volume 7, number 4 April 2002
New Mexico's Premier Food, Arts and Lifestyle Magazine

Olivia Zimmer

You can tell that Spring is definitely in the air when the Santa Fe Farmers' Market returns to the rail yard and heralds the new season of goodies from the earth. The Saturday market commences on April 27 at 7am with the Tuesday market beginning on May 14. The very first few crops you can expect to find include: cut flowers, bedding plants, radishes, sprouts and greens as well as baked goods and preserves. See you there!

A few weeks ago I received a very kind e-mail from a local hotel concierge telling me about a terrific dining experience she had at another hotel. Her dinner at The Piñon Grill in the Santa Fe Hilton was enhanced by the new dining room manager/sommelier, Olivia Zimmer. Olivia moved west with her husband Zeno, who is now the executive chef at The Galisteo Inn and it was her knowledge of wine and friendly, professional service that elevated the evening. Stop by the Piñon Grill soon and meet Olivia, a welcomed and fresh addition to our sometimes jaded hospitality scene.

Well, the votes are in and it's unanimous. Swig is a hit! And what makes it such a resounding smash is not so much the patronage of the cocktail clubber set that scurries from bar to bar in search of a scene, but by virtue of the variety of age groups and Santa Fe types who are already raving. Trendy twenty-somethings sip enormous martinis next to yuppie 40-and 50-year-olds. I even spied a few swinging 60-year-olds reliving the good old days in the swanky lounge. Already, regulars are choosing their favorite room to hang out in. The dark and shrouded pool table room is perfect for those less than virtuous tête-à-têtes. I'm partial to the white and airy middle room than reminds me of Miami's Delano Hotel. The ruby-colored smokers' room is comfortable enough to ignore the smoke and the back bar, with its mesmerizing video screen showing underwater fish frolicking, and totally takes the edge off a long day. Eric Distefano's bar menu creates a whole new way to graze, the sushi is made to order, and the crunch of the sesame fried shrimp was a perfect foil to a very smooth and balanced margarita I enjoyed. Congratulations to partners Cliff Skoglund and Robert Hall for creating a very modern and altogether classic adult playroom. Take your 21-year-old kids, take your spouse or lover, even take your parents. And there's not a cow skull in sight!

Pan Dulce, that wonderful Mexican pastry that's a cross between a cookie and a sweet bread, holds wonderful childhood memories to anyone who grew up in a state that bordered Mexico. I happened into the Panaderia Zaragoza (3277 Cerrillos Road, 471-9383) and was welcomed by the smell of fresh baked goods and a pastry case teeming with voluptuous pan dulces in many shapes, sizes and flavors. Baker Arturo Vega and his family pride themselves in recreating the goodies he remembers making in his native Chihuahua; he has been sharing those memories, in an edible form, here in Santa Fe since 1996. Along with the tempting variety of pan dulces there are also marranitos—pig shaped cookies made with piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar), yo-yos—sugar cookies sandwiched with butter cream, rolled in a strawberry glaze and coated in coconut, and the Neapolitan flavored polvorones—triangle cookies with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry corners. Everything is baked fresh daily including bread—get there early if you want some. Zaragoza is open from 7am to 7:30pm and also serves a small menu of traditional breakfast and lunch items for takeout. Located between Camino Consuelo and Richards Avenue on Cerrillos Road, it's a must visit for Mexiphiles and fans of authentic Mexican sweets.

A beautifully stocked and nicely designed wine and spirits store opened quietly two months ago and it's well worth a visit. Simply Divine is in the Pen Road Shopping Center at the corner of Cerrillos and St. Francis, down from Tiny's Restaurant and across the parking lot from Bonanza Fabrics. A labor of love by the Espinosa Family (George, Mary and Chanel), great care has gone into the decor and wine and liquor selection. One shelf features wines that have garnered kudos recently in Wine Spectator, another holds a large collection of tequilas, and there is also a full complement of New Mexico wines. We're thrilled to report that Simply Divine offers free delivery in the Santa Fe area and wine tastings every Friday from 4 to 6pm. Call 989-7660 to check on the availability of your favorite bottles or stop and say hi to some very nice people.

Expecting guests with discerning tastes in hotel accommodations and want to book them into the hottest new addition to the Santa Fe hospitality scene? Check out the Hacienda at The Hotel Santa Fe (982-1200), a luxurious new wing with 35 suites, that has taken hotel services to a new height. Food and Beverage Director Linda Blitstein took me on a tour of the upmarket building and I must say it is impressive. Every suite comes with butler service and the halls are filled with gallery quality Indian art. There are large fireplaces in each room and spa treatments available as well as a large outdoor hot tub. The common-area lounge boasts views of the mountains and the sunset, an outdoor fireplace and well-stocked bar for unwinding after a day of taking in our town. After being wowed by the surroundings I was almost afraid to ask the rates—junior suites start at $239 per night. Linda said the hotel is thrilled with the business they are doing, especially considering the new wing opened the week after 9/11.

Another night spot that should be ready for the fast approaching summer crowds is at Garret's Desert Inn in the former Lola's Cafe Libertad locale. Owned and operated by the Garret family, The G Spot will open in late April and will be a full service restaurant and bar. Details were still being worked out as to the menu the new cafe will offer but the patio there has always been a great place to catch the summer sun and watch the world go by. Watch this space for more information.

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