The warm, romantic wood and stone dining room at the Anasazi Restaurant & Bar is a perfect spot for Argentine chef Juan Juan Bochenski’s flavorful, rustic cuisine. The roasted free-range local lamb with jalapeño croquettes is an utter delight alongside the chili almond crusted salmon with blood orange butter sauce. Outside, the lively patio serves mouthwatering fluffy empanadas and light ahi tacos, which pair perfectly with a margarita or a cold cerveza.

This romantic restaurant with hardwood floors, soft lighting, and stone walls has a menu that presents upscale versions of classic fare such as steak, fish, and chicken. For a less formal vibe, have dinner and cocktails at the convivial bar or enjoy breakfast on the lively street-side patio. A tasting table in the center of the space is available for reserved private tequila tastings.

At Anasazi Restaurant (113 Washington Ave.; tel. 505/988-3236; www.innoftheanasazi.com), the pueblo-esque contemporary wood-floored dining room of downtown's renowned Inn of the Anasazi, chef Oliver Ridgeway focuses on seasonal ingredients, coming up with imaginative combinations such as Hawaiian tuna with a wasabi-nut crust, or veal medallions glazed in mole sauce with asparagus, morels, and elephant garlic. Local sourcing is a passion for chef Brian Knox, at Aqua Santa (51 W. Alameda St.; tel. 505/982-6297). Working out of an open kitchen in this tiny, sought-after spot, the gregarious Knox changes his menu continually, bringing out the deepest flavors in dishes like Tuscan bean soup with white-truffle oil, or a slow-braised lamb ragout flavored with hazelnuts and pecorino.

The Anasazi Bar & Lounge is known for its Silver Coin margaritas, local craft beers, classic cocktails, and a wide library of tequila to choose from. Take a seat at the bar or relax in the handsome lounge in leather chairs and comfy couches, surrounded by rock ledge walls, vigas, and eclectic art. Pair your drink with the charcuterie and fromage plate, which includes an assortment of cheeses and charcuterie, whole grain mustard, and crackers, or with Anasazi beef and cheese sliders with Santa Fe onion, chile-jam, and pancetta.

Or here’s a winning combination: After you check out the “Miraculous Staircase” at the Loretto Chapel, drop into Luminaria Restaurant & Patio for a sweet-and-spicy margarita flavored with jalapeños and strawberries. However, if you’re like me and tend to stick with the classics, order a Cowgirl Cadillac at the Cowgirl BBQ, my favorite rib joint (get the collard greens as a side — the best!) in the city. The Cowgirl Cadillac is the product of 30-some years of trial by Nick Ballas, the establishment’s recently retired co-owner.

Such was the reputation Chef Ruiz had established at previous restaurant stints–Rio Chama Prime Steakhouse, Anasazi restaurant, La Boca, Chama Lodge & Cattle Company, among others–though admittedly what cemented his fame was conquering chef Bobby Flay in a head-to-head competition on Flay’s eponymous Food Network show. Escondido is the first restaurant Chef Ruiz can call his own albeit in partnership with Meow Wolf co-founder Vince Kadlubek. The latter’s influence is apparent in Escondido’s design.

What adds an element of singularity to the Anasazi Bar and Lounge, however, is the city itself, which harbors strong ties to its Mexican heritage, notably Oaxaca and Jalisco. The hotel has inherited this same dedication to elevating that connection, and for spirits enthusiasts, that means tequila and mezcal. For wine lovers, the ownership’s penchant for fine and rare wines led to a dedicated wine room and serious cellar, all of which shows up on the wine list in the dining room.

The Anasazi Restaurant, Bar & Lounge • Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, 113 Washington Ave., (505) 988-3236 • Listed by Wine Enthusiast as one of America’s top 100 wine restaurants, the Anasazi Restaurant offers a Scottish salmon or beef medallions, breakfast options such as Anasazi chilaquiles rojos o verdes (which includes cotija cheese, egg, sour cream and avocado) or a simple yet elegant smoked salmon bagel. Did we also hear they offer private tequila tastings?

The Anasazi Restaurant & Bar mixes old– world culinary techniques with new and innovative recipes that come together on a fantastic menu. They use local ingredients to craft dishes like tortilla soup, gazpacho, bison tenderloin, and chile-rubbed lamb chops. The relaxed yet elegant ambi ance combined with Native American-influenced cuisine makes this a great place to enjoy a date night with your special someone.

Anasazi Restaurant offers a welcoming, fine-dining experience wrapped in elegant and rustic Southwestern decor.** Lead by chef Juan Bochenski, Anasazi stands out for its healthful and artistically presented meals. The roasted lamb loin with purple potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, bok choy and chocolate & cherry mole’ is culinary perfection. The mole’ adds a wonderful complexity to the dish.

Rosewood Inn is pet-friendly and children’s menus are offered at the delicious Anasazi Restaurant. To the right of the Inn is Santa Fe’s public library with crafts, events, and story times for children and across the street is a toy store!. During the day, free lemonade and cookies are offered in the library, and moms can arrange for an in-room massage.

For a classic, full-service experience, check in at Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, in an ideal location just off the Plaza. Alternately, The Inn of the Five Graces is an idiosyncratic property owned by Ira and Sylvia Seret, whose design store on Galisteo Street, Seret & Sons, houses a huge collection of central and south Asian antiques and furnishings.

Anasazi Restaurant serves fine Southwestern cuisine in an environment wrapped in elegance and esteem. The decor is rustic and lined with local and regional art. Their signature dishes span the duck enchilada molé, diver scallops, Kurobuta pork belly, achiote grilled salmon, grilled elk tenderloin, and Angus beef duet with diablo sauce.

A full-scale renovation that extended to the menu has rejuvenated the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi’s restaurant. The space retains its Southwestern feel with a contemporary touch. The main dining room has been opened up and is separated from the bar area by an unobtrusive but fetching teak wood divider hundreds of pounds in weight.

Housed in the elegant Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, just off the Santa Fe Plaza, the Anasazi Restaurant is grounded in classic New Mexican ingredients. "The lexicon of the Southwest kitchen is very small: beans, chile, squash, herbs, meat. Everything’s a variation of those," Sedlar says.

Their Skinny Tommy, from their signature margaritas list, is made with Silver Tequila, Agave nectar, and Lime. And it’s exactly the classic cocktail you are looking for. They nailed this recipe and I knew it on the first sip.

- Rating: 3.6/5 (195 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 113 Washington Ave. Santa Fe, New Mexico - Categories: New American, Breakfast & Brunch, Wine Bars- Read more on Yelp

High-end choices include The Compound, Geronimos, Sazon, Restaurant Martine, Anasazi and Bistro 315. Classics are The Cowgirl, Pasquels (breakfast) and La Choza.