Lunch @ Maria's

[Dick Krueger]

I thought i might as well start our Maria's thread over here. Today was another on schedule lunch at Maria's, Carollee started with her 100% Agave, Cuervo Tradicional Reposado & Triple Sec, with salt, and I had a 'Cheap Date', Don Eduardo Silver & Triple Sec, both good with our usual starters of guacamole, chips, and salsa. When I had finished mine I ordered a Santa Fe Moonlight, Luna Azul Reposado & Triple Sec, and the daily special of red chile stew. Carollee also had the special. The stew was a few chunks of tender pork in a dark, rich red chile broth, very hot and very good. Partway through we ordered Joven Esteban, Patron Añejo & Cointreau, for Carollee and Mr. Ed, Don Eduardo Añejo & Cointreau, for me. After enjoyable conversations with Laurie and Al about our upcoming Champagne and Caviar indulgence at their new home, we finished our maggies and stew and headed for home on a cold windy day.

[Bob Wood]

Living large as always, Dick. Just wow.

[Dick Krueger]

We're about to head for Maria's for our usual Wednesday lunch.

[Dick Krueger]

We had another lovely lunch at Maria's - we started with 'Cheap Date' for Carollee and 'Bullseye', La Leyenda de 30-30 reposado and triple sec, for me, with our usual chips, salsa, & gauacamole. When I had finished mine we ordered the daily special, Sirloin tips and green chile; and I ordered a 'Santa Fe Moonlight'. We got our green chile dish, which was not as hot as he last one, but still good and spicy. It only got to my forehead, not beyond. I judge heat by where the sweat shows up on my head. Partway through we ordered - 'Horny Toad', Sauza Hornitos Reposado & Cointreau, for Carollee; and 'Larry, Curley & Moe', Los Alegres Compadres Reposado & Triple Sec for me. Then we had a good short conversation with Laurie and Al about the caviar for our upcoming 'Champagne & Caviar' event at their place. Then it was time to head home under sunny, clear skies and warming temperature (it's almost time to put the top down on the Jaguar).

[Dick Krueger]

We were back at Maria's today for our accustomed Wednesday lunch. It was a quiet day at Maria's, lots of space in the parking lot, and the bar was less than half full. Carollee started with her usual '100% Agave' and i had a 'Bullseye' with our usual starters of chips, salsa, and guacamole. When I had finished my Margarita, we ordered our food. I ordered a 'Larry, Curley, & Moe' and a LisaBurger - a half pound patty, stuffed with green chile & cheese, atop a pile of frites, and covered with green chile & cheese (no bun). Carollee had the stuffed burger without bun topped with green chile and cheese with a side of soupy beans. Laurie & Al dropped by to talk some more about the upcoming 'Champagne & Caviar' event at their home. Then I had a 'Certain Smile' - Certeza Reposado with Cointreau, and Carollee had a Cuervo Tradicional, Cuervo Reposado with Cointreau, instead of the the Triple Sec with the '100% Agave' she started with. Then after another enjoyable Maria's lunch, we headed for home on a sunny but cool day, temps didn't get above the mid-30F.

[Jeff Pf0h1]

LOVE that Lisa Burger!!

[Dick Krueger]

Today was another delightful lunch at Maria's. We started with our usual of chips, salsa & guacamole with '100% Agave' for Carollee and 'Larry, Curley, & Moe' for me. When I had finished mine, we ordered our food: Carne Adovada with Soupy Beans and a 'Santa Fe Moonlight' for me and a regular Stuffed Burger with fries and a side of sour cream for Carollee. As we were being served Laurie and Al arrived at our table to finalize plans for Saturday's Champagne and Caviar at their house. Part way through our meals we ordered 'A Certain Smile' for me and a 'Joven Esteban' for Carollee. Al also gave us a new 'margarita', a Chocolate Margarita. They'd introduced it for Valentines, but it didn't sell very well. It was 2oz Herradura Silver, 2oz Godiva Chocolate Licquer, and 1oz triple sec, with unsweetened chocolate rimming the glass. Amazingly, it wasn't particularly sweet. It was a great combination with the Adovada; it made it a molé light, very nice. On finishing, we then left for home on a cool, clear afternoon.

