a Theme
This is a tie between the circus theme at Manitou Gallery with a young lion tamer, and an even younger lion girl, a magician, candy corn ladies, and more. The French theme at Joyce Robins Gallery included wonderful desserts and cheese displays and petite hors d’voures, created by Inn of the Anasazi chef Tom Kerpon.
The Most Photogenic Offering
Swig had the most incredible sushi and in the spirit of research, I tasted more than my share. I can tell you it was even better than it looked. The Most Elaborate Presentation
There was also a presentation of a peanut butter and blueberry square in this same gallery that replicated an important piece of art. But that was all eaten by the time I got there. I was disappointed to not even be able to see it. Imagine if someone ate the Mona Lisa before you got to see it. The Strategy
Plan ahead and circle the galleries (or restaurants) you most want to experience because unless you are a mad woman like me, you probably won’t be able to make it to all 30. I worked it out to 6 minutes per destination including travel time and line waiting. (the lines were really not long except at one or two galleries where the food service was elaborate and complicated) Wear comfortable shoes. Have a pocket for your map/brochure so you can keep it handy. Don’t bring a doggie bag, but several people brought their dogs dressed up for the occasion. What Could Be BetterI found it very frustrating that several of the Canyon Road galleries were out of food by 6:30. And I found it a bit scary to have mobs of people, some of who had really enjoyed the free wine tasting, wandering up the cobblestoney streets and overflowing into the road when there were no street lights. I almost tripped once and I had not even been drinking. Rather than having an event from 5-8, why not start an hour earlier, so there is more daylight time for getting to the galleries. Or split it into two days, with one day for Canyon Road and another for downtown. My Plan for Next YearThe joys of being a journalist are many, but this event looked like so much fun, it was frustrating to try to get to all the galleries. I calculated I had six minutes at each location to get an overview, take pictures, look at the art, and sample the food. Even wonder woman could not do that. Sometimes I got tempted by something like large chocolate strawberries or the elk sushi from Swig and just could not tear myself away as fast as I should have. This was an experience that is better for mere guests. But you might want to bring your camera so you can remember all the wonderful things you ate and show your friends what they missed. But please don’t tell too many people about it, or it will just get too crowded. I can’t say this is one of the best kept secrets in town. It is just one of the best things to do in Santa Fe. What the Locals Love
On Saturday night there is a gourmet dinner. Not only is each course a work of art, but last year the gallery was decorated with plates designed by school children. Some of theses young artists could give the artists of Santa Fe a run for their money in the future. The top three are auctioned off. Here is what last year’s winners looked like.
Who BenefitsLocal Schools are the beneficiaries of this delicious event. Funds are earmarked to encourage art in the public schools. ARTfeast 2005: The 8th Annual ARTfeast will take place from Thursday, February 24, 2005 through Sunday the 27th. It begins at SITE Santa Fe on Thursday evening with The Passionate Collector, a symposium for art collectors, dealers and lovers profiling notable local collectors and their art. On Friday the Edible Art Tour winds its way through the city's gallery districts as participants stop by any of over 30 galleries to enjoy special exhibits and tasty treats from local restaurants. Shuttle service will be available. On Saturday afternoon the art of wine will be on display at the Awakening Museum with tastings of vintages and varieties from around the world. On Saturday evening the Joe Wade Gallery and Kiva Fine Art are the setting for dinner prepared by some of Santa Fe's master chefs including Cheryl and Bill Jamison, 2 of America's foremost authorities on BBQ, grilling and smoke cooking. Finally, on Sunday, the Brunch with Artists is a chance to share a leisurely meal and conversation with a group of Santa Fe artists. More information, prices and tickets are available at http://www.artfeast.com or at info@artfeast.com The Travellady’s personal favorites in Santa Fe: WHERE TO STAY:La Fonda on the Plaza The Inn of the Five Graces Inn on the Alameda Bishop’s Lodge Resort and Spa La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa Inn of the Anasazi Inn and Spa at Loretto WHERE TO EAT:Inn of the Anasazi, 505-988-3236 BEST VIEW OF THE CHEFS WITHOUT THEIR CLOTHES ON:Order the Santa Fe Nude Chefs calendar.($19.95.) All profits from the sale
