Archive for the 'Wine' Category
5415 Academy, N.E.
Albuquerque, NM
821-5974
website
This is an Albuquerque born establishment from a family with strong loyalty to their Italian roots. The Trombino’s moved to New Mexico in the late 60’s and started in a restaurant called “Trombino’s Hamburgers.” Later in 1978, they created what it is today, their own style of Italian Restaurant and 35 recipes that reflect old-style Italian food.
For the most part the food here is very good and served in an elegant setting, much like the atmosphere. In this restaurant I tried Veal Marsala for the first time and was hooked. Now it’s one of my favorite Italian recipes and I have it whenever I can find it on a menu. The sauce has changed a little since then, but it is still good, just not quite as sweet. In this dish, a sweet marsala wine sauce is served over tender seasoned strips of veal, crimini mushrooms, and angel hair pasta.
Another favorite of mine is the Chicken Under a Brick which is a flavorful herb-crusted chicken breast, tender and moist on the inside, baked under the weight of a hot brick. This entrée is served with your choice of parmesan mashed potatoes or a spinach salad with a basil vinaigrette. I would also recommend some of their family favorites like eggplant Parmesan and Fritti Di Mare (clams, shrimp, scallops, and mussels steamed with white wine and garlic, then tossed with tomatoes and linguine pasta). Trombino’s is located next to one of the best fresh fish markets in the city, so it’s always a good choice to try one of their fresh fish selections whenever they’re available.
The servers in this restaurant are very knowledgeable about the food and wine (which is as important as the food for an Italian meal). I only received bad service one time here where the waiter was rude and did not pay enough attention to our table. I should mention that you won’t receive the most prompt service Trombinos, it is more of a relaxed atmosphere. That’s bad for those on a schedule, but good for those looking to take their time to enjoy the experience.
I really enjoy the atmosphere in this restaurant, the dining room is very elegant and relaxing while the bar area can really feel like a traditional Italian pub. For those looking for a romantic Italian spot, this is an excellent choice. I would also recommend to those looking to make a good impression to go during slow hours, you will have plenty of privacy to make the meal feel that much more special.
I would not recommend this restaurant for any of the more common Italian entrees due to the higher prices. However, there are some unique and flavorful dishes that use choice ingredients and are worth the higher prices. Ultimately, for the unique dishes, fresh seafood and high quality meats, wine, and relaxing atmosphere, Trombino’s is a great place to visit.
Taste:
[rate 7.5]
Service:
[rate 7]
Ambiance:
[rate 8]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
3600 NM Hwy 528 (Alameda just West of Coors)
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505) 899 - 6900
Lunch: 11:30am - 2:30pm
Dinner: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Looking for great Indian cuisine? I recommend the Bombay Grill. The taste, service, value and atmosphere quickly made this restaurant one of my favorite places to go to in this city. As an addition to the northwest area of Albuquerque, it is like a diamond in the rough of chain and mediocre restaurants.
The food here is very pronounced and flavorful as they prepare great dishes with a blend of exotic spices. 
While you look through your menu, they serve up some large bread wafers (a little hot) and three dipping sauces (look in the menu for Raita and Mango Chutney) that all have very unique flavors from sweet to spicy. To start with, you may want to try one of their appetizers. When I go I always get the Keema Samosa for $2.95, which are two crisp patties stuffed with spiced ground lamb and green peas, and tastes very good. They also have a diverse drink menu here with a good variety of imported wine and beer for India. I like to order the Mango Lassi which is a thick and traditional drink made of homemade yogurt and mango. Mango is a very common ingredient in Indian food, as you can probably tell from the menu.
