Lunch @ Maria's

[Dick Krueger]

Today on warming day in Carollee's Jaguar XK-8 for a Winter run, before the next storm (temps got to the high 40sF), we again were back at Maria's for our usual Wednesday lunch. We were welcomed and seated at our usual table. We started with a a 'Cheap Date' for me and a '100% Agave' for Carollee. They were quite busy with a lot of familiar faces. When I had finished mine we ordered today's special, the red chile & pork stew. I also ordered a 'Santa Fe Moonlight'. Margaritas were very good today; Bernie was right on form. After a bit I finished with a 'Carmella's Fella'. Then we had a nice conversation with Laurie & Al, about the NM float in the Rose Parade and other things. Then we headed for home after another enjoyable afernoon at Maria's.

[Dick Krueger]

Today on an increasingly cloudy day (maybe tomorrow's snowstorm will show up early), we headed for Maria's for a lighter than usual lunch. We started with our usual chips, guacamole, & salsa and 100& Agave for Carollee & 400th Anniversary for me. When I was halfway finished with mine, we ordered our food - a LisaBurger for Carollee and Posole for me. Partway through I ordered a Carmella's Fella. I managed to get through the lunch with only two Margaritas for a change. After a short conversation with Laurie & Al, where they gave us a couple nice Spanish clementines and a bottle of Swedish Glögg. We might try the glögg tonight.

[Brian G r a f s t r o m]

looks like that 400th Anniversary has made it into the regular rotation for ya'. Keep the posts comin', Dick!

[Dick Krueger]

Today we were back at Maria's. We left home as snow was lightly falling, but stopped on the way there. We arrived a bit later than usual, since we stopped on the way to pick up a prescription for Carollee, that was ordered on Monday and promised to be ready on Wednesday, but wasn't. After a lot of time and checking, they said it would be ready later that afternoon. We arrived 15-20 minutes later than usual, our table wa waiting for us. We started with our usual guacamole, chips, & salsa. Carollee started with usual of a '100% Agave'and i had a 'Sweetheart'. When I had finished mine we ordered our food, we both had the special - red chile & pork. I ordered a 'Bullseye'. Both bowls of stew were quite full when served; mine actually had the meat heaped up above the rim of the bowl. The red chiles were neither as rich or as hot as the last time; but was still quite tasty. This time I really wished the Godiva Margarita was still on the list, because it would have been very good with this version of the chiles. It wasn't, so I finished with a 'Certain Smile'. Al was off at a meeting, so we had a brief conversation with Laurie, and headed for home. Carollee's prescription was actually ready when we stopped on the way home for it.

[Dick Krueger]

Today we were back at Maria's for or regular lunch on a clear and cold day. We started with chips, salsa, & guacamole and a 100% Agave for Carollee and a Sweetheart for me. When I had finished mine we ordered today's special, sirloin tips and green chiles, and a Carmella's Fella for me. Thr green chiles in the stew were much less hot than previously. I guess that's why John said they were a lot of folk's favorite. They were a little mild for us; but very easy to eat. Then partway through I had a Moonlight Sonata to finish. When we were done we went back to the office to talk with Laurie & Al. They're headed to California tomorrow for a family celebration. They will be back in time for the big Super Bowl Party at their home. We're looking forward to it.

[Dick Krueger]

This morning it was overcast and when I went out to pick up the morning paper at about 8:30am it was starting to snow. Within 45 minutes snow was falling heavily. Carollee wanted to drive her XK-8 today, but it wasn't to be. The snow never slacked off all morning and when it was time to leave for Maria's, we had at least two inches of new snow, temps were in the mid-20sF, and it was too slippery for the Jaguar, so we left in my QX. After a careful. slow drive there through the snow, we arrived at Maria's, found a parking place and went in. They were more busy than I expected for a snow day.

