Restaurant Martin for Sublime Summer Dining

We have made many a dinner reservation for guests of The Madeleine Bed and Breakfast Inn at Restaurant Martin since they opened a couple of years ago, and many have come back saying it was the best meal they had ever had.  That is praise of the highest order indeed.  Last night my husband and I attended a concierge appreciation dinner at Restaurant Martin and enjoyed a sublime meal ourselves on the patio of this highly-acclaimed establishment.

Unlike many restaurant patios, theirs is spacious, with very comfortable seating.  The weather was perfect, with a nice cooling breeze wafting in through the beautifully landscaped area.  We were served an absolutely wonderful menu which began with Chilled Spring Pea Soup with Mexican Prawn Salad, Meyer Lemon, Fennel Sponge Cake, Greek Yogurt and American Caviar.  The soup was followed by a Crispy Skin Sea Bass with English Peas, King Trumpet Mushrooms, Daikon Radish, Crab-Miso Broth and Baby Dill Aioli, then a plate of Prime Beef Tenderloin with Yukon Potato Terrine, Asparagus, fennel, Shallot and Red Wine Sauce Mignonette.  The meal ended with a Citrus Parfait, consisting of Warm Almond Financier, Compressed Black Plums and Golden Pineapple Sorbet. 

As you can see, the menu is inspired and innovative, with exceptional presentation.  I highly recommend Restaurant Martin to visitors and locals alike who are wanting to celebrate a special evening of food and good wines in a beautiful and tasteful setting.

Chef Martin Rios was a semifinalist in the 2011 James Beard "Best Chef of the Southwest" Award, and was featured in Bon Apetit.  He has also been named Chef of the Year by the City of Santa Fe, the State of New Mexico and the New Mexico Lodging Association.  After our delightful meal last night, I can certainly understand why!

Located at the corner of Paseo de Peralta and Galisteo Street
526 Galisteo Street
Santa Fe, NM
Book online or by calling 505.820.0919

Are you the Next Ansel Adams?

If you are thinking that the spirit of Ansel Adams is lurking in your soul, the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops may be just the place to find out.  Over the years many of our guests at The Madeleine Bed & Breakfast Inn have attended these incredible workshops, taught by some of the foremost teachers in the field, such as Christopher James and Kwaku Alston. They offer a tremendous range of classes for everyone from novices to professionals.  Workshops focus on a range of specialties, from portrait-taking to travel photography (there are even photography trips to Tibet and Israel this year!), lighting to photoshop.

Santa Fe is a photographer's paradise, with its unique architecture, incredible light, stunning scenery and rich culture.  Whether you come to hone your skills at one of the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops or just want to document your vacation, be sure to pack your camera!

Frolick on the Rio Grande

The air conditioners are humming along at The Madeleine Bed & Breakfast Inn, and guests are looking for fun ways to stay cool while touring New Mexico during the warm days of June.  Take advantage of the current sale offered by New Wave Rafting, the best rafting company in the area, who will give you a 15% discount if you mention the web special when booking.

Rafting down the Rio Grande is a great way to enjoy the scenic beauty of New Mexico while staying cool and fresh.   Drift lazily through glorious canyons, and if you are lucky, you may get to see an eagle soaring overhead.  Now that the fast water of the spring snow melt is gone, this is a time for leisurely trips down the river, with plenty of opportunities for swimming and raft surfing.

Choose from a variety of trips, from half-day to full-day, or even a three day trip down the Chama for the truly adventurous.  Rates are $57 for a half-day trip and $116 for a full-day adventure, with discounts offered to children, groups and active military.

Trips are available daily, now through August 28.
Book online or call 800.984.1444.

Put on your Boots - It's Time for the Rodeo

The Madeleine Bed & Breakfast Inn was built in 1886, the hey day of the Wild West.  For a taste of the cowboy scene in the present day, check out the Santa Fe Rodeo de Santa Fe, now in its 62nd year.  The rodeo, running from June 22-25, is one of the top 60 rodeos in the country.

The show begins each evening at 6:30pm with "Mutton Bustin", followed by bareback and saddle bronc riding, team roping, tide down roping, steer wresting, barrel racing and the most exciting of all - bull riding!  Get some laughs and admire the skill of the rodeo clowns, and admire the beauty and finesse of the Rodeo Queen and her entourage.  The rodeo is great fun for one and all.

Want some cowboy duds to wear to this event?  Check out Kowboyz for some great deals on boots, hats, shirts and skirts.  They have all you need at remarkable prices.

Ticket prices range from $17-$27 ($7 for children under ten and seniors)

Tickets available online or by calling 505.988.1234.   

Rodeo de Santa Fe
3237 Rodeo Road
Santa Fe, NM
505.471.4300

Learn how The West was Won by Women!

