Restaurant Blog - Chowbaby.com

By Jim PhillipsSAMURAI GRILL & SUSHI BAR
9500 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
(505) 275-6601

Getting four-stars from the Albuquerque Journal was no surprise to any of the satisfied customers who frequent the Samurai Grill. A sparkling display of fresh fish at the sushi bar should allay any latent Southwestern concerns about freshness this far inland. The menu includes inside-out sushi, known as roll sushi. You can enjoy moderately priced dinners, or go exotic with some of the special fish selections. Steak, chicken and vegetarian selections are also available.

Estimated cost per person: $20-30

by Jim Phillips

HIGH NOON
425 San Felipe NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Originally built in 1785, you may get the urge to duck coming in the front door. Expanded in the 1960’s, High Noon has three distinct dining areas to fit your mood, and a large, centrally- located bar. Representing each of the three eras of New Mexican history, choose from the Native American-themed Kiva Room, the Hispanic-inspired Santo Room or the pioneer feel of the Gallery. High Noon features a number of New Mexico wines and boasts the only Certified Angus Beef in the area. Musical accompaniment is provided Thursday through Saturday and special occasions.

by Jim Phillips

SADIE’S (New Mexican)
http://www.sadiessalsa.com/ 6230 Fourth St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107
(505) 345-5339 

Located just a few blocks north of it’s original location (a North Valley bowling alley), Sadie’s is an undoubted Albuquerque dining tradition. Their down home New Mexican favorites are served fresh from the kitchen and topped generously with Sadie’s signature chile. Red or green, your choice. Just remember, whether you choose to enjoy a plate of carne adovada enchiladas in the dining room or outdoor patio or just have some chicken taquitos and chilled margaritas in the bar, no visit to Sadie’s would be complete without a basket of fresh, hot sopapillas with honey.

by Jim Phillips

ANNAPURNA AYURVEDIC CUISINE & CHAI HOUSE
2201 Silver St. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 262-2424

Dining at Annapurna is a completely holistic experience as their goal is to create each dish with the diner’s health and spicy, exotic flavors in mind.  In addition to their expansive vegetarian and vegan menu, they offer the only authentic chai in Albuquerque.  Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a beautiful, richly decorated environment, Annapurna is the perfect place to get your body back into balance and savor the vegetarian goodness of the Far East.

by Jim Phillips

SUSHI KING
118 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 842-5099

Sushi King may be one of the newer sushi bars in Albuquerque, but it’s location in central downtown make it one of the hipper and more convenient as well.  But, in the end, it’s all about the quality of the sushi.  And Sushi King’s raw, cooked and vegetarian dishes are among the freshest and most beautifully prepared in the city.  Along with a wide variety of Japanese soups and noodle dishes as well as teriyaki chicken, everyone will find something to delight them at Sushi King.

by Jim Phillips

DOWNTOWN JAVA JOE’S
906 Park Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 765-1514

Java Joe’s in downtown Albuquerque has it all.  You can choose from home made baked goods or tempting brunch items from their unique menu.  Unforgettable items include blueberry granola pancakes or the Americano sandwich, a BLT with a creamy layer of egg salad.  The coffee is fresh roasted on site and every meal is prepared by hand as you order.  Combine all of that with the generous service, the live entertainment on the weekends and the ever-changing original local art on the walls and you have a truly New Mexico experience on your hands.

by: Jim Phillips

SCALO NOTHERN ITALIAN GRILL (Italian)
3500 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
(505) 255-8781

Scalo Northern Italian Grill is a rare and romantic fine dining getaway in Albuquerque’s fashionable Nob Hill district.  Before dinner, take time to relax in the Il Bar, listen to some live jazz and select a glass or bottle of wine from Scalo’s extensive wine list.  When it’s time to dine, you can decide between the many imaginative pasta dishes like penne with house-made pork sausage or one of Scalo’s other signature entrées.  Perhaps the grilled double-cut pork chop served with polenta, honey-glazed peaches and pistachios?  Whatever you decide, Scalo will be sure to accommodate you with a timeless meal from their open air kitchen and absolutely first-rate service.