Chef Lois Ellen Frank and Walter Whitewater are AMAZING. The food is love and warmth (and delicious). Every detail is well thought through and every ingredient is intentional.
Emily S.
Everything you would hope for - incredible dining and a connection to New Mexicos culture. Highly recommend!!
Connie H.
Lois and Walter catered my 70th birthday party (a surprise). They were wonderful, the food was amazing and their kindness (and the dinner) made this a very, very special evening. The food was fresh, perfectly prepared and beautifully served. Lois did a wonderful job explaining the origins and the cultural aspects of the dishes. Their songs at the end brought tears to my eyes - they are such warm, caring people, and you can tell how much bringing joy to people through food means to them. Amazing.
Ken R.
Chef Lois and Walter prepared, cooked and served a memorable and fantastic native inspired private dinner for me and 7 guests at my home in Santa Fe this June. Every dish in this local six-course meal was unique, novel and distinctive---and, needless to say, delicious. In addition to the carefully prepared appetizers, chef's muse, soups, salads, entrees and desserts, Chef Lois provided us with a thought-provoking history and overview of the evolution of the native foods we enjoyed. We also consulted Chef Lois on recommendations for wine pairings with each course of the dinner, all of which were spot on. Chef Lois and Walter did all the work, including a complete and thorough clean-up after the meal, so that my guests could enjoy each other's company and the dinner. It was certainly an event that my guests will remember, and they all came away with a greater appreciation for native and locally grown and prepared food. I would not hesitate to recommend Chef Lois to anyone who wants to combine an outstanding meal with an extra course of local history and knowledge. Thank you Chef Lois!
Joe H.
Beyond satisfied with the experience! Lois and Walter cooked for me and 8 friends on my 40th birthday, and it was such a special experience. There was a great front-end education about the origins of all of the food served, ample answers to questions along the way, and even a happy birthday song at the end. Communication from start to finish in the process was excellent, food was flawless, and service was five star/fine dining level great while still retaining a casual, comfortable feel. Honestly, could not recommend more! If you're looking for a perfect way to spend time with friends, commemorate a special event, or just have a great meal with a group, do this. Like now.
Jamie Allen
Lois and team came to our AirBnB rental and put on the most incredible dinner experience for 11 girls for a bachelorette party! I can't speak highly enough, the food was unbelievably delicious, but on top of that we learned so much about local Santa Fe cuisine and Native American culture as there was a story and information for every dish and ended in the most beautiful song. Truly cannot recommend enough!
John Amos
I was looking for a way to have a top-quality dining experience with my wife for our anniversary, without going to a restaurant. I reached out to Red Mesa and Lois promptly got back in touch. She was already booked for that evening, but offered to prepare a meal that I could pick up. We discussed the menu, and she very smoothly worked to accommodate our dietary restrictions. When I arrived to pick it up, she and Walter gave me excellent information about the food - ingredients, origins, and cultural significance - and instructions for heating, garnishing, and serving, and presented me with two nicely printed menus for the place settings. The food was carefully packaged in very attractive, oven-ready serving dishes. Our meal was fabulous, and the portions very generous. I will definitely be coming back for future special occasions.
eleanor wesch
Fabulous cuisine, excellent and knowledgeable hosts. The atmosphere and hospitality was top notch. Presentation of the meal was memorable.. Highly recommend!
Mark G.
Lois and Walter put together a wonderful dinner to celebrate our two wives' birthdays. Everything about the dinner was absolutely great from planning up front to the experience the night of the dinner. The food was very good, the presentation and service outstanding, and finally the cultural experience was memorable. I would heartily recommend Red Mesa to anyone who is considering a private dinner in Santa Fe!
Timothy Dahl
Truly a unique cultural experience and chef Lois and Walter as well as the entire staff were outstanding. We were literally at Chef Lois's home where she delivered our private group an experience for the memory books. I have hosted numerous leadership team offsites and was told by everyone that this was hands down one of the best experiences. We were greeted upon arrival with a cactus margarita followed by a tour of the garden to show us where the native ingredients come.This was followed by a 5 course meal – all of which was outstanding including the Elk Tenderloin!! And to top it all off, chef Lois assigned each of us Navajo ‘Spirit Animal' that eerily matched our personalities. Finally, Chef Walter gave his story along with singing a native song with his powwow drum. This is an experience I would recommend to anyone going to Santa Fe - personal or professional. Couldn't have been more pleased!
