Bars for the O'Doul's crowd.
THE MINE SHAFT TAVERN
2846 Hwy. 14, Madrid
473-0743
I could live at The Mine Shaft Tavern. Since changing ownership in January 2007, some things have changed around the Shaft, but the basics remain the same: The food's great, the people are chill and the fountain soda is served in recycled mason jars. Any given Sunday, the place is packed, live music gets boots tapping and the burgers are juicy and hot with a perfectly toasted bun. Get a Blue Moon if you want to fit in with the happily swaying throngs, but this place is great no matter what your blood alcohol level may be.
DEL CHARRO
101 W. Alameda St.
954-0320
The single most romantic spot in town on a winter night, as far as I'm concerned, is the patio at Del Charro (the restaurant attached to the Inn of the Governors). The room's got three walls and the fourth is a giant kiva that radiates warmth and delicious-smelling piñon smoke. Tell your date to order anything on the menu, anxiety free; the most expensive item on the dinner menu is $6 and everything's served 'til midnight. If you must, get the just-sweet-enough, perfectly mixed house white sangria. For desert, I always choose the
natillas
; it's like eating sweet, cinnamony cake batter, sans salmonella. Another added perk: There's always amazing people-watching here among the colorful crowds.
SECOND STREET BREWERY
1814 Second St.
982-3030
This may seem like a no-brainer to seasoned Santa Fe brewery aficionados, but just the name was enough to make me to steer clear of this great spot during my first few years in Santa Fe. I don't drink beer, so a brewery just didn't make sense. Little did I know that its generous serving of fish and chips would be so fantastically crispy, I'd be returning for second and third go-rounds. It even has kids' specials and high-chairs at the ready.
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