Category Archives: Dining

Scheming Santa Fe – Anasazi Restaurant at Rosewood

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Search for my previous posts on Santa Fe, a premier cultural destination known for its UNESCO Creative City status, Pueblo-style adobe architecture, and status as the oldest state capital in the U.S. Founded in 1610, it offers a unique blend of Native American heritage, Spanish colonial history, and a thriving contemporary arts scene.

A newish dining transformation at Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, has me plotting for Culinary Clients, craving the cookery of Chef Cristian Pontiggia, their new Executive Chef. With a career spanning Michelin-starred kitchens in Italy to Santa Fe’s most beloved dining rooms, Chef Pontiggia brings a globally inspired, locally grounded culinary vision to the The Anasazi Restaurant.

A revered name in the Santa Fe food scene, Chef Pontiggia was recently named a 2025 James Beard Award semi-finalist in the Best Chef: Southwest category for his work at Sassella, the fine dining Italian restaurant he co-founded in 2019. He was also honored as Chef of the Year by both the American Culinary Federation (2022) and the New Mexico Restaurant Association (2023) and is officially recognized as a Master Chef by the Italian government.

Ribbons and recognition aside, under Chef Pontiggia’s leadership, The Anasazi Restaurant enters a new era — one that honors its legacy of refined Southwestern cuisine while evolving with bold new flavors, seasonal ingredients, and a renewed commitment to storytelling through food. His spring menu includes standout dishes like Branzino Empapelado, Pappardelle Bolognese —a rich, soulful twist on the classic made with locally sourced buffalo—and a Burrata Caprese elevated with a distinctly New Mexican flair through the addition of green chili honey. With a tasting menu and Chef’s Table experience on the horizon, Chef Pontiggia is crafting a journey that celebrates both place and palate.

Originally from the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Chef Pontiggia began his culinary career at age 14 and brings over two decades of culinary experience to the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi. He has worked in prestigious kitchens across Europe and the U.S., including Hotel Cristallo and Hotel Margherita in Italy, and regionally at renowned restaurants such as El Nido, Osteria d’Assisi, and The Stakeout. His work at Sassella and The Deli at Sassella transformed the Santa Fe dining landscape, winning praise for its authenticity, hospitality, and innovation.

Oh, did I mention the Rosewood Private tequila or American Whiskey tastings? A unique guided tasting of a variety of distinguished premium tequilas, available for up to eight guests. American Whiskey Tastings offers a historic exploration of Rye, Bourbon, and Beyond. Join their in-house Spirits Experts and learn about the pioneering individuals who created our country’s whiskies.

Additional Praise: The Anasazi Restaurant and Chef Pontiggia continue their partnership with Cooking With Kids, a beloved local nonprofit dedicated to empowering children to make healthy food choices through hands-on education.

Highly Recommend!

Heckfield Place: Two Things

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Heckfield Place: Two Things we love, besides the Bothy Spa and the magnificent art collection. Save the date: October 22, 2026 – The Shared Table is a seasonal guest chef dinner series celebrating field-to-fork dining. Evenings feature communal tables, menus sourced from their biodynamic Home Farm, and collaborations with renowned culinary figures like Skye Gyngell’s network with Thomasina Miers. Past dinners have featured prominent names like Sarah Johnson, Lloyd Morse, Margot Henderson, and Ballymaloe’s Darina Allen.

The Scene: Relaxed, generous communal dinners highlighting seasonal harvests, foraging, and sustainable, produce-led cooking. Typically includes a welcome drink, canapés, and a seasonal multi-course menu created with guest chefs.

  • Heckfield Place
  • Heckfield Place

October 22, guest chef, Thomasina Miers, founder of Wahaca and a long-time advocate for sustainable food systems, joins Heckfield Place in on property Hearth for an autumn Shared Table. Earlier in her career she worked at Petersham Nurseries under Skye Gyngell, an experience she has often spoken about as a formative moment in her cooking. From Skye she discovered a deep respect for beautiful ingredients and the confidence to let their natural character shine on the plate.

Reservations are now open to resident guests. To combine this dinner with a stay at Heckfield Place, please let us help you reserve a room! Reservations open to outside guests from September 24, 2026.

My last stay included the inaugural evening of Sunday Supper – a weekly gathering for guests, with an abundance of seasonal offerings – it was such a treat to wander back and forth from the overladen bar, ask about ingredients and recipes with the chefs and snack on little bites of so many delicious delicacies! Designed for lingering, easy to do as you savor multiple nibbles at your own pace!

The experience is intentionally unfussy with dishes set out along the pass, warm light, and the soft murmur of a Sunday evening. The Sunday Supper Table reflects the ethos instilled at Heckfield Place: food that is always seasonal, always thoughtful, and made to nourish in every sense.

Resident guests are invited to help themselves to an abundant spread of salads layered with brightness and texture, slow-cooked roasts and braises from the hearth, wood-fired vegetables dressed with garden-infused oils, freshly baked breads, broths, and grains. To finish, quietly indulgent desserts celebrate orchard fruit, fragrant creams, and just-sweetened tarts, alongside infusions from the garden. I gazed but didn’t nibble on the desserts, although they looked scrumptious!

Travel Mantra – always add on a few days at Heckfield Place after rambling about London!

Highly Recommend for a multitude of reasons!