Archives for March, 2009

Elvis Has Entered the Building

Posted on Mar 19, 2009 under Archives, Food and Travel News, Las Vegas | No Comment
Ice Elvis at Minus 5

Ice Elvis at Minus 5

Yesterday, Minus 5 degrees Lounge at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino announced that the King is back in Vegas, well, sort of.  Making a special appearance is his likeness in a 7-foot ice sculpture decked out in iconic garb.

The sculpture took over two days to sculpt and can remain cool inside the lounge’s chilly 31 degree temperature.  Minus 5 is open Monday through Sunday from 10 am to 3 am.

Dinner at The Marine Room, La Jolla

Posted on Mar 13, 2009 under Uncategorized | No Comment
Hamachi toule cone

Hamachi toule cone

I recently visited one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego, The Marine Room.  I was in La Jolla doing a story on San Diego and had to include this lovely spot.  Located at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club (2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla), this is the best place to share a sunset and wonderful food.   Sitting just beyond the sandline within feet of the waves that snuggle up to La Jolla shores, the restaurant offers outstanding French-Colonial cuisine as well as stunning vistas and high-tide waves that splash against the floor-to-ceiling picture windows.   My friend and chef extraordinaire Bernard Guillas prepared a lovely tasting menu.  We started with a tasty toule cone (edible) of fresh Hamachi tuna with trout roe (above).

Diver scallops

Diver scallops

Next came this lovely, huge plump seared diver scallop.  Very buttery and sweet, served over mushrooms and a spiced pumpkin bread on the top.  Yum.

Beef carpaccio

Beef carpaccio

This appetizer of beef carpaccio came next, with ginger oil, sage focaccia, figs and jack cheese.  We really liked the balance of flavors on this plate.

Foie gras and lobster

Foie gras and lobster

Next was my favorite, a vanilla leek lobster and foie gras.   My friend Sheila doesn’t eat foie gras (poor Sheila, doesn’t know what she is missing) so I ate her portion as well.  I just couldn’t let a perfect piece of foie gras go to waste.  I could eat this dish all day long.

Pompano with risotto

Pompano with risotto

Chef Guillas then presented us this tasty pompano with Asian crab and a sake infused risotto.  We both loved this dish.  The light texture of the fish paired perfectly with the creamy risotto.  Another fave.

Veal with candy apple

Veal with candy apple

Our meat and final course before dessert was this perfectly cooked veal tenderloin with a roasted candy apple and truffle reduction.  The veal was tender and delicious.

dessert, number one

dessert, number one

Dessert plate number one included a chocolate pot of creme, lemon tart with hibiscus flower (in the middle, our fave on the plate) and a yummy mango sorbet.  We thought we were full, but managed to eat most of this plate.

Dessert, plate two

Dessert, plate two

Our final course and second dessert (yep, we actually ate most of both plates – they were so good and we couldn’t waste them!) had peach sorbet, a minature chocolate cake with raspberries and an amarillo creme brulee.   It was a fabulous meal.  I highly recommend dinner at the Marine Room – go there to catch the sunset but also for the top-notch food.  Reservations at 858.459-7222.

MGM Grand and The Signature at MGM Grand Offers Vegas Uncork’d VIP Getaway

Posted on Mar 13, 2009 under Archives, Food and Travel News, Las Vegas | No Comment
Exterior of The Signature at MGM Grand

Exterior of The Signature at MGM Grand

Food lovers are invited to enter an exclusive sweepstakes for a chance to win a dream gastronomic getaway to Las Vegas.  Beginning March 9, 2009, MGM Grand, a AAA Four Diamond hotel, and The Signature at MGM Grand, a luxurious all-suite enclave, will offer one lucky foodie the opportunity to mingle with the world’s most celebrated chefs during Vegas Uncork’d May 7-10.  Presented by Bon Appétit magazine, the spectacular epicurean event will showcase the best of Las Vegas’ culinary talent including MGM Grand’s own Joël Robuchon and Tom Colicchio.

Grand junior suite at The Signature at MGM Grand

Grand junior suite at The Signature at MGM Grand

Valued at more than $3,500, the Vegas Uncork’d VIP Getaway will include:
v     A two-night stay for two at The Signature at MGM Grand
v     Roundtrip airfare for two
v     Two tickets to the Vegas Uncork’d Grand Tasting Event
v     Two tickets to all Vegas Uncork’d Culinary Events at MGM Grand
v     Dinner for two at NOBHILL TAVERN, the restaurant of celebrity chef Michael Mina
v     Two tickets to KÀ by Cirque du Soleil
v     Two VIP passes to guest’s choice of Studio 54 or Tabú Ultra Lounge
v     Roundtrip limousine airport transfers

Nobhill Tavern, restaurant of chef Michael Mina

Nobhill Tavern, restaurant of chef Michael Mina

The Vegas Uncork’d VIP Getaway sweepstakes runs March 9 through April 15, 2009.  To enter, visit http://www.signaturemgmgrand.com/sweepstakes.  Additional rules and restrictions apply.  A purchase is not required to enter or win and will not increase your chance to win.

The exciting gourmand experiences of Vegas Uncork’d will include a high-stakes culinary competition, an exclusive event fusing the culinary artistry of Joël Robuchon with the performing arts of Cirque du Soleil’s KÀ and a Mother’s Day brunch with Tom Colicchio – and many more activities at Las Vegas’s top resorts and restaurants.  For those who prefer not to miss this exciting opportunity, exclusive room rates are available at MGM Grand from $139 per night and at The Signature suites from $159 per night.  For reservations, visit www.mgmgrand.com/vegasuncorked or www.signaturemgmgrand.com/exclusive_offers or call (800) 929-1111.  For more on Vegas Uncork’d or to purchase tickets, visit www.vegasuncorked.com.”

Terranea Resort Preview Reception at Spago Beverly Hills

Posted on Mar 04, 2009 under Uncategorized | No Comment

Last night JLK Communications and Spago Beverly Hills hosted a reception for the new Terranea Resort, scheduled to open in June in Palos Verdes.   The $450 million oceanfront resort will include a spa, several restaurants, and views from everywhere in the resort.

Food and travel writers

Food and travel writers

We were greeted with wine and lots of yummy appetizers.

Salmon pizza

Salmon pizza

Pizzas included salmon and tomato.

Tomato pizza

Tomato pizza

Next came wontons and white and red wine.

Wontons

Wontons

We also tasted delicious chicken and beef satay.

bef satay

beef satay

Chicken satay

Chicken satay

Bob and Rob Lowe (father and son) presented information and welcomed the crowd.

Bob Lowe

Bob Lowe

Robe Lowe

Rob Lowe

Terranea Resort Executive VP/Managing Director Terri A. Haack presented a slideshow about the resort.  All the writers were lucky enough to be given a night at the resort when it opens.  For more information and to make reservations go to www.terranea.com.

Executive VP/Marketing Director Terri A. Haack

Executive VP/Marketing Director Terri A. Haack

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