We were seated at our usual table, and started with chips, salsa, & guacamole, water, and a 'Cheap Date' for me and a '100% Agave' for Carollee. When I had finished mine. we ordered for me the special of red chile pork stew and a 'Carmella's Fella'; while Carollee had the rib appetizer with a side of blue cheese dressing. Then more than half way through my stew, I finished with a 'Certain Smile'.

Then we talked briefly with Laurie & Al about their upcoming Super Bowl Party and headed carefully for home. It was still snowing and the roads were tricky. By the time we got home we were up to four inches of snow.

[Dick Krueger]

Today we were back at Maria's, joined by Sue & Dick Daniels; they were there moments before we arrived. Sue had a House Margarita and Dick had a Dos Equis; Carollee ordered a 'Dirty Old Man', Hornitos Anejo & Triple Sec; and I had another 400th Anniversary Margarita (I'm building a collection of the 400th Anniversary glasses). When I had finished mine we ordered our food - Carollee & i had the daily special, sirloin tips & green chiles; Dick had the pork, posole, & green chile stew; while Sue had the stuffed cheddar burger, rare. Sue and Carollee had 100% Agaves, Dick had another Dos Equis, and I had Santa Fe Moonlight. Partway through the stew I ordered a Top Gun. while Dick had another Dos Equis, and sipped some of Sue's second margarita. During the meal we had good conversations with Sam Pick (ex SF mayor), Al & Laurie, and others seated around us. After an enjoyable lunch we headed for home.

[Dick Krueger]

Today was another Wednesday at Maria's. Carollee ordered an 'Alma Mater', Alma Reposado & Cointreau; and I ordered a 'Santa Fe Moonlight' (after being told 'Bullseye', my first choice, wasn't available). When we were served the Margaritas, we switched, since each of us had had the one we ordered, but not the one the other had ordered. They were both enjoyable with our starters of chips, salsa, and guacamole. When I had finished mine, I ordered a 'Certain Smile' and today's special, Red Chile & Pork Stew. The red chile was slightly hotter and more flavorful than usual. Carollee also ordered the special and when I was served my Margarita, she ordered a '100% Agave'. After last night's indulgence at Wine Geek's, I decided to make my Margarita last and not order a third. After a short conversation with Laurie & Al we headed for home.

[Dick Krueger]

Yesterday was our usual Wednesday at Maria's. We started with chips, salsa & guacamole I had a 'Carmella's Fella'; Carollee had a '100% Agave'. When I had finished mine, I ordered a 'Moonlight Sonata' and a repeat of last week's Red Chile & Pork Stew. Carollee ordered the tostada appetizer with beef. The red chile in the stew was a little bit hotter and less rich than last week's. Partway through i ordered a 'Certain Someone'. All the Margaritas were very good today. Laurie and Al were at the table next to ours with a wine distributor tasting Al's favorite wine, Cabernet Sauvignon.

They broke up before we were finished. When we were done we went back to the office, had a nice conversation with Laurie & Al and then headed for home on a warm, sunny Spring-like day.

[Dick Krueger]

Today we were back at Maria's for our usual Wednesday lunch. I started with a 'Sweetheart'; Carollee with a '100% Agave'; with chips and salsa. When I had finished mine, I ordered a 'Carmella's Fella' and today's special, sirloin tips and green chiles; Carollee ordered the Taco Plate, one hard, one soft. When I was partway through the stew, i ordered a 'Certain Smile'. It was the best of my three. The green chiles weren't very hot today, but richly flavored and the beef was also well cooked and very rich and flavorful. Al ran into us on the way in and we saw Laurie at the cash register. When we were finished we paid our check and went back to the office for a brief conversation with them. Then we headed for home after a lovely Spring afternoon at Maria's.

