Milagro - Santa Fe, NM Review

It was Santa Fe at Indian Market, easily the busiest, most crowed time of year.

As we searched for a place to have a late lunch, and were turned away from several reataurants by the lines waiting to get in.

As we walked down San Francisco Street toward a restaurant we were pretty sure would not be crowded, we stumbled across Milagro. It was at the end of an alleyway. Romantic Latins might call it a courtyard. Nevertheless, if they had not had a sandwich board on the street we would never have suspected there was a restaurant back there.

Entering Milagro we found ourselves in a bar reception room. There were a half-dozen people waiting to get into the dining room, but they were being seated quickly. The bartender offered to serve us in the bar section. As we saw the short line at the hostess station moving into the dining room, we declined.

In the dining room, an atrium, we were led to a table on a second floor balcony overlooking the ground floor. It is a very pleasant room and the service was very attentive and cheerful.

Looking down on the main floor we could see the counter from which dinner orders were passsed out to the wait staff. After a while, we noted that someone, he appeared to be the owner or manager, checked every order as it left the kitchen. Perhaps this happens in every restaurant, but out of public view. Nevertheless, we were impressed that the management was overseeing every detail of the food presentation and service.

I ordered a beef short rib enchilada. OMG. It was delicious. Excellent. It came with beans and a vegetable medley, both well prepared. My companion orded a green chile soup and a Cobb salad. She had been assured the soup was not too spicy. It was not.

Often, surprises are unpleasant. This one was very pleasant. We recommend Milagro to anyone visiting Santa Fe. You will have to find it on San Francsico Street. But it will be worth it.