Bumble Bee’s Sweet New Spot in Nob Hill– OK, I admit it: I’m a taco junkie. I’m addicted to soft corn tortillas (never fried!) stuffed with fish or shrimp or shredded beef, and fresh, small-diced onions and tomatoes. The combination of textures, flavors and temperatures just makes my spine tingle. After a little shower of fresh lime juice, it’s a damn-near perfect package. By the time you read this, I should be sitting counterside at 3423 Central NE, tucking in to “The Buzz” chef’s sampler–an $11 plate of taco sensory nirvana–at the brand-new Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill in Nob Hill. This is their first weekend at the new location, which is on Central, a block-and-a-half west of Carlisle at Amherst.The first Bumble Bee’s fast-casual fresh Mexican concept started in Santa Fe a few years back, under the culinary direction of Chef Chris Galvin (who is among the growing number of top-tier female chefs in New Mexico) and owners “Bumble Bee Bob” and wife B.J. Weil. They’ve since expanded to four stores in total, with two opening in Albuquerque in just the last six months.The Nob Hill hive should have beer and wine, along with their signature complimentary fresh salsa bar and a good amount of vegetarian menu items. Bumble Bee’s is one of the few Mexican places in town that offers lamb, but you’ve definitely got to try the red-chile rubbed rotisserie chickens and the fish tacos, which are made with grilled mahi mahi and a creamy "I-can’t-believe-it’s-non-dairy" sauce. You’ll be in taco heaven too! Call 262-BUM-B (262-2862) for store hours.
All The News That's Fit To Eat
New Digs for Café au Lait– You’ll find the new Café au Lait in Old Town on the sweet little Poco a Poco patio, on San Felipe across from Church Street. They’ve got the same café favorites as the old Downtown spot (you know–specialty coffees, pastries, soups, sandwiches and salads) along with some "Old Mexico"-style dishes from the owner’s family repertoire. They’re also open every day now for breakfast and lunch. See this week’s “Food Calendar” for an Old Town “Dinner with a Ghost” event at the restaurant, or call 248-0707 for details.