Lois and Walter provided one of the most memorable evenings for our family that we could have ever experienced! From the initial communication to the end of our private dinner, Lois and Walter were communicative, friendly, and extremely accommodating to our group. We had the pleasure of them coming to our rented Airbnb to provide a special 40th birthday celebration. They catered to the needs of 8 people (including a vegetarian and a toddler) and customized a menu that couldn't be beaten. Lois and Walter made an AMAZING 5-course meal, provided an education about the food/region, and left us with nothing but full bellies and memories made. Lois was extremely easy to work with, the food was legitimately one of the BEST dinners any of us have ever had, and we would not hesitate to have them over again the next time we are in Santa Fe.
Sarah K.
Lois and Walter provided one of the most memorable evenings for our family that we could have ever experienced! From the initial communication to the end of our private dinner, Lois and Walter were communicative, friendly and extremely accommodating to our group. We had the pleasure of them coming to our rented Airbnb to provide a special 40th birthday celebration for my husband. They catered to the needs of 8 people (including a vegetarian and a toddler) and customized a menu that couldn't be beat. Lois and Walter made an AMAZING 5-course meal, provided an education about the food/region, and left us with nothing but full bellies and memories made. Lois was extremely easy to work with, the food was legitimately one of the BEST dinners any of us have ever had, and we would not hesitate to have them over again the next time we are in Santa Fe.
Andrew F.
Lois and Walter were the best part of our trip to Santa Fe - though there were many other good parts. They worked with us on an appropriate format for our family birthday party - taught us how to prepare a beautiful stuffed pepper dish while explaining many things about the region and the origins of our food, and then made the rest of the feast. After our meal they sang our birthday girl some wonderful Native American songs, and talked to us about spirit dolls and the programs they're working on. It was a magical night - full of laughter and tears and richness, and I credit a good chunk of that to their simple joy and authenticity in their skill and craft, and their desire to share it with us.
Daphne Hougard
Chef Lois and Walter at Red Mesa create a culturally unique experience, using locally sourced organic food that is prepared with love and care. The corn soup was so silky and delicious and that just got us started. It was a Native experience of a lifetime!
Monica Powell Moman
We had the most remarkable dinner prepared by Dr. (and Chef) Lois Frank and Chef Walter. Traveling in from Dallas with our parents, and having two small children in tow, we wanted to get the full culinary experience of Santa Fe without the hassle of dining out. On NYE we were greeted in our home with a thoughtfully planned out and delicious meal, an insightful examination of the culture and history of what we were eating by Dr. Lois (a James Beard award recipient), and an enchanting drumming session to complete the night by Chef Walter. I can’t think of a better way to bring in the New Year, and will forever cherish this family memory!
Chef Lois Ellen Frank and Walter Whitewater are AMAZING. The food is love and warmth (and delicious). Every detail is well thought through and every ingredient is intentional.
Everything you would hope for - incredible dining and a connection to New Mexicos culture. Highly recommend!!
Lois and Walter catered my 70th birthday party (a surprise). They were wonderful, the food was amazing and their kindness (and the dinner) made this a very, very special evening. The food was fresh, perfectly prepared and beautifully served. Lois did a wonderful job explaining the origins and the cultural aspects of the dishes. Their songs at the end brought tears to my eyes - they are such warm, caring people, and you can tell how much bringing joy to people through food means to them. Amazing.
Chef Lois and Walter prepared, cooked and served a memorable and fantastic native inspired private dinner for me and 7 guests at my home in Santa Fe this June. Every dish in this local six-course meal was unique, novel and distinctive---and, needless to say, delicious. In addition to the carefully prepared appetizers, chef's muse, soups, salads, entrees and desserts, Chef Lois provided us with a thought-provoking history and overview of the evolution of the native foods we enjoyed. We also consulted Chef Lois on recommendations for wine pairings with each course of the dinner, all of which were spot on. Chef Lois and Walter did all the work, including a complete and thorough clean-up after the meal, so that my guests could enjoy each other's company and the dinner. It was certainly an event that my guests will remember, and they all came away with a greater appreciation for native and locally grown and prepared food. I would not hesitate to recommend Chef Lois to anyone who wants to combine an outstanding meal with an extra course of local history and knowledge. Thank you Chef Lois!
Beyond satisfied with the experience! Lois and Walter cooked for me and 8 friends on my 40th birthday, and it was such a special experience. There was a great front-end education about the origins of all of the food served, ample answers to questions along the way, and even a happy birthday song at the end. Communication from start to finish in the process was excellent, food was flawless, and service was five star/fine dining level great while still retaining a casual, comfortable feel. Honestly, could not recommend more! If you're looking for a perfect way to spend time with friends, commemorate a special event, or just have a great meal with a group, do this. Like now.
