A Rooftop Movie Night Under The Stars

By

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July 5, 2023

a few people sitting on furniture on a rooftop watching a movie on a screen with lights strung overhead and a small tabletop fire to the side

Host a rooftop movie night under the stars, or transform your yard into a movie viewing oasis with cocktails and tasty bites.

When my partner and I schemed our summer bucket list, Dylan’s top priority was gaining access to our roof. Years prior, a maintenance team had sealed the opening, and I’d given up on rooftop hangs, but Dylan was persistent. I was, admittedly, more nervous about the endeavor. However, once he sawed through the closure, I was obsessed with the potential of the space.

My designer brain went into overdrive. Within a day of access, I had paint swatches and mood boards of Moroccan riads and tropical courtyards. By day two, I had sourced a furniture set on Facebook marketplace, half of which had to be heaved up the side of the building. Within a week, I had painted a huge swath of the roof in layers of earthy pinks and adobe reds. By the time I was done painting, my face was equally earthy red — a rooftop at noon is no joke, but that was the weather window I had. So be it!

As all the obsessive details came together, an idea was born; how cool would it be to host a movie on the roof?!? I sent out the invite texts and began brainstorming popcorn flavors, sweet movie treats, and a list of films.

In the meantime, I asked my good friend Lisa Considine to lend her expertise on the cocktail front. The good news is you, too, can channel her cocktail skills for your own backyard movie night. Lisa is one-half of Lo Bar Cocktail Services, a comprehensive mobile bar and cocktail catering business. Whether or not you have a rooftop at your disposal, you too can host a memorable outdoor movie night with all the best snacks and drinks.

Host Your Own Movie Night:

The Setup:

There are a lot of affordable projector and screen options out there. I recommend a projector with a built-in sound system to make the outdoor setup easier. My screen conveniently folds into a bag with a handle, so I’m ready to take movie watching all over the place.

Movie Choices:

I asked my friend and film/theater buff, Brittanny Spinelli, for some screening advice. She suggested classics that guests have most likely seen before, so if you end up talking through the movie, you’re not missing a major plot twist. Think Jaws, Jurassic Park, Goonies, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, or Princess Bride. We both agreed that anything by Wes Anderson is on the table too.

The Menu:

-Welcome Cocktail: Hibiscus Margarita

-Grilled Flatbreads: Start with your trusty pizza crust recipe. Or, simplify, and lean on your favorite flatbread or pre-made pizza dough. I like the ancient grain pizza dough from Whole Foods. Then, try both of these combinations.

- Pesto, Grilled Corn, Grilled Peaches or Nectarines, Parmesan, Feta or Fresh Mozzarella, Basil
- Olive Oil, Minced Garlic, Figs, Bleu Cheese, Dill

-Watermelon

-A DIY Popcorn Bar

-A DIY Treats Bar

The Drinks:

-Let Lo Bar Cocktail Services do all the heavy lifting for you with a pre-batched mixer, cocktail, or mocktail. That leaves you more time to focus on stocking wine options and the movie setup logistics. The Hibiscus Margarita with lime, rosemary, and rosemary salt is a great choice.

-Assorted Chilled Wine Options

The DIY Popcorn Bar:

You can experiment with more homemade flavor infusions, but here are three solid choices to get you started.

Vegan Curry Popcorn

Toss 16 cups of hot popcorn with ½ cup melted coconut oil, 2 teaspoons each of curry powder, garam masala, turmeric, and salt. Add more seasoning to taste.

Herbs de Provence Popcorn

Buttery Version: Add chopped fresh rosemary and dried lavender to 1 stick of melted butter. Stir to combine, and set aside to infuse for 15-20 minutes. Heat the butter to melt it, if necessary, then toss the butter mixture with 16 cups of hot popcorn, ½ cup grated parmesan, and 2 teaspoons sea salt.

Olive Oil Version: Toss 16 cups hot popcorn with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary, ½ tablespoon chopped dried lavender, and 2 teaspoons kosher salt.

Everything Bagel Popcorn

Buttery Version: Toss 16 cups of hot popcorn with 1 stick of melted butter and ⅓ cup of Everything Bagel Spice, or more, to taste.

Vegan Version: Spray 16 cups of hot popcorn with enough neutral olive oil to coat the popcorn. Toss with ⅓ cup Everything Bagel Spice, or more, to taste.

The DIY Treat Bar:

Want to spark a conversation? Ask your friends about their favorite movie-theater candy choice. As for hosting your movie night, you can go with the classics or offer a little bit of a healthier twist. Try East End Food Coop’s yogurt-coated pretzels, peanut-butter pretzels, or naturally-dyed sour gummies and jelly beans. Add some nuts and wholesome cookies to the mix, and you have something for every type of sweet tooth.

