Los Ranchos: A Village of Plenty

Story written by Sheli Armstrong

Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, or as the locals simply call it, Los Ranchos, is a little bit of country in a small village situated smack-dab in the middle of town. Settled in 1750, Los Ranchos’ historic North Fourth Street boasts treasures, authentic New Mexican culture and regional and local cuisine. I love taking a day to shop, spa and dine al fresco. Who wouldn’t? And to do it all within a mile or so—divine!

Begin the morning at Sophia’s Place, in the most subtle, unassuming hideaway. There are 10 tables and a casual patio. The huevos rancheros are doused with rich, dark and flavorful red chile. And I mean really rich; the way it should be made. Sophia’s pancakes are, indeed, to die for! They make their own butter (which, alone, is heaven) use real maple syrup, and top it all off with fresh whipped heavy cream, honey and dried cherries or fresh fruit. Pinon butter is also an option. The local coffee—from Fat Boy Coffee Roasters—is from Cedar Crest and is very good. On weekends, you can expect a short wait, but it’s worth it.

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Video by Walt Cameron (Editor’s Pick on Tripfilms.com)

Head north on Fourth Street to The Antique Mile and be enamored with an abundance of eclectic shops. Antique Co-Op is one of my alltime favorite places to browse and shop for one-of-a-kind and hardto- find items and collectables. One could spend an entire day simply in this location. They offer over 6,000 square feet of space, including a hip, 1940s vintage trailer decked out with period-appropriate articles. A little secret: they have the best selection of timeless, claw foot tubs in the city, which are brought here twice a year from Nebraska. Refurbish and plunge!

Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Café now has 3 locations, two located in Albuquerque. The Fourth Street location is directly across from the Antique Co-Op, and the space is colorful and comfortable, offering a private section with floor seating for small parties. Opposite is a sofa area with shelves of books providing information about the Ayurvedic diet, cooking and the benefits of healing cuisine. Carnivores beware: no meat products found here. However, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you will fall in love with. Quinoa, an ancient grain super food is served for breakfast with a medley of dried fruits, shredded coconut, savory spices, choice of milk, and sweetened with agave nectar upon request. The dessert offerings are amazing, and I love their philosophy: Ayurveda recommends dessert first. Of the six tastes, sweet digests first.

Next door, be sure to also visit Dana Stringer Interiors, renowned for custom draperies, you’ll be amazed at the number of fabulous fabric choices. Stringer also offers custom flooring, unique wallpaper, tasteful accessories and design consulting for both residential and commercial projects.

Feeling tired and need to unwind? Take your tired bones and and feet to the Spa at the Rio. This is not a large commercial spa, but a quaint little casa that offers therapeutic massages and skin care treatments such as the anti-aging facial. The perfect stop for an hour of bliss.

Across the street sits the renowned Casa Benavidez, owned and operated by the Benavidez family. The original location was further down Fourth Street and offered take-out food only. The current location began at a small building estimated to be 130 years old. Business increased, and the location now has 35 rooms and a beautiful patio surrounded by lush vegetation, a waterfall and large koi pond. Thirty-one years later, Paul Benavidez still arrives at the crack of dawn to make the masa and his delectable sweet rolls. The restaurant only uses Benavidez family recipes.

I’m aflutter about the newly opened Farm & Table. Now open, the restaurant boasts a spacious and beautiful patio, complete with an acequia that runs out to the 10-acre field west of the building. Farmer Ric Murphey of Sol Harvest Farm cultivates his seasonal greens and produce on the north-front acre closest to the restaurant. Stay tuned for some exciting announcements from Farmer Ric, coming soon! The Farm & Table menu features local organic food and ingredients, many sourced from New Mexico farmers and ranchers, and includes several local micro brews and wines. The menu is seasonally driven and changes five times a year, plus weekly specials. Chef Ka’ainoa Ravey hails from Hawaii and offers unique flavors that melt in your mouth, such as the local fig-wood cold-smoked scallops, or the braised local pork belly with local apples and butterscotch miso. The tables are beautiful and rustic, made from reclaimed wood and timbers. Dinner is served four days a week, brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Special events are welcome. Their philosophy: to promote health, sustainability, and the local economy; a celebration of local food and community. Slip next door to the original building, which houses the owner’s sister store, La Parada de Alameda. Rumor has it that it was a stage coach stop 200 years ago. The mercantile has beautiful gifts for the home and garden, many designed by local artists.

Take a trip through your own backyard and spend a day in Los Ranchos. Eat, drink, shop and relax, immersed in wonderful New Mexico culture and good taste.

A native of New Mexico, Sheli Armstrong has over 20 years of experience in hospitality. She has worked in world-class resorts with Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and was the Director of Operations for the acclaimed Geronimo Restaurant on Canyon Road and Director of Events at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm. She’s the owner of SoireeQ, Special Event Artistry and writes regularly for several publications. To inquire about event planning, email her at sheli@soireeq.com.

Neighborhood Guide

Annapurna
Annapurna is a woman-owned vegetarian restaurant serving healing cuisine in Albuquerque since 2001 and Santa Fe since 2005. This premier organic establishment focuses on a made-from-scratch menu that is Ayurvedic (a healing system from India), vegan and glutenfree, including its own vegan and gluten-free bakery.

