Summertime News from Cafe Sierra Negra
Bread sales are going well. If you haven’t had our fresh baked bread,
we offer full loaves on Tuesdays, straight out of the oven for sale.
This week we sold out fast so be here on Tuesday to get your full loaf.
You will also be able to sample the bread when you order Green Chile
Stew or Dal.
We welcome our new, amazing staff! Miguel, Constance, Alyssa and Jasmine
who will add so much to our kitchen and service!
We have simplified our
bistro night dinners and will not be doing Prix Fixe. Each item on our
menu will be individually priced and we will keep your favorites on as
well.
Reservations are not necessary unless you are in a party of 6 or
more.
Grant for new refrigerator!
Cafe Sierra Negra has received a grant for $3000.00 to purchase a new commercial refrigerator from the Norther NM Regional Development Corporation.
The New Bread Oven!
Thanks to all who helped us get this new oven!
We now have Cafe Sierra Negra Tee shirts!
Blue or Terracotta shirts. Logo on front, Ron Milhoan painting on back.
$32.00
Join us at Cafe Sierra Negra October 25 & 26 at 5:30 pm for showings of Eyes of Time films:
UPDATE - January 2, 2022
NM-Magazine 3/4/22, 12:15 PM
Café Sierra Negra Fish Tacos
Fish in the Desert
- A roadside café fuses New Mexico flavors with California cool, reflecting the creative spirit of Abiquiú.
FEB. 16, 2022
BY MOLLY BOYLE
Melodie Milhoan’s fish tacos highlight a menu as bright as her husband Ron’s canvases.
"FISH TACOS? HERE?" SNIFFED MY ROAD-TRIP PARTNER, who was visiting the high desert of northern New Mexico from California’s Monterey Bay. I’d been telling her about the buzz for Café Sierra Negra, just off US 84 in Abiquiú, where we were headed for lunch.
Thirty minutes later, bathed in the cool turquoise tones of the patio sunshade, she was eating both fish tacos and her words. It turns out chef and owner Melodie Milhoan, who moved to Abiquiú in 2013 from—coincidence or fate?—the Monterey Bay area, knows what it takes to serve fish in the desert.
The alchemy of Café Sierra Negra’s tacos starts locally. Griddled corn tortillas from Tortilleria Temosachi, in Española, get layered with the catch of the week (rockfish, cod, salmon, or whatever’s freshest) from Santa Fe seafood wholesaler Above Sea Level.
Blackened and spiced fish is fused to a tortilla with melted pepper Jack cheese, dolloped with sriracha mayo and pico de gallo, then served with lime wedges and crisp, sweet-tart honey-cilantro slaw.
As we delightedly devoured them, luxuriating on the color-popping courtyard designed by Milhoan’s painter husband, Ron, whose bright canvases line the café’s interior, I realized a sense of place can be imported—and then transformed by local flavors into something altogether rare and delicious.
The restaurant, which was converted from a former bakery and opened in early 2021, is the culmination of Milhoan’s long culinary career.
Before she and Ron relocated to the foothills of the Sierra Negra mesa, Milhoan learned to cook from Army chefs at an alternative high school, then bartended in Chinese and Mexican restaurants, waited tables at a French bistro, and worked for decades at a prominent catering company in Watsonville, California. After the pandemic eliminated her job managing tours at the Georgia O’Keeffe home and studio, she jumped at the chance to carve out her own nicho in Abiquiú.
Chef Melodie Milhoan (right) and husband Ron offer healthy, organic fare at Café Sierra Negra. Photograph courtesy of Café Sierra Negra.
The sunny café serves from-scratch meals that reflect the diversity of Milhoan’s cooking background. The menu hops from New Mexico classics like green chile stew and a roasted poblano relleno to crepes, lentil stew, and baby back ribs, along with inspired weekly specials, baked goodies, and local beer and wine. Customers are especially fond of the Spinakopanada, an empanada stuffed with spinach, ricotta, and feta, another reflection of her versatile spins on tradition.
The inspiration came from Milhoan’s work making empanadas for the bakery during the annual Abiquiú Studio Tour weekend. “I started thinking of different fillings that were not traditional,” she says. “I couldn’t keep up with the demand. I was rolling them as we were selling them.”
