May 15, 2012

The Elderflowers celebrated Lori’s triumphant return to Santa Fe (after her month-long exile in Modesto) with Hora Alegre at Jinja Bar and Bistro, a Snable family favorite.  Tucked away in a strip mall on Guadalupe Street, the exterior of Jinja reminds the uninitiated of such gustatory wastelands as Ruby Tuesdays and TGI Fridays.  But behind the heavy wooden doors lies a scene that transports the visitor to the tropics of yesteryear.

The Jinja bar is a dark and sensual cocoon, complete with a bank of tryst-worthy booths  The  burnt sienna colored walls are festooned with Asian and South Seas-inspired art. The bar top is made of old barn wood, the stools have Kilim upholstery, and lighting is provided by whimsical monkey lamps.  The low lighting is particularly friendly to ladies “of a certain age” who are fighting the ravages of time.

While Gene Hackman was one of the original Jinja partners, he was nowhere in evidence.  We surmise that he was counting his Oscars and Golden Globe Awards from an aerie overlooking “The City Different.”

The bartender, Jason, has honed his skills at Jinja for four years.  This eminently quotable young man is the proud new father of Gerber baby June.  He cuts a striking figure with his Van Dyke — a beard style named after 17th century Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck in which the mustache and goatee are connected.  When Lori suggested that Jason’s facial hair might be a disguise for him under the witness protection program, Jason smiled enigmatically.

The Drinks

While Jason slammed Lori with nicely composed martini, Blythe’s Cosmopolitan had a juice-like flavor that didn’t pack the usual punch.  When asked why it didn’t seem sufficiently potent, Jason’s response was, “The secret ingredient is love, damn it!”  Good comeback, barkeep.  Jinja’s cocktail prices are low for “The City Expensive” — $8.95 for a Cosmo and $8.75 for a martini. 

The Elderflowers respectfully suggest that Jinja’s vintage “umbrella cocktails” from the 1930s and 1940s might be better choices for our loyal Hora Alegre followers.  We are confident that Jason mixes a mean Mai-tai, Bahama Mama, and Singapore Sling.

Dining Notes

The Elderflowers and their men had a delectable pan-Asian dinner at Jinja after Hora Alegre.  Blythe was delighted to be seated at the mafia table (where no one has their back to the door) as a tribute to her beloved New Jersey roots.

More Information

Jinja Bar and Bistro
510 North Guadalupe
505-982-4321

May 6, 2012

Cinco de Mayo paled in comparison to Hora Alegre the next day.  Nancy Beneduce, the inspiration behind Hora Alegre, made her maiden voyage to Santa Fe from New Jersey, and was crowned Elderflower III at the Fiesta Bar at the La Fonda Hotel.  Sadly, Elderflower I was under house arrest in Modesto, California, and unable to participate in the festivities.  However, she was heartily toasted throughout the evening.

The La Fonda, built in 1922, sits on the same site as previous inns that have been travelers’ havens for over 400 years.  Due in part to its location at the end of the Santa Fe Trail, tourists are attracted to the Fiesta Bar like maggots to carrion.  However, your Hora Alegre hostesses have discovered that sitting at the bar is the cure for the common tourist.  Cunningly securing two of the six seats at the coppertop bar, Nancy and Blythe admired the rustic vigas and latillas, as well as the stained glass in a painted nicho.  

The Bartenders and Drinks
The bartenders at the Fiesta Bar wear handsome gold shirts and wield their shakers with authority.  Five year La Fonda veteran Tommy Sanchez sported a bolo tie, lapis ring and bracelet that nicely complemented his “faux-hawk” hairstyle.  His Cosmopolitans were deftly composed with top-shelf Grey Goose Vodka and garnished with a lemon twist.   After modestly accepting our compliments, Tommy  introduced the lady barflies to Chief Mixologist Kelly Rael, whose eponymous Margaritas recently received “Best of Santa Fe” honors from The Reporter. The $12 “Don Rael” is an arresting fusion of Hornitos Repo and Tres Generaciones Anejo Tequilas, with Patron Citronage and Grand Marnier. 

The Coronation
These zesty libations set the mood for Nancy’s coronation as Elderflower III.  Like many of Santa Fe’s finest hostelries, the La Fonda has a vast art collection.  Serendipitously, a suitably salacious painting was hung over a banco in La Fiesta.  It provided the ideal backdrop for the solemn ritual of Elderflowerhood.  Now three in number, the Elderflowers have entered a new phase in their mission of sharing Santa Fe’s finest watering holes with a thirsty population around the world.

