 BY STEVEN J WESTMAN I recently wrote about daytrippin’ to Shidoni, nestled just over the hill from Santa Fe, in Tesuque.? Among the other gems to find in the small village, is a grocery/deli/restaurant, aptly called The Tesuque Village Market. Located right where the three main roads intersect in a small brown stuccoed building (which in the “early years” was a gas station and candy store), the Market is a place where you can find a wonderful breakfast, lunch or dinner either inside or at one of the tables on the front covered porch. The entire place, half of which is a small grocery where you can find coffees, cereal, bread, condiments, dairy products and sodas, has a wholesome rustic feel. There is also a full liquor section, with a very nice selection of wine; all the makings for a darn-good picnic. I love it here, as it’s truly a place where the local, eclectic folks congregate to read the paper, have a cup of joe and share some stories.
You can also get a very fine meal. I'm awfully fond of the blue corn pancakes—fluffy and light—smothered with warm maple syrup. Most of my friends however opt for the huevos rancheros Christmas-style (smothered with red and green chile), which admittedly, is hard to beat. For later in the day, the ribeye steak sandwich is great, but it's the Howell’s brisket sandwich, smothered with Swiss cheese and fiery green chile, that you'll not want to share with your tablemates. In my opinion, the absolute "must have" menu item is the Market’s tortilla soup. Loaded with roasted tomatoes, garlic, onion, Anaheim chiles, red chiles and jalapenos it's pure heaven in a bowl on a cold winter’s day—actually any day.
To end with something sweet, check out the baked goods section and you will find an abundance of mouthwatering goodies. The pumpkin empanada is always a winning bet, but I now have a weakness for the most decadent coconut rum pastry - creamy, gooey, yummy and downright naughty. The Tesuque Village Market is less of a new find and more of an old favorite. But if you haven't been before, it's new to you. Add it to your list and dine in or pack a meal for one of your next day trip excursions.
TESUQUE VILLAGE MARKET |? NM 599 at Bishop's Lodge Rd. T, 5 miles North of Santa Fe in Tesuque, NM | Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch & dinner | 7a - 9p (open until 10pm in the summer) | 505 988 8848 |
