what's in a name?

Our name, Chimayo, derives from the sacred location (pictured above) in New Mexico.  Situated in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the village of Chimayo, New Mexico is just 40 minutes from Santa Fe, along The High Road to Taos Scenic Byway. This special place is known for its beautiful historic church, but also features several weaving shops and delicious food.  El Santuario de Chimayo is known for its side chapel where the dirt floor is reputed to have healing powers. Every Good Friday, tens of thousands of pilgrims make their way to this “Lourdes of the Southwest". 

We have worked to ensure that when you step through our doors, our ambiance will transport you to this beautiful place. From festive lighting, wrought iron detail, Southwestern throw pillows in each booth and an authentic Mexican tile floor create this fabulous illusion.

CHEF ARTURO FLORES

Meet the master behind Chimayo’s delectable dishes

Arturo Flores is one of Bill White Enterprises’ longest-standing and most loyal employees. His career with the company and his first job in a kitchen began over 27 years ago, when he was hired to work at Grappa as a dishwasher.

Now the Executive Chef of Chimayo Southwestern Restaurant, Flores’ journey with the company, and as a chef, is an incredible story of success and dedication. Moving to the United States from Mexico in 1993 after completing law school, Flores originally thought he would return to Mexico after working and saving money for six months to pursue a career in law.

Realizing that his passion was not in the courts, but rather in the kitchen, Flores decided to follow his heart and make a more permanent move to the US. Advancing to the position of Food Runner at Grappa after a short time, Arturo Flores’ interest in food and cooking began to blossom. Flores was quickly promoted to Expeditor and Prep Chef.

During this time, Flores learned the basics of cooking, preparing sauces, plating food and expediting. Flores was brought on to work in White’s second restaurant venture, Chimayo Southwestern Restaurant, where he worked as an Expeditor and then Sous Chef before being promoted to Executive Chef in 2000.

His love for his job and for cooking inspire him to work fervently, ensuring that his kitchen runs flawlessly. Although he has had no formal culinary training, Flores describes his advancement as a chef and within the company as attendance at “the school of Bill White.” Working closely with White for over two decades, Flores has continually had the opportunity to learn from his boss everything from technique to blending flavors to working with new ingredients. When given the opportunity to work in the kitchen with White on parties and events, Flores says that this is still one of his favorite parts of his job. Ever passionate, Flores believes that cooking is “something from the heart.” He enjoys creating new dishes and making menu changes to utilize seasonal ingredients and keep everything fresh.

OUR COMPANY

BILL WHITE ENTERPRISES

Our Company Properties + History

Grappa - Bill White opened Grappa in 1992. It was the restaurant that started Bill White Enterprises.  The building is over 100 years old and sits at the top of Main Street. It was home to a brothel, bed and breakfast, and a bar, to name a few. Grappa has three dining room floors and patios offering beautiful gardens and water features that highlight from five different levels. Grappa serves regional Italian food. Bill weaved his influences from abroad, and used his French Culinary influences to blend in the flavor and textures of Italy. We incorporated three important business factors that we use to this very day: Food, Service and Ambiance.  The next four years would prove a positive one, because it is then, in 1996, that we opened Chimayo Southwestern Restaurant.

Chimayo - Chimayo is located toward the middle of Main Street. It offers rustic décor that is reminiscent of Old World New Mexico and serves eclectic Spanish influenced food. The word “Chimayo” means “sacred place” and is designed after The Chimayo Mission in New Mexico. It is believed that the actual dirt from the mission has a healing power.

Windy Ridge Cafe - In 2002, we opened the Windy Ridge Café. The café has since become a favorite of Parkites around and offers a gourmet deli, bakery and café. The café serves lunch and dinner and has since become more popular than ever. The patio is also a summer highlight! The Windy Ridge Café is located on Ironhorse drive. In 2005, we finished the construction of our new Bakery and serve fresh bakery items, specialty cakes and soups. 

Ghidotti's - Also completed in 2005, Ghidotti’s Italian Restaurant was the next phase of our Restaurant Group. After over a decade of hard work, with great employees and the three factors, we stand as one of the most successful Restaurant Groups in Park City. An honor we share with each other each day.

Sushi Blue - In April 2012, we took over the lease of previous restaurant Hapa Grill, slightly reworked the menu, updated the kitchen, and decorated the interior. Sushi Blue has a variety of unique items from the fresh sushi items to the Kobe Beef Hot Dog and Korean Street Tacos. Sushi Blue took on a more casual atmosphere, while still upholding service standards within the company.

Billy Blanco's - In July of 2013, construction was completed on Billy Blanco’s Motor City Mexican. Blanco’s is located in Quarry Village, just off the Jeremy Ranch exit. Blanco’s offers an eclectic menu ranging from tacos and fajitas to fried chicken and burgers. It sports a casual atmosphere inspired by Bill’s hometown Detroit. From the original Graffiti, to Bill’s collection of motorcycles and cars.  Blanco’s take’s casual dining to a whole new level. 

Pine Cone Ridge - Our newest restaurant and bar concept established in December of 2022. Serving elevated contemporary American cuisine on historic Main Street. Our menu focuses on fresh ingredients, a thoughtfully curated menu by Chef Gudrun Thorne-Thomsen, and various craft cocktails and extensive wine lists from around the globe. A reimagined dining room surrounded by local artwork that captures the undeniable beauty of Park City. Custom emerald green velvet tufted booths, hand-laid antique tiles, Brazilian hardwood flooring, and a full-service bar create a relaxed yet upscale ambiance with something for everyone.