[Dick Krueger]

Today at 11am as they opened, we were back at Maria's for an off schedule lunch with friends from Pleasanton CA. Andrew & Xiao-Pei Gelb were in Santa Fe for a quick visit with their friends the Kogas from Japan. The three ladies all started with Al's ten-step Bloody Marias, while the three gentlemen started with Margaritas - Andrew had a 'La Ultima', Koga-san had an '1812 Overture', and i had a 'Carmella's Fella'. With our first drinks we had appetizers - green chile egg rolls, BBQ'd ribs with red chile; and mini Tacos. All were enjoyable with our initial drinks. Then we ordered our second round, Andrew had an 'El Chinaco Blanco', i had a 'Moonlight Sonata' and Carollee had a '100% Agave' and we ordered our next round of food - Xiao-Pei had the ribs, Andrew had the green chile stew, the Kogas had Pollo Adovado and Posole, while Carollee and I tried their new special, a Brunch Burrito. Carollee's with red chile and mine with green. In the middle I had a 'Certain Smile'. Then we all finished with sopapillas and honey.

[Tony V e l e b i l]

Say hello to andrew for me

[Dick Krueger]

Andrew was long gone by the time I read your post. You'll have to tell him yourself.

His brother and friends are coming into town today; we'll have lunch at Maria's with them a week from today.

Today we were back at Maria's for our usual Wednesday lunch. We started with a 'Carmella's Fella' for me and a '100% Agave' for Carollee. These were enjoyed with our usual starters of chips, salsa, and guacamole. When I had finished mine we ordered our meals of today's special, red chile pork stew (the main reason we were back today) while I had a 'Horny Toad', Sauza Hornitos & Cointreau, much better than I had remembered from some time ago. We were quickly served our stews, which were rich red chile with light heat, the capsiacin only got to the bridge of my nose and my cheeks, no furthe; part way through the stew i had a 'Certain Smile'. It was another enjoyable Wednesday at Maria's. Laurie and Al were back from Las Vegas, but a wine salesman was with Al when we were leaving, so we quietly departed.

[Dick Krueger]

Yesterday we were back at Maria's for lunch with Diana & Marshall Gelb and JoAnna & Chet Ruddel. They got there moments after we had arrived. We were all seated at the corner table in the bar area and ordered out first drinks. JoAnna & Diana both had their selection of tequilas for the Tequila Sampler, Carollee had her usual 100% Agave, while Chet, Marshall, & I had Soul Cools. All were enjoyed with our starters of guacamole, chips, & salsa. When I had finished my Soul Cool, we all ordered our food and I ordered a Carmella's Fella. Carollee, JoAnna, and I had the special, Sirloin Tips and Green Chile. Diana had the tostadas. Marshall & Chet each had a LisaBurger. Then partway through JoAnna ordered a Santa Fe Moonight, Marshall ordered a La Sombria, El Mayor Añejo with Cointreau, and I had a Certain Smile. John, our waiter, had brought sopapillas with our lunches, so everyone, but me, had sopapillas with honey with their meals. I was too full to have one for dessert. Another enjoyable lunch at Maria's with friends.

[Marshall Gelb]

Another excellent visit to Santa Fe! We really enjoyed our time with Dick and Carollee....... a fun lunch at Maria's as well as an excellent dinner at Bistro 315. We definitely need to get back to Santa Fe more often!


Cheers!
Marshall

[Dick Krueger]

Yesterday we were back at Maria's for our usual Wednesday lunch. We arrived just before 1pm, were seated at our usual table, and ordered our first Margaritas - '100% Agave' for Carollee and 'Yes, Deer' (Cazadores Reposdado & Triple Sec) to have with our starters of chips, salsa, & guacamole. It was very tasty and went down quickly. When I was finished, I ordered a 'Sweetheart' (Corazon Reposado & Triple Sec) and both Carollee and I ordered the special, Red Chile & Pork Stew, one of our favorites. The red chiles in the stew were hot, but not super hot, just a good rich chile flavor. The heat just made it to my temples and the bridge of my nose. Partway way through I had a 'Certain Smile' to finish. When we were done, we went back to the offfice for a brief conversation with Laurie & Al. Then we headed for home on a cool Spring afternoon.

