About Santa Fe

Restaurant Martin is the embodiment of a of a 20-year dream to create the perfect balance of refined and comfortable. Chef Martin Rios, and his wife, Jennifer, envisioned a certain ambiance where people from the community as well as Santa Fe’s many visitors could enjoy Chef Rios’ award-winning progressive American cuisine. Martin and Jennifer are long-time Santa Fean’s with a commitment to locality – Martin volunteers for Cooking with Kids, and Jennifer is president of The Horse Shelter. This family-owned restaurant caters not only to well-heeled tourists, but to their friends and family. Chef Rios, a native of Guadalajara, grew up in Santa Fe starting in the restaurant business as a 17-year-old dishwasher, eventually working his way up to executive chef at several restaurants and hotels. Chef Rios received his formal training at the Culinary Institute of America and supplemented that with experience and training in some of the world’s most honored restaurants and with well-known culinary masters.

Chef Rios has been repeatedly honored for his innovative and pleasing combinations of flavors, colors and presentation. His unique style emphasizes fresh, local produce and organic meats and poultry, and reflects not only Southwestern and Asian influences but also his classic training in French technique. His list of accolades include the following:

• Semi-finalist for the 2010 James Beard “Best New Restaurant in the US” Award
• Semi-finalist for the 2011, 2012 & 2013 “Best Chef of the Southwest” Awards Appearing on the Cooking Channel’s 2012 season of “United Tastes of America”
• Appearing on the BBC America’s 2012 season of “Chef Race: UK vs. US”
• Named one of SAVEUR Magazine’s 2012 top 25 Nation-Wide “Tastemakers”
• Featured in the 2008 season of Iron Chef America
• The only chef from New Mexico to have won the Robert Mondavi Culinary Award of Excellence
• Under his leadership the Old House Restaurant was listed by Zagat’s Restaurant Survey as the best dining experience in New Mexico, and one of the best restaurants in the United States.
• Chef of the Year by the City of Santa Fe
• Chef of the Year twice by the State of New Mexico
• Chef of the Year twice by the New Mexico Lodger’s Association
• Named “Celebrated Chef” by the National Pork Council Featured in the Bon Appétit Magazine cover story “The American Restaurant: Our Favorite Places.”