LAS CRUCES
New Mexico State University plans to offer students in New Mexico and West Texas the opportunity to participate in a new culinology program, blending the culinary arts with food science. Made possible by a $240,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, the new degree option will combine the culinary arts with the applied science of food research and development. Students will be qualified for jobs in research and development kitchens for hotel and restaurant chains, as well as in food processing and food service for large food companies like Tyson or Bueno Foods.

Sunset Grill (1274 Golf Club Rd. in Sonoma Ranch) has expanded both their breakfast and lunch menus. The restaurant now features fresh seafood (which they say is flown in daily from Hawaii and Alaska), steaks and a full bar featuring 40 different libations.

Boba Café (1900 S. Espina) is expanding into an adjacent building where they will build a music venue. Starting later this year, Boba plans to host music and staged performances.

Dick’s Café (2305 S. Valley Dr.), a longtime local favorite in Las Cruces, has temporarily closed after a fire gutted its kitchen. They have relocated to the old L & L Steakhouse location (2265 S. Main) while repairs are being made, which could take several months.

Marc’s European Grill (420 Avenida de Mesilla) has reopened. They have two new chefs, they are serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with new vegetarian dishes on the menu.

Risotto’s (510 Telshor) will open The Wine Cellar and will begin serving beer and wine soon, expected sometime in April.

Vintage Winery (2461 Calle de Principal), a wine bar, has opened in historic Old Mesilla. Located behind El Patio.

SURROUNDING AREAS:
Ruidoso
Hennington’s (1451 Mechem Dr.) is now open inside the Swiss Chalet Inn. Owners Brian and Lori Hennington recently relocated to the area after running a series of successful restaurants in the Dallas area. Hennington’s features excellent fare from the culinary talents of Brian, also the executive chef. Coming soon, musical talents straight from Nashville will be entertaining guests and a multi-million dollar renovation will soon be underway.

EL PASO
Mi Piaci, La Mezcalera (owned by famed Juarez Chef Alejandro Dimakis) Marcello’s and Mesa Street Bistro will soon open on the 5400 block of North Mesa Street, which should make this part of town an exciting dining destination.

Il Posto (7130 N. Mesa) is offering new diabetic-friendly foods, in addition to their traditional Italian fare. After experimenting in the kitchen, Chef Frank McNenney was able to cut out many sugars and salts from the dishes he serves, making them healthier and diabetic friendly. For more, see our feature on page 75.

Bad news for wine enthusiasts: Tejano Winery has closed.

Rumor has it that the popular Juarez restaurant Maria Chuchena is planning to expand into El Paso.

Leo’s Mexican Food Restaurant is opening a new location at 1921 N. Zaragosa. Open in April, the 5,000 square-foot Eastside eatery will accommodate up to 200 diners.

The newly opened Antoinette’s Cafe (716 Montana) is the realization of a dream for Chef Toni Vasquez. The menu selection ranges from Mexican to American and even Mediterranean. With appetizers at $3.50 and meals in the neighborhood of $6, it's very reasonable.

The Lancer’s Club (Coronado Tower) on the Westside introduces Chef Jon-Paul Delamotte. A graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and holder of Le Grande Diplome, Delamotte brings 35 years of experience (including the kitchen of Altitude 95 in the Eiffel Tower).

MISCELLANEOUS
“Locavore” has been named the 2007 word of the year by Oxford University Press. The noun, which means “a person who endeavors to eat only locally-produced food,” has gained popularity over the last
two years as more and more chefs and at-home cooks are moving their kitchens to use more locally produced foods.