Food for Thought

Albuquerque’s public school lunch menu made national headlines when it was announced that children with outstanding lunch bills would be treated to cheese sandwiches until their parents paid up. Parents were outraged, claiming it was insulting and humiliating for their precious darlings to be served such pedestrian fare. Others questioned whether it was fair to punish students for their parents' oversight.

When I lived in Chicago and biked around all winter, I learned firsthand how much a stiff drink can warm the cockles of your heart even on the coldest day. A shot of whiskey brings color to the cheeks, calms the chattering teeth and makes the ride back home through the slushy streets seem a little less daunting. Though winter in Albuquerque is a lot less traumatic, there are still moments when we need a warming draught to get ourselves through. Here are a few places we turn to for that tonic on a cold night.