The Divine Dish

Tasting Dinner at Andaz West Hollywood

Posted on Aug 06, 2009 under Archives | No Comment

Last night I attended a tasting menu at the RH restaurant at the Andaz West Hollywood.  We arrived and had a quick look at the modern open kitchen – even the fridges are see through.

Chef Sebastien Archambault was cooking up our meal with his sous chefs.

We took a quick tour of the hotel where each room faces the Sunset Strip or the Hollywood Hills.  Some rooms feature a sunny sitting area that overlooks the strip.

We also travelled upstairs to view the highest rooftop swimming pool in LA, with great views of the strip.

Back at RH, the resort’s signature restaurant named in homage to the Hyatt’s old “Riot House” party days, we gathered to begin tasting some of the yummy food.

Our table was next to the open wine cellar, housing dozens of reds and whites.

We started with some delicious appetizers, including a heirloom tomato salad with cabecou goat cheese.

We also enjoyed a nice shrimp ceviche with avocado, jalapeno and tomato.

We also had sweetbread and morels puff pastry with shallot and madiera wine sauce, a foie gras terrine and a perigourdine poached egg with mushrooms, foie gras and summer truffles.

We also ordered entrees off of the menu.  I had the slow braised beef check with button mushrooms and rainbow carrots.

Other entrees included a 12-hour cooked boneless suckling pig with raosted apricots, the signature burger with foie gras and morels and truffled triple fried French Fries, and a seared wild salmon with potatoes and green beans, and chicken breast with white corn and a pineau wine sauce.

We also enjoyed some delicious desserts.

The bar area caters to a young trendy crowd, but my favorite area was the nice banquet table areas overlooking the strip.  Here you can enjoy a nice cocktail in an intimate environment and enjoy great views of Sunset Boulevard.

Andaz Hotel and RH restaurant

8401 Sunset Boulevard

323/656-1234

Dinner at Pasta Moon Restaurant

Posted on Jul 22, 2009 under Archives | No Comment

It’s worth a visit to Half Moon Bay just to eat at Pasta Moon Restaurant.   This is one of the best restaurants between San Francisco and Monterey, serving contemporary Italian cuisine in a casual setting.   The setting is comfortable, with a warm chocolate brown dining room and wood floors and beams.  Nearly all produce is local and organic.  I had a fabulous meal here, below are the highlights:

Owner Kim Levin offered me a lovely tasting menu, which started with the above Iacopi Farms pea and fava bean salad with Harley Farms feta cheese, mint, lemon zest and olive oil.  My waiter informed me that the peas were picked the morning of my visit.  Really fresh!

Next came a yummy clam chowder.

Next was my fave of the night, a basil pesto risotto with pan seared day boat sea scallops and micro greens.  Hands down the best risotto I have ever had.  Yum.

Next was a grilled artic char with five bean ragu, rosemary demi-glaze, orange oil and local greens.  Everything tasted really fresh.

Last was the mascarpone cheesecake with chocolate crust and sauce.  Pasta Moon is located at 315 North Main Street in Half Moon Bay, reservations can be made at 650/726-5125, open from 5:30 to 10 pm.

Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay Sunday Brunch

Posted on Jul 22, 2009 under Archives | No Comment

Sunday brunch at the Ritz Carlton is always a treat.  The Half Moon Bay resort is extra special because of the spectacular views.  I joined my friend and pr director Jennifer Chiesa for brunch during my stay.  Here are some of the wonderful food we chose from the resort’s Navio Sunday Brunch:

There was much more as well (carving station, dim sum treats, salads, cold and hot appetizers, eggs, caviar, lamb, beef and fish) but by this time I had to start eating some of the great food.  I highly recommend a stop to the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay – if you can’t spend the night be sure to stop by for the Sunday brunch.  Two seatings area available, 11 am and 1:30 pm and reservations are a must.  Navio, Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, One Miramontes Road, 650/712-7000.

Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay

Posted on Jul 22, 2009 under Archives | No Comment

On my way up to San Francisco for a coastal getaway article I was lucky enough to stop off at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay.  Since my friend Jennfier Chiesea (former pr director of Ritz in Pasadena) moved up to Half Moon Bay as PR Director for the resort I have wanted to come for a visit.

Perched on the edge of the gleaming Pacific, the glamorous golf and spa resort houses 261 white and pale yellow rooms and suites with marble bathrooms, feather beds, fireplaces and ocean views.   Guests can enjoy the sweeping vistas of the coastline from the 16,000 square foot spa, fitness center or at the three restaurants.

The view from my room was stunning.  Pics below:

I received a lovely strawberry and chocolate tower after I checked into the room.

The resort has a wonderful dining room where the Navio restaurant is where I had dinner my first night.  I started with a crab salad with avocado cream, watercress and a red wine reduction.

Next I had short ribs with mashed potatoes and asparagus.  Both were delicious.

The resort also houses two golf courses,  the Old and Ocean Courses.  The long and demanding Old Course (7,104 yards)  is a parkland-style course lined by Cypress trees.  The links-style Ocean Course (6,700 yards) offers ocean views from every hole and three finishing holes that sit directly on the Pacific Ocean.  The resort offers an unlimited golf package where golfers can play till they drop from check-in to checkout.

The next morning I attended the Sunday brunch, pics in next post.