Fire and Hops

Advertised as "upscale pub food," you can take a date to this spot or drop in alone for a post-work dinner. Sports play regularly on the large-screen TVs above the bar, but you don't have to endure the greasy fare of the average sports bar; restaurateurs Joel Coleman and Josh Johns, who opened the place in 2014, had a long history working in Santa Fe's culinary scene and now pride themselves on sourcing many of their ingredients from local farmers. Their beer is mostly local, too, and their hophead bartenders are patient when asked which beverages pair well with particular dishes (I ordered a $5 Elephants on Parade from Bosque). While the menu features ingredients atypical of what you'd find at a pub—risotto or fish spontanee, to name a couple—you can also opt for a scaled-up house burger loaded with green chile, cheddar cheese and bacon with a side of fries ($14). The patty comes with caramelized onions piled high and inside a bun from Albuquerque's Fano Bakery. The fries come with plenty of ketchup and aioli. It's best if you come here with company and share their small plates with friends. But, don't be afraid to roll up solo.

Fire and Hops
222 N Guadalupe St., 954-1635
Dinner Monday-Friday; late lunch and dinner Saturday and Sunday
Instagram: @fireandhops