[Todd F r e n c h]

Maria's is getting all the business other restaurants are NOT getting, apparently.

Sure sounds worth it...

[Dick Krueger]

We still go to Tr.Nostrani, 315, and some others. Though Maria's seems to doing pretty well in these hard times.

[Dick Krueger]

Today we were back at Maria's to help recovery from last night. It was a warm spring-like day, so we put the top down on the Jaguar for the first time this year. We started with 'El Reformador', Reformador Reposado & Cointreau, for Carollee, and 'Cheap Date' for me. They were enjoyable with our usual starters of guacamole, chips, and salsa. When I had finished mine, I ordered a 'Larry, Curley, & Moe and a bowl of posole. Carollee ordered a salad with blue cheese dressing and an appetizer of BBQ'd ribs. The ribs were Short Ribs today instead of the usual baby back or spareribs, they were very meaty and tasty. The posole didn't have as much red chile as the last couple bowls, but had a good rich broth and lots of pork and fatback. Then halfway through the posole, I had 'A Certain Smile'. Another delightful afternoon at Maria's.

[Jeff Pf0h1]

SALAD???

[Dick Krueger]

Today we were back at Maria's for the first time since the end of February. It was nice to be back and start with our usuals, 100% Agave with salt for Carollee and Larry, Curly, & Moe without salt for me. We got our usual chips, salsa, and guacamole to start. When served our Margaritas, we ordered our meals, posole for Carollee and green chile stew for me. Our next Margaritas were both A Certain Smile, which were good with the end of our bowls of goodies and with the sopapillas & honey we finished with. On a beautiful clear, warm Spring-like day, it was great to get back to our routine.

[Dick Krueger]

Today was another enjoyable Wed. lunch at Maria's. We arrived on cool and lightly windy Spring afternoon. We were seated at our usual table. The bar was fairly full although the parking lot wasn't. We started with 'Larry, Curley, and Moe' for me and '100% Agave' for Carollee. We got out usual starters of chips, salsa, and guacamole. When I had finished mine, I ordered a 'Santa Fe Moonlight' and today's special, pork and red chile stew. Carollee also ordered the special. We got the stews and they were both rich red chiles with good pork broth and pork stew meat, very tasty with good heat. The heat got to my temples and was just starting for my forehead. It was very enjoyable with the rich reposado Margaritas.

Al Lucero dropped by our table for some conversation. After a bit he offered to buy our next margaritas, so Carollee had the Godiva Chocolate Margarita (to see how it went with the red chile stew) and I had 'A Certain Smile'. The chocolate Margarita was good with the stew, but not as good a match as with the Carne Adovada, which has darker richer red chile, that I had several weeks ago. Al then left abruptly when a couple kids began acting up at a booth across the room. They eventually settled down and we finished our stew and Margaritas. Then we headed home on a cooler and somewhat more windy mid-afternoon.

[Dick Krueger]

We were back at Maria's for out usual Wednesday lunch today. We got our starters of chips, guacamole, and salsa and our initial Margaritas, 'Cheap Date' for me and '100% Agave' for Carollee. Then when i had finished mine, I ordered a 'Larry, Moe, and Curley' and the daily special of tamales, no longer tied at the ends, one vegetarian and one pork & red chile, with rice, re-fried beans and green chile salsa; Carollee ordered a LisaBurger, medium rare. Then partway through, I had a 'Certain Smile' and Carollee had a Joven Esteban, El Tesoro Añejo and Contreau.

The tamales were much better than previously, the masa was moister, richer and very good; the fillings were very tasty. It was another enjoyable afternoon at Maria's, on a cloudy, cold, and windy day - Winter is definitely back.

[Dick Krueger]

We were back at Maria's, after skipping a week, for our accoustomed lunch, We started with '100% Agave' for Carollee and 'Cheap Date' for me. These were enjoyable with our starters of chips, salsa, and guacamole. On finishing mine, we ordered today's special for both of us, sirloin tips and green chile. I also ordered a 'Larry, Curley, & Moe'.

The green chiles were a step or two hotter than usual today. They really needed the Margaritas to temper them. Then Carollee ordered a 'Joven Esteban'. After a bit I had a 'Certain Smile' to finish. This was another enjoyable day at Maria's, we even had a good convesation with a couple at an adjacent table from Tuscon and Chicago.

