It took us waaaay too long to 'discover' Joe's Pasta House located on 3201 Southern Blvd. in Rio Rancho, NM.
Which is really odd since we only live a quarter of a mile from it! Yes, shameful, indeed. But, we have become faithful regulars like anyone else who has eaten there.
This is a half of a spinach salad with prosciuotto, mozarella cheese, mushrooms, boiled egg, tomatoes and a tomato-bacon dressing. BTW, all salad dressings are hand made at Joe's. I point that out since my husband is allergic to MSG (monsodium glutamate) and salad dressings are notoriuos for containing this ingredient.
It is as good as it looks! All the produce and canned tomatoes are organic. Joe only uses the best ingredients for his dishes and it really shows. We are never disappointed when we eat there! It seems like every dish I try becomes my new "BDF" (best dish forever).
This is the entree I had that night: one of the specials, Salmon al Bruchetta.
Grilled fresh Atlantic Salmon topped with fresh tomato pesto, bruchetta, served on a bed of fresh spinach and sauteed red bell pepper, mushrooms, yellow squash and zucchini.
It was AMAZING. The salmon was light in flavor and incredibly fresh. The tomato pesto was an explosion of flavor. All the flavors seem to be in balance each other. You know how you can taste every single ingredient in the dish without one being more overpowering than the other? I think that is the benchmark of a well crafted dish.
The servings are always more than I can eat at one sitting, so I did enjoy it for at least two more lunches at home!
I have learned that ordering the wine that is being featured that month is the way to go. If you want more than a glass, order the bottle. New Mexico State law now allows restaurants to give their patrons a special wine "doggie bag".
How good is that?
