Archive for February, 2006
7220 Lomas Boulevard Northeast
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110-7146
ph: 505.255.1657
The Cooperage, one of Albuquerque’s premiere steakhouses. The Cooperage is known for its quality prime rib, steaks, and seafood. The restaurant is welcoming and intimate. The lights are turned down real low and their are many rooms with some seating on platforms. You will see some people all dressed up along side people that are dressed very casual and informal. The cooperage is also known for its live music Thursday trough Saturday. Being from Albuquerque, everyone knows that the Cooperage is the place to go for salsa dancing.
The Cooperage has a good selection of meats and a salad bar. I had the prime rib(managers cut) with a baked potato. It came with the salad bar and sourdough bread. The prime rib was cooked medium rare and was wonderful. I was a little disappointed in the salad bar. It seemed lacking compared to other salad bars of the same size. The bread was good and the waitress kept if coming. The service was fast and polite. I was very satisfied with the overall experience.
The Cooperage is a good place for a romantic date or night out dancing. I have had better steaks and seafood elsewhere, but The Cooperage offers good food with a relaxed dining experience.
Taste:
[rate 8.5]
Service:
[rate 8]
Ambiance:
[rate 9]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
107 Cornell Dr SE
Tel: (505) 255-5454
Saggio’s is located on Cornell just south of Central. It is very close to the University of New Mexico and the Frontier Restaurant, so parking is sometimes a concern. They serve Italian pastas, sandwiches, and pizza. When you walk in there is usually a long line, but it moves relatively quickly. You place your order at the counter and when it is ready, your number is called. There are no servers. There are a few different rooms one is all booths, one has a bar, and the other has TVs. The atmosphere is very loud and busy. There are interesting murals all over the walls.
The food is great. I have enjoyed everything I have tried. This is one of my favorite places to order a pizza to go. They have a huge extra large pizza which has hand-tossed crust. Its so big one slice will fill you up. They do not skimp on the cheese or toppings. They have the usual pizza toppings and lots of specialty toppings. I like the Italian sausage, it’s the sliced stuff, not the balls like the franchises have. The calozones are very big and can be ordered the way you like. I also enjoy the deserts they sell by the slice. Overall the portion sizes are large and the prices are very reasonable. The menu has a variety of choices so I think everyone could find something that they would enjoy.
Saggio’s is a good place to meet people and have a beer. It is very casual and everyone can order on there own. However, it is very loud and at busy times the parking is limited. The people at the counter are knowledgeable and polite. At times the line is very long, and the food does take a while. They do have a parking space reserved in the back for pickups. So call ahead and get it to go.
Taste:
[rate 9]
Service:
[rate 9]
Ambiance:
[rate 8]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
3301 Coors Blvd NW
(505) 831-4191
Mimmo’s is located on Coors Blvd, in the ladera shopping center just north of I-40. They serve Italian American food. The dinner menu includes a variety of Italian dishes, including veal, seafood, chicken, pasta, pizza and calzones. The lunch menu is more limited, but has a buffet. They also offer a selection of wine and beer. The atmosphere is casual with tables and some booths. They play Italian-American music which makes the ambiance more enjoyable. Mimmo’s has been around for a long time, I remember going there as a kid to pick up pizza.
I have had the baked ziti, the chicken parmesan, and the pizza. The ziti came in a baking dish with fresh mozzarella and herbs on top. The sauce was sweet, not spicy. The chicken parmesan was flat, breaded chicken with a good portion of spaghetti on the side. The chicken breading seemed store-bought and unsatisfying. The entrees come with the salad bar and garlic bread. I was satisfied by the portions. They offer a buffet, that has salad, pasta, and pizza. I wasn’t impressed, but it was reasonably priced. The pizza had a thin, crispy crust and the mozzarella was outstanding. Since I ordered my pizza by the slice, the toppings had no top cheese, but it was still enjoyable. I think that the next time I pick up a pizza, I may pick up one of the specialty pizzas with feta cheese, red peppers and olives.
