Corner Office

Corner Office + Taos brings après-ski irreverence to Northern New Mexico with chef-restaurateur Zak Pelaccio and fermenter-sommelier Jori Emde at the helm. Set just off Taos’s artful thoroughfares and mountain routes, this cozy, lodge-like destination marries funky comfort food with a thoughtful natural wine list, crafting an experience that feels both insider and indulgent. Expect gooey Gruyère-laced pleasures, briny bites, and a candlelit hum that turns dinner into a stylish, high-low celebration of flavor and fun.

The Story & Heritage
Pelaccio—renowned for Fatty Crab and Fish & Game—teams up with fermentation maven and natural-wine savant Emde to channel Taos’s creative spirit through a playful, ingredient-forward lens. Their culinary philosophy tilts toward comfort, craft, and technique, with a bias for fermentation, smoke, and seasonality. Corner Office nods to alpine après culture while embracing Taos’s freewheeling art scene, making it distinctive in a town known for soulful cooking and mountain allure. While not a Michelin-starred address, the duo’s pedigree and national press attention position Corner Office among the best restaurants in Taos for diners seeking personality, precision, and a bit of rock-and-roll charm.

The Cuisine & Menu
The menu leans fine-casual with chefly rigor: crisp-edged Potato Frico oozing Gruyère; Sardine Toast with artisanal butter and lemon zest; and a heritage Pork Chop with fermented chile glaze. Expect seasonal á la carte offerings peppered with shareable plates, plus rotating specials that showcase local producers and foraged accents. The kitchen favors sustainable sourcing from regional farms and purveyors, weaving in fermentation, pickling, and smoke for depth. Dietary accommodations—vegetarian-forward plates, gluten-free options—are handled with care. Pricing sits firmly in fine dining territory without tipping into ultra-premium, making it a high-value splurge within Taos’s luxe dining scene.

Experience & Atmosphere
Inside, wood, worn leather, and mountain-warm textures set a relaxed, lodge-inspired tone—dim lighting, vinyl on the turntable, and a convivial bar pouring minimal-intervention wines and classic-leaning cocktails with alpine inflections. Service is polished but unstuffy, helmed by a team fluent in the menu’s techniques and Emde’s natural-wine curation. A compact cellar emphasizes small producers and thoughtful pairings; ask for off-menu bottles and limited allocations. Reserve the chef’s counter for a front-row view or book the intimate back room for private dining. Smart-casual dress fits; reservations are recommended, especially weekends and peak ski weeks.

Closing & Call-to-Action
For those seeking the best fine dining in Taos with personality, Corner Office delivers a singular mix of comfort, craft, and natural-wine verve. Reserve two weeks ahead for prime weekend tables, or slip into the bar early for a spontaneous feast. Book the chef’s counter for an insider experience and let the team guide you through a savvy wine lineup that makes every course feel like a discovery.