Archives for June, 2009

Casa Del Mar, Santa Monica, the perfect local weekend getaway

Posted on Jun 03, 2009 under Archives | No Comment
Casa Del Mar, Santa Monica

Casa Del Mar, Santa Monica

Summer is here and if you can’t get away for a vacation, try a staycation and head to Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica, the perfect spot to catch a few waves, watch spectacular sunsets and soak up the scenery.
Perched on the Santa Monica shoreline, this stately brick and sandstone Renaissance revival-style seven-storey seaside resort is a great local beach getaway. The lobby is also a nice spot to meet for drinks and watch the sun set into the Pacific.

Impressive Casa Del Mar lobby

Impressive Casa Del Mar lobby

I ended up staying at Casa last week for a beach story and was very impressed with the hotel.  It is one of two directly overlooking Santa Monica beach (the other is the neighboring Shutters, owned by the same company).   Casa Del Mar’s 129 rooms feature ocean views, breezy butter-yellow walls, hand-painted armoires, wooden Venetian blinds and opulent Italian marble bathrooms.  Below is a pic of my room, I really liked the bed.

Casa Del Mar room

Casa Del Mar room

My friend Nicole joined me at Catch, the signature restaurant, to enjoy ocean views and delicious seafood and sushi.

Enjoying the sunset at Catch restaurant

Enjoying the sunset at Catch restaurant

The chef sent out a nice sashimi plate with some caper berries.

fresh sashimi with caper berries

fresh sashimi with caper berries

We also ordered some sushi, below, and an interesting watermelon, arugula, avocado and feta cheese salad.  This dish took a few bites to get used to, but we bothed ended up really enjoying it.

tuna and spicy salmon sushi

tuna and spicy salmon sushi

watermelon, arugula, avocado and feta salad

watermelon, arugula, avocado and feta salad

Nicole got the halibut with morels and asparagus and I opted for the lobster with gnocchi.

halibut with morels and asparagus

halibut with morels and asparagus

Lobster with asparagus and gnocchi

Lobster with asparagus and gnocchi

The lobster was our fave.   Next came a big chocolate molten cake and ice cream.

chocolate molten cake and ice cream

chocolate molten cake and ice cream

Although a bit pricey, Catch is definitely worth a visit just for the view.  It is a perfect spot for a romantic date or catching up over a drink in the stunning lobby.   Reservations can be made for Casa Del Mar or Catch at 310/581-5533, both are located at 1910 Ocean Way in Santa Monica.

Redondo Beach Press Tour, Part 3, Breakfast at the Original Pancake House

Posted on Jun 03, 2009 under Archives | No Comment
Original Pancake House, Redondo Beach

Original Pancake House, Redondo Beach

During the press tour of Redondo Beach, while on the Disco Bus, I passed this interesting restaurant and when I inquired about it our hosts informed me it was a local favorite, so I decided to check it out on my final morning before leaving Redondo Beach.

Menu, lots of pancake choices!

Menu, lots of pancake choices!

The restaurant offers lots of pancake choices and was filled with local which is always a good sign.  I opted for sausage and eggs and they gave me a side of pancakes with fresh strawberries.  I was told that the apple pancakes are also a local fave.

sausage and eggs

sausage and eggs

pancakes with fresh strawberries, yummy

pancakes with fresh strawberries, yummy

I highly recommend stopping in at the Original Pancake House (located at 1756 South Pacific Coast Highway) for breakfast before heading to go surfing, shopping or just enjoying the beach the next time you are near Redondo.

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