LATEST TRICKS: A Taos Sampler

Taos, New Mexico
Thursday, October 28, 2010

While relaxing beside the fire in our room at El Pueblo Lodge this morning, we paid bills, posted another blog entry and enjoyed a tasty breakfast from the Dragonfly Café. Their spicy pumpkin-chili bread and sweet raspberry and pear tarts were simply delicious.

With business and breakfast taken care of, we returned to the Taos Pueblo for a little more quality time. It was another crisp and sunny fall day and the pueblo seemed full of life and good cheer.

We stopped at Sonny Spruce's shop and were glad to see Zoe again. She was so friendly and helpful to us, answering all our questions about the various handcrafts and the artists who created them. We really enjoyed our experience there.

We also enjoyed seeing Sunflower paint exquisite, finely-detailed pottery and purchased some of her and her daughter Plum Blossom's work. In addition, we admired the creative artistry of Jacqueline Gala.

After the pueblo, we walked around Taos' historic square and stopped into several interesting shops. We enjoyed the many fine crafts at the Artists Co-op and were fascinated by the fabulous Day of the Dead displays at Dwellings Revisited.

Looking to warm up as the sun went down, we stopped into The Adobe Bar at the Historic Taos Inn. Known as "The Living Room of Taos", it was a lovely space to relax in, with a large kiva-style fireplace in one corner and wooden beams supporting a two-story arched ceiling.

Further enhancing the mood, Teresa Storch was playing guitar and singing jazz, folk and blues. Theresa is traveling the United States and has brought her music to 33 states over four years.

The Adobe Bar's signature margaritas were outstanding and the green chili stew and quesadilla appetizers hit the spot. Our waitress, Merilee, was friendly, personable, and always there at just the right moment. She made us feel truly "at home".

Before moving on, we added our departed loved ones' names to the community Day of the Dead alter at the Inn. It was so nice to remember those who have passed on before us and left their imprints on our lives and our hearts.

We then headed straight for an encore dinner at The Love Apple. Jen and Marianne greeted us with enthusiasm and we had the pleasure of meeting Rachel, also a waitress at The Love Apple. The place was bustling, but, to our delight, a table for two had just opened up.

Once again, our dining experience was exceptional. From the beet, avocado and grapefruit salad to the ribeye with roasted yam and potato au gratin (not to mention the tamale, pecan pie, and apple crisp) the flavors, presentations and service were unparalleled.

It was another exquisite dining experience thanks to Jen, Chef Andrea Meyer, Marianne, Rachel and all of the staff. We cannot praise you enough for the culinary paradise you have created. A thousand "Thank You's"!

We wrapped up the evening cozy in the glow of the fireplace back in our room at the El Pueblo.  Ahhhh....
-- Ted and Laura