(Santa Fe, NM, January 27, 2010) – “Red or green?” may be New Mexico’s official state question, but diners will be facing many more delectable choices when the state’s first Restaurant Week promotion debuts in Santa Fe (February 28th to March 6th) and Albuquerque (March 7th to 13th). It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience extraordinary menus from the area’s finest restaurants – and enjoy fantastic lodging packages – at very attractive prices.

 

To date, close to 70 restaurants and hotels are participating in both cities. Restaurants are featuring three-course, prix-fixe dinner menus for $25 per person, $25 for two, or, at a few restaurants, $40 per person. Several more participants are expected to sign on in the next few weeks.

 

Out-of-town visitors will be able to take advantage of special rates at several hotels, giving them an opportunity to sample several restaurants and attend one of the many cooking classes, wine tastings and other activities offered in conjunction with New Mexico Restaurant Week. Participating hotels to date include El Corazon Residences, El Rey Inn, Encantado Resort & Spa, Hotel Andaluz, Hotel Santa Fe, The Inn & Spa at Loretto, the Santa Fe Sage Inn, and the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa.

 

A variety of culinary activities are on tap for Restaurant Week, including cooking and mixology demonstrations and wine tastings. Information on restaurants, menu selections, hotel deals and events can be found at www.newmexicorestaurantweek.com, which is constantly being updated. Website visitors soon can register for the Restaurant Week Sweepstakes giveaway, featuring hotel stays, restaurant gift certificates and more.

 

Several sponsors also have signed on to support New Mexico Restaurant Week, including American Airlines, the Santa Fe Restaurant Association, Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta, New Mexico Tourism, New Mexico Rail Runner Express, Sysco, Shamrock Foods, Southern Wine & Spirits, National Distributors, Citadel Broadcasting, Edible Santa Fe and the Santa Fe New Mexican and Santa Fean Magazine.

 

“The response from restaurants, hotels and sponsors has been extremely enthusiastic,” said Michele Ostrove, president of Wings Media Network, the public relations and marketing firm that organized the promotion. “Locals and visitors alike are excited about a new culinary event in New Mexico – especially one that makes so many fine dining choices affordable for everyone. The hard part will be choosing where to eat.”

 

Participating Santa Fe restaurants to date:


 

¡A la Mesa!           

Anasazi Restaurant            

Amavi

Amaya at Hotel Santa Fe

Andiamo

Blue Corn Café (1)

Blue Corn Café (2)

Cowgirl BBQ

Dinner for Two

El Meson

Epazote

Flying Star Cafe

Fuego! at La Posada

Galisteo Bistro

Geronimo

Joe’s Diner

La Boca

La Casa Sena

La Plazuela

Luminaria at the Inn at Loretto

Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen

Milagro 139

O’Keeffe Cafe

Osteria d’Assisi

Pranzo

Rio Chama

Ristra

Rooftop Pizzeria

Santa Fe Bar & Grill

San Francisco Street Bar & Grill

Sleeping Dog Tavern

Terra at Encantado

The Compound

The Old House

The Ore House

The Railyard Restaurant

Trattoria Nostrani

Vanessie

Vinaigrette

Ze French Bistro

Zia

 

Participating Albuquerque restaurants to date:

 

Artichoke Café

Brasserie La Provence

Casa Vieja

Chama River Brewing Company

Corn Maiden at Tamaya Resort

El Pinto

Flying Star Cafe – Downtown

IPCC Harvest Pueblo Cafe

Lucia at Hotel Andaluz

McGrath’s at the Hyatt Regency

Pars Cuisine

Prairie Star at Santa Ana Golf Course

Sandiago’s Mexican Grill on Sandia Peak

Savoy

Scalo

Seasons Rotisserie & Grill

St. Clair Winery & Bistro

Trombino’s Bistro Italiano

Zea Rotisserie & Grill

Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro