Q: Where can I find a wide assortment of places to eat near the intersection of candelaria and tramway
A: Try these dining maps: www.itsatrip.org/maps/dining-maps. For restaurants near Candelaria and Tramway, select "Eastside" and it will populate a good list of places to eat in the area. 
Q: I am attending a lesbian wedding in Albuquerque in August, and I am not sure if there will be potluck food or not?? Which do you think is the most appropriate to bring, red or green???
A: Well, Anne, I'll tell you what my mother always told me: Never wear white shoes after Labor Day, but feel free to bring red or green to a lesbian wedding potluck! Seriously, I think a pot of green chile stew or a big tray of red chile beef enchiladas would make a welcome addition to any gathering. Just make sure there's plenty of it!
Q: What is the difference between New Mexican cuisine and Mexican cuisine? Is there a difference?
A: In short: yes, there is a difference. New Mexican cuisine (from the state of New Mexico) is very different from Mexican cuisine (from Mexico, the country).  New Mexican cuisine is the happy marriage of Native American foods—like blue corn and squash—with chile peppers, wheat flour, pork and other ingredients the Spanish settlers brought with them from Europe and Mexico.  As a rule, New Mexican food uses a lot of cheese, beans and chile, while Mexican food tends to use a lot of spices, salsas, grilled meats and seafood.  If you’re in Albuquerque and interested in comparing, you’re in luck! We have plenty of restaurants that serve both.  
Q: Last time I was in Alb waiters kept asking me “red or green?” I know they were talking about chili, but that’s all I know. I’m coming back and would love to know what exactly chili is, and what the diff is btwn the red and green.
A:
A chile, not to be confused with chili (which is commonly found in Texas and is made of meat, beans and red chile powder) is a New Mexican staple.  As you’ve probably already discovered, chile is hard to escape when you come to New Mexico—even the fast food chains like McDonalds and Pizza Hut carry green chile for their hamburgers and pizzas. 

So, what is chile? Chiles are peppers and they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes; the most common chile here in New Mexico is the Anaheim Chile. What’s the difference? Well, all chiles start out green—red chile is simply a ripened green chile that has been dried and ground into a powder which is then made into a sauce.  Green chile can be served whole, chopped or in a sauce.  

The question inevitably arises: Which is hotter? And the answer is: Neither. Depending on the variety, growth and harvest conditions, the level of spiciness between red and green chile can vary significantly. Just ask your server which is hotter that day and you should be safe. 

So, the next time your server asks you the question, “red or green?” you’ll know how to answer.  Say "Christmas" if you want both red and green chile, and don't be afraid to ask for the chile on the side if you're not sure. But whatever you do, don’t skip it! It’s a taste that’s unique to the area and if you give it a chance, you’re sure to love it by the time you leave. 

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