This winter, Milhoan gives back to the artistic community that has wholeheartedly embraced Café Sierra Madre by hosting dinner-and-a-movie screenings of Abiquiú-focused films at the restaurant.
“I was attracted to this area because it is a small community, but also very supportive,” she reflects. “It appears remote, but it’s really not. You can’t walk a few feet without bumping into an artist here. I probably know more people here than I did when I lived in Santa Cruz County.”
GRAB A BITE
Café Sierra Negra, 20968 US 84; 505-685-0086
UPDATE – November 12, 2021
Winter is upon us though it has been so warm, who would know! I can tell because business has dropped sharply and I am thinking of ways to encourage folks to come into the café.
Beginning Tuesday, November 16th we’ll be switching to our winter hours:
Tuesday through Saturday-10:00am to 6:00pm. Later in the winter this may change again. Feel free to send me your suggestions.
I did receive my Beer and Wine License and will have beer beginning next week after we undergo staff training with RAC training program.
Starting this week, if you order two entrees we will give you a free dessert.Thank you to all of our loyal customers! Please help us get through the winter by ordering meals to go or dining in our lovely dining room and tell all your friends.
Let’s get through the winter and come out the other side Covid-free and stable.
UPDATE – 2021 Abiquiu Studio Tour
We’ll be closed tomorrow (Wednesday) in preparation for the Abiquiu Studio Tour.
We will be open on Sunday!
SPECIAL Studio tour menu:
Empanadas!
Hard Cooked Egg, Ham and Swiss with Dijon
Spinakopinada
Black Bean, Corn, house made Red Chile and Pepper Jack
Quiches:
1 – Traditional Bacon, Swiss and Dijon
2 – Broccoli, Mushroom and Cheddar
Deviled Eggs
Side Salads
Lots of bakery items
Delicious Coffee!
UPDATE OCTOBER 2, 2021
Special News!
I had my public hearing for the Beer and Wine License in the Rio Arriba Commission Chambers on September 28th and received approval. I hope to be able to serve beer and wine by mid-October!
I am donating a $100.00 Gift Certificate to the Santa Fe Humane Society for their Dogtoberfest Campaign that supports long-term residents at the Animal Shelter
Cheers! – Melodie
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 24, 2021
The café has been buzzing with business this last couple of weeks!
We’ve opened the back dining room to accommodate more folks and have had very positive comments about the new space. A new wood fence has been installed out the back window to give the residents of the trailer park more privacy as well as create a new, quieter, outdoor patio space away from the highway.
This has been a most challenging summer with many hurdles for the café. Food prices and fuel prices have skyrocketed as well as my continued staff shortage. My rent doubled when I took over the back space, but I feel it will be very important to have more seating options once the cold weather arrives.
I appreciate my regular local customers very much and hope that I am meeting your expectations. I will be changing the hours during the winter and look forward to offering entertaining lectures, movies and music during winter dinners. I also look forward to a much-needed vacation to catch up on sleep and rest my busy mind.
For those of you who have been supportive of my beer and wine application, a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 3:00pm in Espanola in the Commission Chambers to hear all interested. If you would like to attend, please observe Covid 19 rules and wear a mask. I have attached the announcement with the date, time and address of the hearing.
Due to the hearing I will be closing at 2:00pm on that Tuesday to prepare for the hearing.
I will also be closing early on this coming Friday, September 24th, to prepare food for a private party.
Thank you all for your support!
Melodie Milhoan
UPDATE JULY 1, 2021
Happy Summer to all!
I’ve purchased the chairs and tables for the new dining room in back. With the expert help of Thomas Studer the track lighting in the back dining room has been installed. Other work still to be done? The front counter so that you can order inside instead of at the window! We’ll move the espresso machine out front which will free up more prep spacein the kitchen! The advantage of the front counter will be more efficient customer service.
I spoke with the Beverage and Alcohol Bureau and it looks like it may be several months to receive our beer and wine license. Bear with us and please continue to come and eat despite the lack of alcohol. Your continued support is important to keep us in business and greatly appreciated. Once we do have the license I plan to have international and domestic wines by the glass as well bottled beer.
Eldon Vita is moving on to a job managing to historic site in Jemez Springs. This leaves me needing a new staff person who can do food prep and customer service. If you are interested, drop by the cafe and say hi!
