Birthday celebration for BSK at Eloisa, a super-stylish, cutting edge contemporary design restaurant with a unique feature–a glass wall featuring changing glimpses of Mexican art, architecture and food. This is most definitely not Taco Bell. BSK was the height of elegance as usual in an intricately pleated white shirt and Agnes B. checked pants. Gorgeous Granddaughter Sofia exuded younger generation chic. Eloisa is in the posh Drury Plaza, Santa Fe’s newest hotel, and features New Mexican food, modernist New Mexican food. Yes, there is ample use of chiles and there’s a squash-masa-pork tamale. One taco on the menu: A pastrami taco—Crisp blue tortilla, pastrami, sauerkraut, pickled serranos, ballpark mustard. Not exactly a zaftig Katz’s product. HG/BSK and GG Sofia concentrated on the small plates (unfortunately, very small). Tortillas florales: Housemade nixtamal tortillas with a smooth guacamole called “Indian butter”. Chile primavera: Roasted green chile, fresh queso, peas and favas, New Mexican pistou; Piquillo relleno: Gruyere, garbanzo puree, Spanish chorizo. There was also a tiny portion of broccoli/avocado guacamole (very good) and the aforementioned tamale (very skimpy amount of pork). Desserts were forgettable. BSK was not happy with popcorn ice cream (an error). All in all, uneven, ungenerous food. And, expensive. The small plates were so mini that when the meal was through, HG and the two ladies considered a trip to one of the many New Mexican eateries in Santa Fe for some bowls of pork green chile stew. Despite the caveats, HG/BSK and GG Sofia had a good time at Eloisa. The room is truly beautiful. The lighting is perfect. The service is deft. The food reflects many flashes of culinary creativity. Management should try bigger portions. Smaller prices, HG has not given up on Eloisa. HG will try the lunch menu which is simpler and more affordable. Anyway, BSK loved her birthday presents. And, she sure didn’t gain any weight at her birthday feast.
