  |  $$$ Bars in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico Albuquerque - Downtown Farina Pizzeria and Wine BarMon: 11am-9pm
Tues-Fri: 11am-10pm
Sat: 5-10pm
Sun: 5-9pm (subject to change) Full review: Seriously sexy food (12/25/2008)
Across Edith from the Artichoke Café, Farina’s proximity to some of the most established fine dining in Albuquerque isn't an accident. Farina is the punked-up younger sibling of jazzy Artichoke Café, and it brings a tantalizingly direct message to the neighborhood: pizza, beer and wine, and all of it damn good. Sharp, concise and to the point, with 20 superb choices offered by the glass or bottle. Farina’s wine list is straightforward and focused. The bar is comfortable and every wine is perfectly matched to the kitchen’s chic pizzeria offerings. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 2 ] Despite the massive reconstruction work that's been done on the inside of this second-story restaurant-lounge, you won’t be able to keep your eyes off the epic views of the Sunrise Bank building and Route 66 one story below. Up front, there's a curved black-and-gold granite bar that’s custom-built for fabulous cocktails—One Up infuses several of its liquors and hand-muddles fresh fruits and vegetables. Leather lounge settees are staggered throughout the wide-open space, staging several opulent but comfortable conversation zones. Top-of-the-line professional pool tables line the back the room. On the food side, a large menu of tapas (kobe sliders and fried goat cheese among them) and more substantial entrées rounds out your evening. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 1 ]  Slate Street CaféMon-Fri 7:30am-10pm
Sat-Sun 9am-10pm
Closed Sunday (subject to change) $$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Wine Bar • Craft Beer • Catering • Outdoor Patio • Lounge Read more: Mina's Dish: Two museum cafés offer more than eye candy (10/20/2011) Full review: This ain’t your mama’s meatloaf (1/3/2008)
Modeled after a New York loft, Slate Street’s wine bar has an ultra-hip, modern, minimalist feel. This wine list is rhythmic, flowing and poetic, and it’s the most pleasurable to read and easiest to comprehend in Albuquerque. The wines are listed by style—“just a little sweet,” “ABC: Anything But Chardonnay” or “sexy, elegant, austere”—not varietal or region. Demystifying the label like this makes it easy for patrons to pair wine and food. The listings are simple, but not simplistic. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 2 ] Albuquerque - FairgroundsThe Cooperage is old-school Albuquerque, right down to the dusty light fixtures. The barrel-shaped steakhouse has been a standby for 30 years thanks to its mile-long complimentary salad and soup bar, aged steaks (at a place like this, prime rib is king), and big dance floor that’s always packed on the weekends. Winners of Best Catering in 2007’s Best of Burque Poll. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 1 ] Albuquerque - Far Northeast HeightsMykonos Café & TavernaTues: 11am-9pm
Wed-Sat: 11am-10pm
Sun: 10:30 for brunch
Closed Monday (subject to change) Cuisine: Greek/Mediterranean
This is Greek food that’s elegant, straightforward and absolutely delicious. White tile and recessed blue light create an island oasis that’s suggested rather than spelled out (no 8-foot murals here), and the service is friendly and attentive. The lentil soup is seasoned with just a whisper of aged balsamic vinegar, perfect with a toasty triangle of imported pita bread and a light Greek salad. Stop in for a snifter of ouzo and live jazz music on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 1 ]  Trombino's Bistro ItalianoMon-Thurs: 11am-10pm
Fri: 11am-10:30pm
Sat: 3-10:30pm
Sun: 3-9pm (subject to change) Cuisine: Italian
Trombino's Bistro Italiano has been an institution of family-style Italian dining in the Heights for almost 30 years. It houses an impressively fat menu that includes a full bar, espresso drinks and an ample wine list. The service is quicker than a Hollywood marriage, and the waitstaff seems particularly knowledgeable about the food and wines. Gravitate to the more rustic Italian fare—lemon-basil chicken salad, grilled homemade Italian sausage or meatballs, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, and manicotti are amply portioned and tasty. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 1 ] Albuquerque - I-25 CorridorThis used to be the Blue Corn Café and Brewery, but it's been rechristened as Chama River Brewing Company. Either way, the place has a great beer selection, including a bevy of their own brews. The food is approachable American stuff that, coincidentally, goes pretty damn well with beer. And, according to the 2007 BoB Restaurants poll, it even has the Best Bread Basket around. Say yes to yeast. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 1 ] Albuquerque - Nob Hill Brasserie La ProvenceLunch
Mon- Fri 11 am - 3 pm
Closed Sat for Lunch
Dinner
