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The Compound

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The Compound Review

Chef Mark Kiffin has transformed this gracious, folk-art-filled old restaurant into one of the state's culinary darlings. No longer white-glove formal, it's still a fancy place, thanks to decor by famed designer Alexander Girard and a highly attentive staff, but it maintains an easygoing, distinctly Santa Fe feel. From chef Kiffin's oft-changing menu, devoted to ingredients based on those introduced to the area by the Spanish, consider a starter of warm flan of summer sweet corn, with lobster succotash and radish sprouts. Memorable entrées include Alaskan halibut with orange lentils, summer squash, and piquillo peppers in a smoked ham hock broth; and buttermilk roast chicken with creamed fresh spinach and foie gras pan gravy. The extensive and carefully chosen wine list will please the most discerning oenophile. Lunch is as delightful as dinner, while considerably less expensive—about $14 per person.

    Restaurant Details

  • Credit cards accepted.
  • No lunch weekends.
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    The Compound Review

    I dined at The Compound for the first time in eight years last week and was delighted to see that the only thing that has changed is the seasonal menu. The minimalistic decor is and folk art touches are a tribute to Santa Fe and a prelude to what matters most. The focus here is on the dining experience. If you are a fan of Foie Gras or haven't tried it before, you must experience it!
    Beautifully executed and memorable. There's a reason why this restaurant remains on the Santa Fe map.

    by leofines, 3/30/11
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    The Compound Review

    For those who love to go out to eat, The Compound Restaurant provides all the things you look for in a dining experience. A friend of mine suggested this restaurant and I am so glad he did! When you arrive at The Compound you are surprised by its bright interior. The dining room is pristine but welcoming. The menu was well balanced with a variety of fare to choose from. My friends and I chose to order something different so we could all sample the menu. My favorite dish was the Swordfish with a homemade pasta. Service was very attentive. I hope to return in the summer when the Garden is open. The outdoor spaces are equally as beautiful as the interior. Makes me wish I lived in Santa Fe.

    by chrissygrl, 3/26/11
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    The Compound Review

    My husband and I chose the Compound as the location for our wedding reception, and we could not have been more pleased. Perfect service, perfect food, and a perfect setting worked together to create an event that was elegant but relaxed, appropriate for guests of all ages and diverse backgrounds, and enjoyable for everyone. I have had many guests tell me that they don’t usually like wedding receptions but that they truly enjoyed ours.

    by TDV, 3/19/11
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    The Compound Review

    After reading about this restaurant in Fodor's, Frommer's and our hotel's concierge's recommendation, we had high hopes. The food varied in quality. The heirloom tomato salad was wonderful. The veal's sauce was very good but the veal itself had a poor texture. My companion's steak was overcooked and somewhat dry. Service was attentive although our poor waiter spilled the water bottle and dropped a large portion of bread on the floor.

    by mechele11, 9/7/10
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    The Compound Review

    Nothing is perfect, especially in Santa Fe where things tend to be over romanticized by the travel industry. However, as a local, this is the PLACE to go for a really nice mean and experience. I ate there with my wife and ordered sea bass. One of my favorites. It came out nicely prepared but overly salty. I told my waiter that it was very good but a little too salty. He offered to replace it with another dish, which I accepted and got the salmon. To our surprise, they did not charge us for the entree. Very impressed to see this happen in my hometown where snootiness seems to be part of the dining culture, especially at the more expensive establishments.

    by rioperro, 11/28/09
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    Noisy kitchen fan ruins atmosphere

    Great food but noisy kitchen fan exhausts by outside tables, so not only is the noise a distraction but you smell every meal being made

    by agmeek, 9/7/09
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    Excellent Way to End Our NM Trip

    Waiter was a little pushy (we dropped in for an early lunch on our way out of Santa Fe) but overall a terrific experience.

    by DallasBill, 1/14/08

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