Story and Styling by Quelcy Kogel / Photography by Tom Macconnell

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Typical Average Cocktail, Inspired by Ed Sheeran

By

Star Laliberte

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July 4, 2023

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two yellow cocktails in small glass cartons with mint sprig garnish on a white tile surface

A Typical Average Cocktail for a “typical average teen, if you know what I mean.” We went all the way back to the year 2005 when Ed Sheeran self-released his first EP, The Orange Room, for this cocktail inspo. The third track on the album was titled Typical Average. The flavors in this cocktail, the 4th in our 2023 Summer Concert Cocktail Series, might be slightly more recognizable than Sheeran’s preteen vocals. If you don’t believe us, dare to compare and give it a listen?

Typical Average Cocktail, Inspired by Ed Sheeran

Ingredients

2oz Wild Turkey American Honey
1oz fresh squeezed lime juice
ginger beer
mint leaves for garnish

Instructions

Add ice to the rocks glass
Pour American Honey over the ice.
Add fresh squeezed lime juice, and stir.
Top with ginger beer.
Garnish with a large sprig of mint.

Recipe by Sarah Cascone / Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Dave Bryce / Story by Star Laliberte

Photo surface provided by Tile and Designs.

Try these other cocktails in our Summer Concert Series:
Crush Cocktail, inspired by Dave Matthews Band
Summer’s In Your Blood Cocktail, inspired by Boygenius
Lover Cocktail, inspired by Taylor Swift

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4 Refreshing Michelada Recipes Perfect for Summer

By

Star Laliberte

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July 3, 2023

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Refreshing michelada recipes are a great way to liven up your summer parties, and our friends at Round Corner Cantina are sharing 4 michelada recipes with next-level flavors that will keep you sipping all summer long. The Mexican beer cocktail, typically made with lime and assorted juices, is also a great addition to your favorite Tuesday night treat: tacos.

Try These Michelada Recipes Perfect for Summer

Look at these four gorgeous, enticing Micheladas…which one will you choose to sip on this summer? Here are your options.

Rosa

Guava pureé and lush hibiscus simple syrup combined with ice cold beer deliver a subtly sweet flavor and a beautiful red color in this Rosa Michelada.

Clara Michelada

The Clara Michelada is a refreshing Mexican beer and lime drink using one of Mexico’s most classic beers, Modelo. Modelo with lime over ice is simple and enjoyable for the warmer months.

Verde Michelada

Give your beer a spicy, savory upgrade with this Verde Michelada recipe using Green Bloody Mix. If you love the grassy, zesty kick of salsa verde, this is the savory cocktail for you!

Rojo Michelada

If you’re a fan of the Bloody Mary and a lover of an ice cold beer, this classic Rojo Michelada with tomato sauce and jalapeño is for you. Makes a perfect “hair of the dog” hangover cure!

Story by Star Laliberte
Recipes by Esquina Cantina
Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Dave Bryce

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Buttermilk Pancakes

By

Gabe Gomez

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July 3, 2023

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a stack of pancakes on a plate with berries — Photo courtesy of Jaqueline Pelzer

Pancakes may seem like a humble breakfast staple, but they can be an absolute game-changer when done right. Imagine a plate piled high with golden-brown pancakes that are so fluffy they practically float off the plate. Buttermilk, that tangy elixir of the dairy world, is the secret weapon that takes these pancakes from ordinary to extraordinary. That lactic acid works its magic, tenderizing the batter and adding a subtle tang that cuts through the sweetness. Raspberries and blueberries add a little flavor and bring freshness and brightness to the party. And let’s not forget the finishing touch – a light dusting of confectioners sugar. It’s like a whisper of sweetness that blankets the pancakes, adding a touch of elegance and that little extra something.

Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 ¼ cups buttermilk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup blueberries
Pinch of confectioners sugar

Directions

Combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk them together until well combined.
In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Gradually pour the melted butter into the wet ingredients while whisking, and continue stirring until well combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon to gently stir the mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing. Let the batter rest for a moment.
Heat a cast iron pan over medium-low heat and butter it.
Once the skillet is heated, pour half a cup of batter onto the pan.
Cook the pancake until the edges appear cooked, and bubbles form on the surface of the batter. Flip the pancake and continue cooking until it turns golden brown.
Repeat the process, adding butter to the pan between each batch of pancakes.
Serve the pancakes warm, topped with raspberries, blueberries, and a sprinkle of confectioners sugar. Feel free to get creative with your toppings by adding your favorite fruits, maple syrup, or any other desired variations.

