The Pink Adobe serves the best steak I’ve ever tasted — and I’ve purloined the sirloins at the premier beef houses in SF, NYC, Dallas, Chicago and more. Affectionately known by Santa Fe locals as “The Pink,” it was established in 1944. Fifty-one years later, it’s now a national landmark housed in a 300-year-old rose-colored house.
Their specialty hasn’t changed in decades: Steak Dunigan is a char-grilled NY Steak smothered with sauteed mushrooms and green chiles. The mixture of spices and meat is mouth-watering and savory. Other specials include Poulet Marengo Pink Adobe, a half-broiler baked slowly in a brandy and wine sauce with tomatoes, onions, olives and mushrooms, Crawfish Enchiladas, Red Chile Barbecued Quail, or any of the New Mexican dishes — Plato Grande, Chicken Enchilada, Plato Mexicano or Blue Corn Cheese Enchilada Pink Adobe are all superb.
It’s difficult to choose a starter among the wide selection, all of which are exquisite. Perhaps you should flip a coin to select among the traditional New Mexican guacamole and chips, French Onion Soup (a staple since 1944), salads, clams, crab cakes, shrimp or escargots.
If you still have any desire to eat more with their generous portions, ask your server to recommend Rosalie’s Legendary French Apple Pie, Pear Amaretto, Chocolate Mousse, Turtle Cheesecake, Southwest Bread Pudding, Lemon Tart, or perhaps ice cream or sherbet.
Besides the food, their Dragon Room Bar was recently named the top bar in Santa Fe and one of the top 19 bars in the world. Try their Rosalita or Silver Coin Margaritas. Plus the new (2004) Café Pink offers a hip atmosphere featuring rotating art shows by local artists, free Wi-Fi and a friendly staff for breakfast, lunch and dinner, from 7am to dark.
Reservations are highly recommended: Call (505) 983-7712 or via The Pink Adobe’s Web site . 406 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe.