46 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM discover the town’s largest selection of tequila, affordable reposado and a killer slow-braised beef short rib in salsa verde over jalapeño mashed potatoes. AFTERNOON ADVENTURES Seeking a midday indulgence? Consider Sweet Escapes, a bakery … with three escape rooms. Praised by aficionados for its strong storytelling and attention to detail, this place has no bad options. So take your pick: spooky maritime quest involving a crazed sea captain, eerie bakerythemed mystery or mischievous academia-themed heist to steal the school mascot. When you emerge victorious, reward yourself with an exceptional brioche roll or blackberry tartlet. If you want the dessert without the drama, order a sweet scoop of “crazy cookie,” strawberry-basil or peanut butter-chip ice cream made of sheep’s milk at Negranti Creamery. Seeking other ways to cool off? Make a splash at Ravine Waterpark and snake your way down slides with names like the Sidewinder and Anaconda. HOTEL HAVEN Before heading out to your evening activities, check into your hotel. For an intimate venue on the edge of downtown, the Hotel Cheval’s 16 rooms are arranged around a central courtyard with European sensibilities. Your sweet tooth is well taken care of here, with a self-serve candy bar in the library and a s’mores butler who will toast marshmallows by the fire PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: TRAVEL PASO / SARAH KATHLEEN / TRAVEL PASO {due west} The Alchemists’ Garden. Let their mixologists concoct the perfect cocktail to go with your chimichurri skirt steak and fries with fondue. And don’t leave without ordering the duck chalupas, each bite a satisfying combo of crunchy slaw, melt-in-your-mouth meat, decadent aioli and soft pita bread. For a vacation within your vacation, escape to the tropics with Cane Tiki Room’s Spam musubi and chicken teriyaki bowls. Or visit Mexico with a meal at Fish Gaucho, where you’ll
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