On to the entrees, I think that you can’t go wrong with either the Chicken or Lamb Masala. This is such an addictive semi-sweet entrée that you wont want to put it down. I usually get this with a side of Peas Pallao (a saffron flavored Basmati rice with green peas) and Garlic Nan (a soft baked white bread patty with roasted garlic on top), both are great compliments any entree. Try this combination for yourself, I wouldn’t steer you wrong. If you don’t like it, let me have it on the comment section. If you want more of a traditional and common item, try the Curry, which is very rich sauce loaded with exotic spices to give a unique and pronounced flavor. Other entrées that are different, but also very good are the Karahi Prawns, Chicken Makhani, Saagwala. For all of you vegetarians out there, be sure to try the Mattar Paneer and Bhindi Masala. If you go with a group, its a good idea to order a few of the menu items, some rice and bread, then share and taste all of the sauces and meats together.
The service here is very disciplined, cooperative, and helpful. To start with, you may not know who your server is until halfway through your meal. This is because you are not just helped by one server, but by all of the servers as well as the manager. They all work as a team to get you drinks, answer questions and provide recommendations, and deliver your food. As you can see in the picture the glasses are not that big, but they worked as a team to make sure that my glass of water was never close to empty.
I have had good service and conversation every time I visited here, which is impressive. Also, unlike most restaurants, the servers act attentive and professional while they are in view of the customers. Now I don’t know, they could be wild and chatty in the back, but it doesn’t matter because anyone who knows how a restaurant works, knows that the importance is in the illusion of making each guest/table feel appreciated, like they are the most important one there.
The outside of the restaurant is not very impressive, a plain gray exterior with two neon signs, no view of the inside, and a two-door entrance that makes you do a double take to make sure its not the rear entrance to the building. Then you open the door (maybe into the twilight zone) and it is the opposite as you get first sight of the elegant and beautiful interior. The windows and walls are covered with drapes, there is a cascading and illuminated waterfall that divides the dining room, and a projector displays the culture and sights of India on the south wall. The tables are dressed in white linen and topped with fully prepared meal settings, a candle, and glasses filled with linen flowers. All of this is shown above, but the bottom line is that the atmosphere is very cozy and charming.
Weather you like Indian cuisine or just want to try something different (you know, step out of the box) then I would suggest you make your way to the northwest corner of Albuquerque and give the Bombay Grill a try. It has all of the elements of fine dining like great atmosphere, unique and flavorful food, great service, all for a very good price. Exactly what you would need to impress a date or business associate, especially when you pretend to know exactly what your ordering. This restaurant has made a lasting impression on me and maybe it can do the same for you too.
NOTE: This is an Entertainment Card Restaurant and they also offer a very good lunch buffet.
Taste:
[rate 9]
Service:
[rate 9]
Ambiance:
[rate 8]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
2011 Mountain Rd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 843-6358
(map) | ~MENU~
If it is private and romantic to cook a nice meal in your own home for company, how about a restaurant that lets you do that without all of the preparation and cleanup. The Melting Pot is a fondue restaurant that offers private booths and all of the ingredients and cookware right in front of you, so you can make prepare and cook your own food. This establishment began in Maitland, Florida in 1975 and now has over 100 locations nationwide.
This restaurant offers all of the necessities to impress anyone you take along, whether its business or personal. They offer cheese fondue, salads, wine, entrees, signature fondue, and chocolate fondue. When I went I had the “fondue for two” which offers a three-course meal (excluding the dessert portion). A large fondue pot was placed in the center of the table, with meats, batters and sauces filling up a good part of the table surrounding it. You take your extended fork and stab a meat or vegetable, then coat it in a batter, and place it in the pot to cook. Once you get it out you let it cool for a bit and dip it into one of your sauces. The great thing about it was that I had a fun time making my food, trying to find the best batter and dipping sauce to go with my meats (chicken, shrimp, salmon, and teriyaki-marinated sirloin). This isn’t an eat-and-go restaurant, the atmosphere is very comfortable so you can take your time and enjoy yourself. For those who don’t like or want to try the fondue, they also have a very good selection of entrees including a French Quarter Sandwich, Lobster Tail, Shrimp & Sirloin, and Filet Mignon dishes. If you take a look at the wine list, they have a very large selection and can offer some very premium wines. The drawback of course is high prices, but that is what you expect from a restaurant that offers choice ingredients and atmosphere.
