On the side
THE DRAGON ROOM BAR AT THE PINK ADOBE
★★★ 406 Old Santa Fe Trail, 505983-7712, thepinkadobe.com
The menu at The Dragon Room features nearly 20 options ranging from The Trio, a group starter that includes crispy tortilla chips, salsa, guacamole and queso ($14) and Zucchini Fries ($12) to heartier meals such as a burger, tacos and their classic dish, Petite Steak Dunigan. They also cook up two stews, Gypsy Stew made with chicken and Green Chile Stew with pork (both $13). Some claim this is the best green chile stew in town.
I ordered Zucchini Fries for the table to share as appetizer. Though they were a little soggy and could have been fried a bit longer, the accompanying chipotle mayo made these fried vegetable sticks go down a lot easier.
One dining companion ordered the Portabella Mushroom Quesadilla ($12) and was thrilled. Two flour tortillas are stuffed with cheese, roasted mushrooms, avocado, chopped tomatoes and green chile. The interior is melted and the exterior is crispy.
I had the Quatros Tacos ($14) which come with four different fillings, but I went all pork. The plate comes with a side of pinto beans, rice and three salsas.
My husband had the signature Petite Steak Dunigan ($23), a 6-ounce New York strip steak covered in roasted green chiles and mushrooms. Served with a small baked potato and asparagus, he found this to be a filling meal and particularly impressive for bar food.
As this dynamic duo restaurant and bar enter their eighth decade in business, they seem to not have lost their flair or flavor which is why The Dragon Room Bar remains high on everyone’s list for a happening happy hour, good food and a boisterous evening.