Gabriel’s of Santa Fe
If you need an escape we found you one! This is the perfect place to take it slow and relax while enjoying great food, good conversation, and a serene view that sets the tone for the evening.
3.8
If you need an escape we found you one! This is the perfect place to take it slow and relax while enjoying great food, good conversation, and a serene view that sets the tone for the evening.
Sure you will find the tourists stopping after reading a guide or the hotel suggestions, but this place is truly a local hang out, and is tucked away in the hills with stellar views of the mountains. Make sure you go by day and insist on a table in the patio! Gabriel’s is one of the best reviewed restaurants in the country, and when you sit down and order a margarita with the Santa Fe backdrop, you will know why. We ordered the Table Side Guacamole…you had me at table side…which was perfectly prepared. Don’t be a wimp, say yes when the lady asks if you want all the ingredients. The service was a little slow; hence my empty margarita glass, but the ambiance and great conversation will keep you occupied. They could have used a few more servers, and they had one poor lady running table to table to make guac. After ordering my second margarita, I doubled down with the Tacos al Carbon and She Dines got the Mesquite Chicken. To be honest, I am from Texas, so the tacos were good, but not flavorful enough and a bit on the dry side. They could have packed a little more punch, but I give Gabriel’s bonus points for the Guacamole. On a previous trip here, I have had the fajitas, and began to think I should have stuck with the usual. After a few drinks and some serious onion on your tacos, you deserve a great dessert so go with the Flan. It has a very traditional look and texture, but this is not your everyday Spanish happy ending…they spice it up with a hint of cinnamon that gives the Flan a unique taste that I have never experienced. It was a welcomed surprise. All in all, a nice meal, on an awesome patio! See you next time!
All I can say is you go for the view and stay for the food. Be sure and hit Gabriel’s during the day or early evening when you can enjoy the amazing view of the Mesas Mountains. The patio is charming and with the added mountainous background so picturesque it feels like a true escape. Now on to the important stuff the food! Always, always start with some tasty margaritas and the guacamole made tableside. Between the fresh chips, guacamole, margaritas and view I was a pretty happy camper. For the entrée I ordered the pollo al mesquite which was a split free-range chicken, marinated with southwestern spices and mesquite broiled. This came served with Mexican rice and charro beans. Some others at the table ordered crab enchiladas and the puetro Vallarta which was tiger prawns, lump crab and chicken breast in a wine sauce with more cheese than anything else. So while the food is good but not great this continues to be a favorite stop simply for the view, the drinks and the guacamole. Like much of Santa Fe the patio is also dog friendly and is the prefect casual setting for a crisp, sunny New Mexico afternoon.
