Blue Heron Restaurant at Sunrise Springs Resort in Santa Fe

Written by Susan Lanier-Graham

November 9, 2008

Hotels and Resorts | Destinations | New Mexico | North America | Restaurants | Travel | United States | Wellness Travel & Spas

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Santa Fe has some great food. One of the unique finds I made on a recent trip to Santa Fe is Blue Heron Restaurant at Sunrise Springs Resort Spa. The resort is about 15 minutes from the plaza in the old town. It’s well worth the drive out of town.

Sunrise Springs Resort Spa. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

The resort is a compound of about 70 acres and is filled with spring fed ponds, gardens, and walking paths. The restaurant, Blue Heron, is located in an old adobe building, on a hillside overlooking the ponds. In fact, in the summer months you can enjoy dining on the outside patio. No matter which season you dine there, you’re in for a treat with Chef Eric Laslow’s seasonal menu.

All year round the menu is filled with local, natural, and organic items and the excellent wine list includes several organic wines and a selection of sakes.

My meal started with a beautiful Heirloom Tomatoes and Sweet Onions salad. The tomatoes were scrumptious and tasted as if they’d just come from the vine. Next, I moved on to the Ceviche Bar menu. This selection of “little plates” offers about a dozen selections. I chose the Lump Crab with crispy garlic, tomato water, and Thai basil. One of my companions enjoyed the Conch salad with mango habanero mojo and avocado while another tried the Halibut with watermelon and red onion salad, aged balsamic and mint. I tried them all and couldn’t pick a favorite.

For the main course, I enjoyed the Natural Harris Ranch Beef Shoulder Filet with smoked paprika potatoes, goat cheese chile relleno and chimichurri. I also tasted the Seared Diver Scallops with roasted corn puree, grilled sweet onions, and basil syrup as well as the Pan Roasted Free Range Chicken with goat cheese mashed potatoes, asparagus tempura, and mustard jus. Again, I couldn’t pick a favorite. One thing that makes all the food even better is the chef’s use of the herbs from his garden right outside the kitchen.

If you’re looking for a great place to stay in Santa Fe, I recommend Sunrise Springs. But even if you’re staying in town, you’ll definitely want to take an evening and dine at Blue Heron Restaurant. Sunrise Springs Resort Spa is located at 242 Los Pinos Road in Santa Fe. Call 800.955.0028 or 505.471.3600. Visit them online at http://www.sunrisesprings.com.

Room at Sunrise Springs Resort Spa. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Written by Susan Lanier-Graham

Founder and publisher Susan Lanier-Graham is an award-winning travel writer and author of more than 75 books. For more than three decades, she has explored the world in search of unforgettable “wow moments,” from the jungles of Thailand and the temples of Egypt to wine regions, coastlines, and hidden gems closer to home. Her work blends immersive storytelling with practical insight, helping readers experience destinations more deeply. Based in Spearfish, South Dakota, Susan covers travel, food, and wine with a focus on meaningful experiences. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), and is a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS).