We're taking our appetites with us.

I love to eat in New Mexico! The restaurants in Santa Fe are known for great New Mexico cuisine. But in the years we have been going there, I have not become a Santa Fe dining expert.

Reason: When we go out there, it is usually only for a few days, and we have our favorite restaurants, so that is where we always choose to go:

1. La Choza, 905 Alarid St. ~ My favorite! Tucked away on a side street and a little hard to find, seems that there are more locals there than tourists. It’s cozy and completely unpretentious….and the food is spicy and GREAT. I LOVE their posole. Sometimes we laugh because we have had the same waiter there so many times; he is pierced all over but really nice and good at his job.

2. Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen, 555 West Cordova Road ~ We have been going to Maria’s longer than any other Santa Fe Restaurant. Their margaritas and their green chile stew are to die for. Good place to warm up on a cold day.

3. Harry’s Roadhouse, 96 Old Las Vegas Hwy ~ Funky and fun … and always crowded. Their menu has everything! I had my first breakfast burrito there years ago. And possibly the best plate of nachos I’ve ever had.

4. Blake’s Lotaburger ~ a New Mexico institution. They have numerous locations and a visit there for a green chile cheeseburger is a MUST.

Those are our four places. On our last trip in 2006, we also tried the Guadalupe Café, recommended by my daughter and son in law and it was GOOD, so we will probably go there again.

One of the cool things about moving to Santa Fe is that we will have time to leisurely try the other neat places in town. I’m keeping a list of restaurants that have gotten good reviews and recommendations. We are not interested in the foo-foo overpriced elitist places in the downtown area. We look for good food at affordable prices. Our must-visit list includes:

1. Bobcat Bite, 420 Old Las Vegas Hwy ~ not far from “home” in Eldorado. Reputed to have the BEST GREEN CHILE CHEESEBURGER in Santa Fe.

2. The Pantry, 1820 Cerrillos Rd. ~ Have heard only good things about this place; it is supposedly an institution in Santa Fe.

3. Mariscos la Playa, 537 W Cordova Rd ~ I’m not usually crazy about the idea of Mexican seafood, but this place gets so many raves, it much be something special.

That’s only a few of the places we MUST try when we get to Santa Fe.

I see many years of good eating ahead!