Albuquerque a2k roundup, May 14-19, 2008

PDiddee is a wonderful guy with a superior teeshirt collection. His wife is wonderful too. They both know the best way to dissect a fresh cooked dungeness crab without leaving a mess all over the plate and the table, like, er, me. Finesse, they have finesse....

oops. she is a he. Sorry about that.
So, Tico, can I move you over from a "maybe" into the "yes" column?

A part of a2k history..
http://www.ruggedelegantliving.com/sf/a/001808.html

Not yet, rjb.

Time to give my obnoxious opinions or maybes about Historic Old Town Albuquerque restaurants - which well could matter to those who stay at either the Hotel Albuquerque or the Best Western Rio Grande.

These aren't where some of us think would be the great places a whole bunch of us could meet (Flying Star on Rio Grande, and possibly, depending on numbers and if we reserved, the Indigo Crow in Corrales.) But they may end up de facto meeting places anyway, as we work things out.

Also, there are several other places, to be named later, like Vivace on Central and Bombay Grill near the Cottonwood Mall, or Calico Cafe on 4th for Breakfast. Barelas on lower 4th for more authentic new mexican food - again, I think for breakfast or lunch. Plus, I'm not the only one here with opinions... I'm just loud.




Re Old Town -
I'll start with Little Anita's, in which I might, on a fine evening have, say, a beer. Osso sniffs. It does have charm, she coughs. There are raves here - http://www.littleanitas.com/reviews.html



Then there is Maria Teresa's, across the parking lot. Haven't tried it yet, hope to before get together.
http://dinesite.com/info/rstrnt-203646/



A must try for me... Ambrozia Cafe
http://www.ambroziacafe.com/dinner_menu.html - sounds either great or terrible, depending on the chef.



Another place of interest - Antiquity
http://www.themenupage.com/antiquityrestaurant.html
Sounds traditional and on the expensive side, but also looks cozy.



Le Crepe Michel - haven't even seen it, looks interesting, will try.
http://www.lacrepemichel.com/



Monica's - never heard of it, sounds authentic, have to check it out..
http://www.fodors.com/world/north%20america/usa/new%20mexico/albuquerque/entity_198377.html



St. Clair Winery and Bistro. A complete mystery, another Have-to-try.
http://www.fodors.com/world/north%20america/usa/new%20mexico/albuquerque/entity_198373.html
South of Central, it seems, and probably involves taking a car.



definitely authentic, perhap a bit of a walk from the Best Western, and mainly a breakfast/lunch place with not very varied menu. This is the pharmacy with the in-house curandera... at least three albuquerquians like it.

Duran's Central Pharmacy
1815 Central NW
Tel: 505-247-4141
Some say the best tortillas and green chile stew are served here. . . and the added benefit of being a pharmacy with antacids for beginners! No CCs accepted.



Another mystery -
Seasons, on San Felipe Plaza

Seasons is a two story restaurant, with both floors featuring inside and outside dining, different menus, different music and a completely different ambiance. If the downstairs feels more like Grilled Australian Lamb, a fine Ravenswood zinfandel and a little Ella Fitzgerald, the Rooftop Patio & Bar and Grill is rock and roll, cold beers and an appetizer-style menu...
http://www.seasonsonthenet.com/
Sounds loud to me, but potentially enjoyable.




There's a place on Mountain that Diane and I and a friend of hers ate at for lunch, it was good, and I cannot remember the name (and Diane is worse). Will have to drive by it and write the damned name down.



There's a place where Diane and I and Walter and Roger went in Old Town, again, forget the name. Average to good food with a high level of charm.




And then, the Hotel Albuquerque - that's the place with what looks like a super pool..

hmm, http://hhandr.com/albuquerque_dining.php



Back another day with other places not in Old Town, mostly in the Nob Hill area of Central. (Including the Frontier, for Shewolf, which is near the University, I think at Cornell and Central.

A teaser, re the Flying Star (we're talking about the one on Rio Grande, by the bookstore and not far from the R.G. Nature Center..

http://www.fodors.com/world/north%20america/usa/new%20mexico/albuquerque/entity_198370.html

Obviously not everyone who could have chosen to meet him last time did. A mistake I doubt you'd make. As for me, I never really liked Walter much.

(Still hoping O'Bill will show up...)

Me too, Osso, me too.

I need a picture like this one with the Dys:

Mostly, to be used to torture the Dys. (I never really liked the Dys much either.)

For anyone who doesn't understand the nuances of German/American humor, Walter is on the left.

Right.


And O'Bill certainly is someone who could kiss me again. Well, nearly, tht is. Kissing I mean. (Only reall commies like that, not generally those on the left :wink: )

This time, if people coming use the PM function, seeing Asherman should not be a problem. I'm glad that there are some who wish to meet everyone possible.

Ticomaya and O'Bill, you both are among the best read and most logical political consevatives on a2k. I do hope you both can come.

Jo, I noticed that you mentioned something about my memory. Could you remind me where you wrote what you wrote and what thread you wrote it on?

Did we mention the tram? That, to me, is well worth the time and the $12.00. Beautiful views of ABQ and the Rio Grande Valley. Also, sort of scary for those of us who are afraid of heights. It is a little frightening, but so very much worth it. Just don't plan on having lunch at the only restaurant at the top. Bring lunch and enjoy the area for as long as you like. I think the tram operates every 15 minutes.

Aha, I just read Walter's post above mine. Another example of German humor from a very dear German and fun and game RVer.

The Hacienda de Colores B&B, our home for the 16th -- 20th, has a marvelous-looking outdoor patio as well as as indoor lobby/library (pictures at the link), perhaps small yet potentially suitable for a get-together. It may be within walking distance of Old Town, so weather accommodating maybe we can stroll to a lunch or dinner from there.

Those restaurant options look great, Jo.

Hi Letty (waves)

That looks charming...

The word "charming" is not in my vocabulary. I would say "awesome looking place, dude." It might be useful to us.

BBB
Diane and I talked today and agreed that my home would be good for an additional gathering site as I have plenty of room inside and in the back yard. My home is only one mile from the home of Dys and Diane.

My guest room is currently pile up with unpacked moving boxes but I could make an effort to make it more presentable. It has a single bed. I have a double sofa bed in my family room that accommodates two.

BBB

Until further notice, we are pulling out of this gathering.

I am keeping our reservation however, in case we change our minds

Oh, no, shewolf! I for one dearly want to meet you. I need some talk time with you and yours, and that's just meeeee.

The meeting is for all of us a2kers. As a group we need to be wary of tiring Dys with ourselves, but that has always been true, nothing new since the meeting was first talked about last year and then again this year -- or even new from the year before or the year before that. I expressed concerns at the beginning, but stopped with that, mostly, except for a certain carefulness, as Dys and Diane are quite up and positive for the meeting, and I am not Mom. Not only am I not Mom, the positive aspects are much looked forward to.

BBB, that's a nice offer, especially about the possible bed.


I'm looking forward to checking out the PDiddies' Hacienda de Colores for some lounging on the patio in Old Town...