The Divine Dish

Tourism Fiji Luncheon at Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica

Aerial view of Manta Ray Island Resort, Yasawa Islands, Fiji

Over 60 travel and food writers attended the Tourism Fiji luncheon held this week at the Penthouse restaurant in the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica.   Journalists came from a variety of publications to the event, planned by Susan Bejeckian Public Relations.  The luncheon is just one of several events planned as a launch for Tourism Fiji’s new corporate identity (logo) and their new website for travel agents, www.fijimatai.com.

Journalists at luncheon

The luncheon began with a nice meet and greet reception and followed with a starter course of crab cakes with citrus aioli.

Crabcakes with citrus aioli

Jo Tuamoto, from Tourism Fiji, made a short speech welcoming guests and inviting everyone to visit and write about Fiji.

Jo Tuamoto, Tourism Fiji

Next, Susan Bejeckian, from Susan Bejeckian Public Relations introduced Fijian dancers who provided lively entertainment.

Fijian dancers

Fijian dancers

After the performance, we enjoyed crispy skin salmon with whipped winter squash with green beans, pistachios and pomegranates.  Everyone commented on the great food and talked about their memories of Fiji press trips.

Crispy skin salmon with whipped squash

Next came a tasty dessert of banana bread pudding in a mango coulis with coconut sorbet.

banana bread pudding

Everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed the food and entertainment.  We were also given nice bath and body kits with products from Fiji and plenty of information to take back with us to include in future stories.

Dates Set for 3rd Annual Las Vegas Uncork’d Event

The 3rd Annual Vegas Uncork’d presented by Bon Appétit magazine will be held in the “Entertainment Capital of the World” May 7-10, 2009.  Featuring Las Vegas’ top culinary talent—including celebrated chefs such as Daniel Boulud, Tom Colicchio, Todd English and Bobby Flay—Vegas Uncork’d is made possible by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and anchored by Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand and Wynn/Encore Las Vegas. Co-sponsored by Greenspun Media Group and Southern Wine & Spirits, Vegas Uncork’d is known for creating an extraordinary culinary experience for visitors and showcases a selection of star-studded events across the city.

Boasting a spectacular collection of celebrity chefs and more master sommeliers than any other city in the country, Las Vegas is a true food and wine lover’s paradise. Many of the world’s top-rated chefs have helped to shape Las Vegas as one of today’s top culinary destinations and, despite the city’s larger-than-life image, Vegas Uncork’d provides visitors an unique opportunity to mingle with and experience the cuisine of these world-renowned chefs in an intimate environment.

“Over the years, Las Vegas has transformed itself into a destination where the most celebrated chefs choose to open restaurants and showcase the very best in fine dining. Along with our spectacular resorts and world-renowned entertainment, dining has grown into one of Las Vegas’ most important amenities,” said Terry Jicinsky, senior vice president of marketing for the LVCVA. “Thanks to our resort partners and sponsors, we believe this year’s event will continue to build on our previous successes and solidify our place as an exemplary food and wine destination.”

“Vegas Uncork’d is a spectacular gathering of who’s who in the food world, and Bon Appétit magazine is delighted to once again have a hand in bringing it all together,” said Bon Appétit Editor-in-Chief Barbara Fairchild.  “Las Vegas is one of today’s hottest culinary destinations and this event creates a truly one-of-a-kind experience for visitors who want to mix it up with the city’s world-class chefs and some of the finest sommeliers in the country.”

“This is a culinary adventure befitting the destination — Las Vegas,” said Vice President and Publisher of Bon Appétit magazine Paul Jowdy. “The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority showcases the city’s spirit, energy and commitment to the culinary arts with Vegas Uncork’d. We are proud to present the third year of this successful program with a growing roster of resorts, chefs and sponsors.”

Highlights of the 2009 event include a pool-side Grand Tasting with 75 celebrated chefs and vintners; intimate dinners hosted by preeminent chefs; a high-stakes culinary competition; after-hours blackjack; tour-de-force Masters Series dinners with internationally acclaimed chefs such as Guy Savoy; an exclusive culinary experience fused with the performing arts with Chef Joël Robuchon and the cast of KA from Cirque de Soleil; an all-star interactive luncheon with first-hand instruction from star chefs like Paul Bartolotta; immersion wine seminars and a gala evening celebration featuring chefs such as Michael Mina.

