R.C. Gorman Collection Art at El Pinto

The R.C. Gorman Collection Art Takeover at El Pinto Restaurant in New Mexico

A Limited Showing of Rare Art from the late R.C. Gorman’s Private Collection

April 20^th – 28^th, 2013

Albuquerque's Historic El Pinto Restaurant in New Mexico is collaborating with the estate of one of the most celebrated artists of New Mexico, world famous R.C. Gorman. Remaining works from the private collection by the late R.C. Gorman will be on display for public viewing at El Pinto Restaurant in New Mexico in addition to some of his most loved and cherished lithographs, serigraphs, paper casts, bronzes, and giclées. Over 50 pieces within the collection will be on display throughout El Pinto Restaurant in New Mexico from April 20^th through 28^th for restaurant guests to enjoy.

“El Pinto is the spot for great events, and now this collaboration with the R.C. Gorman Navajo Gallery is an exceptional opportunity for the people of Albuquerque and tourists visiting to come enjoy amazing New Mexican cuisine with awe-inspiring art,” said Salsa Twin John Thomas, El Pinto co-owner. Twin brother Jim Thomas continues, “Gorman is a world renowned treasure. This is a perfect pairing that cannot be missed.”

This is the first exhibition of the R.C. Gorman Collection since the passing of Gorman in 2005. Bringing the collection to collectors and everyday public alike at El Pinto Restaurant follows a philosophy Gorman held that art is to be enjoyed by all. “El Pinto is an iconic restaurant in New Mexico. It is an amazing concept to bring the beauty of R.C. Gorman's work into El Pinto for patrons to be surrounded with while they enjoy a fantastic meal with family and friends,” said Jeff Sahd, curator at the R.C. Gorman Navajo Gallery.

The Collection will be viewable for restaurant guests during normal operating hours: Monday thru Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10:30 a.m. till 9 p.m.

Over the past 50 years El Pinto Restaurant has grown from a few tables in one room started by John and Jim Thomas' parents, to become the most famous restaurant in New Mexico. Serving the best in healthy New Mexican food from traditional recipes from grandmother Josephina Chavez-Griggs, El Pinto is the spot that locals and tourists alike seek out for fresh New Mexican cuisine.

About El Pinto Restaurant & Cantina:

Established 50-years ago, El Pinto is a quintessential icon for New Mexican cuisine. Conveniently located in the North Valley of Albuquerque just off I-25, the serene patios located under beautiful cottonwood trees provide an iconic experience. El Pinto is known nationally for its fire-roasted green chile and fresh flavorful salsa distributed across the nation in local grocery stores. The salsa and green chile factory is located on the same grounds as the restaurant. For an authentic taste of New Mexico, visit El Pinto for its iconic food, traditional margaritas, and award-winning chile. www.elpinto.com

About the R.C. Gorman Collection:

R.C. Gorman is considered by many to be the premier artist among Native American Indians and an icon for both New Mexican and Southwest art. “Gorman,” as he was generally and popularly known, enjoyed being the center of controversy as much as he enjoyed being a Navajo. Many collectors called him brilliant, the star of the Navajo Nation, a genius. Critics called him brash, flamboyant, and crazy. But most agree that his talent was universally outstanding. Mastering the art of lithography, oil painting, bronze sculpting, paper cast sculpting, and ceramics, collectors recognize Gorman as a man of many mediums and immense talent. www.rcgormangallery.com

Herradura by the Bottle

New at the Tequila Bar

El Pinto Double Barrel Reposado by Herradura

Free Tastings and Happy Hour from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 29th is open to the public. $2.00 off all Herradura Margaritas.

 The wide selection of premium tequilas at the tequila bar at El Pinto Restaurant in Albuquerque New Mexico is transformed again with the purchase of an entire barrel of specially crafted tequila made by Herradura for El Pinto. Connoisseurs will be astounded by the El Pinto Herradura Double Barrel Reposado, a specialty crafted tequila with a distinctly smooth oak and nutmeg finish distilled from American oak casks. Free tastings will be offered from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on November 29th in the tequila bar at El Pinto Restaurant.

“El Pinto Restaurant in Albuquerque carries over 140 different tequilas for guests and connoisseurs to select from,” said Carl Holderman, General Manager of El Pinto Restaurant. “But we are most proud of the Double Barrel Reposado barrel made by Herradura. We bought the entire barrel, and now connoisseurs can buy the bottle.”

The “Buy the Bottle” opportunity is exclusive to El Pinto. Tequila aficionados can purchase the bottle of this private label reposado which is stored at no charge at El Pinto. Their name is etched onto the back of the bottle, and a hand-crafted aged metal tag is stamped with their name and placed around the neck of the bottle.

The El Pinto Herradura Double Barrel Reposado tequila began with 100% blue weber estate grown agave tequila. The tequila was rested in a toasted oak barrel for 11 months, but the final flavor was not yet complete. It was then transferred to a special new oak barrel selected by El Pinto and rested for another month to give it a final distinctive complexity desired by El Pinto. That special barrel is now on proximate display above the tequila bar at El Pinto.

