Plaza Café
and Daniel Razatos
Santa Fe, New Mexico

We met with Daniel Razatos Jr., the owner of the venerable Plaza Café, for dinner and he shared some of the history of his 110-year-old restaurant. There was a restaurant called The Star Restaurant on the present site of the Plaza Café back in the 1800s. In 1905, the Ipiotis brothers, originally from Greece, opened the Plaza Café on that site. Daniel's father, Dan, who also emigrated from Greece, had worked in the establishment for some time and saved enough money to eventually buy the restaurant in 1947. In 1961 he met, and eventually married a local girl by the name of Beneranda Saiz and the couple had six children. When time allowed, Berneranda worked in the Café with her husband. Dan passed away in 1989--Beneranda continues to visit the Café every day.

In 2010 a kitchen fire caused extensive damage to the restaurant. For nearly two years Daniel and his brother, Andy worked with a crew of builders and restored the restaurant to its original state. The family has carried on the legacy and work ethic of their parents by offering their innovative cuisine with Greek and New Mexican influences and their signature family-like atmosphere.

Daniel says the most gratifying feeling he has is to see the joy on his diners' faces when they come to his restaurant. He comments, "I think of many as extended family, who return through the years with other members of their family. The children become parents and bring their sons and daughters. It's a terrific feeling to be connected to generations of people I wouldn't have met otherwise. Most important is that we have had long-time staff members who have been with us for over 26 years. They are the cornerstone of the Plaza Café."

The Plaza Café's windows overlook the landscaped plaza, its trees adorned with lights at night. The plaza is a National Historic Landmark, but also a modern gathering place--the "heart of the city."

www.thefamousplazacafe.com