Anasazi bean chili and fried artichokes appetizer. Courtesy/NM Junior Foodie
Chef Laura Crucet and NM Junior Foodie. Courtesy/NM Junior Foodie
By BECKY RUTHERFORD
On behalf of NM Junior Foodie
Have you been to Beef and Leaf Cafe lately? They have an all-new menu for fall, and also a great fundraiser going on right now. Menus can be viewed here.
My foodie son and I decided to split some dishes. We started with the Anasazi Bean Chili; slow- cooked anasazi beans, braised beef short rib, in a rich, savory red chile garlic broth. This was a really great chili, classic but with a nice twist from the richness of the braised short rib, and the earthiness of the NM red chile. Excellent starter!
We then split the Fried Artichokes, my personal fave of the night! Lightly fried and crispy, with a smooth, spicy/sweet sriracha aioli. Perfect!
Fall Tortellini and Brown sugar creme brûlée. Courtesy/NM Junior Foodie
For our main course we shared the Fall Tortellini; three cheese tortellini, zucchini, squash, arugula, butternut squash, and parmesan cream. This is rich but light, and just a bit sweet from the butternut squash. The bitterness of the arugula helped to balance the overall richness of the pasta. Truly a perfect dish for fall!
We picked a dessert to share; the Brown Sugar Crème Brûlée- brown sugar, vanilla bean custard, cinnamon whipped cream and candied orange peel. This was ridiculously good, it was like flan and creme brulee got it on and had a delicious baby. So freaking good.
French Manicure cocktail. Courtesy/NM Junior Foodie
I also had to sample one of their amazing cocktails! The French Manicure was on the prix fixe menu. The waitress let me order it even though we were ordering off the regular menu; rye whiskey, yuzu, pineapple juice and basil. It was very nicely presented and well mixed.
Amazing meal from the kitchen of the talented and kind Chef Laura Crucet, owner of this restaurant and also Beef and Leaf and Sugar and Cream cafes in Los Alamos and White Rock.
Please be sure to stop by this month to dine and also to participate in their fundraiser for LA Cares, the community’s food bank; Food is our love language!
From the Fundraiser Website:
Many New Mexicans are facing food insecurity due to furloughs, layoffs, and reduced benefits. Pig & Fig, Beef & Leaf, and Sugar & Cream Cafes are partnering with NM Junior Foodies to collect grocery gift cards and donations for LA Cares. We’ll match every dollar up to $5,000, and donors receive a 10% restaurant e-gift card as thanks.
Grocery gift cards and other donations can be dropped off at the restaurants, or you can donate online. Thanksgiving is a great time to be thankful for what we have, and for what we are able to share with others.
Check out NM Junior Foodies for more of our adventures on Facebook and Instagram!