February is the shortest month but it falls in the longest season of the year. If you’re already tired of the snow and cold, take heart for spring is just around the corner, though sometimes it can feel like a very long corner. Since the groundhog didn’t see his shadow last week, spring may arrive early and that’s really great news if you live in the Midwest or other regions of the country gripped by the recent Polar Vortex.
Here in Santa Fe, February is never dreary. If you’re a skier, it’s a great time to hit the slopes because the holiday crowds are gone and the spring breakers are still at bay. There’s also the annual Souperbowl, which last week celebrated its 25th anniversary, raising a ton of money to help feed New Mexico’s neighbors in need. The champions included Social Kitchen + Bar, which took home the Best Vegetarian trophy for its corn chowder. And of course, Restaurant Week is around the corner…just like spring!
A Valentine’s Gift
Could there be a better Valentine’s Day gift for the foodie in your life than a cooking class? Especially if that class is led by four-time James Beard Award-winning author Cheryl Alters Jamison, host of “Heating It Up” on Hutton Broadcasting’s Talk 1260 KTR?
Jamison has written so many fantastic cookbooks, they fill an entire shelf of my kitchen bookcase. Her latest, “Texas Slow Cooker” is devoted to the many ways you can creatively cook with a Crock Pot and other slow cookers. And who among us hasn’t turned to one of these devices during this cold, snowy winter? Jamison will show you how easy it is to prepare a hassle-free, mouth-watering meal using a slow cooker. You’ll learn to make black bean soup with pico de gallo, jalapeño cornbread with sorghum butter, chicken tinga tacos and smoky salsa, cochinita pibil, and margarita cheesecake with a pretzel crust.
The class takes place at the Santa Fe School of Cooking on Saturday, February 16 starting at 10 am. But don’t wait to register as Jamison’s classes are hugely popular, just like her cookbooks.
Restaurant Week Returns
Santa Fe Restaurant Week celebrates its 10th year in 2019, with a full menu of participating restaurants serving great deals for lunch and/or dinner, February 22 through March 3. Are there upscale restaurants you’ve always wanted to visit but avoided because they were outside of your price range? How about new restaurants you haven’t yet checked out yet or even old favorites you’ve been missing? Well, start making reservations now because this wildly popular event offers the opportunity to savor three-course prix-fixe meals (set at $15, $25, $35, or $45 per person, depending on the restaurant).
You can pretend you’re in Paris when you dine at 315 Restaurant & Wine Bar. The Restaurant Week menu here includes rustic country paté with house-made pickles and whole grain mustard as a starter, and classic bouillabaisse as an entrée. For dessert, indulge in lemon crepes with macerated strawberries and you might just feel as if you’re in the Left Bank. For a taste of Italy, try Trattoria a Mano‘s calamari fritti as a first course, served with pepperoncini, arugula and lemon aioli, followed by spaghetti Bolognese, made with a beef and veal ragu and topped with shaved Parmigiano. End your feast with house-made cannoli filled with lemon ricotta and accompanied by quince jam and raisins poached in Marsala.
Enjoy Old World Charm while you dine on New World-influenced cuisine and traditional New Mexican fare at La Plazuela at La Fonda, a former Harvey House hotel. The Restaurant Week menu includes roasted poblano corn chowder as an opener, and pan-roasted Scottish salmon with charred sweet corn, red onion vinaigrette, spicy couscous and seasonal vegetables as an entrée. For dessert, try raspberry enchiladas, because where else will you come across these?
You’ll find all a list of all of the Santa Fe Restaurant Week restaurants, menus, events and participating lodging here.
This article was posted by Jesse Williams
