Posted on Feb 22, 2009 under Archives, Everything Else, Food and Travel News |
During Denver’s Restaurant Week, February 21- 27 (A Seven Day Celebration of Denver’s Culinary Scene), The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Denver and ELWAY’S Downtown are joining in the “5280” fun! Valet parking is complimentary.
Spa-goers can choose from either a 25-minute Signature Massage, 25-Minute Express Facial or our Classic Pedicure for $52.80, AND the best part – guests will have full spa access included! (whirlpool, relaxation lounges etc…) Spa Reservations can be made at 303.312.3830
And, if hungry afterwards, ELWAY’S Downtown will offer a multi-course dinner for the “Mile High” price of $52.80 for two! Reservations can be made at 303.312.3107.
Posted on Feb 22, 2009 under Archives, Palm Springs |
360 Ultra Lounge Bar at Morongo
A few weeks ago, Morongo Casino Resort & Spa and Braintrust Marketing (based in Las Vegas) hosted a press tour. Approximately ten food and travel writers came to check out the new menu at the Cielo restaurant, attend a Willie Nelson concert (yes, he is still alive and sounds great!), get a spa treatment and enjoy the deluxe rooms. The rooms feature views of the desert mountains and canyons in soothing brown hues and feature European linens and huge oversized showers (you can fit five people in the shower). We also attended a cocktail reception at the 360 Lounge on the 27th floor.
Dance floor
The writers got a chance to sample the new menu at Cielo, Morongo’s upscale steak and seafood restaurant. Here are some pics:
Travel and food writers, getting ready to eat
Above is the group, getting ready to taste some of the great food at Cielo.
Cielo Assorted Seafood Platter
We all dug into this yummy assorted seafood platter which included shrimp, lobster, oysters, King crab and scallops. Here is what I ended up with on my plate:
Next came a lovely Ceasar salad.
Ceasar Salad
My friend Paul ordered the Heirloom Tomato Napoleon, which came with tomatores, buffalo mozzarella. basil and a balsamic vinaigrette. It was tasty.
Heirloom Tomato Napoleon
I started with the Morongo Salad – butter lettuce, apple, cranberries and feta cheese with a raspberry vinaigrette. Also yummy.
Morongo Salad
Our host Spence Johnston raved about the Lobster Mac n Cheese, which everyone at the table tried and also determined as favorite of the night.
Lobster Mac n Cheese
A true lobster lover, I got the filet and lobster which was a 6 ounce filet mignon and an Australian lobster tail. Both were excellent.
Surf and turf, lobster and filet
Paul ordered the huge Rib Eye and we all sampled it – it came with roasted garlic and a nice herb goat cheese roasted tomato.
Rib Eye Steak
We were all stuffed but still sampled from this dessert tray.
Dessert
After dinner, we all waddled back to our rooms. For more info on the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa, go to www.morongocasinoresort.com.
Posted on Feb 22, 2009 under Archives, Chefs, Interviews |
Chef de Cuisine Victor Juarez
Morongo Casino Chef de Cuisine Victor Juarez developed a love of cooking as a child where he would help prepare meals for his family using ingredients his father would bring home from fishing trips and traveling. Upon his arrival in the US as a teenager he began working in the hotel restaurant industry and rose through the ranks at the Hilton Hotel and La Verne University. He served as Executive Chef at the Mission Inn in Riverside before becoming Chef de Cuisine at Morongo Casino in January 2009. I sat down and spoke with Chef Juarez about his love of cooking and the new menu at the Morongo’s Cielo restaurant during a press trip at Morongo a few weeks ago.
Posted on Feb 15, 2009 under Archives, Food and Travel News, Las Vegas |
Last Friday, Feb. 13, nineteen of Las Vegas’ premier chefs dined in the sky over the Strip to celebrate the launch of the 3rd Annual Vegas Uncork’d, presented by Bon Appétit. The epicurean event will be held in Las Vegas May 7-10 at multiple resorts. Seated (L to R clockwise): Hubert Keller (Fleur de Lys), Eric Bost (Guy Savoy), Paul Del Favero (Mesa Grill), David Werly (Le Cirque), Marc Poidevin (Switch), Kamel Guechida (Joel Robuchon), Vincent Pilon (Mandalay Bay), Francois Payard (Payard Patisserie), Michael Mina (Michael Mina), Anthony Amoroso (Michael Mina), Rick Moonen (RM Seafood), Adam Sobel (RM Seafood), Mike Minor (Border Grill), Theo Schoenegger (Sinatra), Martin Heierling (Sensi), Alex Stratta (Alex), Kerry Simon (CatHouse), Carla Pellegrino (Rao’s), Paul Bartolotta (Bartolotta) and Kelly McAuliffe, Sommelier (Southern Wine & Spirits).
(AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Bob Brye).
