Taos, NM isn’t exactly a tourist destination. But it’s also not without its charms. Socialite and art collector Millicent Rogers has a museum here—it’s pretty great. There’s an abundance of food smothered in green chile—also pretty great. And if heights don’t bother you, the seventh tallest bridge in the U.S.—the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge—is but a short drive away.
But let’s talk about The Love Apple. While I could go on about the incredible food or the fact that it’s housed in an old church (Placitas Chapel), I found myself sinking back and appreciating the little details that brought the whole experience together. Toward the end of the meal, I noticed a sampling of their wine and champagne housed under the benches where guests sit. While some establishments might scoff at this utilitarian approach, it’s nice, homey, not too fussed over.
As our meal—and, with it, our evening—wound down, Madeleine Peyroux’s soulful cover of Elliott Smith’s “Between the Bars” hummed over head, and everything felt relaxed, comfortable, like I was hanging out at a friend's house. Those bottles felt just right.
—Cory Smith