volume 7, number 10 October 2002
New Mexico's Premier Food, Arts and Lifestyle Magazine

Salmon from Zen Ranch

Aficionados of chef Chuck Lamendola will be wild to learn he is turning Don Fernando's de Taos Holiday Inn (1005 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, 505-758-4444) upside-down through October and November. Formerly executive chef of the Brett House and former owner/chef of Jacquelina's restaurant, Lamendola took his brilliance off to Rhoda's Restaurant (TSV Resort, 505-776-2005) in the Taos Ski Valley, where we get to feast regularly at his table during the ski season. Since the summer season has been pretty slow, it's great to have Lamendola cooking in town for a couple days a week. He'll be back up at Rhoda's though, once the ski season is in full swing.

That other wunderkind of kitchens, Peter Zimmer, is now in Taos. Known for his turns at restaurants such as Inn of the Anasazi and Bishop's Lodge, among others, Zimmer recently opened Zen Ranch in the Overland Sheep Ranch compound in El Prado (North Highway 522, 505-758-7373 or 505-466-3700). Just as I had been waxing nostalgic for Los Angeles' myriad Thai places, a sandwich board on Highway 522 announcing Thai food grabbed my green curry-less curls and answered prayers half-formed. Korean glass noodles, Thai green and Indian curry, pad Thai, saté, ginger and kefir lime turkey, Tenkatzu buffalo-style chicken, and so it goes. Zimmer's novel twists on Southwestern, Native American, and European fare sound intriguing. It's all fresh, and all organic, from veggies and flour to the free-range chicken, beef and lamb. "Openers" are $6-ish, starch and vegetable sides-to-share are $11-15 with entrées at $15-25.

All through October we'll be going to one festival after another. The Taos County Chamber of Commerce (505-758-3873) has rolled all the separate festivals including Taos Storytelling Festival (Sept. 13-14), Taos Fall Arts Festival (Sept. 20-Oct. 7), Fifth Annual Taos Valley Acequia Festival (Sept. 21-22), Taos Wool Festival (Oct. 5-6), Taos Mountain Film Festival (Oct. 11-13) and the 20th Annual Taos Mountain Balloon Rally (Oct. 25-27), into one grand slam Taos Fall Festivals, "Celebrations of fine art and culture in Taos." Food-wise, gourmet lamb delights are presented at the Wool Festival by the Colorado Chefs Association (formerly the Colorado Culinarians) who are charged with a mandate to mesmerize U.S. consumers with the excellence of domestic versus New Zealand lamb.

Tierra Lucero's Home Gardens Project (P.O. Box 932, Taos NM, 87571 505-758-4150) gave eight free gardens to non-profits and especially deserving individuals this year. They estimate that each garden produces at least $500 worth of flavorful, vitamin-bursting, organic produce. Through their myriad projects and collaboration, they aim to turn New Mexico into a model of community supported agriculture. Taos County Economic Development Center (505-758-8731) benefited from a donated garden and has now funded 30 gardens for the community. Tierra Lucero's greenhouses will keep restaurateurs supplied with organic, locally grown produce all winter long. Now that's what I call heaven on earth.

Do you have news for the Taste of Taos? Call 346-0660 ext. 245 or e-mail foodnews@lacocinita.com.

<< Santa Fe Scoop

October 2002 Contents

Bounty From the Desert >>