Las Vegas became the fourth U.S. city to be profiled by the authors of the Michelin Guide, the prestigious restaurant and lodging guidebook, in the fall of 2007. For the 2009 guide, Las Vegas again garnered one three-star restaurant, Joël Robuchon; three two-star restaurants and 13 one-star restaurants. Additionally for 2009, five Las Vegas restaurants received the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award: Alex at Wynn Las Vegas, Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand, Le Cirque and Picasso at Bellagio and Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace.  Alex at Wynn Las Vegas and Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand were also honored with five-star ratings by the 2009 Mobil Travel Guide. Adding to the destination’s culinary accolades is Bradley Ogden at Caesars Palace which in 2004 received the James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant in the nation, the first Las Vegas restaurant to win the title. Vegas Uncork’d marks another momentous milestone along Las Vegas’ journey toward becoming one of the world’s most esteemed culinary capitals.

Additional information on Vegas Uncork’d, including a list of participating chefs, full events schedule and ticket information can be found at www.VegasUncorked.com.

San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel Offers a Historic Romantic Escape

Each year, hundreds of visitors come to San Francisco and fall in love with its unbelievable vistas, graceful architecture, cuisine-defining restaurants and bountiful activities.  Along with its many historic and musical associations with love, the city is home to a deeply romantic landscape perfect for inspiring passion.

At the crest of Nob Hill sits one of the most romantic places to stay, the historic Fairmont Hotel, commanding views of the bay, Coit Tower and Fisherman’s Wharf.  The Italian-Renaissance masterpiece of a grand hotel houses an extravagant lobby with gold-trimmed Corinthian marble columns, crystal chandeliers, a spectacular spiral staircase and rococo furniture.  Each of the large 591 rooms share an equally opulent design scheme offering pale color schemes, high ceilings, dark furniture, spectacular city views, oversized marble bathrooms, goose down pillows and large walk-in closets.  The hotel’s ornate Laurel Court restaurant is the perfect place for a luxurious afternoon tea or opt for dinner and drinks amidst tiki torches, dancing and a live band at the Polynesian Tonga Room and Lounge.

I visited the Fairmont and the Tonga Room for a story on romantic weekends and here are some of the dishes that Chef Mark Passetti prepared:

The Tonga Itch

I started off with the Tonga Room’s signature cocktail, The Tonga Itch, made from vodka, pineapple and grenadine.

Tuna Poki

Next came a small bowl of fresh ahi tuna poki, a nice way to start off the meal.

Tonga Appetizer Platter

The Tonga Appetizer Platter included spare ribs, coconut panko crusted prawns (my favorite) and a nice flatbread.

Swordfish

The main course was swordfish with teriyaki vegatables and a fresh pineapple salsa with a cream citrus sauce.

White Chocolate Pearl

Dessert was the restaurant’s famous white chocolate pearl – chocolate mousse in a white chocolate shell with tapioca.

Mobil Travel Guide Gives Highest Ranking to MGM Skylofts and Joel Rubuchon at MGM Grand

Mobil Travel Guide announced its highest accolade, Mobil Five-Stars, to first-time recipient SKYLOFTS at MGM  Grand and three-time winner Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand.

With only 44 Mobil Five-Star hotel winners for 2009, this rating distinguishes SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand as one of the top hotels in the United States and Canada.  Unveiled as a rare and private sanctuary of sleek, elegant two-story accommodations high above the Las Vegas Strip, the sophisticated SKYLOFTS offer discerning visitors the quintessential Loft environment harmonizing design, technology, decor, vistas and service.

Culinary history was made in Las Vegas in September 2005 when legendary Chef Joël Robuchon opened his first fine dining restaurant in the United States at MGM Grand.  Since opening, his eponymous restaurant has received the Mobil Five-Star, Michelin Three Star and AAA Five Diamond Awards – the top accolades for each of these organizations.  Joël  Robuchon is one of only 20 Mobil Five-Star restaurants.