Posted on Aug 12, 2009 under Archives |
Room, Riviera Resort, Palm Springs
I checked in to the retro Riviera Resort last weekend for a story on dog-friendly hotels. The revamped resort opened about a year ago after a $70 million renovation. I was in one of 45 guest rooms that was decorated in vibrant orange-red and rich browns.
My friend Paul joined me for dinner in the elegant Circa 59 restaurant, which offers outside covered dining overlooking the pool as well as a dramatic sleek indoor area. Here are some of the great dishes we had during our tasting menu:
Lobster Bisque
We started with a creamy rich lobter bisque.
Beet salad
Next came a pickled beet salad with tangerines and goat cheese. We liked the sweet and sour combination of the goat cheese with the pickled beets.
Starter trio
Next came a delicious starter trio of appetizers.
Berkshire Pork Belly
Ahi tuna tartare
Crabcake
Appetizers included Berkshire pork belly with sweet and sour lentils and celery root slaw, ahi tartare and tataki and a tasty crab cake. Paul especially liked the crab cake, I couldn’t choose a favorite because all were very good.
Trio of main dishes
Next came a trio of main dishes, including halibut with red wine risotto, a filet of beef with short rib ragout and asparagus and yellowfin tuna with pistachio risotto.
Halibut with red wine risotto
Beef with shortrib ragout
Yellowfin tuna with pistacio risotto
Paul and I loved all of these dishes, our fave was the halibut. Dessert was a trio of creme brulee (my fave), chocolate mousse (also very tasty) and Paul’s fave, pineapple carrot cake.
Creme brulee
Chocolate mousse with cherries
Pineapple carrot cake
Circa 50 is perfect for a group gathering (outside area overlooking the amoeba shaped pool is perfect for drinks with friends) and for an intimate romantic dinner (inside high booths provide close seating amidst a dramatic atmosphere).
1600 North Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760/327-8311
Posted on Aug 06, 2009 under Archives |
Andaz West Hollywood
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.
Open kitchen
Veggies in open fridge
Chef Sebastien Archambault was cooking up our meal with his sous chefs.
Chef Sebastien Archambault
Big Risotto Pot
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.
Room
View from sunny sitting area
We also travelled upstairs to view the highest rooftop swimming pool in LA, with great views of the strip.
rooftop pool
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.
writers ready for dinner
Our table was next to the open wine cellar, housing dozens of reds and whites.
Open wine cellar
We started with some delicious appetizers, including a heirloom tomato salad with cabecou goat cheese.
Heirloom Tomato Salad
We also enjoyed a nice shrimp ceviche with avocado, jalapeno and tomato.
shrimp ceviche
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.
Sweetbread and morels puff pastry
Foie gras terrine
Perigourdine Poached Egg
We also ordered entrees off of the menu. I had the slow braised beef check with button mushrooms and rainbow carrots.
Braised beef Cheek
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.
Suckling pig
RH angus beef burger
Seared wild salmon
Triple fried truffle french fries
braised petaluma chicken breast
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
Posted on Jul 22, 2009 under Archives |
Pasta Moon Restaurant, Half Moon Bay
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:
Pea and fava bean salad
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!
clam chowder
Next came a yummy clam chowder.
Risotto basil pesto and scallop
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.
Grilled artic char with five bean ragu
Next was a grilled artic char with five bean ragu, rosemary demi-glaze, orange oil and local greens. Everything tasted really fresh.
mascarpone cheesecake
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.
Posted on Jul 22, 2009 under Archives |
Shrimp, brunch Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
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:
Oysters galore, yum.
Eggs benedict
Sushi
Desserts
Cheeses, my favorite
Blue cheeses
cows milk cheeses, really good
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.