[Dick Krueger]

Today we both started with a 'Cheap Date'; very nice with our starters of chips, salsa, and guacamole. Then when I had finished mine (quite quickly, it was very smooth), I ordered a 'Santa Fe Moonlight' and the daily special of their new tamales, one vegetarian, one pork, with red and green chile on the side. Carollee ordered a small green salad with blue cheese and the rib appetizer. Since I had forgotten to order soupy beans to replace the Mexican rice and refried beans, I didn't have a lot to eat. I didn't have a third Margarita. Laurie and Al weren't there either, so it was a quicker than usual lunch. We got there at 12:45 and left just after 2pm.

[Dick Krueger]

We were back at Maria's today on a warm Spring afternoon. Like last week, we both started with 'Cheap Date', Carollee has decided she really likes it. They were enjoyable with our starters of guacamole, chips, and salsa. When I had finished mine, I ordered a 'Larry, Curley, & Moe' and today's special of Sirloin Tips with Green Chile. Carollee also ordered the special. After a bit she had a second Margarita, a '100% Agave', with salt. After a little longer, I decided to have a Cabo Wabo Kevin, to see if the changes at Cabo Wabo had had any effect. It had a similar taste profile to the original, just a little lighter. The green chiles weren't as hot as two weeks ago, but were nice, the heat rather quickly made my nose, temples, and forehead sweat; but never made it to the top of my head.

[Dick Krueger]

Today on a very warm Spring afternoon, we headed for Maria's. On arrival the parking lot was much more empty than usual. Laurie and Al weren't there, since they had left, shortly before we arrived, for Farmington, where Al was accepting entry in New Mexico's Tourism Hall of Fame. We seated ourselves at our regular table, after picking up menus and tequila / Margarita lists. The bar and restaurant were noticibly less populated than usual.

We ordered our initial Margaritas, '100% Agave' with salt for Carollee, and 'Cheap Date' for me. These were enjoyed with our usual starters of guacamole, chips, and salsa. When I had finished mine, we ordered - for Carollee - tortilla burger with red chile, and for me - a LisaBurger and a 'Larry, Curley, & Moe'. When the meals were brought, Carollee's had green instead of red chile. John, the waiter, took it back to the kitchen. He shortly returned with the correct chile on it. Then Carollee had a 'Cuervo Tradicional'; and a bit later i had 'A Certain Smile'. All was quite tasty, except that the chile was even a little less hot than last week.

[Jeff Pf0h1]

ahhh the Lisaburger. My favorite there!

[Dick Krueger]

Today, Carollee's birthday, we were back at Maria's for our semi-regular Wednesday lunch, We started with out usuals of chips, salsa, and guacamole with Larry, Curleu & Moe for me and 100% Agave for Carollee. When I had finished mine, which went down quite quickly and smoothly, I ordered a Santa Fe Moonlight, and we both had today's special of red chile and pork, The special was thicker and richer red chile than the usual with more pork. Then Carollee ordered a Cuervo Tradicional and i oredered a Godiva Chocolate Margarita, which I'd found to go nicely with rich red chile dishes. The Al Lucero bought Carollee a "Paradiso" for her birthday. Their Paradiso is made from Paradiso Añejo and a special limited edition Grand Marnier. It was quite tasty and not a woody as all other Añejo - Grand Marnier combinations. Another warm sunny Spring day at Maria's

[Jeff Pf0h1]

Happy Birthday to Carollee!!

[Dick Krueger]

We were back to Maria's today, after missing last week due to Wine Geeks being on Wednesday, and we can't do a lunch at Maria's and Wine Geeks at Tr. Nostrani on the same day. We started with our usual of chips, salsa, & guacamole with '100% Agave' for Carollee and 'Larry, Curley, & Moe' for me. Mine slipped down quite smoothly, so i ordered a 'Certain Someone' and the daily special, one of our favorites, Sirloin Tips and Green Chile. Carollee ordered that as well

We were told that several patrons had decreed it quite hot. It turned out to be rich green chile in flavor with reasonable hotness. It only made me sweat on my temples and forehead. It didn't make it to the top of my head. But the good green chile flavors were very good. Partway through the stew we ordered 'El Reformador' for Carollee and 'Moonlight Sonata', Chaya Reposado & Cointreau, for me. It was all a nice return to Maria's after a missing Wednesday.