The Madeleine Bed & Breakfast Inn is named for my daughter, Madeleine, now age 14.  She is a wonderful and inspiring powerhouse of a young lady!  A new exhibit that is opening at The New Mexico History Museum, Home Lands - How Women Made the West - explores other truly remarkable women were instrumental in the making of the West.  This exhibition runs from Sunday, June 19 through September 11, 2011, and includes historical artifacts, art, photographs, and biographies of individual women who played often-overlooked roles in settling and developing the West.  Guests are also invited to take advantage of a series of lectures, demonstrations and workshops dedicated to these generally unknown women who worked right alongside the men. 

In tandem with this primary exhibit are related exhibitions focusing on particular contributions of Native American, African American, Anglo and Hispanic women. 

We have recommended the New Mexico History Museum to hundreds of guests since they opened in May 2009, and hear rave reviews from each and every one.   As one of the newest and most interactive history museums in the country, it is a great way to learn about the rich history of New Mexico.

New Mexico History Museum
113 Lincoln Avenue, Santa Fe, NM
(right around the corner from The Palace of the Governors)
505.476.5200

10 am - 5 pm Mon. through Sun.
(Open til 8 pm on Friday)
$9 out-of-state visitors (includes admission to The Palace of the Governors)
$6 New Mexico residents
Free on Sunday to New Mexico residents
Free on Wednesday to New Mexico senior citizens
Free to Museum Members and children under 17
Free Friday Evenings, 5 to 8 pm

Santa Fe's International New Media Festival

While the Madeleine Bed & Breakfast Inn is an 1886 Victorian home, our guests appreciate both historic and contemporary styles.  Now through June 19 is an opportunity to see works from an eclectic mix of avant garde artists at the nearby El Museo Cultural.  The show, Currents 2011, is Santa Fe's Second Annual International New Media Festival. On view are the works of over 70 cutting edge artists, rubning the gamut from video, audio and interactive installations to animation, web-based art to multimedia performances and more.  The show's mission is to explore the various ways technology is used in current art medium, and how art has been impacted by the introduction of ever-evolving innovations.

Currents actually began as a local venture in 2002, but has expanded to include national and international artists as well.  Many exhibitors are local Santa Feans, though artists have also come from Mexico, Russia, Taiwan, the Netherlands and China.  Along with exhibitions, the event also offers a number of outreach programs, panels and lectures.

Now through June 19
El Museu Culturel
1615-b Paseo de peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501505.992.0591
All events and exhibitions are free

The Wonder of Meow Wolf

Our guests at The Madeleine Bed & Breakfast Inn frequent the many museums of Santa Fe, particular the renowned International Folk Art Museum, The Wheelwright and the relatively new New Mexico History Museum.  A bit off the beaten track, but definitely worth the detour, is a new exhibit at The Center for Contemporary Arts (or CCA).

The exhibit, titled The Due Return,  is a mash up of Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars.  Visitors walk through a 75 foot long, time-traveling, dimension-hopping vessel which has landed on an alien planet after a well-documented journey lasting 200 years.  The ship has the look of a 1600's sailing vessel, and according to the story, has journeyed from world to world, through time and space, collecting information and items which are displayed in the ten rooms of the ship.

The fascinating project, created by Meow Wolf and about 100 artists, builders and writers from around the world, took about eight months to complete.  It is engaging on multiple levels, and would take a few days to actually read and explore the entirety of the exhibit on all levels.  When I was there last weekend I noticed a couple of 4 year old having a great time pushing levers and buttons on the ship's controls, while more studious adults were attempting to learn the history of the ship's travels.  As for myself, I spent my first visit to this massive interactive exhibit immersing myself in this sci-fi fantasy world, imagining what it would be like to experience such an adventure.  It is truly a mind-expanding trip!

For more fun, be sure to attend the multi-media performances during the last two weeks of the exhibit.

Center for Contemporary Arts
1050 Old Pecos Trail
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Now through July 10th
Wednesday and Thursday, 1pm-8pm
Friday-Sunday, 1pm-10pm
Suggested Donation:  $10

Santa Fe's Newest and Best Flea Market

Guests of The Madeleine Bed & Breakfast Inn spent many a weekend at the famous Santa Fe Flea Market by the Santa Fe Opera, but after a change in ownership several years ago, the place just wasn't the same.  Many of our favorite vendors moved to the back area of Jackalope, while others simply disappeared.  The flea market scene suffered terribly.

Now, however, a new flea market has come into being out by the Santa Fe Downs - the old racetrack area.  This new market brings back the same fun and good vibe as the original market, and adds even more!  With 150 vendors, selling everything from antiques and vintage items to pawn jewelry, photographs and collectibles, you are sure to find all sorts of fabulous goodies.

In addition, there is now an Art Tent, your one-stop shopping source for handmade jewelry, textiles, pottery and crafts made by New Mexican artists.  Last but not least is the La Cienega Grower's Market, selling fruits, vegetables, soups, cheeses and plants.

Yeah!  Fun at the Flea once again!

The Santa Fe Flea Market
Open weekends now through October 14, 2011
Saturday and Sunday 9am-4pm
Fridays in July and August only, 9am-4pm