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Taos
Taos locals can't get enough of Sushi a la Hattori, located at Overland Sheepskin Complex, 1405 Paseo del Pueblo Norte (tel. 505/737-5123). Set in a modest space with Formica tables, but with views out toward pastoral meadows and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the restaurant serves all the sushi-lover's favorites, including yellowtail, tuna, halibut, eel, and sweet shrimp. For those who prefer their fish cooked, the menu also offers sesame chicken, beef teriyaki, and other dishes, as well as vegetable and shrimp tempura. You can order beer and sake to accompany your meal. Prices range from $8 to $20, depending on how much sushi you order.
Northwestern New Mexico
The best digs in Chama these days are right across from the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Station at the Chama Station Inn, 423 Terrace Avenue (tel. 888/726-8150 or 505/756-2315; info@chamastationinn.com). Built in 1926, the inn was restored in 1993. Each of the nine rooms is simple but cozy with country furnishings and quilts on the beds. Located in the center of town, it's walking distance from restaurants, shops, and, of course, the train. Prices range from $80 to $150. Open from April to December.
Northeastern New Mexico
Las Vegas has a hidden gem, known mostly to locals. On the main drag of town, you enter what appears to be a typical liquor store, Dick's, but then you head to the back, through a bar and up some stairs into the cleverly hidden Restaurant at Dick's, 705 Douglas Ave. (tel. 505/425-8261). It's a large place set on two levels, with a sport's bar feel, including televisions to watch the games. The menu offers a tasty range of sandwiches, salads, grilled items, and New Mexican food. You might have tequila chicken or a super sirloin burger, topped with avocado, green chile, and grilled onions. Entrees come with a choice of sides and a vegetable. If you don't have time for a sit-down meal, head back to the liquor store and order a sandwich or wrap at the counter. They're abundantly filled with roast beef, turkey, and/or vegetables, and they even have avocado and sprouts, if you'd like. Prices for meals run $6 to $22 and for deli sandwiches from $3 to $7.
In Clayton, the historic Eklund Hotel Dining Room & Saloon, 15 Main St. (tel. 877/EKLUND1 or 505/374-2551; www.theeklund.com) has captured the region's attention with its remodel just a few years ago. Built in 1892, the three-story structure has a frontier elegance, with nice-sized rooms (splurge for a suite!), with iron headboards and elegant bedding. The baths have period replica tile and fixtures. While there, be sure to sidle up to the stand-up bar, complete with a brass rail to rest your cowboy boot on. The restaurant serves the region's finest steaks and homemade chile rellenos. Room prices range from $93 to $133.
Southwestern New Mexico
Silver City continues to surprise travelers with new eating options. The recently opened Orchid Café at Cienega Spa, 101 North Cooper Street (tel. 505/534-1600; www.cienegaspasalon.com) offers new American food in a historic downtown ambiance. The 1906 Queen-Anne style building sits on a hill above town and offers a cozy homelike atmosphere, while the food is quite sophisticated. For lunch you might have a duck breast salad with smoked Gouda or a Jamaican pork loin sandwich, with grilled pineapple served on a homemade bun. At dinner, my favorite is the portabella and rosemary meat loaf with garlic mashed potatoes and spinach. The piñon-crusted sea bass with cous cous is also excellent. Service is cordial and the place is quiet enough to allow for good conversation. In warmer months, eat out on the porch that surrounds the spa. Prices range from $7.50 to $10 at lunch, and from $13 to $20 at dinner.
In Las Cruces, the Las Cruces Hilton has come under new ownership and is now Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces, 705 South Telshor Blvd. (tel. 505/522-4300; www.hotelencanto.com). Furnished in the elegant style of colonial Mexico, the hotel is full of vibrant colors and antique Mexican furnishings. It also offers a restaurant, on-site car rental, concierge services, an outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and health club facilities. Prices range from $99 to $149.
Southeastern New Mexico
An off-the-beaten-path stop for history buffs is the White Sands Museum & Missile Park, off US 70, 45 miles south of Alamogordo or 25 miles northeast of Las Cruces (tel. 505/678-8824; www.wsmr-history.org). Through displays of various missiles, this museum tells the story of modern war: from the first atomic bomb detonations in 1945 at the Trinity Site just north of here, to the first object to leave the Earth's atmosphere also in 1945, to the Space shuttle landing here in 1982, and onward. Outside, missiles such as the Pershing and Patriot fill a park with a walking trail winding among them. Spend about an hour here. Note: To access the museum, you'll turn off US 70 between mile markers 169 and 170 and drive 3 miles to a gate to obtain a visitor's pass. You must have a current driver's license with a photo, car registration, and proof of insurance to enter. Admission is free. Open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 3pm.