Highly Recommended! Chimayo Stone Fired Kitchen in Durango

iiPhone snapshot of the Stuffed Pablano Chile Pepper, chicken breast.and House Kale Coleslaw (clikc to enlarge)

Durango, Colorado and surrounds is beyond description for photographic potential.  That is why so many photographers and photo workshops end up in Durango or go through Durango.  If you are a photographer and happen to find yourself in Durango, I have a recommendation for you.  I very seldom give any recommendations outside of the photographic world, but this one I had to pass along.

About 18 months ago, I received an unsolicited email from a man by the name of Michael Lutfy.  I didn't know Mr. Lutfy but he had several questions about the possibility of him moving from Nikon gear to Fujifilm gear.  Reading my blog, he knew that I was a former Nikon shooter and now had moved to Fujifilm.  I am always ready and willing to help another photographer.  After a few good email exchanges, he signed off as owner/chef of Chimayo Stone Fired Kitchen at 862 Main Street in Durango, Colorado and said if I ever get out that way, please stop in and say hello.

As you know, my wife and I were just in Durango so, looking for a good place to eat, decided to try Chimayo.  As we were seated, I handed one of my business cards to our server and asked if Mr. Lutfy was in and, if so, please give him my card as I wanted to meet him.  I told her he would know who I was.

In a few minutes, Mike came out, we renewed our acquaintance and he sat and talked with my wife and I for about 30 minutes.  It turns out we have a lot in common.  We also met his lovely wife Birgitta as well as his mom.  Birgitta is also quite an accomplished chef as well as the General Manager and is a graduate of the Holstebro Academy in Denmark. I didn't want to hold him up any longer as I knew prime dining time was upon us, so I asked him for some recommendations for dinner.  And, wow, what a dinner! 

My wife and I weren't very hungry so we decided to split an appetizer of Elote, or Mexican Street Corn.  That was undoubtedly the best corn I had ever had.  I looked at my wife and told her she need to try her best to make some of that.  Next we shared a Stuffed Pablano Chile Pepper with a chicken breast and kale slaw.  If I thought the corn was good, this entree was over the top.

Chimayo’s menu is extensive and, being a lover of pizza, Mike told us how he buys very specific to,actors from one farmer in California and the meticulous pains he takes to make his pizza dough.  I wish I could have gone back the second night to eat some.

I have to say, my wife's and my dinner at Chimayo was one of the top 5 dinners we have ever had.  I just saying “wow” over and over.  I would ask you, as a photographer, if you are in Durango do yourself a favor and give Chimayo a try.  Mike is an excellent photographer, a superb chef and we had the good fortune to meet his lovely wife Birgitta as well. They are stand up people who really care about the food they prepare and I suspect, no one leaves their restaurant hungry or dissatisfied.

Check out Chimayo's website and menu at www.chimayodurango.com.

AND NO, Mike did not ask me to write this nor did he give me a discount on our dinner.  If he would have offered a discount, I would have refused.  I have written this because we had a special treat that evening and my wife and I would like to share our good fortune with each of you.

Michael, if you happen to see this, our thanks to you, Birgitta and your mom for a wonderful evening!

Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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