A Hidden Gem
More than 200 years ago, two farmers – brothers from Rio Arriba County – found themselves searching for fertile land to the east of their home. Cristobal Martinez and Jose Gregorio Martinez searched for days before finding themselves in a rich and vibrant valley where they planted their crops before building a new home in 1806. When Cristobal and Jose Gregorio dug that first hole and dropped in that first seed, the high-desert hamlet of Arroyo Seco was born.
Located near the foot of El Salto Mountain, the small village called Arroyo Seco is just 7 miles north of Taos along NM 150, the main road to Taos Ski Valley. You can always feel the sense of community and creativity in the shops, boutiques, galleries and eateries that line the main street of this picturesque village.
Seco is also home to the well-publicized cooking classes held by James Beard-nominated chef Chris Maher. Cooking Studio Taos offers weekly classes that are 100 percent hands-on. After class, you sit down as a group to enjoy your magnificent meal. Call 575-776-2665 or visit cookingstudiotaos.com.
RESTAURANTS
575-776-5765
Located inside a country-style natural foods market, the Sol Food Café has an informal, friendly atmosphere and aims to use natural, organic and local ingredients whenever possible. The cafe is perfect for a healthy meal and a hot cup o’ Joe. The market sells local food and boutique items. Weekends, however, are for brunch at the café with a menu that includes the macadamia nut pancake and a smoked salmon omelet. The award-winning baklava and assortment of other baked goods are staples.
575-776-8516
This family-owned and operated establishment is a local and visitor favorite serving up some of the best enchiladas, chicharrones, empanadas (especially the pumpkin) and tamales in Northern New Mexico. The tavern is also a great watering hole and place to hear some gossip, if you’re into that sort of thing.
575-776-0900
This modern neighborhood restaurant that consistently gets rave reviews presents an interpretation of comfort food and utilizes the best in local, wild and farm-fresh ingredients. The menu, featuring tasty and technique-driven dishes, includes contemporary takes on old classics, house-made specialties and decadent desserts that change with the seasons.
575-776-3333
Sabroso serves American and global cuisine, and offers guests a fully-stocked bar and wine cellar with live music and a value-priced menu in the piano bar. The bar is often referred to as “Seco’s living room.” Dine fireside in the over 150-yearold adobe with fresh-squeezed margaritas, wood-grilled steaks and salmon.
505-990-0296
Seco’s answer to Vegan foods, specialty coffee drinks, events and consulting. The menu features healthy breakfast and lunch fare such as superfood bowls.
575-776-5640
Serving all-natural, made in New Mexico ice cream plus coffee, bagels, burritos and more from their new food truck.
MERCHANTS
575-776-8806
Built around 1895, according to local lore, the Arroyo Seco Mercantile building houses an array of goods including antiques, American West vintage items, gifts, santos, Indian trade blankets and much more. It functioned as the area’s general store until the mid-1950s and is worth the visit as much for the history of the area as the wares for sale.
575-776-5175
Owner and award-winning sculptor (and painter) Claire Haye converted her talent into making jewelry in sterling silver, bronze and gold. Her pieces are embedded with symbolism and spirituality that “speak universally to women of all ages and walks of life.”
575-776-3899
After years of writing, producing and directing in the film industry, Jack Leustig was searching for “a new, smaller creative journey.” The artistry of printing an image became his passion. In 1998, he opened his print studio and has been producing prints for local artists in small- to large-formats ever since, becoming a premier publisher of Southwest art and photography. The collection of works for sale is inspiring and impressive.
575-770-4334
“Logan Wannamaker stands at a whirling pottery wheel and effortlessly shapes a ball of black clay into a cup in seconds. That moment — throwing a pot — is probably the easiest part of his creative process. Behind it are hours of digging, sieving, mixing, hammering, chopping and burning that finally culminate in a one-of-a-kind work of art that uses native materials to mirror the dramatic Northern New Mexico landscape,” wrote J.R. Logan for the Taos News.
575-999-5204
A charming women’s clothing boutique carrying accessories, jewelry and housewares, including hand woven purses from Bali, natural silk dyed scarves, cards with images by local artist Gail Russell, reversible swing skirts by Joan Besley, natural jute hats, rattan hand fans and some incredibly comfortable Italian cottons and linens.
312-593-3948
Parse Seco is an experimental creative space that provides a platform for artists, musicians and creators to present experiences in an intimate setting or in other words, “using art to reform the social norm.” The venue has hosted live concerts, open mic nights, art openings, poetry readings and more. Check its events calendar on Facebook.
575-776-1042
Rottenstone Pottery specializes in unique ceramic art made in the ancient tradition of wood-firing. Scott Rottenstone’s wares combine an Eastern Wabi Sabi aesthetic with the functional formal considerations of American folk craft pottery.
575-776-2088
Santos y Mas is where to go for the area’s best selection of handcrafted Northern New Mexico folk art and colorful, whimsical gifts and collectibles. You can’t help but smile.
LODGING
575-776-8298, snowmansion.com
Sometimes referred to as a ski lodge with campsites, the concept of the SnowMansion is based on the hostel — a popular, inexpensive type of lodging conceived in Europe that consists of sociable accommodations where guests can rent a bed in a dormitory-style room and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes (as guests do at the SnowMansion) have use of the kitchen. For many years, the SnowMansion has been a popular, comfortable and cozy, budget-friendly place to stay for skiers.