SILVER CITY, NM—Revel on Bullard is open this January with new hours and a new, seasonal, "early winter" menu. The playful, creative, three course prix fixe menu features seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Choose between two savory starters and a main course or a starter, main course, and a dessert. Live music is offered most nights from local musicians.
Revel is now open Thursday through Saturday and closed on Sundays this January. "We have some working parents who were looking for more family time, so we decided to close Sundays," explains co-owner Kelsey Patterson. "We've been thinking about our values and one of those is definitely family and quality of life. Since we re-opened at the end of August we've been experimenting with paid time off, something that is pretty unusual in our industry, and a more democratic decision making process regarding our day to day operations. We hope that everyone in our community stays healthy and happy."
Revel, on Bullard, reopened its doors on August 27 with fine foodie fare after a month of renovations this August.
After shifting gears for over a year and half to deal with the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant returned to its origins of higher end, creative, beautifully plated dishes celebrating local and seasonal ingredients as well as flavors from a diverse array of international cuisines—the playful and creative dining it became known for after first opening its doors—this time with a fixed price, or prix fixe, menu in a casual environment. Revel is now also serving fun and fine wine, New Mexico craft beer on tap, and craft cocktails made with New Mexico-produced artisan spirits, fresh herbs and juices. Jesse Westenberger, Brian Patterson, and Kelsey Patterson opened the restaurant to express creative food in an environment people could feel welcomed, well-served, and nourished. Husband and wife team Brian and Kelsey and life-long friend Jesse hoped to create a gathering place for people who are excited about food and the connections it creates between people.
How is upscale farm-to-table dining playful? “At Revel, using local, seasonal, and organic ingredients not only makes us feel good, it allows us to get to the core of what food is about. An expression of culture. Of our experiences. Of ourselves,“ say executive chef and co-founder Jesse Westenberger, “We try to always remember that food should be fun. Play with your food.” Blending a mix of traditional and contemporary cuisine, comfort food flavors with world cuisine spices and ingredients, the menu offers opportunity for play as well as nourishment.
The prix fixe menu format allows executive chef Jesse Westenberger to curate a dining experience for people who want to celebrate food and culture. “Culture and food are inseparable. When I create a menu,” Jesse says, “I pretend I am having a conversation about food. Friend or stranger, it doesn't matter. I try to use our menu to ask, ‘How can I share my experiences?’ ‘How can I give a travel experience through food?’” A hearty North African spiced vegetable stew, a cerveza-braised lamb shank with mole verde and cotija cheese, and a classically French inspired whole grilled trout with pink peppercorn cream sauce are some of the ways you can "travel" with Revel's early winter menu. Look for a new menu and hours in February to celebrate Valentine's day.
Revel seats for their "early winter" three course prix fixe dinner from 5-8pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in January. A la carte desserts and drinks are on offer at the bar, space permitting. Local musicians contribute to the celebratory vibe with live music most weekends. They are now accepting reservations for January and for Valentine's day weekend (February 10-14.) Reservations are recommended, but not required, and the menus are available on the restaurant’s website and social media channels. You can expect to find locally grown produce from Frisco Farms, the food HUB, and Enchanted Valley Farms, among others on the plates at Revel. 304 North Bullard, Silver City, NM (575) 388-4920 www.eatdrinkrevel.com