What's New

Northern New Mexico has come by its "mañana" reputation honestly. Usually change happens . . . tomorrow. But there are some lively additions in the region well worth exploring.

Santa Fe

At this writing, one of the "City Different"'s landmarks, the Sweeney Convention Center, has been razed, with construction beginning soon on a larger, more refined space, to be completed in 2007.

In 2006, one of Santa Fe's most notable addresses received a major remodel including addition of a spa. The newly named Eldorado Hotel & Spa, 309 W. San Francisco St. (tel. 800/286-6755 or 505/988-4455; www.eldoradohotel.com) has new furnishings, bedding, and decor in the rooms, and the Nidah Spa offers a full range of treatments including their signature turquoise gemstone therapy. Meanwhile, Santa Fe Budget Inn has also received a makeover and name change. Now called Santa Fe Sage Inn, 725 Cerrillos Rd. (tel. 866/433-0335 or 505/982-5952; www.santafesageinn.com), the rooms have Southwest furnishings, with Aztec-style bedding and whimsical art on the walls. And to announce yet another moniker update: the Spencer House B&B has become AdobeStar Inn, 222 McKenzie St. tel. 800/647-0350 or 505/988-3024; www.adobestarinn.com). Under new ownership, the rooms have taken on Southwestern themes such as an O'Keeffe room -- decorated in bright primary colors -- and the Abiquiu room, which showcases photos of that crimson-rock country.

Many Santa Feans' favorite new spot is Aquasanta, 451 W. Alameda (tel. 505/982-6297). In a cozy hacienda-like atmosphere complete with kiva fireplace, diners feast on fresh, often organic, inventively prepared food. At lunch, the lamb burger rates as one of the city's best lunches. Santa Fe's famed restaurant Coyote Café, 132 Water St. (tel. 505/983-1615; www.coyotecafe.com/santafe.htm), has received a makeover, bringing the elegance of warm earth tones to the space, complimenting its stellar creative Southwestern menu. Another Santa Fe favorite receiving a makeover is Ristra, 548 Agua Fria St. (tel. 505/982-8608; www.ristrarestaurant.com). Now more contemporary in its ambience, the food still has an elegant blend of French and Southwestern flavors. And, the biggest change to an existing restaurant is the transformation of The Palace to Señor Lucky's at the Palace, 142 W. Palace Ave. (tel. 505/982-9891; www.senorluckys.com). It now has a festive patio and elegant Western interior and serves delectably complex foods by the same chef as the famed Geronimo. Try the tacos! If you're looking for a bit of Italy, head to Trattoria Nostrani, 304 Johnson St. (tel. 505/983-3800; www.trattorianostrani.com), a Northern Italian cafe not far from the plaza. The chefs there visit Italy each year to enhance their offerings such as roasted quail with sweet Italian sausage or rack of lamb. Meanwhile, the chef at notable 315 has opened an American food restaurant that has locals talking. The Railyard Restaurant & Saloon, 530 S. Guadalupe St. (tel. 505/989-3300; www.railyardrestaurantandsaloon.com), offers tasty steaks and other types of fare as well. The sesame-and-panko-crusted tuna is dynamite. On Canyon Road, the new spot to sip beer and watch the world pass by is Sol Café, 802 Canyon Rd. (tel. 505/989-1949; www.solcafesantafe.com). While you're there, have an Asian chicken salad or wild mahimahi with macadamia crust.

The "City Different"'s newest way to relax is with an Indo-Asian spa treatment at Absolute Nirvana Spa, Tea Room & Gardens, 106 Faithway St. (tel. 505/983-7942; www.absolutenirvana.com). The spa has master-level therapists who use plants, herbs, and spices in their treatments.

The High Road Marketplace, a co-op gallery off the Santuario de Chimayo plaza (tel. 866/343-5381 or 505/351-1078; www.highroadnewmexico.com), offers art and crafts from all over northern New Mexico, with an excellent collection of devotional crosses. Also along the High Road to Taos, in a vintage theater in the village of Peñasco, the Sugar Nymphs Bistro, 15046 NM 75 (tel. 505/587-0311), serves inventive food such as a pork tenderloin with chipotle cream sauce.

