Al Fresco dining in the Southwest

"Al fresco dining" or "eating outside"?  Which sounds more elegant to you?  I"ll take al fresco dining, even though the two expressions mean essentially the same thing.  (And by "eating outside" I don't mean just strolling around the back yard munching on a fold over peanut butter sandwich.)

"Al fresco" means "in the cool air" in Italian, but don't use the phrase in Italy if you want to dine outside.  In Italian, 'al fresco" means "spending time in jail."  Say all'aperto.  If you are in a Spanish-speaking country, you will want to use the phrase, "al aire libre."

Al fresco dining brings up all sorts of pleasant images.  First, the weather must be temperate and the winds calm, no chattering teeth or flyaway napkins allowed.  Next, dining in the open air suggests a casual style, with come as you are dress. And probably most importantly, al fresco dining is about more than just consuming food and beverage.  It's festive.  Time to PARTY.

Last Sunday, my husband Wayne and I took advantage of an usually lovely spring day in El Paso, Texas, our home town, to have brunch at Ardovino's Desert Crossing, located just across the border in the neighboring state of New Mexico. Al fresco dining is offered on their patio.

Patio at Ardovino's

The owners of Ardovino's are advocates for use of plants native to the area in their landscaping, so the dining experience was also a horticultural lesson.  Many native plants bloom in early spring, putting on brilliant and often aromatic blossoms.

Colorful native plants

Ardovino's isn't just about food and plants.  This old water tower on the property is charming.

Water tower

Another delight of dining al fresco at Ardovino's is the possibility of catching a glimpse of a train as it glides around the nearby mountain.  

Train viewed from patio

And sometimes you can even hear the plaintive sound of a train whistle.

Brunch menu offerings at Ardovino's add to the feeling that you are doing something special.  Baja Vegetable Crepes, Berry Belgian Waffles, Pancakes Dolce, Trailer Park Biscuits and Gravy (one of my favorites), Skinny Breakfast (which in retrospect I probably should have ordered) and much more.

Once more, I must crow about living in the Desert Southwest, where spring arrives early.  But what about the 35 to 40 hour winds that rear their ugly heads in springtime, turning the world gray and dusty?  Well, yes, we have those days too.

But I'll keep a pleasant al fresco dining experience at Ardovino's in my memory to make it through the next sandstorm.

A fun pre-Christmas Sunday

Around the first day of December each year, I start scouring the local media sources for inspiration to get into the Christmas spirit.  I'm one of those people (like Dicken's Scrooge) who needs a boost to reset my normally serious personality with the holiday spirit.

So when I read that Ardovino's Desert Crossing was holding their annual Christmas Fair on Sunday, December 7, I started anticipating the chance to add a little sparkle to life.  Ardovino's is a unique establishment located just over the state line from El Paso, Texas in the neighboring town of Sunland Park, New Mexico.

Entrance to Ardovino's Desert Crossing

Ardovino's is loaded with charm.  It consists of a comfortable bar, a gourmet restaurant with scenic views over the mountains, and several outdoor areas with plants native to our southwest area.  A windmill and an outdoor tiled pizza oven add personality to the grounds.  The Christmas Fair was held in a large outbuilding and tent on the property.

Patio at Ardovino's Desert Crossing

On days and evenings when the weather cooperates - and it often does in the Desert Southwest- diners can sit outside on the patio.  And if you are there at just the right time, you can catch a view of a train coming around the mountain, 

Can you spot the train on the left?

My husband Wayne and I decided to have breakfast before we attended the fair.  A wreath greeted us at the door of the restaurant.

Entrance to restaurant

The restaurant was lively, filled with diners of all ages and walks of life.

Ardovino's Restaurant

I am almost embarrassed to admit that I ordered a breakfast dish called"Trailer Park Biscuits and Gravy."  And it was quite a treat.

Fortified with good food and strong coffee, we were ready for the Christmas Fair.  And it did have holiday atmosphere.  Lots of cheerful people were browsing the vendors' tables for home baked goods, items for house decoration (many with  local themes), plants, clothing, soaps, and holiday gifts.

Although we came away empty handed, the Ardovino's Christmas Fair experience made me feel like the holidays are really here. Bring on the decorating, the card addressing, the cookie making, and the present wrapping.  I'm ready for you now.

A getaway Saturday in New Mexico

Do you sometimes feel bored with your home town?  Been everywhere, done everything?  That is how I felt on a recent autumn Saturday morning in El Paso, Texas.  Fortunately, El Paso is located on the tip of Texas, right on the border with both Old and New Mexico. I decided to stop complaining and drive the 45 minutes or so that would take me to Sunland Park, New Mexico to Ardovino's Desert Crossing.

Ardovino's is many things - a great restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a convivial lounge, a music venue, and a showcase for arts and crafts fairs.  This Saturday morning, Ardovino's was hosting the farmer's market that is a weekly event during the warmer months.

Booths had been set up in the large parking lot by local vendors selling fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and arts and crafts.  I bought a package of powdered red chile to mail to a family member who lives on the East Coast and a ripe-smelling cantaloupe for my supper.

A typical produce booth

It is harvest time in the Desert Southwest, and the variety of locally grown produce enticed buyers.

Tempting produce

I interrupted my shopping for a late morning coffee and pastry while doing some very interesting people (and dog) watching.  I love the relaxed dress and demeanor of Saturday shoppers.

Filling the coffee urn

My next stop was a little further north into New Mexico.  A leisurely drive on NM28 took me to Sierra Vista Growers, a plant nursery.  Here's where I had to really hold on to my pocket book.  I wanted one of everything.  Don't they say the fall season is for planting?

An outdoor pumpkin display set the shopping mood

I'll admit it.  The massed geraniums in the greenhouse seduced me.

How could I resist the gorgeous colors?

 This is the geranium that went home with me to live in a hanging basket under the grape arbor.

I was drawn by the unusual color and pattern.

I filled my car with plants of all descriptions and headed home.  It is always amazing to me how our yard seems to gobble up plants.  The new plants look so big in the nursery and so little once they are in the ground.  But the new acquisitions have given me another reason to walk in the garden to see if they like their new homes.

The Saturday morning jaunt to New Mexico (involving food, plants, and beautiful scenery) certainly cured the blahs for me.  Now I can start daydreaming about how to enjoy the Desert Southwest next weekend.  Any suggestions?

Please note:  southwestloversblog is going on vacation and will return on October 30.