7520 4th St. NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
505.254.2424
chaishoppe.com

Antique Co-op
“The Antique Co-op”, was established in 1981. We are located in an area of Albuquerque known as “The Antique Mile”, In the Village of “Los Ranchos De Albuquerque”. We have over 6000 square feet of fine old and vintage (and contemporary), antiques and collectibles of all sorts.

7601 Fourth St. NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107
505.898.7354
Open Everyday 10:00-5:00

ANTIQUE MILE

Legacy Antiques – Quality Antiques at Reasonable Prices

7809 Fourth St. NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107
505.265.5827
Open Tues-Sat 10:00-5:00, Sun. 12:00-5:00

Antique Co-Op – Relaxed Atmosphere, Eclectic Collection

7601 Fourth St NW
Los Ranchos de. Albuquerque, NM 87107
505.898.7354
Open Everyday 10:00-5:00

Antiques Consortium – Antique Addicts find their “Fixes” Here

7216 Fourth St. NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107
505.897.7115
Open Tues-Sat 10:00-5:00

Red Rock Rose – A Country Chic Boutique of Old and New

7209 Fourth St NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107
505.898.4488
Open Weds-Sat, 10:00-5:00

Vintage & More – Enjoy our Previously Enjoyed Treasures

7005 Fourth St NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107
505.344.7300

Relics Antiques & More – Satisfied Customers are our Best Advertisement

6601 Fourth St. NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107
505.369.1182
Open Tues – Sat 10:00-6:00, Sun 12:00-6:00

A Few Old Things Antiques

8833 Fourth St. NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87114
505.922.1209

The Tin Roof

8831 Fourth St. NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque NM 87114
505.554.1900

Los Ranchos Antique Mall

7901 Fourth St. NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87114
505.312.7729

Casa Benavidez
A North Valley tradition for 31 years, Casa de Benavidez offers guests a lush outdoor garden patio, where flavorful New Mexican food and tasty margaritas are paired with music of World Renowned Guitarist, Hector Pimentel. Open 7 days a week.

8032 4th Street NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
505.898.3311
www.casadebenavidez.com
Carryout: Monday-Friday 6:30 am-8:00 pm. Saturday 7:00 am-8:00 pm. Sunday 7:00 am- 3:00 pm.Dining Room: Monday-Thursday 10:30 am-8:00 pm. Friday 9:00 am-9:00 pm. Saturday 8:00am-9:00 pm. Sunday 8:00 am-3:00 pm.

DANA Stringer
Dana Stringer Interiors is a full service interior design showroom located in Albuquerque’s North Valley. With over 30 years combined experience, Dana Stringer and Jill Sego, strive to provide their clients with beautiful home interiors reflecting their style and personality. DSI is your source for quality furniture, draperies, reupholstery, wallpaper, flooring and accessories.

7528 4th St. NW
505.883.2701
www.danastringerinteriors.com

DejaVu de Los Ranchos
Fabulous Consignment Boutique features high end designer handbags, Shoes & Accessories. Create or add to your own unique style or come by & let us help reinvent your look. Classic pieces to one of a kind treasures. You will find it at DEJAVU.

7015 4th St
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
505.345.9350

Farm to Table
Celebrate local food! Join us for dinner or weekend brunch and enjoy seasonal dishes created from scratch with ingredients sourced from local farmers and from our on-site farm. Dishes will satisfy the omnivore as well as the vegetarian! Reservations are recommended and can be made on our website.

8917 4th Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
505.503.7124
Dinner: Wed-Sat open at 5pm | Brunch: Sat-Sun 9-2pm
www.farmandtablenm.com

Not Just Payroll
As a small business-owner or as busy departments in an organization, our customers inform us that what they need the most to be successful is more time; time to concentrate their efforts on core business functions that lead to revenue generation or department goals. Allow us to use our expertise in payroll, bookkeeping, insurance and human resource management to your advantage.

7103 4th Street NW, Bldg F
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
505.872.1880
www.notjustpayroll.com

Plants of the Southwest
Locally Grown, Native, Adaptive, and Edible Plants for Your Garden. Our goal is good homes, good food, sweet leisure. Different plants prefer different places, and when plants are growing, everywhere the soil improves; worms aerate, more rain is held in the soil, all the new leaves stop evaporation.

6680 4th St NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107
505.344.8830
Hours: Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Closed Sunday.
www.plantsofthesouthwest.com

Ronde Vu De Los Ranchos
Designed for time – Ronde Vu consignment shop offers designer fashions at a fraction of the price. New and consignment women’s apparel and accessories. Items often priced 50-75% off retail. Customers that want to sell consignment can make appointments on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

6855 4th Street NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107
505.344.6400
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-6, Sunday 12-5

Sonrisa Blooms
Sonrisa Blooms is an upscale, locally owned and operated, full service floral studio. Because of our independence from FTD, Teleflora and the like, we are able to create our own unique, artistic designs for all occasions. Using only premium flowers our clients are always impacted with an innovative & memorable creation.

6855 4th Street NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107
505.345.3777
Studio Hours: Always available by phone and by appointment. Monday: phone orders/delivery. Tues-Fri : 10:00 – 5:30. Saturday: 10:00 – 3:00.
www.sonrisablooms.com

Spa at the Rio
Relax your mind. Revive your soul. Rejuvenate your body with massage. Pamper your hair and nails. Exhilarate your skin with facials. Enhance your beauty from the outside in.

8225 4th St NW
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque,NM 87114
505.899.6800