[Dick Krueger]

Yesterday we were back at Maria's, after missing last week. We started with our usual chips, salsa, & guacamole. Carollee ordered her usual '100% Agave' with salt; while i had a '400th Anniversary Margarita'. I needed another 400th Anniversary glass to bring my collection to six. Both were quite good, even though Bernie wasn't there. When I had finished mine, I ordered a 'Sweetheart' and the special, pork and red chile. Carollee had a Tostada Compuesta with rice and refried beans. Partway through I ordered a 'Certain Smile'. On a cooling and steadily cloud-building afternoon, we had another nice afternoon at Maria's

[Dick Krueger]

Yesterday we were back for lunch at Maria's. We were joined by Sue & Dick Daniels and a friend of theirs from Eldorado. We started with our usual chips, salsa, & guacamole. Carollee had her usual '100% Agave' as did Sam, Sue & Dick. I had a `Soul-Cool'. When I had finished mine, I ordered an 'Alma Mater' and the special of sirloin tips with green chiles, Sue ordered the cheese enchiladas, Sam, Dick & Carollee also had the special. Dick & Sam also had another 100% Agave. We were served our foods and Sue ordered another 100% Agave; partway through I had one of my favorites, a 'Miracle Mile'. The green chiles with the sirloin tips were medium hot and the stew was fairly brothy. The heat got fairly quickly to my forehead and it was glistening with perspiration when Sam Pick, an ex-mayor of Santa Fe and a friend of ours and the Daniels, dropped by the table to talk with us. This was a very enjoyable afternoon at Maria's - friends, margaritas, and good food.

[Dick Krueger]

Wednesday, we were back at Maria's for our usual lunch. They had a new special, green chile and cheese meatloaf with green chile mashed potatoes and corn, green chiles, & zucchini. We started with chips, salsa & guacamole. I started with a 'Sweetheart'; Carollee had a '100% Agave'. When I had finished mine, we both ordered the special and I had a 'Carmella's Fella'. The new special was like a cross between the chicken-fried steak and a LisaBurger. The meatloaf was stuffed with green chiles and cheese; but didn't have any on top. The green chiles in the meatloaf and accompaniments were not very hot, just a nice green chile flavor. Partway through I had a 'Horny Toad'. We finished with Sopapillas and Honey, so didn't have anything in the evening. Another nice day at Maria's, which wasn't very busy. The parking lot was only half full when we got there; it's the quiet time of the year.

[Dick Krueger]

Today at Maria's we started with 'Carmella's Fella' for me and '100% Agave' for Carollee. These were enjoyable with our usual starters of chips. salsa, and guacamole. Unfortunately we neglected to toast Nancy Dolce's birthday with our first Margaritas. When I had finished mine I ordered a new Margarita on the list, a 'Lone Star', Republic tequila with Triple Sec. We also ordered our food, today's special, red chile & pork stew - it was very hot in temperature and medium hot in chiles. Partway through I had a 'Horny Toad'; Carollee didn't have a second Margarita, since she was feeling a bit hungover from last night's Wine Geeks' Dinner. Al & Laurie were off at a tourism event, so we went home a bit earlier than usual.

[Nancy Dolce (Online)]

Dick and Carollee, you are forgiven for not toasting me officially at lunch today. Guess you will have to go back to Maria's soon and get it right! :) Love you both anyway.

It is great that we all have a place to keep track of each other and write about what is important to us, such as this forum.

[Dick Krueger]

So, when are you and Sal comng to visit us??

[Nancy Dolce (Online)]

That trip is on my "must do list" and I always think we must find time to visit that lovely area of this country and see our friends who love to enjoy life, food and all that is good and beautiful! OK, what is the best time of year to enjoy the natural elements of SF?

