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Magical Mexico

Magical Mexico

By: B. Morgan

Winter Break at the Esperanza Resort

While not as life-changing as hearing, “You have just won the lottery,” having your friends call up and say, “Join us at our four bedroom villa at the Esperanza Resort for Fall Break” is pretty good.  Esperanza (www.esperanzaresort.com) is one of the luxury resorts located in the competitive “resort corridor” area between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo in the Mexican state of Baja.  Flying from LAX to “Cabo” is convenient, with several major airlines offering service directly or through Los Angeles.

With passports in hand and lap belts fastened, our family settled in for a quick two hour flight.  The air conditioning of the Boeing cabin quickly dissipates in the face of the blast furnace of hot desert wind flowing up the exit ramp as you disembark at the Los Cabos International Airport.  You briefly trundle along the tarmac to find yourself deposited in the immigration control lounge and its Space Mountain-esque line. This is a good time for those of you with “crowd issues” to focus on your breathing exercises. After our luggage inspection we were liberated from the onslaught of “tourist service” runners by a smiling and gracious Esperanza host who grabbed our luggage and whisked us off to a waiting SUV with citrus-scented washcloths and chilled bottles of Voss water to officially return us to the vacation spirit.

A twenty minute drive through the desert brings you to the Sea of Cortez and a golf course seemingly every half mile.  Ten minutes after first glimpsing the sea, the driver pulls you past two guarded gates and into Esperanza’s intimate planter-lined circular drive with several small openings leading into the resort proper.  The resort sits on approximately 17 acres along the coast in the Punta Ballena area a few miles north of Cabo San Lucas.  Upon arriving, your concierge greets you at your car and sweeps you through the porte corchere to emerge into a broad courtyard with a spectacular 180 degree view of the azure sea.  Following your flight and drive, the panorama of the water and the soft rolling symphony of the waves take your breath away.

Our concierge then escorted us to our friends’ villa on the southern “residences” side of the resort (the hotel is on the northern side of the property).  Upon entering the villa we were wowed by the beautiful high palapa ceiling and the spaciousness of the living area which extended out to the expansive terrace.  During our stay, the terrace was our primary living space with a large dining table, chaises for relaxing, a hot tub, a built-in bbq and an expansive view of the sea. On our first day we even caught a glimpse of migrating whales to the delight of kids and adults alike.

During your stay you will not want for good food.  The resort’s diverse dining establishments are under the direction of Executive Chef Sergio Howland, and range from casual pool-side grills to haute cuisine at the main restaurant.  Our pack of 7 to 10 year olds never grew tired of eating at the grill counter while still submerged in the water.

The signature restaurant on the property is “El Restaurante” which has high-end dining with an accompanying price point.  Being perched cliff-side, the restaurant has a dramatic setting and every table enjoys a view. It is definitely worth eating at least one meal there during the trip, whether dinner or breakfast.  We all agreed, however, that the daily grilled fish special at the more casual La Palapa restaurant, also located cliff-side, offers the best value on property for dining.  For a special treat off-property, you should make a reservation for dinner at Don Emiliano, located in the historical downtown area of San José del Cabo (www.donemiliano.com.mx) and order a bottle of Mexican wine with your meal.

While the resort is located on the sea, the beach is not fit for swimming — though it is a nice spot for a stroll. The several pools on the villas-side of the property are well-designed and our kids were never bored as they splashed through waterfalls and hopped between tiers of infinity-edged pools.  The hotel’s main pool is for adults only and is dramatically framed by palm trees set in front of the Sea of Cortez.   We did find, however, that the resort pools seemed a bit understaffed for a resort of this caliber.

In order to be a true destination resort, there must be a world-class spa and in this regard Esperanza surpasses expectations.  Manager José Ramón García set out to create an antidote for the stresses of “regular” life and created a space to escape.  The adults in our group enjoyed various spa treatments and daily access to the yoga studio and exercise facilities.  The spa menu includes too many treatments to list here, but suffice it to say there is a treatment for everyone and everything — even the 10 year old girls went for mani/pedis as a birthday treat.  The Auberge Group, the management company of the property, gives their resort spa directors the discretion to bring in locally-focused treatments and ingredients and Mr. García has taken full advantage of this flexibility.

After checking into the spa, I was whisked away to the men’s locker room.  Not surprisingly, every possible toiletry amenity is available for use after your outdoor or indoor private shower (why is it impossible to replicate the same close shave at home?).   Emerging from the locker room in a plush robe, I was given a menu to review while sitting in the gentleman’s waiting area.  Each spa guest receives an Agua Fresca, a refreshing smoothie made with fresh locally grown seasonable vegetables, fruits and plants.  I sampled the cucumber, parsley and carrot as well as the basil and lime while enjoying the Jacuzzi and accompanying shower built out of rocks next to a cascading waterfall.  At this point I was well relaxed and had a nice “Spa Zen” state of mind.

