Santa Fe
December 27-30, 2020
STAY
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
The Rosewood in Santa Fe honors the area’s early native Anasazi tribe—reflected in the Inn’s ethos and interiors. Textiles, paintings, carvings, and baskets handmade by local Native American talent fill this intimate space, where adobe walls, rich wood floors, and kiva fireplaces are found in every room. The rooms are small-ish, but there’s a cozy communal living room with a fireplace where you can order cocktails.
Ahl Collective Amenities (per room): $50 breakfast credit for two, upgrade on arrival (subject to avail.), $125 food & beverage credit
Cancellation Policy: Full refund if cancelled 21 days prior to arrival (before December 6). No refund if cancelled after December 6.
EAT + DRINK
Tea / Coffee: Teahouse Santa Fe
Teahouse (at the end of Canyon Road) is a local favorite for their selection of teas and coffee. Even if you don't have a full meal here (they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner), definitely make time to pick up an iced tea and pastry before you make your way through the galleries.
Light Breakfast: Modern General
Modern General is hybrid of a general store, juice bar, and bakery in one. The walls of the airy, barn-like space are filled with items for the home, garden, and pantry. In the back, there's a juice bar with plenty of healthy snacks and lunch items, all sourced from Wade's farm, and tables with Wifi for customers. *Right now, Modern General is not open, but we will check again prior to your arrival :)
Burgers & Shakes: Shake Foundation
For a quick, casual lunch (or sweet treat), Shake Foundation is the place to go. They’re known for their take on New Mexico’s iconic green chile cheeseburger, but the local Taos ice cream shakes are the real draw. Flavors change daily, ranging from standard vanilla and chocolate to lavender and salted caramel.
Hearty Brunch: Cafe Pasqual’s
The first thing you'll notice about Pasqual's is the interior, defined by turquoise paint and New Mexican bits and bobs. The menu here is long, with a healthy mix of salads and classic New Mexican dishes, plus a few fan favorites like the famous quinoa burger. They're open three meals a day, but locals will tell you that breakfast is the best. *Right now, Pasqual’s is only open for take-out, with the exception of dinner. We’ll check back to closer to your arrival date!
Refined Lunch: Santacafé
Since 1983, Santacafé has been a culinary destination for the chic lunch set (Tom Ford is a fan). In the winter, guests are ushered into the minimalist-yet-cozy dining room, made warm with fireplaces and cool with taxidermy. *Reservations recommended.
Sweets: Kakawa Chocolate House
Kakawa Chocolate House is the perfect spot for an afternoon cup of hot chocolate. The shop describes the drinks as "chocolate elixirs," and serves them in Mesoamerican, European, and contemporary styles, tracing the history of the practice from the Mayans and Aztecs to the present day.
Mexican / New World: Sazón
Since 1991, chef Fernando Olea has been cooking his creative Mexican cuisine for Santa Fe’s sophisticated palates. The menu is intentionally small, centered on various daily specials made with locally sourced produce and meats, and accompanied by a medley of moles. What’s great is that dinner can be stretched into an evening out (a special treat in COVID times) with an agave flight or a mezcal margarita. *Reservations recommended.
Farm to Table: Radish & Rye
At Radish & Rye, chef David Gaspar de Alba serves up a menu of fresh, seasonal fare, inspired by finds from the local farmers market. The cocktail program alone is reason enough to visit - mixologist/sommelier Quinn Mark Stephenson offers for than 50 varieties of bourbon, among other things. *Reservations recommended.
New American: Geronimo
Located in a 300-year-old-adobe, Geronimos is considered one fo the best restaurants in Santa Fe. The sophisticated dining room is subtly Southwestern, formal, but cozy. The formal plating of the meals suits the dining room, with traditional dishes like elk tenderloin and ahi tuna on offer. They also have a lounge with great cocktails and a smaller menu for something a bit more casual. *Reservations recommended.
Another great dinner option is Compound. The menu is inspired by region ingredients with a Southwestern-meets-Mediterranean focus.
SEE + DO
Canyon Road Galleries
Start with a coffee or tea at Teahouse, and make your way along this half-mile stretch of galleries. Native American art, historical and contemporary Latino art, and international folk art all coexist as part of an array of more than a hundred shops showcasing paintings, sculpture, hand-made jewelry, and pottery. Some of the spots are kitschier than others, but it’s just as much about the scenery as it is about the art.
SITE Santa Fe
The first thing you’ll notice about SITE is its façade: Designed by Los Angeles-based architect Greg Lynn, the structure’s exterior is a work of art in and of itself. The relatively small contemporary art museum houses regional, national, and international exhibitions in the middle of the Railyard Arts district.
Georgia O’Keefe Home + Museum
Located in downtown Santa Fe, this perfectly sized museum is dedicated to the artistic life of Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986) and houses the single largest collection of the artist's work in the world. Rotating exhibits often include O'Keeffe's iconic desert landscape paintings alongside lesser-known gems painted in Lake George and Hawaii. Often, notable pieces from established peers and contemporaries like Ansel Adams, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol join hers on the walls. *Tickets required.
*Unfortunately, Georgia O’Keeffe’s home in Abiquiu is closed for the remainder of 2020.
Peters Projects Santa Fe
In a town where a lot of the galleries can be kitschy, Peters Projects offers ambitious exhibitions of contemporary art that would transfer easily to a larger city. Their stable of artists includes several impressive young native artists, and they often have works from more well-known names like Chuck Close, Kiki Smith, and Bruce Conner. Check the calendar for one of their public art talks.
Spa at Loretto
The famous spa at the Loretto Inn (next door to the Loretto chapel) has a homespun vibe—starting with the massage oils, which the spa director makes herself. All the standard treatments are on offer, from facials and milk baths to couples' massage, plus a room outfitted with a Vichy shower for water therapy.
Another fabulous option is the Ten Thousand Waves Spa, a stunningly beautiful Japanese-style spa located in the hills just ten minutes from downtown Santa Fe. The spa is consistently ranked among the top spas in the country, and the restaurant, Izanami is fabulous for creative Japanese small plates and an extensive sake list (even better - you can wear your kimono from the spa to the restaurant).
Ojo Caliente is another one of our favorites, but is temporarily closed at this time. We will check back closer to your arrival date!
Loretto Chapel
The Loretto Chapel is undoubtedly famous for its spiral staircase. Today, architects and mechanics consider the staircase to be a structural marvel, as it contains two full rotations with no central support (not to mention that it was built entirely using wooden pegs, with no hammers or glue of any kind). It's just a few blocks off the Plaza, so plan to stop in when you're making your way through town. Tip: The bar at the Loretto Hotel next-door is a great place for a drink after.
Aspen Vista Trail
The fantastic Aspen Vista Trail is high up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains along a rocky, dirt road. The out-and-back trail leads your through a snow-covered aspen forest - great for hiking or snowshoeing depending on the weather. If you don't have your own gear, you can rent snowshoes and poles at Cottam's Ski Shop, on the way up the mountain - you'll just need sturdy hiking boots to wear with the snowshoes, as well as warm clothing.
Shopping
Five & Dime General Store: Old, creeky outpost for postcards, dream catchers, T-Shirts, and a “World Famous” Frito Pie.
Palace of the Governors: Native American crafts and jewelry, sold under the shaded adobe facade of the Palace. Note: It is the oldest continually occupied public building in the United States.
Red River Mercantile: Rugged & modern menswear.
Farmer’s Market at the Railyard
Santa Fe Clay: Showroom and artist studio, showcasing experimental ceramic art.
Santa Fe Spirits: Tasting room of the eponymous distillery. *Reservations recommended, made via email.
Santa Fe Vintage Outpost + Santa Fe Vintage: Vintage American menswear, jewelry, and pieces by the Outpost’s co-owner, designer Julienne Barth. *Santa Fe Vintage is appointment only (appointments are made via email.
Seret & Sons: Eclectic furniture, rugs, textiles, and home accessories (founder Ira Seret spent more than 15 years living in Afghanistan, buying and designing for everyone from Oscar de la Renta and Bloomingdales to the Inn of Five Graces).
Shiprock: Historic and contemporary Native American wares, turquoise jewelry, textiles, pottery, sculptural baskets, and a vintage-modern clothing line.
Visvim: Chic, utilitarian wares (like high-rise leather moccasins and zen Native American craftwork), with a mix of minimalist Japanese furniture, antique pottery, and tribal kimonos. Curated and designed by Japanese designer Hiroki Nakamura.
White Sands National Park
For those who have the time and transportation during the Santa Fe winter, White Sands is a must-visit. This 275-square-mile desert is the world’s largest gypsum dunefield, and the colder months provide ideal daytime temperatures for exploring the sandy waves. *Open every day except for December 25th, but be sure to check their website for details about possible missile testing as the monument is surrounded by a missile range and air force base.
Reservations
Sunday, December 27th at 7:30PM: Dinner for 5 at Compound
Monday, December 28th at 7:30PM: Dinner for 5 at Geronimo
Tuesday, December 29th at 7:30PM: Dinner for 5 at Sazón