Recipe by Gabe Gomez

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Verde Michelada

By

staff-author

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July 3, 2023

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a yellow and green cocktail made of verde and beer in a clear glass garnished with jalapeño and cilantro with a white background

Give your beer a spicy upgrade with this Verde Michelada Recipe from our friends at Pittsburgh’s Esquina Cantina. The appeal of a beer-based michelada cocktail has a lot to do with refreshing hydration, next level flavors, and a cool drink you can linger over with family and friends.

Speaking of next level flavor: Round Corner’s homemade Green Bloody Mix delivers the perfect amount of heat on the back end of this Verde Michelada. The folks at Round Corner were good enough to share it with TABLE Readers. See below.

The History of the Michelada

The drink’s name comes from the phrase “mi chela helada,” which means “my cold beer.” Beer is one of the most refreshing drinks out there on a hot day, and the michelada ups that with its addition of citrus. The most popular story says that Michel Ésper, a member of the Club Deportivo Potosino sports club, invented the michelada after a tennis match. This may be apocrypha, but a cold beer with lime after a tennis match does sound delightful.

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Verde Michelada

Author: Esquina Cantina

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing Latin drink.

Ingredients

Scale

For the michelada:

2oz Verde Bloody mix (recipe below)
Dos Equis Lager
Lime wedge, cilantro spring, and jalapeño slice for garnish

For the Green Bloody mix:

4 tomatillos, skins removed, halved
1 jalapeńo pepper, seeded, halved
1 garlic clove
6 sprigs cilantro, stems removed
3 oz lime
1.5 oz water
1.5 tbsp kosher salt

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Instructions

For the michelada:

Fill glass halfway with ice.
Add 2oz verde mix.
Top with Dos Equis Lager or beer of choice, or n/a beer.
Garnish with lime wedge, cilantro sprig, and jalapeño slice.

For the green bloody mix:

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

Recipe by Esquina Cantina
Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Dave Bryce

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Rojo Michelada Recipe

By

staff-author

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July 3, 2023

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Referred to as a Mexican Bloody Mary, this Rojo Michelada cocktail uses Mexican beer instead of vodka, but still mixes it with the classic Bloody Mary . Our friends at Esquina Cantina are sharing their version of the cocktail with our readers, whether you’re enjoying it for happy hour or as hair of the dog.

How to Make Your Own Bloody Mary Mix

The mix you use for a Bloody Mary is important. It’s one of those drinks that’s memorable if it’s done well and equally memorable if it’s done poorly. We hope the Rojo Michelada can be the former and not the latter, and you can make your own sauce if you want to control the proportions. Luckily, making your own Bloody Mary mix is simple. It’s tomato juice, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, two kinds of salt, black pepper and hot sauce. Combine them together in a mixing bowl, and then decant into a pitcher or bottle before you use the mixture.

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Rojo Michelada Recipe

Author: Esquina Cantina

Print Recipe

Description

The original Michelada with hot sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

3oz Bloody Mary Mix
.75 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
Modelo beer, n/a beer or seltzer
Lime wedge and jalapeño slice for garnish

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Instructions

Fill the glass halfway with ice.
Add Bloody Mary mix.
Top with beer, n/a beer or seltzer
Garnish with a lime wedge and jalapeño slice.

Recipe by Esquina Cantina
Styling by Anna Franklin
Photography by Dave Bryce

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The Best Potato Salad Ever

By

Jordan Snowden

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June 30, 2023

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Potato salad, garnished with green herbs, sits in a casserole dish with blue, orange, and yellow flowers on it.

I know what every Black person is thinking right now: who does she think she is? She has the best potato salad ever?

I get it. We, as Black people, take potato salad very seriously. That’s why we side-eye Becky with her raisins. This recipe ain’t your grandmother’s or your favorite auntie’s version. No disrespect, none at all, but this potato salad gives you life in a way that deviates from the traditional heavy mayonnaise, mustard, and sweet relish styles. It’s not a summer potato salad nor some stuck-up French-style either. This potato salad is the code switch that never feels spirit-breaking. It’s the dish that would sell out instantly at my supper club in Oakland. Inevitably, it became the treasured birthday gift or the über-favored contribution to Sunday gatherings with friends.

What Makes This the Best Potato Salad Ever?

The Yukon gold potatoes introduce a rich texture, while the aioli is a more tasty and velvety expression of a creaminess than mayonnaise would render. The tanginess of the yogurt paired with the vinegar gives it the umami that makes it so addictive. The delicate poaching of the eggs brings a sophistication and lends reverence to the outstanding flavor of farm-fresh eggs. My people thought I was crazy to contribute this recipe to this project. They felt that this potato salad is so unique and honestly so ridiculously good that it should rest solely between the pages of my own cookbook. So, let this recipe be my gift to you, family: something for us, a new expression of what Black food is and can be. Bon appétit!