of the calendar will be donated to The Yaxche Learning Center Scholarship
Program in Taos, New Mexico, the non-profit educational organization that
benefits needy children from diverse indigenous backgrounds. BAR WITH THE BEST VIEW:Belltower Bar in La Fonda BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH:Eldorado Hotel BEST GUACAMOLE:La Fonda BLACK BOOK FOR CHOCOLATE LOVERS(maybe I should say
dark semi-sweet brown book): Gourmet Fudge and Wedding Favors Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill 505-820-2862 Try anything baked by Katalyna Weil. She does a mean cowboy crunch and Mexican espresso brownies. I love the cowgirl kisses. Kakawa Chocolate House, Mark Sciscenti, Chocolate connoisseur, Pasty chef and Certified Herbalist. 505-438-3402. sunsilver@earthlink.net Try his chocolate truffles and authentic historic chocolate drinks. My favorite was the chocolate chili drink. FAVORITE FLAVORS OF SANTA FE:
RANDOM THOUGHT:Why does it seem that everyone is Santa Fe is either a chef or a massage therapist or has a family member who is? Maybe that is why you get such great food and massages in Santa Fe. WHAT TO DO:Browse Canyon Road. This gallery row features an amazing assortment of fine art, crafts, antiques, jewelry, clothing and restaurants. Santa Fe School of Cooking Take the taste of Santa Fe home by enjoying cooking classes featuring Santa Fe’s top chefs whipping up everything from traditional Northern New Mexican cuisine to contemporary Southwest. 505-983-4511 Santa Fe Opera. One of the most famous in the world. www.santafeopera.org. FLEA MARKET. If you are there on a weekend, check out the flea market by the Opera. Tesuque Flea Market is the official name, but no one calls it that. The land it is on is owned by the Indians. Only open in warmer weather. GET A MASSAGE: Avanyu Spa La Posada de Santa Fe 10,000 Waves, 505-982-9304. Indulge in an outdoor massage while nimble fingers soothe out any stress. Call ahead because this is a very popular place. If you are adventurous, have an underwater Watsu massage. SHOP FOR ART AND COWBOY BOOTS:Stop by Back at the Ranch, where Wendy Lane has been making fashion cowboy
boots for the past 15 years. I believe she pretty much "owns" this niche.
She has lots of celebrity clients, including the Governor of New Mexico. ART BROWSING:SITE Santa Fe is located at 1606 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM Minkay Andean Art The Turquoise Trail leads to Hotel Santa Fe... GREAT TIMES TO VISIT:Souper Bowl Project Wine and Chile festival Annual Santa Fe Market, a free public celebration of
the colorful arts, crafts, jewelry and cultures of Native Americans and the
American Southwest. Usually the first weekend in April GREAT GUIDEBOOKS:Hidden Southwest Let's Go Adventure Guide Southwest USA 2003 Ski America and Canada has the best and most detailed
overview of Santa Fe from a winter tourist/skier/snowboarder's perspective. MORE ABOUT NEW MEXICO:The Old West Moon Handbooks New Mexico FOR MORE INFORMATION: BEST FREEBIE:The Official 2004 Santa Fe Visitors Guide - A Free Guide to Santa Fe: BEST WAY TO GET THERE:Southwest Airlines: 800-435-9792 |
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This is Santa Fe, where everything is artistic, even
what the food servers wore circus costumes, cowboy clothes, ranch wear, and
Renaissance costumes, was creative. And dedicated art people have an
opportunity to show off their collections of hand-made or hand-painted
garments that are sometimes as interesting as the art. I wore a black silk
coat embroidered with food items.
Even the local dogs were dressed for the occasion.
McLarry
Fine Art. The “Colorful Palate” catered by Walter Burke Catering and Museum
Hill Café. 225 Canyon Road. Although this was number one on the Art Tour
Map, I ended up there and it was definitely a “last is the best” experience.
The
corral of sugar cookie stallions running through a field of brown sugar
surrounded by a thick pretzel log fence as so incredible that people
respectfully did not destroy it in any way. But then there were large plates
of the frosted horse cookies (white, dark, and palomino offerings) in front
of the display.
Start at the top of Canyon Road and walk down. It will
still be light when you start, so you can see, and it is easier to walk
downhill than up. Save the downtown galleries for your second shift because
it is well lit there.
But even the runner-up plates are wonderful.
Each guest at the gala dinner is given one. Collect a set. Bring your whole
family. Or go every year. I hope to go back…but until then, my young
artist’s plate has the place of honor on my buffet.