More Information
La Fonda Hotel
100 E. San Francisco Street
(505) 982-5511

The Return of Elderflower I!
Lori returns to Santa Fe on May 13th after her month-long exile in Modesto.  Weekly Hora Alegre posts will resume upon her arrival.  

April 16, 2012

The Elderflowers were saving Hora Alegre at renowned El Farol for a stupendous occasion, and that day rolled around at last with the arrival of a daring Denver duo — Kathy Heinz and her sidekick Vicki Alfano.

It’s essential to note that this is the first Santa Fe watering hole where there was a bullet hole in the bar.  Built in 1835, El Farol was once a hunting bar, and apparently both predator and prey were humanoid.  A previous owner was shot out front on Canyon Road in the 70s, and a cocktail waitress torched a “friend’s” car by putting a rag in the gas tank.  It goes without saying that the four Hora Alegre ladies were very much in their element at El Farol.

Gruesome history aside, the bar at El Farol is esthetically quite pleasing.  The low ceiling and handsome vigas are complemented by nichos, vibrant pumpkin colored walls and tables with rich red linens.  The quirky impressionist murals of Alfred Morang add a whimsical air to the room.  He reportedly settled his hefty bar tabs by painting artwork for El Farol between 1948 and 1952.  Alas, the talented painter died in 1958 in a fire at his Canyon Road studio.

Furry faced Nate was the first Hora Alegre bartender with a degree in Spanish Literature.  He was also the first mixologist with whom the Elderflowers and their guests had a theological discussion.  Vicki and Lori savored Nate’s martinis … most likely because they opted for Tanqueray instead of “Crystal Palace,” the well rot gut.  Nate waxed philosophical about the perfect martini, which the bartender must “shake, shake, shake” until a blizzard of ice crystals form.  After a fleeting moment, the crystals vanish leaving only a tantalizingly clear elixir embracing two plump olives.  Kathy and Blythe chose to quaff the signature El Farol Happy Hour Margarita.  Kathy is known throughout Greater Denver and the Rocky Mountain Region as the Margarita Madame.  She pronounced Nate’s Margaritas quite fine, and not too sour.

With an average age of 58.75 years, the Elderflowers and guests endeared themselves to all who were fortunate enough to be at El Farol on a night that will go down in the annals of Hora Alegre as nonpareil.  And yes, a celebratory round was in order.  Since Nate had a date with his wife, Parker addressed our beverage needs and discharged his responsibilities with finesse.

The Prices
Margaritas are a cool $5 during Happy Hour.  Martinis are $9 made with rot gut, $10 with gin that won’t require hospitalization for stomach ulcers.

More  Information

El Farol
808 Canyon Road
505-983-9912

www.elfarolsf.com

Hora Alegre Hiatus
Elderflower Lori will be in the garden spot of the West, Modesto, California, until May 13th.  Hora Alegre will be on hiatus, with one exception. The woman who inspired Hora Alegre, Gypsy Beneduce, will be visiting Santa Fe for Cinco de Mayo and may be convinced to stand in (or fall down) for Lori.

March 28, 2012

The Scene
La Posada is one of Santa Fe’s most chichi hotels.  It is also haunted!  While the exterior of La Posada was constructed in Pueblo Revival-style adobe, the centerpiece of the hotel is the Staab House.  Built in 1882 by Abraham Staab, a wealthy Santa Fe Trail merchant, this Victorian mansion was home to his large, happy family.  But his wife, Julia, reportedly went loco when their seventh child died.  She spent her final years locked in her room and may have hung herself.  Julia’s tortured soul wanders the Staab House, startling guests and employees alike with surprising regularity.

The bar at La Posada is located in what used to be the Staab mansion kitchen. The walls are a rich cranberry color, providing the perfect backdrop for paintings expertly selected by La Posada’s art curator, Sara Eyestone.  On this night, the bar and salon featured paintings by Patrick Dean Hubbell, a 25-year-old rising star from the Navajo Dine Nation.  His paintings of Native American elders delight with the contemporary touch of sunglasses.

The Staff and Libations
The Elderflowers were captivated by Henry (who had a 5 AM encounter with Julia Staab) and the pulchritudinous team of blond bartender Sophie and dark-haired server Stephanie.  Sophie grew up on Cape Cod and she mixes a hell of a drink.  Blythe chose El Presidente, a blend of Ron Zacapa rum, pineapple juice, and a splash of Grenadine, which was a sophisticated riff on an umbrella drink.  Lori’s Classic Martini soared to greatness with the use of superpremiumTanqueray Ten gin.
Stephanie and Sophie remarked that the Elderflowers are what they expect to be like when they reach a “certain age.”  Presumably this is a compliment, coming from such delightful young ladies!

