Dining
Luminaria Restaurant introduces Chef Matt Ostrander as executive chef. Known for his “Conscious Cuisine”, Chef Matt is ready for the season with his clever take on the much loved Caprese Salad. Matt’s version is the “Caprese Sundae”, which has quickly become a local favorite. This summer dish consists of a trio of mozzarella ice cream, tomato sorbet, and basil sorbet, within a sundae dish topped with roasted garlic foam, and drizzled with balsamic reduction. He finishes it all off with fried capers and Hawaiian Sea Salt. Chef Ostrander says, “This dish is perfect to enjoy on the patio or dining room accompanied by your favorite entrée.”
Restaurant Reviews in Santa Fe
See what Luminaria Guests are saying about their dining experience. If you would like to share your comments, please consider adding them to our blog.
Luminaria Truly Shines By Anne Hillerman / For the Albuquerque Journal
Whether you choose the inside dining room or the patio, Luminaria ranks as one of Santa Fe's most attractive restaurants. The expansive patio with its central covered ramada, elegant draping and classic entrance fountain allows guests to celebrate the all-too-brief summer without the inconveniences of wobbly tables or too much sun. Inside, the ambiance is contemporary, sleek and inviting.
A restaurant as beautiful as Luminaria could get by on looks alone, so it's reassuring to have first-rate service and a menu to match. The new menu, launched in April, features some interesting choices, and every dish I saw was beautifully presented, food as elegant as the setting in which it is served. Our party of five had an opportunity to sample a broad section of the menu, and much of what we had tasted as good as it looked. Read the complete review.
Gil's Thrilling (and Filling) Blog
There may be no more fitting milieu in Santa Fe to spend an al fresco late summer evening than Luminaria whose expansive patio and covered ramada provide cover from spitting rains and shade from the sweltering sun. The patio is situated neath the shadows of the Loretto Chapel. The restaurant's interior is contemporary and stylish, a swanky refuge from the harshness of Santa Fe's winters. From the moment you step into this oasis and are welcomed warmly at the hostess station, you'll feel right at home. The wait staff is extraordinary in its attentiveness and ambassadorial in its knowledge of menu offerings and wine pairings.
Chef Matt Ostrander's Conscious cuisine incorporates the use of sustainable, locally-sourced (fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers and prime grades of meat from regional ranchers) and organic products with ayurvedic principles to create balanced, healthful foods that stimulate the senses through flavor, aroma, texture and presentation. The seasonally rotating menu does not shy away from low-calorie and heart-healthy dining options. Chef Ostrander is also increasingly introducing seriously playful elements of molecular gastronomy to a menu which can't be pigeonholed into any one category. You may recognize nuances of French, Southwestern and contemporary American approaches, all well executed to an edible art form. Read the complete review.
Eat, Drink, Grow Santa Fe Blog
In July, Chef and author Johnny Vee showcased two of New Mexico's most prominent pastry chefs, Darci Rochau of the Hyatt Regency Tamaya in Albuquerque and Luminaria's Andrea Clover. In addition to eavesdropping on their entirely entertaining tales of dessert daring do, I photographed signature plates from each chef. I'll say this: it takes some serious discipline to photograph such sweet smelling concoctions without caving to temptation and dipping a finger in the chocolate. See Blog
One of the Most Amazing Dishes
One of the most amazing dishes I've ever had - the "Caprese Sundae" - bordered on brilliance. Totally innovative and delicious and playful. Also the Sagebrush was a fantastic cocktail. Well tuned to the high desert.
Open Table Diner
A great deal for a superb dinner!
I took my aunt here for her birthday, and we were delighted with the menu, service, and beauty of the patio. The early dinner (3 course prix fixe for $29) was a wonderful bargain.
Open Table Diner
Everything was impeccable...
The service, the patio, the food and the wine. The baker is a true artist. Whoever devises the sorbets and ice creams is a wizard. Memorable dining in every respect. Creative, thoughtful wonderful cuisine. We'd give it six stars if we could. Simply outstanding.
Open Table Diner
Very classy
Excellent food and service, lovely dining room...we very much enjoyed our evening...highly recommendReviews are true. Excellent property and friendly staff
Please consider dining at Luminaria! Chef Matt Ostrander is a culinary artist. The presentation was magical and mystical. I’ve never seen such beauty on a plate. I give the restaurant 10 stars!
Excerpt from Trip Advisor Guest RecessionaryMary
GO for nice dinner and good location
"The quality and presentation of dinner was great. Everything tasted great and I like the regional touch with chile on the side for many dishes. Dessert was really good too. The service, which was a weak point in the past, had really gotten much, much better over the past two years. The only weak point was the wine list. The low end wines are mostly specials at our local Whole Foods and I'm well stocked on those. The high end was justified on $75 or higher, but for just my wife and I that's unreasonable. A nice $40-$50 bottle that is slightly unique would be good. Maybe a Rioja or Italy or some region which is producing reasonable wines and reasonable prices. Free valet parking is a real plus in Santa Fe.”
Open Table Diner
Great Property w/ the most underrated restaurant in Santa Fe
Let me make special mention of Luminaria and our dinner there. We do not often dine in hotel restaurants, in fact never would be closer to the truth although there have been a few exceptions. As this was included in our stay it was one of them; and what a joyous surprise it was. Let me begin by saying that our other two dinners were at the Inn of the Anasazi which was catered for a group that was in town on a prewar V8 Alfa Romeo Tour. This was not an inconsequential group and there were no expenses spared, the other was an $800 dinner for four at Tratoria Nostrani. Luminaria, as the name suggests out shone the competition, and the competition was considerable. The appetizer that I had was a mushroom and truffle tamale that to paraphrase the expression, "removed my socks," as did the scallops which I had as an entree. There were crusted and cooked to perfection, tender, sweet and delicate as they should be when prepared properly. The wine list was not overly large but adequate, and I would certainly dine there again.
Update: We were in town for the ARTFEAST event this month (February) and as part of EAT (the Edible Art Tour) on Friday evening, we sampled appetizers from perhaps 15 different restaurants as we visited among the galleries. Luminaria and Restaurant Martin were the two standouts, with Max's getting a well deserved honorable mention.
I also recommend you stop by the bar and make the acquaintance of Sergio the head bartender and should it be cool out, ask to try his Santa Fe Hottie; it is worth effort.
Excerpt from Trip Advisor Guest selogos
Luminaria has fabulous food
"Luminaria has fabulous food, inviting atmosphere, and impeccable service. The food was artistically place on the plates which only helped enhance the food, which was already wonderful. Our group was celebrating a couple of birthdays and had some wonderful surprises waiting for us. We enjoyed our evening and looking forward to dining outside when the weather warms up.
Open Table Diner
We had meaning to try Luminaria
"We had meaning to try Luminaria since we read about the new chef in a local review. We finally got there and it was a wow. By chance, we arrived in time to order the prix fixe menu ($29) - it did not disappoint - delicious choices served beautifully. And you get the chance to sample the desserts which were outstanding. Wonderful service as well. We look forward to going back in the summer when the patio is open.
OpenTable Diner
