Dining (Area Code 505)

Try Pasta Cafe (257-6666; $–$$) for Italian specialties and Le Bistro (257-0132; $$) for faux French. The Cattle Baron (257-9355; $$) is the place to head for steaks. The Texas Club (258-3325; $–$$) also serves great steaks and all-American fare.

Tinnies Silver Dollar (653-4425; $$) provides dining with a step back in time about three miles toward Roswell from the junction of Hwys. 70 and 380, or about 30 miles from Ruidoso. The yesteryear dining rooms are lined with paintings harking back to the Old West or showcasing the Hurd/Wyeth family art. The Green House (354-0373; $$), in nearby Capitan, serves good grub fresh from its own greenhouse. Both are worth the drive.

Cafe Rio (257-7746; $–$$) on downtown’s main drag serves a curious Mediterranean mixture (Italian, Portuguese, Greek) of pizza, pasta, soups and seafood in diner-like surroundings. Terraza Campanario Restaurant (257-4227; $) and Casa Blanca (257-2495; $) offer Tex-Mex. Farley’s (258-5676; $; above) has a good family atmosphere with fajitas, burgers and pizzas. Circle J Bar-B-Que (257-4105; $) claims the best “homecooked BBQ.” Michelena’s Italian Restaurant (257-5753; $–$$) has good pasta and pizza with takeout. Sundance Restaurant (257-2954; $$) has basic steak and seafood.

For breakfast, we suggest Pena's Place (257-4135) and the Log Cabin (258-5029).

Dining Legend: $$$$—Entrees $30+; $$$$—$20–$30; $$—$10–20; $—less than $10