Local-iQ Smart List 2012

Local-iQ Smart List 2012

Posted March 9, 2012

Each year, the readers of Local-iQ vote on their favorites in many categories. Polls such as these are often suspect: We don’t know the size or makeup of the voter distribution. To call the winners of this poll “best of” is not justifiable by any statistacal measures. 

That being said, they are fun to read and there are always some surprises. This year, I agree with eight of the readers’ choices and disagree with many more. What follows below are strictly the opinions of a food blogger with a perspicacious palate. No harm intended. 

I have a lot of respect for Local-iQ, and look forward eagerly to each issue. Kevin Hopper and his staff do a bang-up job. Thanks, Kevin

Here we go. Read the  poll results at Smart List 2012

Agree 

• Best Breakfast: The Grove Café & Market
• Best Italian Food: Torino’s @ Home ♥
• Best Mexican Food: Los Equipales
• Best Diner: Route 66 Diner
• Best Restaurant with a View: Bien Shur
• Best Seafood: Desert Fish
• Best Tea Shop: NM Tea Co.
• Best Vietnamese Restaurant: May Café ♥

I think that there is a tie for best Vietnamese restaurant between May Café and Saigon/Saigon 2.  

Disagree 

• Best Chinese Food: Streetfood Asia
  Nope. Budai Gourmet Chinese is superior.  
• Best Coffee Shop: Satellite
  Very popular, but certainly not even close to the best.  Golden Crown Panaderia, Cafe Giuseppe Espresso, and Napoli are all great. 
• Best Deli: Jason’s Deli
  Nope. Good, with really fresh food, but Times Square Deli Mart is far superior. 
• Best Fine Dining Restaurant: Blades’ Bistro
  Blafe’s is truly outstanding, and ranks #6 on my Top Ten List, bur Bien Shur is better, and ranks #3 on my Top Ten List. Tough call. 
• Best Indian Food (tie): India Palace and Taj Mahal
  Namaste and India Kitchen are better.  
•  Best Milkshake: Route 66 Diner
  Try the shakes at Golden Crown Panaderia. The Morales family’s shakes will drive you insane.  
• Best New Mexican Food: Sadie’s
  Sadie’s is a tourist trap joke. For dives, try Mary & Tito’s ot Cecilia’s, and for fancier digs try El Bruno’s on Fourth.  
• Best Pizza: Farina Pizzeria
  Nicky V’s gourmet pizzas are my absolute favorites in town.  
• Best Sandwich: Cubano (Relish)
  The Cubano at Guava Tree is the best that I have ever had. Anyplace. 
• Best Steakhouse: Vernon’s Steakhouse
  A popular gimmick restaurant. Monte Carlo Steakhouse and Paul’s Monterey Inn are much better (and cheaper).  
• Best Tasting Coffee: Satellite
  No it isn’t, by far. Very popular, but certainly not even close to the best. Golden Crown Panaderia, Cafe Giuseppe Espresso, and Napoli are all great.
• Best Thai Food Restaurant: Orchid Thai
  Siam Cafe is by far the best in town. 
• Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Streetfood Asia
  Annapurna. Both of them. 
• Best Winery: Gruet Winery
  Milagro Vineyards & Winery in Corrales and Casa Rondeña Winery in Los  Ranchos are my faves  

Here is what the users of Urbanspoon think are the most popular Albuquerque restaurants. I disagree with some of this, too.