PREVIOUS ISSUES : CULTURE : Food Last Updated: May 7, 2008 - 9:08 AM   Eat It: ¡Come! By Gwyneth Doland Published: April 2, 2008   Email this article   Printer friendly page   Get your Spanish on. LA MANCHA AT THE GALISTEO INN 9 La Vega, Galisteo 466-8200 Why not give your tongue a chance to celebrate spring with a quick trip to an out of town restaurant?  At 7 pm Thursday, April 3, La Mancha hosts a wine pairing dinner with Guigal Wines. The five-course meal includes combinations such as English pea soup with fresh chèvre crouton and pea tendrils served alongside a glass of 2005 Côtes du Rhône Blanc. Chef Kim Muller will also create braised Kobe beef cheeks with morel and leek risotto to go with Guigal’s 2005 Côtes du Rhône. The dinner costs $85 per person, not including tax and tip. EL MESON 213 Washington Ave. 983-6756 Speaking of celebrations, you really don’t need an excuse to drop by ¡Chispa! at El Meson for a cocktail and a few tapas. On one recent visit we dug into some delicious calamari fritos and a sizzling plate of gambas al ajillo. Once the fat, juicy shrimp were gone, we began dipping the calamari rings in the shrimp’s dish, which was still full of garlicky, spicy oil. The two make a perfect pair, especially when washed down with a glass of rosé or a tall, frosty cocktail from the full bar. Live music either provides entertainment or ensures the privacy of your intimate conversation. THE ARGENTINA GRILL 3875 Cerrillos Road 424-3703 And while we’re speaking Spanish, you should really check out this new place on Cerrillos Road. You can eat your fill of yummy, yummy meat and then dance all the calories off! On Monday nights the restaurant hosts a Latino open mic and tango dancing. Fridays are reserved for super-spicy salsa dancing and the $5 cover is waived if you come for dinner first. Send your ideas for monthly food listings to: food@sfreporter.com © Copyright 2000-2008 by the Santa Fe Reporter Save This Page to del.icio.us Top of Page