The Prices
Sadly, Hora Alegre drinks have often been served in Lilliputian martini glasses.  Not so at La Posada where the glasses were voluminous, making the price tag of $12 each a veritable bargain.   

Introducing Cena Alegre!
It seems the Elderflowers just can’t tear themselves away from Hora Alegre.  In a canny ploy to shirk their wifely duties, Lori and Blythe invited their husbands to join them for a light repast after Hora Alegre.  The bar menu at La Posada is right on target.  Our trio of Kobe beef burgers were highly spiced and prepared to precisely the requested temperature.  While devouring our tasty meals, the assembled group was serenaded by SAVOR, a band specializing in Cuban street music. 

Unable to tame her “inner entertainer,” Blythe joined the band for a bold rendition of Guantanamera.  While the other diners squirmed,  Mudge (a guest’s three-legged Border Collie) didn’t budge.  Apparently he is also hearing impaired.

More Information
La Posada
330 East Palace Avenue
505-986-0000

www.laposada.rockresorts.com
www.savormusic.com

March 21, 2012

All it took was a glance at the sign on the door (“Bar Open All Day and Into the Night”) to convince the Elderflowers that it would be a stellar Hora Alegre at Rio Chama. Serendipitously located within spitting distance of the Roundhouse, the New Mexico state capitol building, the Rio Chama bar is popular with politicos and hangers on of all stripes. In fact, Governor Susana Martinez has been known to pick up her takeout orders in person.

The copper top bar is lit with punched tin lamps and chandeliers, and the bar offers a variety of seating options — booths, high tops, and low tables with comfy leather chairs.  The gas fireplace was a bit declasse, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the state senator from Roswell who was seated nearby.

Decor aside, the most attractive feature of this Hora Alegre site is the David Beckham lookalike bartender, Rob, who is in his eleventh year at Rio Chama. At first blush, it appeared that Rio Rob (with his single, charming dimple) was to be our first shy bartender.  However, the combination of booze and residual anesthesia from her eye operation emboldened Blythe to pester the poor fellow until he revealed his true, saucy personality.

The Drinks

Noting Blythe’s extraordinarily ugly black and blue eye, accented with a huge black blood clot, Rob created a cocktail in her honor.  His Black-Eyed Blythe was comprised of Gray Goose Citron, Chambord, cranberry juice, fresh lime, and a splash of Gruet (a divine and cheap New Mexico sparkling wine).  It was a triumph of mixology.  Lori’s martini was similarly ambrosial, despite her Lenten sacrifice of a second olive.  This photo explains the  Elderflowers’ use of an old toast:  ”Here’s Mud in Your Eye.”  Upon learning that this was Blythe and Lori’s 14th Hora Alegre, Rio Rob’s rejoinder was, “Not all today, right?”  Cute and clever.

The Prices
The Elderflowers are not at liberty to share the cost of their cocktails for personal reasons.  However, the bar food and small plates enjoyed with their spouses after Hora Alegre were both fairly priced and toothsome.

More Information
Rio Chama
414 Old Santa Fe Trail
505-955-0765

March 6, 2012

Where but in “The City Different” will you find an altar at the entrance to a bar?  Lori and Blythe found it peculiar indeed, until we learned more about the Low ‘n Slow Lowrider Bar at the Hotel Chimayo.

The bar has a lowrider decor from top to bottom — from a chandelier made with hubcaps to tuck ‘n’ roll banquette seating and photos of Northern New Mexico’s finest lowriders.  Our bartender Frido (“like the pie, but with a d”) has worked at the Low ‘n Slow since it opened in June of 2011.  He gave the Elderflowers a tutorial on the lowrider culture, with frequent assists from a bearded regular (male) who chose to remain anonymous. 

The most interesting factoid about lowriders is their artistic tradition.  The hoods often sport elaborate paintings with religious themes, raising the question:  “WWJD in a lowrider?”  Lori and Blythe also learned how to be a “chola,” a female subculture of the lowriders.  This 20-second video offers a wealth of chola insight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TjOqZDf1Og&feature=related

The Drinks

The first round was one of Frido’s signature drinks, Las Amigas.  Fittingly, a primary ingredient is St. Germain liqueur made from elderflowers picked in the Alps (Ryder-Walker hikers take note).  Other ingredients include orange juice, fresh lemon, Cointreau, and Milagro Anejo Tequila.  Frido explained that he could give the Elderflowers special attention because business tends to drop off during Lent, at least for the first two weeks.  Lori noted that she gave up a second olive in her martinis for Lent.

