For our last dinner in Santa Fe we stayed downtown and headed around the corner from our hotel to Joseph's Culinary Pub which opened right before covid and was not on our radar until recently. It's off the main drag behind a church and has an almost country French setting with painted tables(they tended to be sticky as well!), floral curtains, wooden chairs and windows with curtains "painted" on them as well!
Our server Maria came over to explain the menu and specials and had an oddly arrogant air, but we finally got it, and she was superb in the end. Tenny black Nicoise olives arrived which had a great flavor burst and alongside were several homemade potato chips.
I chose a Majuelo Del Chiviitero "La Seca" 2019 Verdejo from Spain which was dry but had a wonderful creaminess to it. It was superb with our starters: Watermelon Gazpacho for Will and Watermelon Salad for me with Feta, Balsamic, Tomato, Crispy Prosciutto and a Black Oliver Puree. Both were full of flavor bursts and really great starters for a super-hot day!
The main courses were quite varied, and it was hard to decide but, in the end, Will chose the Swordfish Special which was grilled with a Green Chili Risotto and Asparagus, and I went for the New Mexico Lamb Burger with Green Chile Sheep Cheese on a house made English muffin. the meat came perfectly rare to medium rare, and the cheese oozed all over so no sauce or ketchup or condiment was really needed. A side of Duck Fat French Fries were delish as well. I had a glass of Cruii Uvasy un dia Garnacha 2021 which was ideal with the lamb as Will finished off the white.
Desserts sounded great and indeed were with Will having the Butterscotch Pudding with Caramel Sauce & Sea Salt and I chose the Orange Blossom Tres Leches with Burnt Strawberry Meringue and Berry Puree. It was another flavor burst dish and both came with some little cookies as well.
A glass of Colkeagan Scotch was Will's after dinner choice and the pour was huge while I sipped a Royal Tokaj Betsek 5 Puttonyos which was perfectly sweet and like a second dessert.
When and if we are back in Santa Fe Joseph's has to be on our itinerary.
