Westsiders can cool off with ice cream, paletas and aguas frescas at La Michuancana's new west Central location. Owners Enrique Marquez and Adriana Gutierez opened up their second shop about three months ago at 6335 Central SW (one block east of Coors). The paleteria sells all kinds freshly made cold treats like mango and chile paletas (popsicles), strawberries with cream and nonalcoholic piña coladas. Of course, you can still satisfy your sweet tooth at the original La Michuancana, which is just south of Isleta and Rio Bravo. Either way, it's worth the drive.
News flash! Returning students are broke and addicted to caffeine. Lucky for you, Red Rock Roasters and the Blue Dragon Coffee House are making it easier to head back to school. Just order breakfast at the Dragon between 9 a.m. and noon and you'll get a hot cup of organic coffee for free. The offer's only good until the end of August, so milk it while you can.
Ever had a caramale? It's like a Pay Day candy bar, only adorable and New Mexican. Santa Fe's Señor Murphy Candymakers fashion the little “tamales” out of vanilla fudge, caramel and piñon. Each one gets wrapped up in an itty-bitty corn husk and finished off with a couple of ribbons. Curious? Now you don't even have to leave the city to score your own. After 30 years of strictly Santa Fean business, Señor Murphy Candymaker has opened its first Albuquerque store right in the heart of Nob Hill (at 105 Amherst SE). The shop is cool and colorful in shades of purple, green and pink. The goodies themselves are picture perfect and range from chile creams to fudges, organic chocolates to sugar-free sweets. If you really want to gild the lilly, pick up some fresh flowers at A Bouquet Boutique while you're there. It's literally right next door.
Be paid to get fat! If you have a tidbit of news that belongs in "The Dish," e-mail food@alibi.com, call 346-0660 ext. 245 or fax 256-9651. The juiciest tidbits will be rewarded with gift certificates good at local restaurants.