Lois and team came to our AirBnB rental and put on the most incredible dinner experience for 11 girls for a bachelorette party! I can't speak highly enough, the food was unbelievably delicious, but on top of that we learned so much about local Santa Fe cuisine and Native American culture as there was a story and information for every dish and ended in the most beautiful song. Truly cannot recommend enough!
I was looking for a way to have a top-quality dining experience with my wife for our anniversary, without going to a restaurant. I reached out to Red Mesa and Lois promptly got back in touch. She was already booked for that evening, but offered to prepare a meal that I could pick up. We discussed the menu, and she very smoothly worked to accommodate our dietary restrictions. When I arrived to pick it up, she and Walter gave me excellent information about the food - ingredients, origins, and cultural significance - and instructions for heating, garnishing, and serving, and presented me with two nicely printed menus for the place settings. The food was carefully packaged in very attractive, oven-ready serving dishes. Our meal was fabulous, and the portions very generous. I will definitely be coming back for future special occasions.
Fabulous cuisine, excellent and knowledgeable hosts. The atmosphere and hospitality was top notch. Presentation of the meal was memorable.. Highly recommend!
Lois and Walter put together a wonderful dinner to celebrate our two wives' birthdays. Everything about the dinner was absolutely great from planning up front to the experience the night of the dinner. The food was very good, the presentation and service outstanding, and finally the cultural experience was memorable. I would heartily recommend Red Mesa to anyone who is considering a private dinner in Santa Fe!
Truly a unique cultural experience and chef Lois and Walter as well as the entire staff were outstanding. We were literally at Chef Lois's home where she delivered our private group an experience for the memory books. I have hosted numerous leadership team offsites and was told by everyone that this was hands down one of the best experiences. We were greeted upon arrival with a cactus margarita followed by a tour of the garden to show us where the native ingredients come.This was followed by a 5 course meal – all of which was outstanding including the Elk Tenderloin!! And to top it all off, chef Lois assigned each of us Navajo ‘Spirit Animal' that eerily matched our personalities. Finally, Chef Walter gave his story along with singing a native song with his powwow drum. This is an experience I would recommend to anyone going to Santa Fe - personal or professional. Couldn't have been more pleased!
Restaurantji Recommends
Lois and Walter provided one of the most memorable evenings for our family that we could have ever experienced! From the initial communication to the end of our private dinner, Lois and Walter were communicative, friendly, and extremely accommodating to our group. We had the pleasure of them coming to our rented Airbnb to provide a special 40th birthday celebration. They catered to the needs of 8 people (including a vegetarian and a toddler) and customized a menu that couldn't be beaten. Lois and Walter made an AMAZING 5-course meal, provided an education about the food/region, and left us with nothing but full bellies and memories made. Lois was extremely easy to work with, the food was legitimately one of the BEST dinners any of us have ever had, and we would not hesitate to have them over again the next time we are in Santa Fe.
Lois and Walter provided one of the most memorable evenings for our family that we could have ever experienced! From the initial communication to the end of our private dinner, Lois and Walter were communicative, friendly and extremely accommodating to our group. We had the pleasure of them coming to our rented Airbnb to provide a special 40th birthday celebration for my husband. They catered to the needs of 8 people (including a vegetarian and a toddler) and customized a menu that couldn't be beat. Lois and Walter made an AMAZING 5-course meal, provided an education about the food/region, and left us with nothing but full bellies and memories made. Lois was extremely easy to work with, the food was legitimately one of the BEST dinners any of us have ever had, and we would not hesitate to have them over again the next time we are in Santa Fe.
Lois and Walter were the best part of our trip to Santa Fe - though there were many other good parts. They worked with us on an appropriate format for our family birthday party - taught us how to prepare a beautiful stuffed pepper dish while explaining many things about the region and the origins of our food, and then made the rest of the feast. After our meal they sang our birthday girl some wonderful Native American songs, and talked to us about spirit dolls and the programs they're working on. It was a magical night - full of laughter and tears and richness, and I credit a good chunk of that to their simple joy and authenticity in their skill and craft, and their desire to share it with us.
Chef Lois and Walter at Red Mesa create a culturally unique experience, using locally sourced organic food that is prepared with love and care. The corn soup was so silky and delicious and that just got us started. It was a Native experience of a lifetime!
We had the most remarkable dinner prepared by Dr. (and Chef) Lois Frank and Chef Walter. Traveling in from Dallas with our parents, and having two small children in tow, we wanted to get the full culinary experience of Santa Fe without the hassle of dining out. On NYE we were greeted in our home with a thoughtfully planned out and delicious meal, an insightful examination of the culture and history of what we were eating by Dr. Lois (a James Beard award recipient), and an enchanting drumming session to complete the night by Chef Walter. I can’t think of a better way to bring in the New Year, and will forever cherish this family memory!