We experienced the Coyote Cafés in both Santa Fe and Washington DC decades ago. Both were excellent.
From a 1996 SF Chronicle article:
" Few restaurants in the Bay Area have such a grand pedigree as Santa Fe Bar and Grill in Berkeley. It was the launching pad for Mark Miller, was purchased by Jeremiah Tower and then taken over by Faz Poursohi, who has gone on to create a Faz empire."
Mark Miller’s place was the Fourth Street Grill, one of the first businesses in the commercial buildup of that neighborhood. I never got to eat there when he ran it, but for years afterwards it was still very good.
I did once drive from Albuquerque, where I had business, to Santa Fe to eat at Miller’s Coyote Cafe there. I sat at the counter, and after 40 years I still remember what I had: lamb sausages for an appetizer and grilled salmon on a slab of bacon. Then a drive in glorious moonlight to Los Alamos–it was the 50th anniversary of Trinity, and I thought there might be something going on to commemorate it. I couldn’t find anything.
Spenger’s was an institution. I loved the barkeeps and older (to me) gentlemen waiters who barely spoke the English language. They were so sweet, kinda like ‘uncles’.
I will forever miss their pan fried calamari steaks and the sour dough bread baskets. Their fish market was excellent.
You are absolutely correct. I am confusing Santa Fe Bar and Grill with Fourth St. Grill.
