“Hungry for history?” Because today our story is about L\u00f3pez Horno Plaza and food. While not directly about the plaza itself, the nearby Horno Restaurant offers an intriguing glimpse into local culinary traditions. L\u00f3pez Horno Plaza does not have much written about it, so let’s talk about the restaurant.
Horno means oven in Spanish. But it is not just any oven. It means a mud brick oven. The restaurant Horno is near L\u00f3pez Horno Plaza. It serves food inspired by the traditional horno.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine families using hornos to bake chicos. Chicos start as ears of field corn. They are tied and hung to dry. Or they are baked in an horno for a smoky flavor. The kernels are removed and stored. When cooked they taste like smoked corn.
Kim, a New Mexico resident, was intrigued by these mud ovens. She learned the process. A fire is built inside the oven. It burns for hours. This heats the mud walls and floor. The corn is placed on the ashes. Water is sprinkled to create steam. The door is sealed with adobe bricks. The corn bakes overnight.
The Horno Restaurant embraces this culinary heritage. It is a gastropub. It blends street food with indoor dining. There are no white tablecloths. The focus is on great food without pretense.
Chef David Sellers runs the kitchen. He was nominated for a James Beard Foundation award. He also founded the Street Food Institute. He taught people how to run food trucks. His students learned to instill passion in their cooking.
The menu at Horno is “David’s Culinary Journey.” It features seasonal ingredients. There are Vietnamese Thai and Mediterranean influences.
One popular dish is the Korean BBQ Pork Belly. It includes pickled vegetable salad and kimchi aioli. Another is the squid ink cappellini. It has rock shrimp and lump crab.
Horno also offers vegetarian options. The miso-roasted veggies are a hit. They include zucchini and eggplant.
The restaurant is on West Marcy Street. It is a block north of the Santa Fe Plaza. There is a small patio with heaters. Inside are two cozy dining rooms. The atmosphere is lively not hushed.
Though Horno may not serve traditional horno-baked dishes it provides an intriguing menu. It may even introduce you to some new favorites. So, after exploring L\u00f3pez Horno Plaza consider a visit to Horno Restaurant. Experience a taste of Santa Fe’s culinary innovation.