Romantic Historic New Mexican Restaurant

I have traveled across the nation for the past 27 years, to Boston and Washington DC, to Seattle and San Francisco, and all major cities in between. I have dined on lobster, crab, steaks, salmon and chicken. I have dined in fine dining rooms and local favorite restaurants. None compares to the Antiquity Restaurant located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, just off of the Old Town Plaza.

Old Town is the heart of Albuquerque's heritage, first settle in 1706 by the Spanish. Albuquerque was a farming village and a military outpost along the Camino Real, the road traveled by Spanish settlers between Chihuahua and Santa Fe. The original village, was now forms Old Town, was formed in the traditional Spanish design of a central plaza surrounded by the church, homes and government buildings. Many of these 300 year old buildings still stand in Albuquerque's Old Town, now hosting shops, galleries and restaurants.

The Antiquity Restaurant, well known as "Albuquerque's Most Romantic" restaurant, resides in one such old adobe brick building. They are located at 112 Romero NW, just off of the Old Town Plaza, and have been serving wonderful meals for over 50 years.

I have been frequenting Antiquity Restaurant for wedding anniversaries and Valentine's Day dinners for nearly 20 years and have always had the most wonderful dinners in a quiet and intimate setting.

The restaurant is made up of small rooms and private niches where couples can leave the world behind and focus only on each other. The décor is uniquely formal southwestern with muted punched tin lighting.

The food is remarkable. Appetizers include stuffed mushrooms, mushrooms sautéed in sherry, escargot, pan seared crab cakes with a spicy remoulade sauce and beef carpaccio. The escargot and stuffed mushrooms have always been my favorites.

Entrees include seafood, beef, pork and chicken, all prepared uniquely as only chefs in New Mexico can.

Spiced Shrimp from the Gulf, perhaps my favorite of the seafood dishes, are prepared with beer, spices and New Mexican red chili. Fresh Salmon is available, baked in parchment paper with champagne, lemon and a touch of dill. Shrimp Scampi is available as well as delicate and sweet Australian lobster tail. Finally, a favorite with visitors to the Southwest, are Scallops Jalapeno made with fresh jumbo sea scallops in a citrus cream sauce, tarragon, sherry and finely chopped jalapenos.

For diners who prefer chicken, Chicken Cashew can be found on the menu, with sliced breast of chicken prepared with sherry, soy sauce, onion, cashews and New Mexican red chili. Another unique chicken entrée is the Chicken Madagascar. This entrée has chicken sautéed with green peppercorns and sliced mushrooms, served in a seasoned cream sauce.

Pork lovers will not be disappointed with the Pork Normande, with two medallions sautéed with port wine, brandy, sliced apples, mushrooms and cream.

Perhaps the most memorable of the entrees at Antiquity are the beef dinners. Tenderloin and Shrimp Brochette is wonderful, with skewered tenderloin, shrimp, mushrooms served with teriyaki. A grilled 14 oz Black Angus NY Striploin is available, as well as Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon and grilled.

Truly the most incredible dishes on the menu are the Henry IV and the Chateaubriand for Two, guaranteed to provide you with the most memorable of romantic meals. The Henry IV entrée has been a favorite for over 20 years, with filet mignon placed on a bed or artichoke leaves and topped with an artichoke heart and covered with béarnaise sauce. The Chateaubriand for two is also served with béarnaise sauce, prepared table side.

Desserts are wonderful to share with you loved one. Complete your dinner with a chocolate mousse, three cream crepe or cream brulee.

Antiquity is truly the most romantic restaurant that I have ever visited in all of my travels. Please make an effort to visit Antiquity for a remarkable dining experience.