Everyone’s gotta eat at mostly, I enjoy cooking at home but when time doesn’t permit and I’m able to enjoy going somewhere… this is where I’d go. Since The Santa Fe Reporter already made a restaurant guide, I’m using some of their highlights… go to their website directly for more information and other news… here.

This restaurant right off of Old Santa Fe Trail has ample parking and always feels like walking into another time and dimension. Enjoy Chef Luis’ delights… my favorite is a French onion with a glass of Côtes du Rhône.

315 Restaurant & Wine Bar • 315 Old Santa Fe Trail, (505) 986-9190 • The French-infused menu is constantly changing to showcase seasonal specialties, but right now the veal schnitzel with Irish cheddar mac and cheese has us drooling.

Visiting La Boca, I always hope to see Chef James and talk about art and its influence on modern dining, and when he’s not there, I still get to enjoy the amazing food. Bring friends and order one of each.

La Boca • 72 W Marcy St., (505) 982-3433 • At least one SFR staffer’s mother would be very disappointed if we didn’t convey how hard it is to find a good paella in Santa Fe, so let us tell you on her behalf: Get thee to La Boca when you’re craving that sweet, sweet saffron rice aroma.

After skateboarding down Canyon Road, hook a left on Paseo de Peralta and ride the gentle downhill grade directly into the…

The Brakeroom • 510 Galisteo St., (505) 780-8648 • Not only is one of our favorite downtown food trucks parked right outside (see the Bang Bite entry), The Brakeroom itself is one of the more notably vibey drinking spots in the area. The name comes from its former life as a rest stop for railroad brakemen, and the steampunk-inspired decor carries that legacy.

… and have a pint and a burger with some of your best buds.

Sometimes I just want a Lamb Gyro, with some hummus and inside a very interesting seemingly quiet Design Center, there is a mirage of a place called…

Cleopatra Café • Design Center, 418 Cerrillos Road, (505) 820-7381 • Nothing hits quite like a good gyro, does it? If that’s not your thing, though, the King Tut plate has enough falafel, dolma, baba ghanoush and (truly top-notch) hummus to satisfy the hungriest herbivore.

Fernando Olea is the chef of this culinary treat and his innovation working with Mexican cuisine is phenomenal. I highly recommend and when I was asked to host an Australian TV Show that featured Santa Fe restaurants, I immediately took them to…

Sazón • 221 Shelby St., (505) 983-8604 • Some of the most critically-acclaimed upscale Mexican eats in town. Our fave is the cholula—a dish described as a “tower of chile.” Not only that, chef Fernando Olea won a Beard Award for his Southwest cheffin’ last year.

… oh yeah, the TV Show? It’s called United Plates of America… watch it here.

If it’s my birthday, I want to go get breakfast at this little cafe I hold dear to my heart…

Tia Sophia’s • 210 W San Francisco St., (505) 983-9880 • The mythology is almost as rich and delectable as the food, and if you believe the rumors, we have Tia’s to thank for the invention of the breakfast burrito.

Prefer a hand-made cocktail with local distilled spirits and amazing ambience?

As Above, So Below • 545 Camino de la Familia, (505) 916-8596 • In keeping with the name, Altar boasts spirits (including their Ritual gin and Sigil vodka) labeled with a kick of Crowley and multiple green velvet couches of which we’re deeply envious.

If you know me, you’ll find me getting my food medicine here …

La Choza • 905 Alarid St., (505) 982-0909 • We’ve been saying La Choza has the best pinto beans in town since we were...pretty much pinto bean-sized ourselves, and we’re not stopping now. The crowds may have grown in recent years, but the New Mexican food is just as authentic as ever. Everyone loves the margs, too.

Is it your birthday? Then I’m taking you to the sweetest little breakfast spot…

Dolina • 402 N Guadalupe St., (505) 982-9394 • You’ve probably heard more than enough folks rave about the Eastern European pastries on offer here, but have you gotten down with that Hungarian goulash yet? If not, get on that. If so, move on to the borscht.

One of the other hats I get to wear, is the co-curator of Palace Avenue Arts, and we curate all the artwork at my friend Sean’s memorable coffee roaster….

Iconik Coffee Roasters (’Lupe) • 314 S Guadalupe St., (505) 428-0669 • That not-too-sweet Iconik chai is unbeatable—and we can’t get enough of the cobblestone patio out back.

… we curate at Lena Street and at RED, their newest location on Cerrillos.

Una Paloma Blancaaaaaa… take a trip to Oaxaca at our favorite celebratory restaurant…

Paloma • 401 S Guadalupe St., (505) 467-8624 • Whatever you pick from the Nixtamal section (the Mexican fusion offerings are constantly changing), make sure you get some fried Brussels sprouts to share. And while you’re feeling grateful, check out all the gorgeous folk art, tables from Stark Raven Fabrication and killer cocktail menu.

A movie, some food, a pint of beer or a glass of wine… after all this traveling and adulting… pick a seat and watch the best movies while you dine at…

Violet Crown Cinema • 1606 Alcaldesa St., (505) 216-5678 • Being able to wash down the latest Oscar bait or arthouse horror with pecorino truffle French fries is so satisfying—and we guarantee it’s physically impossible you’ll make as much of a mess as we do in the process. Seriously, Violet Crown staff, we have no idea how we always end up spilling so much pecorino and we’re sincerely sorry.

Are the teenagers getting bored? Take them to this pizza joint and head upstairs to play some pool while you dine on local pizza that will knock your socks off…

Back Road Pizza • 1807 Second St., Ste. 1, (505) 955-9055 • We’ve personally witnessed the bizarre time warp that happens around Back Road’s upstairs pool table. We think it has something to do with those delicious cornmeal-dusted crusts. Owner Piper Kapin recently reopened the dining areas, too—just in time for summer patio season!

If you don’t go here for the food, go here to see some smiling faces… one of my favorite restaurants, with an amazing curry…

Jambo Café and Jambo Hapa Food Truck • 2010 Cerrillos Road, (505) 473-1269 • What can be said about beloved chef Ahmed Obo that hasn’t been said by the folks at James Beard or bazillions of “we love you,” pieces across countless publications and websites? Kenyan cuisine is the specialty here, but there’s nothing Obo can’t ace, from Caribbean oxtail stew to Moroccan lamb to cumin French fries.

Literally a favorite of mine, with a walk into a small Japanese ramen joint that will blow your mind. The Black Tonkotsu is my favorite…

Mampuku Ramen • 1965 Cerrillos Road, (505) 772-0169 • The downright Ghibli-worthy tonkatsu bowls this side of town deserves. Don’t forget to save a little room for the quartered mochi.

Alright young ones, head on over to this hip AF bar, and see locals do their thing…

La Reina • El Rey Court, 1862 Cerrillos Road, (505) 982-1931 • Fine mezcal cocktails are the original name of the game at La Reina (the Ultima Palabra with maraschino liqueur is our current fave), but the El Rey Court bar has become one of the best spots in town for live music and queer nights.

A beer and some french fries please… is my order at this farm to table ale house…

Rowley Farmhouse Ales • 1405 Maclovia St., (505) 428-0719 • The head brewer here—John Rowley—is a chemist by training, which will come as no surprise once you’ve tasted his and chef Jeffrey Kaplan’s handiwork. The X-Files themed names scattered throughout the menu are just a bonus.

Good vibes all around, this is one of my favorite places to get the ever so beyond huge burger… The Alien Burger…

Second Street Brewery (Rufina Taproom) • 2920 Rufina St., (505) 954-1068 • The Tesuque Grandma sandwich (panko-fried marinated chicken, chipotle mayo, pickles and coleslaw) tastes all the better while you’re jamming to live music from the taproom’s ever-packed lineup.

My favorite place to dine, usually you’ll find me chatting with the chefs at the bar…

Izanami • 21 Ten Thousand Waves Way, Ste. #2, (505) 982-9304 • Undeniably some of the best sake in town, alongside wagyu beef ishiyaki and yuzu crème brulee for all your non-sushi centric Japanese cuisine cravings. You’re not wrong for thinking that produce tastes especially fresh, either—a good chunk of it is grown on-site at Ten Thousand Waves.

Where everybody knows yourrrr nammmee! This is my favorite local spot, between the gallery and my house, so it makes sense…

Tesuque Village Market • 138 Tesuque Village Road, (505) 988-8848 • Behind those gorgeous murals lie the wood fired pizza and green chile cheese bread that keep even the most drive-averse city folk heading north on the regular. Hear and believe us, too, that TVM has the best key lime pie in the biz, plus a full bar.