Jenny's View
What's not to love?
Dear Friends,
February is one of my favorite months — not because of the frigid cold spells and snow flurries it delivers, but for the piñon blazes we ignite and the warm fires we gather around to fend off its chill. It’s the perfect month for cozying up next to a kiva fireplace, enjoying a glass of bubbly and getting lost in the magic of the month of love.
Love. Amor. Amoré. Kärlek. Ayóóʼóʼní. No matter how you say it, the essence of the word is felt. And, it is the driving force behind La Fonda’s spirit of service and hospitality. As more folks discover La Fonda, our family keeps growing — day after day, year after year — I am thrilled to highlight the historic wonders of our 100-year-old hotel with each of you! This Valentine’s month, I’m sharing just a few of the reasons I love La Fonda:
THE ART
The museum quality art collection of the hotel began at its inception and has grown considerably over the years. Paintings by the best Pueblo artists were commissioned for the hotel in the early years and Sam and Ethel Ballen continued that tradition. It has been my honor to enrich our amazing inventory over the years I’ve been at the helm.
Our art collection expanded recently to include numerous new pieces. Among them works by Tony Abeyta, Ricardo Cate, along with Del Curfman’s tryptic series of paintings that inspired our unique and incredibly popular transparent sheers featured in our newly renovated Terrace Inn at La Fonda. Nothing shows our commitment to the community more than supporting local artists and embracing talented artisans along their creative journey — that’s why our guest rooms and corridors, ballrooms and meeting spaces are filled with original creations that showcase regional talent.
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THE FLAVORS
Chef Lane Warner and his crew infuse passion into La Plazuela’s most sought after dishes — especially when it comes to Saint Valentine’s Day. With a fire roaring in our historic portal and the chandelier lights dimmed, our hand-painted windows shimmer and quietly glow, creating a distinctly romantic setting. This year don’t miss Chef de Cuisine, Charles Thompson’s Valentine’s Day Special Menu.
Not to mention, Detours now carries a line of my go-to chocolate-fix favorites. We partnered with local chocolatier Kakawa to create a distinctly La Fonda blend of bittersweet, dark cocoa richness. The chocolate bar is a hit, and it’s perfect for sharing.
THE SPIRITS
Positioned at the very center of La Fieasta’s bar is a 4-foot-tall cast iron sculpture whom we adoringly call Harvey, a nod to the great entrepreneur, Fred Harvey and Santa Fe’s railroad era. Each month Harvey displays our bartender’s featured spirit — this month’s feature is Meukow Vanilla Cognac — the key ingredient in our signature Bischochito Martini.
If you’re like me, you might like to splurge on a sweet cocktail to mark special occasions. Shake this one at home!
La Fonda’s Bischochito Martini
1.25 oz Baileys, 1oz Meukow Vanilla Cognac, drizzle of Sambuca. Shake over ice, strain into chilled martini glass — don't forget to line the rim with cinnamon and sugar!
THE TEAM
When I reflect on my long relationship with the hotel, some of my most cherished moments have been spent with our staff. Can you name another hotel in Santa Fe, in New Mexico, or the nation for that matter, that celebrates employees that have 37 years tenure? How ‘bout 48? 13!
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Earlier this week we had a teary-eyed bash celebrating the retirement of some of La Fonda’s finest: Connie (Stormi) Stahlhut (37 years) of La Plazuela, Joseph Martinez (48 years) of Maintenance, and Nancy Salazar (13 years) of La Plazuela. Joseph and Nancy aren’t leaving yet, but they are reducing their time here to only a couple days a week, so we wanted to acknowledge their tenure here too. Connie has had legions of fans throughout her time at the hotel – so many of our regulars always requested to be seated in her section (including me!) since she’s known to share a funny quip, she’s all smiles, and her service is impeccable. Her retirement is bittersweet to all of us who adore her. With a combined 98 years of experience, their mark on the hotel will be forever lasting. Please join me in wishing each of them health and happiness during their next adventure!
With love,
Jenny
