Hole-in-the-Wall Hits a Home Run….
Eleventh visit: November 13, 2014
First visit: April 20, 2011
I have done some stupid things in my life, but waiting almost three years after moving to Corrales from the east coast until eating at Sophia’s Place ranks near the top. With that stupidity cured, I am now hooked.
We went to Sophia’s last Sunday with our friends Willie and Debbie, long-time Corraleños, for a brunch. This is a small place with the menu on a chalkboard over the window to the small kitchen, where the culinary genius Dennis Apodaca reigns supreme. His inventive creations put a decidedly different spin on Mexican and New Mexican cuisine.
Taco Salad
Willie’s Taco Salad looked and tasted wonderful. This is the only Taco Salad I have ever seen that was graced with spears of fresh asparagus, expertly grilled. Debbie’s Fish Tacos were like poetry on a plate. Fabulous. Jane’s Enchiladas tasted as beautiful as they looked, and were covered with a fantastic dark-green chile poblano sauce that is both original and unique in these here parts. My sour-cream-and-lemon pancakes with piñon butter and fresh berries were easily among the very best I have had anywhere. Not too fluffy, not too dense. Just right. Goldilocks would love them. The lemon adds just a hint of tartness.
Pancakes
Fish Tacos
Enchiladas
Apodaca’s 4th Street empire runs to three places: Sophia’s Place (Sophia is his daughter), Ezra’s Place (Ezra is his son), and Jo’s Place (Josie is his mother). Each Place is one-of-a-kind, and serves up some of the most amazing inventive creations you are likely to find here in Albuquerque. And they are all within walking distance of each other.
Sophia’s, being a hole-in-the-wall, gets crowded (duh, of course). There is outside seating at picnic tables. Brave the often-longish ordering line and get rewarded. Don’t be stupid, like I was. Glad I cured that.
Breakfast with the Birchells after our balloon ride.
If you liked Sophia’s then you will love his new place Maya located at 205 silver SW.. My wife, Cecilia schmider, partnered up with Denis to create an ambiance that is worthy of his culinary gifts. I’m very proud of them both.