UPDATE JUNE 11, 2021
Greetings from Café Sierra Negra!
I wanted to update you on the new and exciting happenings at the café!
We now have a full staff of capable, wonderful folks who are helping to expand our service and delicious food offerings. I placed an ad on Craig’s List for help and was incredibly fortunate to hire Charles Williams the week that he moved to Abiquiu to help with the cooking. He has sous chef experience having worked in many restaurants across the country. The experience he brings to the café is priceless. He has helped to organize the kitchen so that we can produce meals in a more efficient manner. His Red Chile and Bar-b-que Sauces are delicious. I hope you will come and try the new Poblano Relleno with Red Chile Sauce, (which can be a Vegan Entrée without the cheese or comes smothered in melted Pepper Jack) and the Baby Back Ribs with the BBQ Sauce.
Ash Haywood has been working with us for several months now. She bakes the delicious brownies and empanadas, and she’s an excellent server and espresso maker. When I purchased the pollinating seeds to plant in the planters she volunteered to start them in her green house and now has planted the many flowering plants that will adorn our outdoor patio. She helped to arrange our donation of 100 empanadas to the Northern Youth Project for their plant sale by recruiting all the volunteers and assisting with the delivery and set up.
Eldon Nathan Vita has recently joined our team. He and his fiancée live at Los Luceros, where his fiancée is the program coordinator. He has bakery experience and is an excellent prep cook. He is helping to organize our ordering process by creating an inventory checklist. He assists both Charles and me with the cooking on the days we are on the line.
My husband Ron helps every day by taking care of all the little odd jobs that need to be done, making food runs, helping with dishes and cleaning at the end of the day. He built and set up the outdoor patio portal and sun shades.
Business has picked up with the increase in tourism to our area and we are working on expanding our capability to serve more people by growing our footprint. We are taking over the back room that used to be the Hair Salon.
Because of this we will need more furniture. If you have a wood table or wooden chairs that you are not using and would be suitable for indoor dining please consider a donation or a food trade.
All through this process I have been dedicated to providing healthy homemade food with organic produce, grains and natural meats and dairy products. Due to the increasing costs of the food that I use and the environmentally safe to go boxes, cups and supplies, I will be raising the prices on some of the menu items. I appreciate our community’s support and want you to know that up until now I have been working 6 days a week to make sure that the quality and flavor of the food we put out are exceptional.
Thank you all for your continued support and appreciation!
UPDATE MAY 14, 2021
Cafe Sierra Negra was happy to donate ingredients for the empanadas sold at the Northern Youth Project Plant Sale on May 15th. Both Apple and Spinach Feta empanadas were enjoyed by people attending the sale.
UPDATE APRIL 27, 2021
We’ve got a new swamp cooler and a new
commercial reach-in fridge – so we’re ready for Summer! Don’t hesitate to
let me know what you think of my food, which specials are you favorite?
I’m fine tuning the menu with special that everyone likes!
UPDATE APRIL 22, 2021
We’ve got our planters set up and will be planting them with decorative pollinating plants as soon as the frost is over!
UPDATE APRIL 17, 2021
We’ve installed a sunshade ramada in front of the Cafe and added some big planters that will have flowers and herbs growing in them. Come sit outside and enjoy some delicious food!
UPDATE MARCH 25, 2021
Cafe Sierra Negra was mentioned in Sunset Magazine! Link to entire article is below the quote.
“Before our adventure concluded, I asked the ranch hands for their local eatery recommendations. They were adamant that Cafe Sierra Negra was the place to go.
Named for the neighboring mountain and operated by California expat and Abiquiu resident Melodie Milhoun, the restaurant is known for its mouth-watering weekly specials and first-rate service.
Melodie suggested the fish tacos, and, to put it mildly, they did not disappoint. I have no choice but to betray my native Golden State by admitting that they are, hands down, the best fish tacos I’ve had to date. And from the sound of it, the same quality holds true for all items on Sierra Negra’s menu, bolstered by the steady evolution of Melodie’s culinary experimentation.”
Read the article:
A Journey to New Mexico Through the Eyes of Georgia O’Keeffe
UPDATE MARCH 17, 2021
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Abiquiu and beyond,
I was right when I thought that people wanted Corned Beef and Cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day, in fact I sold out!
