    | Albuquerque Restaurants with Wine Bar Albuquerque - DowntownArtichoke Café and Wine BarLunch: Mon-Fri: 11am-2:30pm
Dinner: Mon: 5:30-9pm
Tues-Sat: 5:30-10pm
Sun: 5-9pm
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri: 3-6pm (subject to change)
Once your lunch or dinner at the upscale Artichoke Café has concluded, you’ve got to adjourn to the sexy new Wine Bar next door. The wine list is actually a leather-bound tome with a massive assortment of wines. Prices start at a decent $28 or $30 a bottle and zoom up into the upper stratospheres of frivolity, but you can also order select vintages by the half-bottle or glass. You'll love the front-facing "big city" windows, curvy wooden bar and comfortable seats. It’s open until 11 p.m. on the weekends, but beware: The kitchen stops serving at 10 p.m. No matter. It’s got one hell of a breadbasket, and, as our server once suggested, "You can fill up on the wine!" Don't mind if we do! (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Add a Review  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 ]  The Grove Café and MarketTues-Sat: 7am-4pm
Sun: 8am-3pm
Closed Monday (subject to change) $$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Wine Bar • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet • Dog-Friendly • Credit Cards Full review: Twenty more years (9/21/2006)
This ray of sunshine in Huning Highlands serves gourmet breakfast and lunch, sells house-made English muffins, and has a mini-shop filled with goodies like honey, jams, mustards and vinegars, not to mention non-edibles like cook books, serving vessels and cards. A tiny wine list is just as chic—five reds and five whites are marked on a chalkboard, and all are constantly changing. This list is extremely well thought-out and offers a sampling of some of the most esoteric varietals and brands available in Albuquerque. There’s also a large, shaded patio, incredible house-made cupcakes and too-cute French
macarons. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 5 ] 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 ] Owner/Chef Christophe Decarpentries offers up this bright blue, turn-of-the-century Parisian bistro right Downtown. With only 10 tables, the hand-carved art nouveau bar, tile floors and tin ceiling have been lovingly crafted by Decarpentries together with partner John Phinizy, who runs the front of the operation. (Steve Paternoster of Brasserie La Provence and Scalo is a silent partner.) The menu reflects traditional bistro selections including three variations on mussels, salads, cheese plates and charcuterie (pâté with cold cuts). Descarpentries offers two specials each day—
le râgout du jour
, a hot dish such as garlicky frog legs on a bed of ratatouille—and
la quiche du jour.
Desserts include tarte Tatin, crème caramel and chocolate mousse. Dishes are served full of flavor and without embellishment. And there’s plenty of good wine and bread,
bien sûr
. (Alibi Staff, September 16, 2010) Add a Review  Slate Street CaféMon-Fri: 7:30am-3pm
Tue-Thu: 7:30am-3pm, 5pm-9pm; Fri: 7:30am-3pm, 5pm-10pm
Sat-Sun: 9am-2pm, 5pm-10pm (subject to change) $$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Wine Bar • Craft Beer • Outdoor Patio • Credit Cards • Lounge 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 - Far Northeast HeightsThe Barley Room is a watering hole in the far Northeast Heights that fills patrons up with live music, lots of libations and a surprisingly ample menu. Snack on bar-friendly fried things (say yes to the sweet potato fries!), or have a proper meal with burgers, salads, pasta, New Mexican dishes and a few grilled meat and fish entrées. There’s a palpable sports bar feel to the place, but a diverse clientele keeps this bar/grill comfortable for just about everyone. The kitchen stays open until midnight every night; go ahead and linger. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 2 ]  Savoy Bar and GrillLunch: Mon-Fri: 11am-3pm
Dinner: Sun-Thurs: 5-10pm
Fri-Sat: 5-11pm (subject to change) Full review: Grape harmony (9/6/2007)
Wine flights are the best way to try different selections without going broke, and Savoy has some interesting choices. They pair perfectly with the restaurant’s stunning interiors and lovely New American dishes—grouper in an almond-romesco sauce, seafood linguine, grilled peach and seared sea scallop salads, and the house charcuterie plate. For dessert, there’s praline-chocolate torte ($6), house-made blackberry-Chambord ice cream ($3.50), cheese plates and, of course, a glass of La Spinetta Moscato d’Asti ($5). Open ’til 10 p.m. weekdays, 11 p.m. weekends. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Add a Review  Trombino's Bistro ItalianoMon-Thurs: 11am-10pm
Fri: 11am-10:30pm
Sat: 3-10:30pm
Sun: 3-9pm (subject to change) Cuisine: Italian $$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Wine Bar • Craft Beer • NM Beer • Catering • Credit Cards
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 - Nob Hill Brasserie La ProvenceLUNCH: Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
DINNER: every night 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. and until 11 p.m. weekends
BRUNCH: Sundays 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. (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 [ 5 ]  Scalo Northern Italian GrillLunch: Mon-Sun: 11am-2:30pm
Dinner: Mon-Thurs: 5-10pm
Fri-Sat: 5-11pm
Sun: 5-9pm (subject to change) $$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Wine Bar • Catering • Live Music • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet • Credit Cards • Lounge
