Redondo Beach Press Tour, part 1
Posted on May 25, 2009 under Archives | No Comment
Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club
Last weekend I joined a group of writers for a press tour of Redondo Beach organized by the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau and Susan Bejeckian of SBPR Public Relations. I stayed at the Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club.
Writer's breakfast at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Splash
All of us met at the exhibition kitchen at Splash in the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Splash has an open kitchen where you can watch the cooks prepare your meal and a chef’s table inside the kitchen.
Chefs preparing omelettes
I had an omelette, prepared by the chefs above.
my breakfast
During breakfast we learned about the history of Redondo Beach and then took a tour of the Crowne Plaza Hotel. I especially liked the view from the large pool deck, below.
Crowne Plaza pool deck
We toured the marina and seaside lagoon and then headed to Captain Kidd’s Fish Market.
Captain Kidd's Fish Market
Inside was a wide variety of fresh fish which guests can pick out and have cooked to order.
Next we headed to the Disco Bus, where our host Tom Kearney showed us the Whaling Wall, Sealab, the historic Moreell House, the Galleria and Riviera Village before dropping us off at the pier.
Disco bus, complete with purple leopard seats
Writers on disco bus
Once we exited the bus, we headed to the pier.
Redondo Beach Pier
We were all pretty hungry, so we stopped off at Maison Riz for lunch.
Maison Riz, pier
The chef prepared a wonderful tasting menu, first course was roast duck breast with green pepper sauce, Chilean sea bass, and a salmon and foie gras croquette.
First course
Next came an assortment of sush – scallops with black truffle miso and wagyu beef tataki.
Sushi, course 2
Our third course was dessert, which we all loved. A yummy fruit/orange, panna cotta and apple wonton crisp.
Orange with fruit
panna cotta, my fave
apple wonton crisps, everyone loved these
All of the food was delicious and the restaurant has a great view. Well worth the drive to Redondo for a romantic dinner.
picking my oyster
Right next to Maison Riz is Mie Pearl, a jewelry shop where you can pick an oyster and keep the pearl, which we all got to do. Above, I am picking my oyster, below, there is the pearl!
my pearl
After the tour I headed back to my big comfy bed at the Portofino for a nice nap before dinner.