Santa Fe Garden Tours

The gardens of The Madeleine Bed & Breakfast Inn are about to burst into bloom, along with all the other well-tended gardens of Santa Fe.  Check out some of these luscious gardens during the 17th Annual Santa Fe Garden Club Tour.  

The first tour this year, on June 3 from 1-4 pm, is "The Iconic Eastside".  Meander through the historic Acequia Madre and Canyon Road neighborhoods, with their quintessential Santa Fe adobe homes and old world charm, including the first home designed by the famous John Gaw Meem.  Add to the experience of this June 3 event with a pre-tour picnic lunch, starting at 11:30am, in the beautiful Midyette garden on upper Canyon Road.  The gourmet picnic lunch tickets are just $25, and include entry to the historic Midyette home, a showcase of early Santa Fe architecture.

The second tour takes place the following Sunday, on June 10, from 1-4pm.   Titled "Solitude and Perfection, this tour offers a rare opportunity to visit the private and secluded gardens of notable Santa Fe artists.

Tickets are $40 for a single tour, or $75 to attend both Sunday tours.  Tickets may be purchased online at TicketsSantaFe.org or by phoning 505.988.1234.

Mother's Day in Santa Fe

The Madeleine Bed & Breakfast Inn has a great Mother's Day Special running the entire month of May.  The three night package, starting at $589, includes a heavenly one hour massage or facial at our Absolute Nirvana Spa, a dozen red roses, and the gift of a luxurious spa robe.

Of course Mother's Day also means a special brunch to honor the mother in your life, and many of Santa Fe's best restaurants offer special Mother's Day menus.  One of my favorite brunch spots in town is Santacafe, with its lovely garden patio providing the ideal setting for Mother's Day.  Another great Mother's Day Brunch option in Santa Fe, also with a spacious garden patio, is Restaurant Martin.

Both restaurants will be quite busy for Mother's Day, so you will want to call ahead to make reservations.

Clay Fair in Santa Fe

Many of our guests at The Madeleine Bed & Breakfast Inn come to Santa Fe to visit the many art galleries and museums.  This weekend visitors and locals alike will want to stop by the Santa Fe Woman's Club for the Contemporary Clay Fair, featuring the works of over thirty established New Mexican artists.  The event, now in its 17th year, showcases an astounding variety of work, from traditional pots to sculpture to wearable art.

The Contemporary Clay Fair is a great opportunity to purchase clay art directly from the artists themselves, as well as to learn about the process of working with clay.

Saturday and Sunday, May 5 & 6
10am-5pm
Santa Fe Woman's Club
1616 Old Pecos Trail

Flamenco Guitar at La Boca

Restaurants are a popular topic of discussion during both breakfast and the evening Social Hour at The Madeleine Bed & Breakfast Inn.  It is safe to say that I recommned La Boca several times a day to our guests: not only does it exceed expectations in terms of food, service and ambiance (think intimate European tapas and wine bar), it is also within easy walking distance from the inn.  Now there is a fourth reason to dine at La Boca. 

Every Monday evening diners will be regaled with the exotic and soulful flamenco music of virtuoso guitarist Chuscales.  Chuscales comes from a long line of traditional gypsy flamenco musicians, and actually began his career as a flamenco dancer before turning to guitar.  With his incredible technical ability and speed in high demand, he began touring the world, accompanying some of Spain's best flamenco singers and dancers. 

La Boca has been an exceedingly popular restaurant since opening, and now Monday nights at La Boca promise to be even busier.  You will want to reserve ahead of time by calling 505.982.3433 for your memorable evening of authentic Spanish food and music.

La Boca
72 West Marcy Street
Santa Fe, NM

Blowout Sale at American Country Collection

We have had many guests recently at The Madeleine Bed & Breakfast Inn who are visiting Santa Fe in hopes of purchasing some real estate, whether as a second home or to make a major life change.  Indeed the Santa Fe real estate market shows signs of life again, after some very slow years.

