La Fiesta Lounge at La Fonda

100 E. San Francisco St.; 505-982-5511 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily www.lafondasantafe.com/diningentertainment/la-fiesta-lounge

Takeout available Vegetarian options Handicapped accessible Noise level: moderate to loud Full bar Credit cards, no checks

The Short Order

La Fiesta Lounge at La Fonda is a venerable spot for dancing (honkytonk treasure Bill Hearne and his band play there twice a week) and peoplewatching. This spring, the lounge reopened with a new menu and a sleeker but blander look, which has caused much controversy in the pages of this newspaper, with letter-writers and op-eds expressing worry for the soul of this historic bar. However, the more things change, the more they stay the same — the food, never any great shakes before the remodel, is as uninspiring as it ever was, but the local color is still entertaining. Recommended: tres leches cake, tequila smash.