Taos

For better or worse, the Taos Ski Valley seems to be condo-izing. Last year the Edelweiss made the move. This year the Snakedance has become Snakedance Condominiums & Spa, 110 Sutton Place (tel. 800/332-9815 or 505/776-2277; www.snakedancecondos.com). These upscale condos at the very base of the mountain offer all the luxuries of home.

The Taos dining scene, always imaginative, has a few new notches on its hostess stand. First, La Folie, 106-B Paseo del Pueblo Norte (tel. 505/751-7549), offers elegant French food in a relaxed urban environment. Lunch has soups, salads, and sandwiches, while dinner offers stacked creations with delectable accoutrements such as tenderloin with saffron polenta. Though it has been in town for seven years, Caffé Renato, 133 Paseo del Pueblo Norte (tel. 505/758-0244; www.johnfarnsworth.com/cafferenato.htm), has moved to a stellar location just steps from the plaza. The restaurant offers American and Italian fare in a gallery setting. The front and back patios are the place to be in summer, eating salads or panini sandwiches or salmon with lemon tarragon aioli. Taoseños are bowled over by Gutiz, 812-B Paseo del Pueblo Norte (tel. 505/758-1226), a French-Latin fusion spot in a modest space north of town. Some come for the fresh baked bread with brie at breakfast or the pork tenderloin with onion confit at lunch. Ice cream lovers congregate at Taos Cow, 485 NM 150, Arroyo Seco (tel. 505/776-5640; www.taoscow.com). Breakfast tacos and sandwiches are a prelude to ice cream made with natural ingredients in flavors such as cherry ristra or simply good old chocolate.

The Kit Carson Home and Museum, 113 Kit Carson Rd. (tel. 505/758-4613), has become a whole different museum from its predecessor, which closed in 2004. It now offers a glimpse of the sparseness of 19th-century frontier-town life.

Albuquerque

The Sheraton Old Town has come under new management and received a major makeover. With it has come a name change. Now Hotel Albuquerque of Old Town, 800 Rio Grande Blvd., NW (tel. 800/237-2133; www.hotelabq.com), offers colonial elegance near the city's best attractions. Those who like the bustle of a city but have a tight budget can now opt for Hotel Blue, 717 Central Ave., NW (tel. 877/878-4868 or 505/924-2400; www.thehotelblue.com). A renovation has turned this 1960s property into an Art Deco "boutique hotel" within walking distance of clubs and restaurants.

Those who befriend complex flavors will enjoy AmbroZia Café & Wine Bar, 108 Rio Grande Blvd., NE (tel. 505/242-6560; www.ambroziacafe.com), in Old Town. In an intimate setting, this restaurant serves contemporary global food. The duck burger with polenta fries is especially memorable. In a relaxed urban atmosphere, with wood floors and red brick walls, Gold Street Caffè, 218 Gold Ave., SW (tel. 505/765-1633), offers contemporary American cuisine with a focus on quality ingredients. Try the seafood stew. If a sandwich craving hits you, head to Oak Tree Café, 5504 Menaul Ave., NE, Suite G (tel. 505/830-2233), for New York-style deli creations. Strike up a conversation with the owner and he'll help you feel at home.

The city's new Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Dr., NE (tel. 505/768-6020; www.balloonmuseum.com), tells the history of ballooning from its first flight in 1783 to the present, with authentic air-crafts displayed. Albuquerque's brightest new district -- Gold Avenue -- offers fun shopping and dining. As well as the Gold Street Caffè it offers many shopping options, topped off with handmade ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery, 101 Gold Ave., SW (tel. 505/843-9456; www.coldstonecreamery.com).

Exploring Nearby Pueblos & Monuments

At Acoma Pueblo (tel. 800/747-0181 or 505/552-6604), visitors now have more than the Sky City to see. A 40,000-square-foot museum below the pueblo offers a glimpse into this culture's past and present. And the mining village of Madrid along the Turquoise Trail has become a booming arts town. At Al Leedom Studio, 2485 NM 14 (tel. 505/473-2054; www.alleedom.com), visitors can watch the artist blow glass on weekends. Meanwhile, Indigo Gallery, 2584 NM 14 (tel. 505/438-6202), represents 20 New Mexico artists working in a broad range of mediums.