TerraCotta Wine Bistro is a smart casual food and wine restaurant located in the historic district of downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, in a charming 19th century adobe building located just down the block from the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, a short stroll from the plaza and Lensic Theater and a quick drive to the Santa Fe Opera. In addition to the cozy interior, Terracotta offers a popular outdoor garden and dog-friendly front portal in season.

Our unique Santa Fe restaurant features globally -inspired food, wine and beer, utilizing local and regional foods. At TerraCotta Wine Bistro we pride ourselves on using high quality ingredients, in creative combinations that change seasonally. The ambiance is inviting, informal, up-beat, and just plain fun, great for intimate or small group dining.

Chef Bio

Chef & owner Jose Rodriguez came from humble beginnings. Having been born in the streets of Zacatecas, Mexico, he spent most of his time in the kitchen, mastering his authentic Mexican cuisine with his mother and grandmother. Growing up in poverty, he decided to move to the United States at the age of sixteen, seeking to provide for his mother and siblings. He embarked on his journey in 1989 in Fresno, California where he started as a dishwasher for a Spanish-French restaurant. He then decided to pursue other opportunities in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1991 and worked as a dishwasher in Coyote Cafe under Mark Miller for three years. Chef Rodriguez also had the extraordinary pleasure of working side by side with his great friend and mentor Chef Eric DiStefano at Geronimo’s Restaurant. Until this day, he remembers Chef Eric Distefano with great love and respect. His work in this industry at a young age, demonstrates his passion and interest to learn the cultural ideas and values of all cuisines. The talent that Chef Rodriguez portrayed did not go unnoticed, and he was quickly promoted and perfected his crafts. As he ascended in the kitchen, he evolved as a chef with many local influences which drove his passion for originality and reinvention. In 2017, he worked at La Casa Sena as the Executive Chef and remained there for seven years.

Today, Jose Rodriguez is the chef and owner of his own restaurant, Terracotta Wine Bistro. He has redesigned the cultural influences of what Terracotta offered but has maintained the essential aspects of it. With his culinary knowledge, he is focused on imprinting his gastronomy to this Santa Fean gem.

History

TerraCotta was the inspiration of Catherine O’Brien and Glenda Griswold, so that more people could enjoy their unique style of food and presentation. In true Santa Fe tradition, the ‘stars aligned’ and the timing, location and concept for TerraCotta Wine Bistro all came together. After Chef Catherine O'Brien passed away in late 2023, the restaurant has passed to Chef and Owner, Jose Rodriguez, formerly of La Casa Sena. Join us as we embrace a new chapter in this unique culmination of the Santa Fe community.

In memory of Catherine

Catherine O’Brien began her love of food at a young age watching her house keeper “Miss Virginia” making biscuits and fried chicken at her family’s Virginia Beach home. When not surfing at the beach she spent hours watching Julia Child and The Galloping Gourmet on TV. Catherine’s parents decided to enroll her at Johnson & Wales University to study Culinary Arts and save her from a life as a beach bum. Her culinary positions ranged from Garde Manger at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Chef at The University Club in Baltimore and Corporate Chef for the Smithsonian Museums in Washington D.C. One of the high points of her career was appearing on the Food Network’s series “Chopped” (Sweet Heat, 3118).