As the weather warms and days grow longer business will be picking up at the café and I am looking for a few new staff to assist in this ever-growing business.
If you have a love for cooking and would like to express your creativity at the café I would happily hire you for one or two days a week to help with specials and lunch and dinner prep. I can train you and will pay you fairly.
If you love people and would like to help with taking orders, plating up food and serving food in the dining room and outside, I am looking for you too! Part time is ok!
We will be putting up the turquoise sunshades and assembling the outdoor seating area soon!
Next week’s Specials will be Sierra Negra Signature Meat loaf and Coq au Vin.
See you at the Café!
UPDATE FEBRUARY 26, 2021
Café Sierra Negra Now Open for Limited Outside and Inside Dining ! Two tables inside at a time.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 5, 2021
It’s been a month now since I opened my doors and things are going well.
I have a good group of regular local customers and word is traveling fast with new folks dropping in every day. Yesterday I had the entire Rio Arriba Co. Sheriff’s staff visit me. How great is that?!
Check my Facebook page and this website as well as the Abiquiu News for updates .
UPDATE DECEMBER 27, 2020
Hello Abiquiu and Beyond!
Café Sierra Negra will open for business on Wednesday, January 6th. The hours will be 10:00am to 6:00pm, Wednesday through Saturday.
Since this project was a pipe dream way back in July, I have been on a learning curve dealing with physical, financial and bureaucratic challenges. There were times when I wasn’t sure I was going to pull this off, and other times I was elated because a problem that looked daunting turned out to be simple.
I want to thank all of the donors who gave so generously to my GofundMe page. I couldn’t have done this without you! You all own a piece of the café!
Sarah Warren Margaret Thompson Charli Tate Carol Bondi Susan Hendel
Alison Gabel Christina McCandless Jan Gilbrecht Annie MacHale Christina Ng
Jill Coursin Frances Frazier Estevan Maestas Ed Hagenstein
Vivian Jean Terry Price Merrian Bianculli Peter Gianniny
Gabe Maestas Mary Grout Debra Fritts and Frank Shelton Giustina Renzoni
Ben Finberg Jo Douglas Janet Harrington Dede Happe Suzie Fowler-Tutt
Stephanie Frusteri Colleen Kelly Anastacia Kaser Tracy LeCroy
AnaCarlotta Boettcher Carlos Rossi Kat Stanley Pita Lopez
Ed Harsha Steven & Cynthia Tanner Elizabeth Faithorn Djann Hoffman
Carlotta Minter Luanna Lee Lisa Neimeth Jan Hauser Kevin Nagler
Mary Power-Hall Anita Swanson Tracy Gentry Kori Rae Maggie Town
Donna Kelly Joy Nagle Renata Zimmerman Daria Roithmayr
Charlie Carruthers Madeline Williamson Helene Pauly Elizabeth Inman
Ann McDaniel Margaret Thompson Margaret Moore Edith Jickling Helene Pauly
Kelsey Kolar Isabel Jewell Jaye Burrows and Bill Page Sylvia Lampen and David Gulisano
and 17 anonymous donations.
I also want to express my gratitude and thanks to my husband Ron who has been helping with the remodel and Kevin Spitzer, contractor extraordinaire who has worked tirelessly from the onset of this project. Helene Pauly who designed the logo from my crude drawing and did the layout for the Sign. John Rae for his fine detailed sign painting, Vivian Jean who’s helping with the website, The Purple Adobe Lavender Farm who donated paper goods galore and Steve Ortiz from Albuquerque who taught me so much about exhaust hoods, Jorge Carmona’s Plumbing and Will Segura our electrician.
Now I am entering the new phase and will likely suffer a few hiccups at the beginning. I have no idea whether I will be busy, steady or slow. I am starting out with a limited menu since I will be working alone or with limited staff. I will be offering to-go food only due to the pandemic, and hope to open the dining room in the Spring or Summer once the pandemic has ended.
I have included the start up menu. This is a fluid document and may change slightly depending on what sells, feedback and what’s in season. I love ideas and constructive suggestions. I hope to acquire a Beer and Wine License this coming Spring.
Thank you everybody for your patience! I look forward to seeing you at the café!
Love and Hugs in the future! Melodie Milhoan