Restaurants in Albuquerque Nob Hill

Albuquerque's Nob Hill restaurants run from casual to upscale, and local to continental. Here are a few from which to choose.

• BumbleBee's Baja Grill
  3423 Central NE
  262-2862
  Maybe it's the bumblebee pinatas bobbing overhead, or the bright Mexican decor, but Bumblebee's has a cheerful, bright atmosphere that makes me want to go back again and again. More Cal-Mex than New Mexican, the menu still offers bean burritos and tacos, but the beans can be black and the tacos can be fish. Something different, but always delicious, and always fresh. Orders come with a side of fresh chips and several kinds of salsas, but the smoky chipolte is the best.

• Flying Star
  3416 Central SE
  255-6633
  Flying Star has grown to eight locations from this original spot. The family-run restaurant has the best soups in town, good sandwiches and enough baked goods to make deciding a conundrum. My son swears by their eclairs.

• Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza
  3403 Central NE
  266-7855
  Il Vicino pizzas have that crisp crust and even texture that can only be found in a wood oven pizza. The salads come large and fresh, and there are calzones, pastas, soups or sandwiches for those who aren't in the mood for pizza. But Il Vicino is also known for its delicious in house brews, which not surprisingly complement the fare. The service is always excellent and the pace is brisk even if there's a wait.

• Nob Hill Bar and Grill
  3128 Central SE
  266-4455
  Although it is the newest restaurant in Nob Hill, its owner spent years impressing locals with his other restaurant, Ambrosia. Sadly, Ambrosia is gone, but that's only because it morphed into Nob Hill Bar and Grill. Try their reinvented comfort food.

• Scalo’s Northern Italian Grill
  3500 Central SE
  255-8781
  Over twenty years ago, Scalo's moved into the neighborhood and Albuquerque has been a little happier ever since. An award-winning restaurant with organic specialties and an extensive array of wines, its northern Italian dishes are a treat for the eye as well as the tongue.

• Yanni's
  3109 Central NE
  266-4455
  The bright white walls splashed with cobalt blue take you right to Greece, but the food makes you want to stay. My husband swears the seafood dishes at Yanni's are better than any other Albuquerque restaurant. There are the usual Greek dishes, from lentil soup to Spanokapita, but all of it is delicious. For lunch and dinner.

• Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro
  3009 Central NE
  245-9462
  Zinc has won raves for its food since opening, and has a loyal clientele. The bistro is upstairs and has comfortable, posh furnishings that invite you to linger. The wine cellar downstairs has an extensive list of wines. Try the cheese plate and the seared scallops. For lunch or dinner. Live music Sundays through Thursdays.