[M. M c C a l l]

the daily special, one of our favorites, Sirloin Tips and Green Chile. Carollee ordered that as well

We were told that several patrons had decreed it quite hot. It turned out to be rich green chile in flavor with reasonable hotness. It only made me sweat on my temples and forehead. It didn't make it to the top of my head. But the good green chile flavors were very good. Partway through the stew we ordered 'El Reformador' for Carollee and 'Moonlight Sonata', Chaya Reposado & Cointreau, for me. It was all a nice return to Maria's after a missing Wednesday.

Oh, that's my kind of lunch! I don't get sweaty, though-- I get drippy. My eyes tear and my nose leaks!

Steve and I spent our honeymoon in Santa Fe and Taos, and your Maria's posts always make me want to plan another trip. I can't remember where we had our first chile (Tomasina's? Tomasita's? John Tomasso's?) but I was a little wussy about heat in general back then. it was the first time I ever asked for sour cream to cool down my mouth. It would be fun to see how much of a tolerance I've built up with six years of palate abuse at Indian and Thai restaurants.

[Dick Krueger]

Well, why don't you and Steve come back sometime? Just let us know.

[Dick Krueger]

Today we were back at Maria's for our accoustomed Wednesday lunch; it was clearing after a night and early morning of rain showers. We started with "Cheap Date" for me and "100% Agave" for Carollee. They were both enjoyable with our usual starters of chips, salsa, and guacamole. When i had finished my first, we ordered our meals, for me - today's special of chicken-fried steak with a corn-green chile-zucchini mix and green chile mashed potatoes; Carollee had Carne Adovada. I also ordered a 'Certain Smile' - Certeza Reposado and Triple Sec. In the middle of our lunch, it got quite dark out, and began to rain again. Then partway through, i had a 'Miracle Mile', Milagro Single-Barrel Reserva Reposada and Cointreau. After a nice conversation with Laurie & Al Lucero, we headed for home under clearing skies. It's been an interesting day, with much needed rain showers.

[Josh_Pitcl]

Dick, your writeups are excellent. If I am ever in Santa Fe, I will definintely check Maria's out!

If you make it to the Phoenix area, you have to try a local favorite: Barrio Cafe. Very good to excellent food in an eclectic setting http://www.barriocafe.com/.

[Dick Krueger]

Josh-

I haven't been to Phoenix since my Mother, who lived in Sun City West, died in 2003. The weather there doesn't work very well for me. When she moved there in the early 90s, I told her that I wouldn't visit her from May thru November.

My preferred restaurants (still in business) in the area are: Pizzeria Bianco and Mosaic.

[Josh_Pitcl]

Well, I can't argue with you about the weather: 36 years here has not made summers any more tolerable. Agreed on Bianco (although it's quite an ordeal to get in), and still need to try Mosaic.

I hope you find a reason to stop through sometime!

[Dick Krueger]

Today on an increasingly cloudy and threatening rain day, we were joined by Sue & Dick Daniels for our usual Wednesday lunch at Maria's. We started with 'Cheap Date' for me and 'Cabo Wabo Kevin' for Carollee. Sue & Dick arrived and had a frozen House Margarita for Sue and a Dos Equis Amber for Dick. All was very enjoyable with our starters of chips, salsa, and guacamole. it was great to get back together with Sue & Dick after her serious health problems in the beginning of the year.

When I had finished mine we ordered our food: Sue - Chile Rellenos; Dick - beef enchiladas; Carollee & I - today's special, Sirloin Tips and Green Chile. Then i ordered a 'Santa Fe Moonlight' and Dick had another Dos Equis. The green chiles weren't as hot as usual (only barely got to my forehead) and there wasn't as much meat in the bowl, so I added some of our guacamole. That made it quite good, though Al would complain. Then I finished with a 'Full Moon' - Dos Lunes Reposado and Cointreau. Al Lucero came by and talked with us briefly.

