CoolWater Fusion, Albuquerque

Named Best New Restaurant in 2010 and Best Fusion Restaurant in 2013 by Alibi, CoolWater Fusion puts a spin on traditional recipes with a menu full of creative flavors and plating techniques, leading to upscale American-inspired dishes nuanced by French and Italian flavors. They also serve New Mexican favorites such as enchiladas grande and a New Mexican smothered burrito. Alibi recommends CoolWater's "scrumptious" boneless short ribs, which braise their protein with a mix of red wine, chilis, and plums, and Albuquerque Magazine touts the well-blended flavors of the rainbow trout. Lunches star five sandwich plates and London-style fish 'n' chips, a tilapia battered in the English tabloids but comforted by red-cabbage coleslaw and house-made potato chips.

Seated in cozy booths that are softly lit by dangling light fixtures, patrons can enjoy occasional live music or hone their x-ray vision by staring intently at the brightly colored walls.