One of the most impressive parts is the service here. They are extremely knowledgeable about the history and menu and will likely spend about 5 to 10 minutes explaining everything to you on your first visit. They know it is a comfortable social setting and do not try to get you out as fast as possible, once you begin your meal they will only interrupt to refill drinks and setup each course. You can have that intimate feeling in this restaurant because the servers try not to intrude unless they’re needed.
The atmosphere is great and you are seated in a private booth, completely secluded from the view of other tables. The majority of the restaurant has dim lighting and the booths are better lit so you can see what you’re doing. It is very private and elegant, just what you want if you want to impress a date or business associate. I think it’s a unique experience and I would recommend it for those willing to drop some cash for the same.
Taste:
[rate 8]
Service:
[rate 8]
Ambiance:
[rate 8]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
Pappadeaux Website
The food at Pappadeaux is an excellent and tasteful Cajun escape for all New Mexicans. If you like your seafood spicy or pronounced with a lot of seasoning this may be the right choice for you. The restaurant serves high quality Cajun entrees with a variety of fish flow in fresh daily, a fruit and vegetable selection that surpasses anything you can pick up in your local grocery store, and its own unique blend of 9 Cajun spices to blacken your favorite fish. Of course, with quality comes price, which is also at the higher end for this seafood restaurant.
The menu offers variety to the guest, yes even those who do not like seafood. To start you may like to try something new like Blackened Alligator or Boiled Crawfish. You can taste this restaurants’ take on popular fishes like Salmon and Catfish, or seek something more exotic like Alaskan Halibut and Swordfish. However you like your fish cooked, Pappadeaux offers a wide variety of signature sauces to add on top. For those pasta fans I recommend the Pasta Mardi Gras and to those who don’t like seafood, you’ll be surprised at how good the steaks are. To drink, try their Swampthing which is layered tropical drink or just browse through the variation in the wine list. The icing on the cake is when the server brings by the desert tray with ten excellent suggestions. But if you ask me, the break out star in the bunch is the Oreo Mousse.
The service at Pappadeaux is not the best in Albuquerque, but you will get prompt service, food served fairly quick, and all of your requests taken care of. The servers here are well trained to be knowledgeable about the food and restaurant and can answer almost any question you may have. Remember this is a high-paced family restaurant so if you are looking for more attention or professional service, you may want to go to a higher end establishment.
This restaurant offers an escape for the southwest natives as soon as you get first sight of the artistically molded shrubs and water fountains. Once inside it’s more of a family-style décor covered with wall dressings from mounted fish and pictures of jazz musicians to a loft with a life size fishing boat with nets and equipment. The main layout of the restaurant is very social and crowded, not for those looking for a little privacy in their meal. However there are great options as you may like to eat in the patio area with a nice fountain view or my favorite, the lounge, with a cherry wood finish, leather sofas, and big screen T.V.
As you can tell by the size and layout, this can be a very loud restaurant. While the background Zydeco music is very Cajun and creates the mood, it is also not the greatest selection of the genre and becomes a little irritating by the end of your meal. So just a warning, if you go at a busy time, be prepared to use your loud voice.
Taste:
[rate 8]
Service:
[rate 7]
Ambiance:
[rate 7]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
3201 Central Ave., NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
The Gruet Steak House offers a fine dinging experience and a large collection of Gruet wines. The restaurant is located in the old Monte Vista fire station. The fire station is classic New Mexican architecture, mixed with a very modern contemporized decor.
I had the crackling pork shank. The pork was fork tender and amazing. The sauce was a nice apple reduction and complemented the pork. I highly recommend this dish. The steaks looked wonderful and were properly cooked. The salad was a bit plain and the service was a little overwhelmed that night. Entrees were in the twenty-dollar range. If you are looking for a fine dining experience and are in the mood to taste some good wine, the Gruet steak house will fit the bill.
Taste:
[rate 9]
Service:
[rate 6]
Ambiance:
[rate 8]
Overall Reader Rating
[ratings]