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The Best Potato Salad Ever

Author: Monifa Dayo

Print Recipe

Description

This potato salad deserves the superlative.

Ingredients

Scale

4 shallots
1⁄2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 ½ tbsp kosher salt
4 lb medium Yukon gold potatoes, quartered
EVOO for drizzling
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pint full-fat yogurt (Straus is best)
1 cup aioli (classic recipe will do, or store-bought)
1 cup capers
1 bunch parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
1 bunch cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
8 farm eggs
Fleur de sel to taste
1 bunch tarragon, leaves picked but not chopped, for garnish
1 bunch dill, leaves picked but not chopped, for garnish
Fresh coriander seeds for sprinkling (optional)

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Instructions

Finely dice the shallots, place in a small bowl and cover with the vinegar and 1½ tablespoons salt.
Place the potatoes in a pot filled with super-salty water. Boil gently until the water is cloudy and the potatoes are fork-tender. Strain the potatoes in a colander, drain off the water, then let cool on a sheet pan.
When the potatoes are cool enough to touch, peel and discard the skins. Once peeled, use your hands to break the potatoes into smaller pieces.
Drain the vinegar from the shallots over the potatoes and drizzle generously with the oil. Add the drained shallots. Gently mix with your hands. sprinkle heavily with the pepper and add more oil. Spoon large dollops of yogurt and aioli in each corner. Add the capers. Sprinkle the parsley and cilantro on top.
Gently mix with your hands or a large spoon, being careful to leave each element intact and distinct.
In the meantime, bring water to boil in a small Dutch oven. Just before the water boils, crack a few eggs in the water, making sure to ever so gently swirl the water. Poach the eggs until the yolks are set but soft, keeping the water below a simmer. Retrieve the eggs from the water and lightly dry on a towel. Season each egg with fleur de sel and oil. Let cool.
Place the eggs atop the potato salad. Using a spoon, cut a few into halves and some into quarters. Ever so gently, with your hands, incorporate the eggs into the salad. You want to show off the yokes, but you also want some of the eggs nestled in the potatoes.
Spoon the salad onto a serving dish, drizzle with additional oil, and season with more black pepper and the fleur de sel. Garnish with the tarragon and dill. If in season, sprinkle fresh coriander seeds on top as well. Enjoy your potato salad!

Notes

Use Straus’s maple-flavored yogurt if you are a sweet potato salad kind of person. Add some butter lettuce hearts (keep them whole) in with the chopped herbs. This aids in stretching the salad and reduces the guilt of eating copious amounts of potato and dairy!

Story and Recipe by Monifa Dayo from Black Food: Stories, Art, and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora

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Los Poblanos Signature Lavender ‘99 Cocktail

By

staff-author

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June 29, 2023

0

Cocktails assembled on a table with a Los Poblanos Lavender 99 Cocktail in the center.

Los Poblanos’ signature Lavender ’99 Cocktail pays homage to 1999, the first year lavender was planted on the farm. The cocktail showcases their Western Dry Gin with its aromatic juniper notes and a house-made lavender syrup which you can find in their farm shops or purchase online. You can also make it yourself if you choose, with some of the instructions below, but Los Poblanos has you covered with their recipe.

How Los Poblanos Makes Lavender Syrup for Its Signature Cocktail

Once you start making your own simple syrup, you’ll never go back. Though Los Poblanos keeps their recipe a secret, all you have to do to make your own is combine sugar and water in a saucepan, and then add dried lavender once the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let the lavender steep in the syrup for about 15-20 minutes, depending on how strong you want the flavor to be. After steeping, strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the lavender. Then, you’ll be able to make other lavender cocktail recipes.

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Los Poblanos Signature Lavender ‘99 Cocktail

Author: Los Poblanos

Print Recipe

Description

The signature cocktail of truly unique New Mexico distillery.

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ oz Los Poblanos Western Dry Gin
1 oz Rothman & Winter Crème de Violette
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz Los Poblanos Lavender Syrup
5 oz Brut champagne

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Instructions

Build in an iced, stemless Burgundy wine glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist and lavender sprig.
Enjoy your Lavender ’99 cocktail!