Of course with the purchase of a new abode, one needs everything from furniture to linens, lamps to rugs, candlesticks to decor.  Now is the perfect time to buy such items, during the blowout sale at American Country Collection.  They are discounting absolutely everything in all three of their Santa Fe stores by 25%.  Clearly they are wanting to move inventory, as they are about to head off to market to buy more beautiful items.  American Country Collection, or ACC, has the most stunning collection home furnishings and antiques in town, so this is quite an opportunity.

Visit their stores at:
620 Cerrillos Road (furniture, antiques, rugs, decor)
500 Montezuma (Night & Day - bedding and lighting)
53 Old Santa Fe Trail (furnishings, decor, etc. - on the Plaza)

Easter Dinner in Santa Fe

Spring has sprung in Santa Fe, with blossoms blooming and birds swinging sweetly in the gardens of The Madeleine Bed and Breakfast Inn.  This is one of the most glorious times of year to be in Santa Fe.  Guests have begun asking about Easter Dinner options, and there are several restaurants doing special Easter Brunch Menus.

Inn of the Anazsazi, just a few blocks from the inn, is offering an Easter Brunch Menu from 11am-2:30pm at $40 person.  The menu looks pretty interesting. with lots of southwestern-oriented dishes, offering a change from the traditional lamb, potatoes and asparagus.  Consider their Signature Homemade Tortilla Soup, Spanish Benedict (Eggs Benedict with Roioja Chorizo Chipotle Hollandaise), or Huevos Rancheros.  Reservations may be made by calling 505.988.3236.

Another nearby Easter meal is at Fuego, just one block from the inn.  Theirs is a more traditional menu, with appetizers such as Spring Pea Soup, Melon Coupe or Butter Lettuce Salad.  Entrees include Roasted Chicken, Eggs Benedict, Crab Cakes and Eggs, Seared Salmon or Oven Roasted Prime Rib.  In addition to the Baker's Pasty Stand (yum yum!) is a dessert of Strawberries with Devonshire Cream.  This meal will be served from 11am-3pm at a cost of $40/person.  Please call 505.984.9670 for reservations.

Also serving on Easter is one of my favorite Santa Fe Restaurants:  SantaCafe.   Though they have not posted a special Easter menu, the brunch at SantaCafe is fantastic!  I always get their Crispy Calamari with Lime Dipping Sauce to start, and highly recommend that.  Choose from entrees such as Mascarpone Stuffed French Toast, Grilled Ruby Red Trout with Sweet Corn Risotto, Baby Spinach Salad with Seared Tuna or Quiche with Gruyere Cheese.  For dessert is a killer Warm Upside Down Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream, Tahitian Vanilla Creme Brulee and so much more!  In addition, they have a lovely garden patio which is one of the nicest outdoor eating spaces in Santa Fe.  To book your brunch at SantaCafe, please call 505.984.1788.

Re-Visit the Wild West at Lamy's Legal Tender

The Madeleine Inn, built by railroad tycoon George Cuyler Preston in 1886, is very much part of Santa Fe's history.  Guests marvel over the intricate woodwork, stained glass and ornate fireplaces throughout the house.  For another peek into the area's history, take a drive out to Lamy, 18 miles south of Santa Fe.  On the way enjoy glorious open vistas which will free your soul.

Lamy came into existence with the arrival of the railroad, and the station is still operating today with daily Amtrak service.  The Lamy station is also a destination of the Santa Fe Southern Railway, which offers rides on vintage rail cars dating from the 1920's between Santa Fe and Lamy.  This ride includes a short stop in Lamy, but does not allow enough time to actually sit and enjoy a meal at Lamy's Historic Legal Tender.

It is easy to step back in time when walking into the newly re-opened Legal Tender Restaurant, which first opened in 1818 to provide respite to weary travelers in the form of libations, lively poker games and dancing "ladies".  Have a drink yourself at the beautiful old bar, hang out in the beautifully restored El Capitan Poker Room, and enjoy a meal from the extensive menu featuring steaks, burgers, pulled pork, and plenty of vegetarian options.  Kick up your heels and dance to country music every Friday and Saturday night, free of charge.

Legal Tender
151 Old Lamy Trail, NM
505.466.1650
Open Friday & Saturday, noon-9pm