9.29.2010

Antigua Inn - Enchanting and Luxurious


The Antigua Inn, tucked into Castillo Place in Santa Fe’s historic downtown neighborhood, just opened after a meticulous renovation that turned a century-old adobe building into a jewel box.  And, if you are lucky enough to have booked one of the Inn’s five irresistible guest rooms, you are in for an unparalleled visual treat.



Photos courtesy of Antigua Inn

Even before you reach the front door you are charmed by a path planted with roses, lush snapdragon vines and winter pansies. Then you step inside.  All the walls have been Venetian plastered, a painstaking Old World process of layering,  troweling and polishing colored plaster until the surface glows with an inner light. The effect is remarkable.

Photos by C. Whitney-Ward

When you step into the dining room/kitchen you have your first hint of the luxury that awaits. Every inch has been touched by an artist’s hand - more than 25 were involved in the restoration.  The dining room table and chairs are all hand-carved, and the stunning built-in kitchen cabinets are dark wood with inlaid copper panels depicting Native American motifs.
Each of the five guest rooms (Mariposa, Tapestry, Pueblo, Rose and Vineyard) is themed to highlight Santa Fe's rich and vibrant culture and the details of the room have been chosen to echo that theme.

Photo courtesy of Antigua Inn


All the rooms are uniquely furnished and filled with  creature comforts. The bed linens are Italian and the duvets and pillows down. A beautiful hand-carved ropero /armoire holds a 3D  HD  flat screen TV, a mini refrigerator, microwave and an espresso coffee machine. All the lotions, soaps and shampoos are from LUSH and are fresh and organic.  The towels and guest robes are thick and luxurious.
Photograph by C. Whitney-Ward

The outside private patios are lovely and  the entire Inn can be rented exclusively for a private occasion or celebration. A perfect spot for a perfect wedding!
622 Castillo Place     T.  505.954.1231
click on the link: Antigua Inn

9.28.2010

VINAIGRETTE - ERIN WADE - SLOW FOOD

When you are lucky enough to be invited for lunch at restaurateur Erin Wade’s farmhouse in Nambe, New Mexico, expect  vistas, charming tablescapes and glorious food.  Erin owns Vinaigrette, a two-year old Santa Fe restaurant that specializes in salads - amazing, luscious salads that make you wonder why anyone would want to eat anything else. And most of the salad fixn’s are grown on her ten-acre Nambe farm (20-minutes North of S.F.) where members of Slow Food got to have a tour and a memorable lunch on Erin’s lovely portal.

Her gardens are filled with flowers, herbs, scads of tomato varieties, and gorgeous, leafy, succulent greens... 

The Portal was filled with charming farm tables and flowers; and even a delightful farm kitty.
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Lunch began with Hibiscus water and small bites...





Radishes and cucumbers napped with a beautiful dressing of mint, basil, buttermilk, sour cream and mayonnaise.



We had a choice of chicken or artichoke salad. The chicken was ethereal and the artichokes were pan fried and so full of flavor you wanted to cry they were so amazing. The arugula,  just nipped from the garden, was perfect!


And the sweet ending for this lovely day?



Erin's Grandmother's Apple Crisp with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.


A beautiful and delicious Santa Fe Day!

709 Don Cubero Alley    (505) 820-9205

If you'd like to join Slow Food or get on their mailing list go to:

Queen City Grill on Urbanspoon

GARCIA STREET BOOKS


Small but mighty seems to fit my favorite Santa Fe bookstore – Garcia Street Books. I simply love this oh-so independent bookshop. It is only one room-big, but I can spend hours browsing  the table  filled with the latest paperbacks; gliding past shelf after shelf of coffee table books; and  poking around in the Children’s section.


This delightful shop was purchased in 2000 by Edward and Eva Borins who have over thirty years of bookselling business under their belts. They clearly could write a book on successful marketing. While other independent bookstores have failed, Garcia Books keeps geting better. This charming shop has been voted the Best Independent Bookstore in Santa Fe by the readers of the Santa Fe Reporter six years in a row. And they  have hosted many, many distinguished nationally renowned authors; and  launched books by  prominent local authors as well.

In addition to author events, Garcia Street Books has a strong focus on books on art, architecture, lifestyle, design, quality literature, poetry, and the Southwest. And each year they host an exhibition and sale of museum quality artists’ books. They also showcase  artists’ books by Mexican and New Mexican artists throughout the year. As a result they have a wonderful selection of books on books and bookmaking. And there’s always a table outside their door with stacks of teriffic SALE books.


Garcia Street Books
376 Garcia Street – Next to Downtown Subscription

505-986-0151