The Divine Dish

San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel Offers a Historic Romantic Escape

Each year, hundreds of visitors come to San Francisco and fall in love with its unbelievable vistas, graceful architecture, cuisine-defining restaurants and bountiful activities.  Along with its many historic and musical associations with love, the city is home to a deeply romantic landscape perfect for inspiring passion.

At the crest of Nob Hill sits one of the most romantic places to stay, the historic Fairmont Hotel, commanding views of the bay, Coit Tower and Fisherman’s Wharf.  The Italian-Renaissance masterpiece of a grand hotel houses an extravagant lobby with gold-trimmed Corinthian marble columns, crystal chandeliers, a spectacular spiral staircase and rococo furniture.  Each of the large 591 rooms share an equally opulent design scheme offering pale color schemes, high ceilings, dark furniture, spectacular city views, oversized marble bathrooms, goose down pillows and large walk-in closets.  The hotel’s ornate Laurel Court restaurant is the perfect place for a luxurious afternoon tea or opt for dinner and drinks amidst tiki torches, dancing and a live band at the Polynesian Tonga Room and Lounge.

I visited the Fairmont and the Tonga Room for a story on romantic weekends and here are some of the dishes that Chef Mark Passetti prepared:

The Tonga Itch

I started off with the Tonga Room’s signature cocktail, The Tonga Itch, made from vodka, pineapple and grenadine.

Tuna Poki

Next came a small bowl of fresh ahi tuna poki, a nice way to start off the meal.

Tonga Appetizer Platter

The Tonga Appetizer Platter included spare ribs, coconut panko crusted prawns (my favorite) and a nice flatbread.

Swordfish

The main course was swordfish with teriyaki vegatables and a fresh pineapple salsa with a cream citrus sauce.

White Chocolate Pearl

Dessert was the restaurant’s famous white chocolate pearl – chocolate mousse in a white chocolate shell with tapioca.