Round two was an as yet unnamed cocktail which will be introduced in the April issue of Sunset Magazine.  Served in a martini glass, this drink packs a punch with tequila, mango nectar and … muddled jalapeno!  With every sip, Blythe had to emit a rousing ”Yowza.”  To beat the burn, the Elderflowers partook of wine chasers.

The $60 bill for this Hora Alegre was worth every peso for these Cholas.  For those on a budget, there are $3 draft beers from 5 to 7 pm.

More Information

Low ‘n Slow Lowrider Bar
Hotel Chimayo
125 Washington Ave
Phone: 505-988-4900

HORA ALEGRE ALERT …
The Elderflowers wore sunglasses for Hora Alegre 13 in recognition of Blythe’s upcoming eye surgery in San Francisco.  Hora Alegre will resume when she returns to Santa Fe, preferably without a glass eye.  In the meantime, keep those suggestions coming.

Sadie Hawkins Day, 2012

Did you know that February 29th is the one day when ladies can ask guys to marry them?  The Elderflowers had no such thing on their minds when they went to the newly remodeled Agave Lounge at the El Dorado Hotel.  But the joint was jumpin’ with a young crowd who may well have been lookin’ for love.

Advertised as “hip and sophisticated,” the Agave Lounge was the first Hora Alegre watering hole that reminded Blythe of bars in the New York metro area.  It has a contemporary look with a stainless steel bar top, lush, earth-tone seating, and a high noise level. The only concession to Santa Fe style is a minimalist display of antique Hopi Kachinas on the wall behind the handsome banquette seating.

The Elderflowers definitely raised the average age by a decade or two, and after viewing the photo above Blythe was tempted to make a 911 call to the plastic surgery center.  Lori, on the other hand, was looking fabulous after her visit to Rock, Paper, Scissors for color and a sassy new haircut.

The Agave Lounge boasts the prettiest bartenders West of the Mississippi:  the exotically named Brittania and Gabriella, a Lindsey Vonn lookalike whose father played classical guitar at the El Dorado before moving to Scottsdale.

The Drinks

The Agave Lounge has an enticing cocktail menu.  Blythe had an $11 ”Pomapolitan” made with Absolut Citron, Cointreau, fresh lime and pomegranate juice.  Unfortunately, it tasted like an innocent fruit punch (which it was not) and she downed two in record time.  Lori’s martini was garnished with succulent and piquant olives on a precious crystal stabarumrum.  While there are value-priced Happy Hour specials ($3 Drafts, $5 House Wine, $5 Well Drinks), the Elderflowers’ drinks didn’t qualify.  The Agave Lounge also offers one fabulous appetizer special each night.  We will definitely return for a Tuesday Hora Alegre when the special is lobster sliders.

More Information

Agave Lounge at the El Dorado Hotel
309 W. San Francisco Street
505.995.4545  

http://www.agaveloungesantafe.com/

February 24, 2012

Del Charro is the place to go for local color and a great, cheap Margarita.  It’s a must to sit in the rustic front room, preferably at the lively copper-topped bar.  If there’s no room at the bar, four comfy chairs in front of the fireplace are also coveted seating.  Be sure to look at the archival cowboy photos on the walls.

At this particular Hora Alegre, the Elderflowers spotted a long-haired, long-bearded, leather-clad regular who works at “Guns for Hire.”  He is just one example of the rugged individuals who frequent Del Charro, giving tourists fodder for Santa Fe stories to tell the folks back home.

On this night, Lori’s favorite bartender was waiting tables instead of mixing drinks.  So there was no clever repartee with the two hard-working bartenders who were trying to keep up with orders on a hoppin’ Friday night.  However, their shirts did provide reading material for patrons longing to know what Del Charro means …

The Drinks

Don’t bother paying $9.50 for the Santa Fe Silver Coin Margarita, when the $6 Del Charro House Margarita is the best deal in town.  Made with Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila and garnished with a tequila-marinated lime, it comes in a personal shaker.  Blythe kept pouring and pouring as the shaker seemed to be deliciously bottomless.  Lori’s martini was clean with a clear veil of ice skimming the top and a duo of plump olives.  Both drinks were “eee-normous” and “dee-licious.”

More Information

Del Charro
101 West Alameda Street
505-954-0320

Open Daily from 11:30 am – Midnight