Zia Cafe
A Review of This New Mexican Cafe That's Great for State Street People Watching
Where: 532 State Street, 805-962-5391
What: Colorful Santa Fe Cuisine
How much? Entrees: $6.95 $14.95, Combo Plates: prices vary
The dish: Food fashion goes in and out of flavor just as creations from clothing designers do. However, some influences remain classics. Such a classic is New Mexican cuisine, which was all the rage in the ’80s. The Zia Cafe started up then and is still going strong, serving up the traditional fare from the Land of Enchantment. As the steer skull on the wall attests (an homage to O’Keeffe of course), the ambiance is pure Santa Fe. Colorful surroundings to accompany the bright flavor of the dishes. Vibrant daisies in cobalt blue bottles adorn each table and go well with the colorful chips and salsa and the ubiquitous blue corn tortillas. Enchiladas, Chalupas, Green Chile Stew, Posole New Mexican style, Chile Rellenos stuffed with cheese and pinion nuts, and Sopapillas (addictive puffed fried bread) that you can order up either stuffed as an entree, as a side dish accompanied by a bottle of honey, or sweetened up as a dessert. It’s a great stop for a little refreshing dinner on those Farmer’s Market Tuesdays. You can pass the time people-watching while enjoying a filling meal and a margarita…or two.