Margaritas from the tequila bar at El Pinto Restaurant in Albuquerque are always a favorite. All premium margaritas are made with homemade simple syrup and fresh squeezed lime juice for an authentic “Old Mexico” taste. However, the El Pinto Double Barrel Reposado was not crafted only for margaritas, but rather for sipping like a fine cognac or single malt scotch.

When visiting restaurants in Albuquerque, El Pinto Restaurant is a must stop as it was voted for 2012 as The Best New Mexican Restaurant by readers of Albuquerque The Magazine. When searching for a tequila bar in Albuquerque, El Pinto offers over 140 tequila options and now the exclusive Double Barrel Reposado.

Looking for Scorpion Salsa?

Limited Edition Scorpion Salsa is being Re-Released for Christmas

El Pinto Restaurant and Salsa Co. in Albuquerque, New Mexico announce the re-release of Scorpion Salsa for chile fanatics. As a worldwide first time release, El Pinto’s award winning limited edition Scorpion Salsa will be available in single serve salsa peel packs.

Scorpion Salsa is brewed with the New Mexico Scorpion super hot chile pepper, grown in southern New Mexico, which tests consistently at over 1 million scoville units. The New Mexico Scorpion pepper was certified by the Chile Pepper Institute at New Mexico State University as one of the top four hottest peppers in the world.

“New Mexico Scorpion chiles are extremely rare,” says Jim Thomas, one of the Salsa Twins who oversees chile supply at El Pinto, “and not all Scorpions are created equal. They have to be grown properly to achieve the record setting heat level and proper flavor which fills your mouth for that chile pepper “high.””

As a worldwide first, El Pinto is manufacturing Scorpion Salsa in convenient single serve cups in 2-oz and 3-oz varieties. “We now have the manufacturing technology to do single serve cups at El Pinto,” stated John Thomas. He continues, “And the response by customers buying our normal salsa off the grocery store shelf in this convenient and low waste format has been tremendous.” Brother Jim Thomas added, “Our single serve salsa cups are nationwide in Walmart and other grocery stores. We decided we needed to make Scorpion Salsa available as soon as the Scorpion harvest was complete in the peel pack as well. With the limit quantities available, we will only sell it online and in the restaurant.”

Scorpion Salsa will be put in convenient single serve 3-oz cups for the first time. For many, an entire jar of Scorpion Salsa is simply too much heat. Because all El Pinto products are made fresh and healthy, without using artificial preservatives, the single serve cups allow for economical use while minimizing waste. New manufacturing technology located at the El Pinto Restaurant Salsa Factory will enable El Pinto’s superhot Scorpion Salsa to be put in the single serving cups.

The New Mexico Scorpion chile pepper has a sting rating of over a million Scoville Heat Units (SHU) and is not edible in its natural form. El Pinto has planted its own crop of New Mexico Scorpion and worked with grower Marlin Bensinger to grow this exclusive pepper.

Scorpion Salsa is characterized by waves of intense heat that combine with a distinctive taste unlike anything else. “We created an edible superhot salsa that can easily sneak up on you. If the first bite doesn’t get you, the second will,” said Salsa Twin John Thomas. The one million scoville heat units (SHU) of the scorpion peppers were brought down to a little over 10,000 SHU for Scorpion Salsa, but the sting that will satisfy those who love intense yet edible heat remains.

Starting Black Friday, the exclusive Scorpion Salsa single serve cup will be available while supplies last as a bonus cup within holiday gift packs comprised of 8 single servings of regular salsa and 8 servings of green chile sauce in a convenient ready to ship gift package. The 16-oz jars will be available in an El Pinto heat pack. Orders can be placed at www.elpinto.com starting on Black Friday.

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LPGA Star Rosie Jones' Favorite Albuquerque Places

Rose Jones is the 53-year-old former LPGA player won 13 titles, with victories that spanned 17 years (1987 and 2003). Although she was born in Santa Ana, Calif., and has lived in Atlanta for years, her heart--one of her biggest attributes as a 13-time LPGA winner--remains in Albuquerque, where she grew up and first made a name for herself in golf. She also competed in seven Solheim Cups (11-9-2 record) and captained the 2011 U.S. team. While currently playing on the Legends Tour (where she has won four times), she oversees Rosie Jones Golf Getaways, a high-end golf-vacation venture.

In a recent article in Golf Digest she is quoted to say, "My all-time favorite Albuquerque restaurant is El Pinto, a traditional New Mexican-style restaurant that's a local institution. The menu is fantastic, and they make their own salsa and mixes. Unbelievably, I saw a bottle of their Green Chile Sauce in Skaneateles, N.Y."

Thanks for the support Rosie. We are always pleased to see you when you are in town. And don't be surprised to see El Pinto Salsa and Green Chile on your local grocery shelf. We are in all 50 states but not quite in all grocery stores in all 50 states (yet).

Read the full article at Golf Digest.