Sazon: the dinner that makes the whole trip.

If you only do one upscale dinner in Santa Fe, do Sazon. It's our absolute favorite — elevated New Mexican cuisine, on Shelby Street near the Plaza, in a sophisticated room with incredible food. We send every milestone-birthday and anniversary guest here first, and they almost always tell us afterward that it was the meal of the trip.

Two dishes are non-negotiable. The Sopa De Amor and the signature dessert, the Dulce Sinfonia. Order those.

It is not kid-friendly — the room is sophisticated, the pacing is slow, and the menu rewards attention. Treat this as date night and leave the little ones at the house.

The reservation fills quickly. Book months in advance.

If you can't get Sazon, the upscale alternates we use are Geronimo on Canyon Road (renowned contemporary American cuisine, upscale ambiance, with a charming bar before your meal — and a less formal bar menu if you don't want the full sit-down) and The Compound on Canyon Road for contemporary American with a long-standing reputation. Both take reservations and both deserve them.