LAS CRUCES
MESON DE MESILLA (1803 Avenida de Mesilla) has reopened its doors thanks to Jim and Jody York and Joseph and Courtney Muench. Meson is a full service property that features a restaurant, lounge, hotel and facilities for events. The culinary focus for the lunch, dinner and lounge menus is fresh seafood flown in daily and prepared with an Italian influence. “Since opening the restaurant, we have listened to our customers,” states Jim York, “and the seafood menu is what’s bringing them back. Everything is prepared in-house with the freshest ingredients.” Call 575.525.9212 for reservations and to find out about upcoming functions, such as wine pairings and Celebrity Bartender events.

Visit HEART OF THE DESERT VINEYARDS' tasting room on the Mesilla Plaza and enjoy local southern New Mexico wine and pistachios. The shop also features an array of gifts and trinkets, as well as wine accessories. Eagle Ranch, where the grapes and pistachio trees are harvested, is owned by George and Marianne Schweers. The vineyard boasts 18,000 grape vines and produces seven wine variations.

Enjoy a visit to RIO GRANDE VINEYARDS & WINERY, just four miles south of the Mesilla Plaza. They carry eight wines from sweet to dry. All wines are made onsite in small lots with a 5,000 case capacity. The vineyard has ten acres of vines with eight varieties and is owned by Gordon and Sandi Steel. Go and enjoy the historical photos of the Mesilla Valley, wonderful views of the Organ Mountains, Victorian bar and of course the wines!

SOUTHWEST RESTAURANT VENTURES, owners of TEXAS CLUB GRILL & BAR in Ruidoso have teamed up with FMP from San Antonio for the rights to BUFFALO WILD WINGS. Brian Padilla and Dale Schueller plan to open as many as 8-10 locations throughout El Paso and New Mexico. The Las Cruces location opened July 27 at 2750 Mall Drive. The El Paso location is opening in September and Albuquerque will open its second location in December.

KATANA (1001 E. University Ave. E-1) is the latest Asian-inspired restaurant to widen Las Cruces’ culinary horizon. Katana is a teppanyaki grill featuring four teppan grills that deliver a delicious dinner and show. The talented teppan chefs perform while cooking your meal in this playful, yet modern atmosphere. It’s the perfect environment for the whole family; kids love to watch others play with their food! The full sushi menu is now available at Katana and you can join them on Mondays for happy hour and discounted appetizers and rolls. The restaurant is managed by Jason Silva and James Day. Reservations accepted.

Peppers Café at the DOUBLE EAGLE Restaurant in Mesilla now offers the world’s largest Green Chile Cheeseburger. Application has been submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records. Double Eagle also received its third Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator Magazine.

A Mesilla landmark has moved – right across the street. ANDELE'S new location opened in early June, featuring more parking, a spacious dining room and a crisp new look. They’re even making their own tortillas these days at the Andele Tortillaria. Stop in and grab the same delicious dishes in their brand new building!

EL PASO
CRAVE (300 Cincinnati Ave.) is a small restaurant with a big atmosphere. According to owner Rodolpho Valdez, Crave features casual, upscale dining for both lunch and dinner. Thank owners Octavio Gomez, Chef Rodolpho Valdez and Nick Sigado for this very cool eatery.

Trae Apodaca, long time proprietor of LCAFÉ CENTRAL (109 N. Oregon St.) has completed the sale and transition of the restaurant he purchased in 1991 to Alejandro and Edwardo Orozco. “It is with sadness that I leave this wonderful place that I have nurtured for years, but I feel the need to be flexible in order to respond to the newly evolving restaurant culture.”

MESA STREET GRILL – ¡Sabroso! wishes to pay tribute to the late Annette Means, co-founder and driving force that brought this well-known El Paso restaurant to receive local accolades for food, service and national recognition for its wine selections. Mesa Street Grill is a family operation and Annette’s sons and husband will continue on with the excellent standards.

ZIN VALLE VINEYARDS introduced two Italian wines that will be distributed locally under the Zin Valle label. The Chianti will carry the BiPlano Rosso label featuring Zin Valle owner Vic Paulos’ 1941 Beech Staggerwing biplane, and Zin Valle has national exclusive rights to Cantina del Redi’s Vin Santo di Montepulciano. Partners are Greig Coates and Michael Volk. Label artist is Robert Carlson.

2900 (2900 N. Mesa) has introduced a new Tapas Menu that is available daily at 5 pm. Happy Hour Tuesday-Friday from 5-7 pm offers Tapas with great cocktail specials.