[Dick Krueger]

Late May & June are nice and usually quiet. September/October are also good and have a lot more going on. Christmas is also magical around here. Just let us know when you'd like to come.

[Dick Krueger]

Yesterday we were back at Maria's for our Wednesday lunch. We started with 'Yes, Deer' for Carollee and 'Cheap Date' for me, with our usual starters of chips, salsa, & guacamole. When I had finished mine I ordered a 'Carmella's Fella' and the day's special (my favorite) sirloin tips; Carollee had a cheese enchilada with red chile. Partway through I had a 'Horny Toad' to finish my spicy dish. It was labelled as 'HOT' on the menu, and was probably as hot as I've had in a couple years. Another enjoyable day at Maria's on a warm, but breezy day.

[Dick Krueger]

Today was another Wednesday at Maria's. I started with a 'Yes, Deer' and Carollee had a 'Carmella's Fella'. They were good with our usual starters of chips, salsa, and guacamole. When I had finished mine, I ordered a 'Sweetheart' and we both ordered the daily special, Red Chile con Carne, one of our favorites. It was quite hot, quickly got to my temples, forehead, and bridge of my nose. Then partway through the stew, I had a 'Bullseye'. We left earlier than usual, without talking with Laurie & Al, since it was starting to sprinkle and Carollee had to go put the top up on the Jaguar, so we left.

[Nancy Dolce (Online)]

Love the hot stuff. It is so much fun to read your adventures. One day, I will do the same mid week. Getting closer to the retirement!!!

Thanks for all the food and beverage posts, Dick.

[Dick Krueger]

This afternoon we went to Maria's with Melissa & Gene Nicholson, who are visiting from Virginia. We arrived shortly before 1pm, were seated, got our guacamole, chips, & salsa and ordered our Margaritas. Gene & I had "Yes, Deer", Melissa had an "Elizabeth Two", and Carollee had "100% Agave". When I had finished mine, I ordered a "Sweetheart" and a medium-rare LisaBurger, Gene had chicken adovado, Melissa had tamales, and Carollee had the rib appetizer. Partway through my LisaBurger, I ordered "One More Kiss", Gene had a draft beer, and Melissa also had "One More Kiss". When finished with our meals, we shared two sopapillas with honey amongst the four of us. Then we went back to the office to have Al sign a Margarita book for the Nicholsons.

[Nancy Dolce (Online)]

Another great Wednesday lunch at Maria's. Which is your favorite Margarita and what is in it?

[Dick Krueger]

It's a toss-up between Miracle Mile (Milagro Single Barrel Reserve Reposado & Cointreau) and Hope Diamond (Diamante del Cielo Reposado & Cointreau). Sometimes I like one better (by a little bit) sometimes I prefer the other. I really like them both.

[Dick Krueger]

Today we were back for our regular Wednesday lunch on a rainy day. It started to sprinkle as we were leaving home and got heavier as we approached Maria's. After we were seated at our table, it really started to rain. There was a real river running down the road and the sidewalk. I ordered a 'Sweetheart' and Carollee ordered '100% Agave'. They were quite good with our starters of guacamole, chips, & salsa. We ordered our food a little earlier than usual, since I was going to try a get by with two Margaritas for a change, because of last night's great indulgence at Nostrani. We both had the Special, Red Chile & Pork Stew, Partway through the stew I ordered an 'Alma Mater'. When we'd finished we stopped by the office and had a nice conversation with Laurie & Al and then headed for home.

[Marshall Gelb]

As per many requests.....a few shots of the famous Maria's!

My first attempts...be gentle!


Cheers!
Marshall

[Marshall Gelb]

The four of us!!

Cheers!
Marshall

[Marshall Gelb]

The menu of margaritas and the infamous "Lisaburger."





Cheers!
Marshall

[Marshall Gelb]

Sopapillas and the Lisaburger!





I can't believe I FINALLY figured out how to do this!!

Cheers!
Marshall