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  VivaceMon-Sat:11am-closing(usually9pm)
Sun: 5pm-closing(usually10pm) (subject to change) Cuisine: Italian Full review: An old flame still shines bright in Nob Hill (9/7/2006)
What is it about garlic bread, meatballs and marinara that makes our palates sing with pitch-perfect pleasure? Whether it's the aroma of simmering Alfredo, the curvaceous beauty of a skillfully tossed crust or the allure of linguine drizzled in creamy pesto, we dig Italian from Vivace—especially since it tied in the 2007 Best of Burque Restaurants poll for both Best Italian and Best Pasta. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Add a Review  Yanni's Mediterranean Grill and Opa BarMon-Thurs: 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-10:45pm
Sun: 11:30am-8:45pm (subject to change)
You love Yanni's. So do we. As the only restaurant in Albuquerque with a diverse and refined Greek-influenced Mediterranean menu, who can top them? Their adjoined Opa Bar seats about 85 people and is open for lunch, dinner or just cocktails. Painted deep red, dimly lit and accented with lots of dark wood, the lounge provides a stark contrast to the bright, light and airy dining rooms at Yanni's. It’s an ideal place for pre- or post-movie cocktails and snacks, or more substantial cuisine. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Add a Review  Zinc Wine Bar & BistroLunch: Tues-Fri: 11am-2:30pm Brunch: Sun: 11am-2:30pm
Dinner: Mon-Thurs: 5-10pm
Fri-Sat: 5-11pm (subject to change) $$$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Wine Bar • Catering • Live Music • Credit Cards Full review: A tale of two restaurants (12/20/2007)
Best Wine Bar winners in 2008’s Best of Burque poll, Zinc is a delightfully renovated historic space in Nob Hill, reborn as an upscale restaurant serving elegant American food with noticeable French inspiration. Thirsty? Don't miss the mocha, with “Zinc” written in chocolate syrup, or the wonderful selection of wines by the glass. Downstairs, the wine bar attracts a younger crowd for drinks and music. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 4 ] Albuquerque - North Valley Terra Bistro and Wine BarLunch: Tues-Fri: 11:30am-1:30pm Dinner: Tues-Sat: 5:30pm-close (subject to change) Full review: Grounds for celebration (2/8/2007)
Upscale is as upscale does, and Chef-Owner Peter Lukes does it right. The wine list is huge and the menu reflects the very best of seasonal American bistro dining with hints of the continental—like baked Brie, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, Angus beef carpaccio, seared crab and corn cakes, and a traditional salad Niçoise. Lunch or dinner, there’s never a bad time for a chicken Waldorf salad, and the service here is top-rate. Bring a friend, bring a date or bring a divorce lawyer—the intimate setting and fine cuisine will impress all. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Add a Review  Vernon’s Hidden Valley SteakhouseCuisine: Steakhouse Full review: Dine well and speakeasy (1/24/2008)
Only open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 9 p.m., Vernon’s is a swanky underground of good eats and high times, delivered speakeasy-style. The dining room is walled with lustrous, ebony-adobe, and the tables are clothed in crisp, black and white linens. By the glass or bottle, there’s plenty of quality hooch. (Or, for an additional $10, the staff will happily pour a vintage from the adjoining liquor store.) The menu is classic steakhouse stuff, with beef tournedos in a silky demi-glace, fresh fish and a damn fine veal Oscar. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Add a Review Albuquerque - Old Town Seasons Rotisserie & GrillLunch: Mon-Fri: 11:30am-2:30pm Dinner: Mon-Thurs: 5-10pm
Fri-Sat: 5-11pm
Closed Sunday (subject to change) $$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Wine Bar • Catering • Live Music • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet • Credit Cards 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 ] New Mexico's largest winery, St. Clair Vineyards has branched out into the food service sector. Regular live jazz music, two patios and a spacious front specialty wine and gift shop bring wine festival flair to thirsty Burqueños year-round. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 2 ] Albuquerque - UniversityYou’ll probably have to battle full parking lots and at least a moderate wait, but these delays, annoying as they may be, are one of the best “reviews” a restaurant could hope for. Inside, the dim lighting and rustic décor easily fade away when an enormous pile of tender, saucy meat appears before you. The almost heat-free sauce is tangy and sweet but mellow enough to go down nice and easy without a pucker. Friends of the sausage will love the hot links; well-spiced and smoky dogs with a delightful snap. A huge bar takes care of all your beer and cocktail needs. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Add a Review Ranchers Club is arguably the city’s fanciest restaurant, where fine steaks and seafood are king. Certainly it has the dining room with the most formal service—you know, tuxedos and golden-domed plates and all—but with live music and expertly crafted cocktails, the resplendent bar is also worth your time. This is the place we like to go for really special occasions—like when someone else is paying or when we want to break a hunger strike. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 2 ] |   
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