Sun- Thu 5 pm - 9 pm Fri-Sat 5 pm-10 pm
Brunch
Sun 10:30 am - 2:30pm (subject to change) Cuisine: French Read more: Mina’s Dish: Chef Claus takes over at La Provence (7/21/2011) Full review: French kiss the cook (11/15/2007) Read more: Around the World (10/9/2008)
If you’re in the mood for an amenable French brunch, lunch or dinner, say
oui
to La Provence. Nob Hill's newest restaurant is still a little rough around the edges, but has the potential to be great. The wine bar in the front of the restaurant (chockfull of rare-find French wines) is very cozy, while the back dining room, with its tables packed tightly together, feels cramped at peak hours. Likewise, the waitstaff can come off as inexperienced, but is very nice and accommodating nonetheless. Try the
moules frites
(mussels steamed in white wine) served with a side of little truffle french fries or the
confit de canard aux lentilles
(roasted duck with lentils). For dessert, the crème brûlée is a must. BLP also does brunch and half-off wine bottles on Sundays and Mondays. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 4 ]  Nob Hill Bar and GrillTues-Thurs: 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-1:30am
Sun: noon-9pm
Closed Monday (subject to change) $$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Craft Beer • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • DJ • Dancing • Outdoor Patio Full review: Gastrobar is best after dinner (6/26/2008)
If you like your comfort food with a gourmet twist, it’s here. Nob Hill Bar and Grill boasts meatloaf (crowned with smoked bacon) and burgers (American kobe). Signature cocktails, a few vegetarian entrées, and a comfy but chic atmosphere make Nob Hill Bar and Grill a solid addition to the neighborhood. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 11 ]  Scalo Northern Italian GrillSun 11am–2:30pm & 5pm–9pm
Mon–Thu 11am–2:30pm & 5pm–10pm
Fri–Sat 11am–2:30pm & 5pm–11pm (subject to change)
The surprising thing about Scalo is that it’s simultaneously more pleasant and less expensive than you’d think. It’s just as breezy and classy as ever in its high-ceilinged dining room, while the patio will have a nice, long season of pleasant weather. Now serving brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and there’s plenty of fresh-pressed espresso to sip with it. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Add a Review Albuquerque - Northeast HeightsPaul’s is the kind of place normally associated with slabs of artery-clogging red meat, liver-corroding martinis and (until recently) the freedom to light up during dinner. With high-backed banquette seating and intimate mood lighting, it's the perfect date destination—especially if your suitor is paying. Open until 10 p.m. weeknights, 11 p.m. weekends. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 10 ] Albuquerque - Old TownQ BarTues-Thurs: 4pm-11pm
Fri: 4pm-2:am
Sat: 6pm-2am
Closed Sunday and Monday (subject to change)
In addition to an upscale selection of booze, the cozy and modern Q Bar serves a brief but pleasantly appetizing menu of nibbles and noshes. The dishes are small enough to make good snacks and expensive enough to keep them that way—you'd have to spend more than you'd like in order to really fill up. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Add a Review  Seasons Rotisserie & GrillLunch:
Mon-Fri: 11:30am-2:30pm
Dinner:
Daily starting at 5 pm
Rooftop Cantina:
Mon-Thu 4pm-11pm
Fri-Sat 4pm-11:45pm
Sun 4pm-10:45pm
Happy Hour:
Mon-Fri 4pm-6:30, 9pm-10pm (subject to change) $$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Wine Bar • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Live Music • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet Full review: Fine dining is always in season (3/11/2010)
Seasons’ rooftop patio is one of our favorite wine-drinking destinations, especially when it’s nice out. There are heaters up there for chilly nights, the courtyard fountain provides a calming gurgle, the view of the mountains is great and the happy hour menu has outstanding dishes at more than reasonable prices. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 1 ] Placitas Blades BistroLunch: Fri-Sat: 11am-2pm
Dinner: Tues-Thurs: 5-9pm
Fri-Sat: 5-9:30pm
Brunch: Sun: 10:30am-2pm
Happy Hour: Tues-Thurs: 4-7pm
Closed Monday (subject to change) Full review: Finally, a place to hang your hat in Placitas (6/11/2009)
At Blades, the mood is jovial and boisterous, in keeping with the neighborhood bistro feeling to which its aspires. A stainless-steel counter at one end extends the feeling of openness by offering a view into the kitchen, while across the dining area is a beautifully crafted hardwood bar. On the short, dinner-only menu, there’s an eclectic mix of appetizers (roasted beets with toasted goat cheese and balsamic glaze), European-style entrées (paella), and several salad and soup options, all beautifully presented. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 1 ] | 
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