Mimmo’s is a comfortable place where a family would feel welcome. The buffet is only served at lunch. The prices were very reasonable compared to other casual Italian restaurants. The service is also very good. My drink was never empty and the plates that I was finished with were cleared. I would recommend Mimmo’s for good Italian-American food.
Taste:
[rate 7.5]
Service:
[rate 9]
Ambiance:
[rate 7]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
2321 Carlisle, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Phone (505) 884-4000
www.rudys.com
Rudy’s barbecue, specializes in quality Texas style barbecue. The barbecue is smoked with oak wood, not gas or charcoal. The wood smoking is why Rudy’s meat “tastes so good.” There are not many barbecue places that cook with 100% wood. Most barbecue places have gas smokers and add a little wood to flavor the meat.
When you walk in to Rudy’s, you will notice that the restaurtant is set up to order meat. You go up to the counter, order your choice of barbeque and sides. The meats are placed on butcher paper and served with white bread. There is a big trough that has specialty sodas and water. I love their barbecue. The meat is rich with the flavor because of the oak wood. They serve their meat without barbecue sauce, but their is sauce on all of the benches. Their sauce is quite good , if you like it spicy. You will find the barbecue sandwiches to be a great deal. They’re served with plenty of meat and are pretty low cost. On the weekends, if you are lucky, you can also find them serving prime rib. My personal favorite is their pulled pork and brisket.
The dining room has large benches spanning the whole room. It is like the way a school cafeteria is set up. This is not the place for a quiet get together or a romantic night out. The place is loud and smokey. I think it is just what Rudy was going for. The price of the meat is based on pounds. You could spend a lot or a little, or just share different things. Rudy’s does it right with their barbecue!
Taste:
[rate 9]
Service:
[rate 8]
Ambiance:
[rate 8]
Overall Reader Rating
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Dos Hermanos has four locations.
6211 4th NW reviewed.
Do you like huge breakfast burritos with fresh homemade tortillas? If so Dos Hermanos is the place for you. The restaurant is in a strip mall and a little hard to find. The burritos are huge. You could split one with a friend. They offer a wide variety of meats and sides. I regularly stop in for a chorizo breakfast burrito with red chile. One of the reasons why I like their burritos is because they have fresh real homemade tortillas. It is hard to find a burrito place that still makes their own flour tortillas. The tortillas taste wonderful. Sometimes you can buy a whole bag of one day old tortillas for $1.00.
The workers are helpful and welcoming. The burritos are a little pricey at around $5.00, but they are still a good value for the size. There is seating, but you order at the counter and have to serve your own drinks. Although they are not my absolute favorite, if you are hungry, and in the mood for a good breakfast burrito, this is a great place to stop.
Taste:
[rate 8]
Service:
[rate 8]
Ambiance:
[rate 8]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
5016 Lomas Blvd. NE
www.loscuatesrestaurants.com
Los Cuates has three locations. Two of them are on Lomas, west of San Mateo, on opposite sides of the street. The other new location is on Menaul. They serve quality New Mexican food. The larger location on Lomas is usually very crowded, but the food is worth the wait.
The food is wonderful. I have tried almost everything on the menu and have never been disappointed. The chile, both red and green, is outstanding. I love the enchiladas and chile rellenos. After work I frequently pick up the fajitas to go. The chips are the best in town and they are always hot. Some people swear by the salsa, however I am not fond of it. They also have burgers and other american favorites for the non chile lovers. The portions are very large and inexpensive. The service is good, especially considering how busy they can be. I have never felt neglected and there is always someone nearby to refill your water.
If you have visitors from out of town, I would make this a stop so they could try some “real” New Mexican food. Los Cuates is a great place for lunch or dinner. I think the crowds speak for themselves. The prices are very reasonable, around $8 a plate.
Taste:
[rate 9.5]
Service:
[rate 8]
Ambiance:
[rate 9]
Overall Reader Rating
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