Recipe by Los Poblanos
Photography by Tira Howard

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Three Guineas Dry Gin Cocktail

By

Gabe Gomez

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June 29, 2023

0

Gin cocktail garnished with fresh herbs and served outdoors

A dry gin cocktail recipe from the mixologists and distillers of Santa Fe’s Los Poblanos to delight the taste buds. The Three Guineas Cocktail sports an herbaceous profile, piqued with their very own Western-Style Dry Gin. Shake it up. Sip it. And savor the flavor! Want to know more about gin? Check out All About Gin from our liquor education series.

What Makes Gin “Dry”?

Print

Three Guineas Cocktail

Author: Gabe Gomez

Print Recipe

Description

A classic cocktail from Los Poblanos.

Ingredients

Scale

Three Guineas Cocktail
1½ oz Los Poblanos Western Dry Gin Blend, sage-infused*
¼ oz green chartreuse
1 tsp Campari
½ oz grapefruit juice
3/8 oz simple syrup
3/8 oz lemon juice
2 drops saline
1 drop Peychaud’s Bitters

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Instructions

Shake for 10 seconds, then strain into an iced snifter. Garnish with a lemon twist and a sage sprig when in season. Enjoy your dry gin cocktail!
For sage-infused gin: Use 1 ounce of sage per bottle of gin (2 parts pure gin to 1 part sage-infused gin concentrate). Refrigerate infusion for 4 days before straining.

Recipe by Gabe Gomez
Photo courtesy of Los Poblanos

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Sobremesa: Alkemē

By

Gabe Gomez

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June 29, 2023

0

Banh Nam (steamed rice flour tamale) — Photo by Douglas Merriam

Alkemē brings elevated Asian cuisine to Santa Fe!

Alkemē, a new restaurant from special event provisioner Open Kitchen LLC, is nestled snugly in the Santa Fe Village Mall. Guided by Chef-Owner Hue-Chan Karels and Executive Chef Erica Tai, Alkemē dives into the culinary traditions of Vietnam, Taiwan, Korea, and the Pacific Rim of Hawaii. Their menu is a balance between innovation and reverence for tradition, all within a beautifully renovated space.

Fortunately, I snagged an invitation to Alkemē’s soft opening, a dress rehearsal for eager food enthusiasts. Now open, dinner reservations can be made here.

Thoughtful Culinary Compositions

I sit at the communal table, surrounded by warmth and camaraderie, a lovely carryover from Karels’ Open Kitchen. Every plate from the bustling kitchen is a thoughtful composition, with ingredients harmoniously blending and paying homage to their diverse origins.

The “Amuse” selection opens the senses with its vibrant offerings. Housemade Vietnamese pickles burst with tanginess, and five-spice cracker popcorn delivers a delightful crunch. The roasted olives, infused with lemongrass and preserved lemon, linger on the palate. Moving on to the “Playful Bites,” the Taiwanese Gua Bao (steamed bao buns) steal the show with their Kahlua pork belly burnt ends. The crispy turmeric cod (Cha Ca) is a delight, while the Banh Nam (steamed rice flour tamale) showcases the restaurant’s finesse and playfulness.

Captivating “Big Impressions”

It is the “Big Impressions” selections, however, that truly captivate me. The Asian Sea Bass, infused with coconut milk and lemongrass, showcases a nuanced balance of flavors. Every ingredient works harmoniously to create an elegant and comforting dish. Then there is the Kong Rou Fan, a Taiwanese braised pork belly dish that is a revelation. The succulent pork belly melts in the mouth, releasing familiar and new flavors.

As our journey nears the end, the miso brown butter sesame brownies take center stage. The luscious miso orange whipped cream further elevates this decadent umami bookend. The accompanying Sai Gon cinnamon chocolate bark adds a crunchy, indulgent finale.

Above all, Alkemē isn’t simply a restaurant; it’s an experience that awakens the senses. Hue-Chan Karels and Erica Tai capture the essence of Asian cuisine, infusing it with their creative vision and presenting it to eager diners in an exhilarating way. It’s a breath of fresh air in Santa Fe’s culinary landscape.

Story by Gabe Gomez

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.cls-1{fill:#111;}Table Magazine

Host Your Own Movie Night:

The Setup:

Movie Choices:

The Menu:

Typical Average Cocktail, Inspired by Ed Sheeran

Try These Michelada Recipes Perfect for Summer

Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe

The History of the Michelada

Description

Ingredients

For the michelada:

For the Green Bloody mix:

Instructions

For the michelada:

For the green bloody mix:

How to Make Your Own Bloody Mary Mix

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

What Makes This the Best Potato Salad Ever?

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

How Los Poblanos Makes Lavender Syrup for Its Signature Cocktail

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

What Makes Gin “Dry”?

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Alkemē brings elevated Asian cuisine to Santa Fe!

Thoughtful Culinary Compositions

Captivating “Big Impressions”

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