Albuquerque is for Foodies

In case you couldn't figure it out, we are both unabashed fans of our little hamlet of Albuquerque. We may not be as cosmopolitan as New York, LA, or Chicago, but there are a lot of really good things about our city. One thing that is especially close to our hearts, is the fabulous food here in ABQ. We are not talking the go out and spend your life savings on a fantastic one of a kind gastronomic experience when we talk "good food" (although, if you want one, they are close to here for the taking). We are instead talking about really good food and places to eat - delicious, comfortable, tasty, regional, and friendly.

Of course, we have raved about the chile before, both the red and the green. Then there is the richness of our New Mexican cuisine. We love going out for breakfast here - I maintain that a New Mexican breakfasts, whether breakfast burrito from the Burrito Lady or chile smothered huevos rancheros, cannot be beat! Also, in our favorite city is "Little Vietnam", a tremendous concentration of Vietnamese restaurants all within a few miles of our home. We particularly enjoy going out for pho or picking up some Vietnamese sandwiches for the occasional weekend lunch (which we did yesterday - yum!).


Delicious Vietnames Banh sandwich from Lee's Bakery.

And our city is getting recognition. This past week, the James Beard foundation, the foodies Oscars, announced the 2010 winners. Amoung the luminaries from all over the US, are a local restaurant Mary and Tito's, a delicious mom & pop New Mexican style restaraunt with amazing red chile, which was awarded one of 5 American classic awards for food that "reflects the character of their community". We actually went there back in November and instantly fell in love with the place and will no doubt return. Additionally, one of the really good celebration restaurants (ie only for celebrations do we go there) and her amazing chef, Jennifer James, was also awarded a James Beard award. The last time we went to her restaurant, Jennifer James 101, was when Ali was inducted into pharmacy school last fall.

All this talk of food makes me want to go out and eat a nice meal. But the little guy is sleeping peacefully in the baby mixer, so maybe not today. Hopefully, we will be able to go out and enjoy a meal sometime before Connor graduates from high school!