This was another enjoyable afternoon at Maria's, although there were occasional rain showers while we were eating, but very little driving home (with the top up).

[Dick Krueger]

Today we back at Maria's for another Wednesday lunch. i started with 'A Certain Smile'; Carollee started with her usual '100% Agave' with salt. We also had our usual starters of chips, salsa, & guacamole. Bernie was on vacation, so Dave was the bartender. The Margaritas were harsher than we are accoustomed to, seemed to me to be a bit heavy on the tequila. When I had finished mine, we ordered today's special, Chile con Carne - rich red chile, garlic, and pork. I also ordered a 'Milagro Beanfield', Milagro Reposado and Cointreau. When we were served our chile stews, Carollee ordered an 'El Reformador'. The red chile was medium hot, made it barely to my forehead, but was rich in chile flavor. Partway through I had a "Chocolate" Margarita; I have enjoyed these with various red chile dishes here. The Godiva Chocolate in the Margarita imparts a a hint of mole flavor to the red chile. It also makes a nice finish to the meal.

[Dick Krueger]

Today we were back at Maria's for lunch with Jeff & Veronica, to give Veronica an introduction to Northern New Mexican cuisine and to Maria's Margaritas. We were seated at our usual table. We started with our usual chips, salsa, & guacamole. Carollee had her usual '100% Agave' with salt, Veronica & I each had a 'Cheap Date' - hers with salt, Jeff had a 'Silver Charm' - Milagro Silver w/Cointreau. Al & Laurie were there with Laurie's mother and brother. When I had finished mine we ordered our food - Carollee had posole, Veronica had today's special, a chicken chimichanga, while Jeff and i each had a LisaBurger. I also ordered a "Certain Smile'. Then partway through our meals, Carollee had an 'El Reformador', Veronica had a 'Krueger's Reserve', Jeff had an 'Elizabeth Two' - El Tesoro Silver with half Cointreau / half Grand Marnier, and I had a 'Miracle Mile'. Then at the end both Veronica and Carollee had sopapillas with honey. Another lovely afternoon at Maria's.

[Dick Krueger]

I almost forgot - Thanks much, Veronica, for buying lunch for us.

[Dick Krueger]

Well, even though we were there Monday, and after Wine Geeks last night, we still went to Maria's for our accoustomed Wednesday lunch. We started with Carollee's usual '100% Agave', while I had a 'Larry. Curley, & Moe'. All very nice with our usual starters of chips, salsa, & guacamole. When i had finished mine (it went down very smoothly and easily), we ordered our food, Carne Adovado with soupy beans (instead of re-fried beans and rice) for me, and the rib appetizer with a side of blue cheese dressing for Carollee. I also ordered a 'Santa Fe Moonlight'. Both the guacamole and the Carne Adovado were noticibly spicier than usual, really good red chiles. Then partway through I ordered a Godiva Chocolate Margarita. This time the red chiles were sufficiently spicy hot, that the chocolate Margarita didn't develop the mole flavors that i normally get with the chocolate and red chile. Laurie's brother and mother were still visiting and were sitting across the room from us. We had good conversations with them and with some others around us, an ex-Mayor of Santa Fe, that we had previously met at a party at the Luceros, and a couple guys in construction and financing. After all this we headed for home.

[Paul Romero]

I've actually had Maria's delivered to me in San Jose. :) The owner thought I was nuts I'm sure, but he's done it for me.

I thought we might get to Chama Day's this year, but it looks like we'll be another year away before we can go again.

[Dick Krueger]

We were back for another summer lunch at Maria's. It was a warm, clear summer day (low 90sF, when we left). We started with out usual chips, salsa, & guacamole and 'Cheap Date' for me and '100% Agave' for Carollee. When I had finished mine we ordered - 'Cabo Wabo Kevin' and a bowl of posole for me and a tostada compuesta w/beef for Carollee. The posole was lighter than it's been for a while, not as much red chile and a less meaty broth. Then partway through i had a 'Boogie Woogie', Chamucos Reposado & Cointreau. Then as we were finishing, we decided to have a couple sopapillas with honey for 'dessert'. The sopapillas were fresh from the fryer, very hot and very good with a corner bitten off and the honey drizzled inside. A great finish to a nice lunch.