Arroyo Vino

Restaurant Guide 2019: 25 Faves

Unless you already live on Santa Fe's northwest side, the drive to Arroyo Vino from the city is enough to breathe a little sigh of escape. Arroyo Vino's new executive chef, Allison Jenkins, arrived in the late spring, and the presentation details and creative dishes she's brought to the scene give it a grounded, curated feel. A chalkboard on its eastern wall is good shorthand, listing not only wine on offer for the evening, but also sources for many of the ingredients that will come out of the kitchen—such as, on a recent visit, cherry tomatoes from the on-site garden. Service is professional, unobtrusive and attentive. The menu is not sparse, but also doesn't feel overwrought: Diners choose from a maximum of six options in each of the three courses. On our visit, the amuse-bouche that arrived shortly after we ordered was a shot of zippy watermelon gazpacho with a tiny basil leaf and bud adorning its surface. Then, it's flatbread resembling a pesto-drenched pizza, featuring bacon lardons and parmesan-corn puree ($12) to start, and segundi of bold lamb tartare with vaudovan curried yogurt and pistachio crumble ($15). Our favorite main was a sweet and tangy sauce on gnocchi with roasted eggplant puree and goat gouda ($26). Sure, we had great wine, but after that, the flavor of the thirst-quenching iced tea we chose for the rest of the evening was memorable—a blend of chamomile, mint and Earl Grey ($4). For dessert, we're pretty certain you can't go wrong with the chocolate pot de creme ($10). The whole night felt right.

Dinner
Tuesday-Saturday

.$$$.

Arroyo Vino
218 Camino La Tierra,

505-983-2100

Twitter: @arroyovino
Instagram: @arroyovino

Letters to the Editor

Mail letters to PO Box 4910 Santa Fe, NM 87502 or email them to editor[at]sfreporter.com. Letters (no more than 200 words) should refer to specific articles in the Reporter. Letters will be edited for space and clarity.

We also welcome you to follow SFR on social media (on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) and comment there. You can also email specific staff members from our contact page.