Devoted diners, fret not: 8:15 Early to return

On July 3, Santa Fe lunch and breakfast spot 8:15 Early closed its doors on Early Street after owners Alea Jensen and Robin Hardie were unable to negotiate an important lease arrangement with their landlord. The eatery — which quickly earned a reputation for its tasty, toasted sammys named after actors from the John Hughes movie The Breakfast Club (as well as for those delicious, gluten-free pastries) — enjoyed a devoted local following in a warehouse location across from the Santa Fe Railyard Park.

Good news: Jensen and Hardie announced last Monday they have found a new space. Sometime between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15, they will reopen 8:15 Early under a different name in a remodeled building formerly occupied by Evangelos Mediterranean Café (229 Galisteo St., on the corner of Galisteo and Alameda streets).

Besides serving the Molly Ringwald, the Emilo Estevez and the rest of the old 8:15 Early menu, Jensen and Hardie will offer more breakfast selections, including egg dishes and pancakes. An application for a beer-and-wine license is in the works, and by the time the new eatery is serving frosty brews and vino, they hope to be open for dinner, as well. With more patio seating and a more extensive menu, there's a good chance the restaurant will switch from counter service to table service.

A new name for the restaurant is still being decided, but if you want to throw any suggestions into the hat, Hardie and Jensen are all ears. Besides being a relief for 8:15 Early's devoted local customers, the move makes it easier for its owners to share their great food and friendly service with the out-of-town crowd.

Parking won't be as easy — and certainly not as free — but Jensen and Hardie know that's inevitable given the building's close proximity to the Plaza.

In an effort to keep locals coming, especially during the off-season, they're working on a locals-discount pricing strategy.

Get ready for winter with canning class

If you're anticipating a bumper crop of tomatoes, green beans and/or squash, here's a way to learn how stretch your harvest through the winter and beyond: On Aug. 29, Slow Food Santa Fe and Margaret Campos of Comida de Campos sustainable farm in Embudo are presenting a canning class in anticipation of summer's end.

The class includes a 9 a.m. light breakfast followed by a farm and hands-on harvest tour, a canning workshop, a 1 p.m. lunch and more. For Slow Food Santa Fe members, the event is $40; for nonmembers, it's $50.

Space is limited to 25 participants. To reserve a slot, e-mail slowfoodsantafe@gmail.com. For information on the farm, visit www.comidadecampos.com.

'Culinary Trails' a tasty trip through N.M.

The New Mexico Department of Tourism is launching a series of "Culinary Trails" and other food-related promotions it hopes will highlight regional and Native
New Mexican cuisine while boosting visitorship to the state. First on the list: the Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail.

According to a new tourism department Web page, "The purpose of the Trail is to expose visitors to the state's green chile cheeseburgers, and offer information that encourages and aids visitors' statewide travel to enjoy this beloved and iconic dish." Antacid, one assumes, is not getting a trail of its own.

There is currently a self-nomination process under way as part of the "Governor's Green Chile Cheeseburger Challenge" for restaurateurs who believe they qualify to be included as part of the official New Mexico Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail. The public is invited to vote for their favorite nominee at the New Mexico State Fair, Sept. 11-27 (the ballot box will be at the Tourism Department's Big Yellow Bus).

You can also vote in person during the ¡Viva! Santa Fe 400th Anniversary at Santa Fe's Fort Marcy Park Sept. 5-6, and at the Whole Enchilada Fiesta in Las Cruces Sept. 25-27. From Sept. 1-30, you also can vote online at the new Web page: www.newmexico.org/greenchilecheeseburger.