My therapist then escorted me to a room with a private courtyard to experience the “Damiana Alegre” treatment.  It began with a soak in my private plunge pool and a short nap on an outdoor day bed while accompanied by a combination of gentle music, flowing water and the sweet sound of birds chirping in the distance (I felt like I was living in an Enya CD).  My therapist gently shook maracas by the courtyard gate to alert me of the next treatment phase: a full body exfoliation with amaranth (a native Aztec grain), a body wrap of honey and damiana (a local plant with a slight chamomile-like scent) concluded by an hour-long coconut oil massage to remove the kinks from two rounds of golf.  At the end of the treatment I could barely remember my name, let alone my laptop, Blackberry or pending work assignments.

While a stay at Esperanza is not inexpensive, it fit the bill — happy kids, happy wife and a relaxed me. Thinking back on that week I remember an encounter which sums up our stay. Looking at the cigar menu, my friend noted to the bar manager that the Cuban cigars from the resort humidor were much more expensive than those he could find in town.  She turned with a wry smile and pointed out the difference: we get to have these cigars while sitting here cliff-side at Esperanza, listening to live music and looking out at the sea.  We really enjoyed those cigars.

Oaxaca’s cultural playground

By Charolette Awatea

Oaxaca is a magical and mystical place.

It’s full of history and yet still has the hustle and bustle of the modern world.  My family has been associated with Oaxaca since before I was born.  My parents started doing their graduate school research there back in the late 1960s and my older brother was born there in 1971.  My father has chosen to spend his retirement there, bequeathing me with a stepmother and three stepsisters all from Oaxaca.  My mother has a book on Oaxaca coming out in January.  It was interesting for me to journey back with a group of journalists to explore the city from a tourist’s perspective.  Of course, I will never be a typical Oaxacan tourist but I am fairly ethnocentric and I tend to be more of a beach and fruity drink type of vacationer versus a cultural and historical tourist.  However this trip to Oaxaca really did get me thinking about culture and history and I found Oaxaca to be a wonderful, magical place.

The Mexican Tourism Authority and Mexicana Airlines organized the trip.  Since I’ve spent a lot of time in Mexico and being an ethnocentric American, I’ve always steered away from the Mexican owned airlines for fear that they were not as good as our national carriers.  Let me tell you something:  They are better than our national carriers. The experience on Mexicana Airlines was a delight; they even served us a meal.  The fleet is new and spacious — the aircraft has high ceilings and modern fittings, which imparted a feeling that everything was going to be all right, and we would have a safe and comfortable journey, which we did!  Because we were with a representative from Mexicana Airlines, we were treated to their first class lounges in both Los Angeles (LAX) and Mexico City (MEX).  The one at LAX is shared with other airlines and is very nice but fairly standard with snacks, drinks and wifi but the one in Mexico City was very special.  They have massage chairs, xbox, couches, chairs, pods, many different television options, food options and a wine list.  The coloring of the décor is quite pleasant with the light green accents throughout.  The complimentary food was a bit questionable, but the food for purchase was delightful and the staff was extremely accommodating.  Even the planes used from Mexico City to Oaxaca, a brand call Click!, were modern and a welcome departure from the propjets of the past.

Oaxaca is surrounded by mountains and maintains a sense of historical perspective due to the architecture and the people.  While the folks in Oaxaca are not immune to deadlines and constantly blinking smart phones there are a good number of people who could easily be described as country peasants.  They come in from outside of the city and sell their wares, most of which are either food or art — two areas of excellence for Oaxacans.  There is a strong artesian class from the begging child who wants to sell you 2-inch wooden figurines to painters getting $25,000 for a 2’x2’ canvas — artists are everywhere.  Food artists as well.  As someone who regularly dines in such foodie towns as Portland and Los Angeles, I had my best tasting restaurant meal of recent time in Oaxaca.  The chef (Enrico de Rosa) is from Napoli, the pasta was made post ordering and the mix of flavors and textures and general ingredient goodness was extraordinary. All in all, Oaxaca is a place to open up your senses and your soul.  There is a long and rich history of human civilization with ancient cultures such as the Aztecs, Zapotecs and Mixtec’s who battled for control and you can feel that you are in an area with very strong cultural roots.  There are ruins to explore, restaurants to delight and art to devour.

HISTORICAL LANDMARKS
Monte Albán
When I was a child we used to run all over Monte Albán.  My brother and I would crawl through underground tunnels and climb over areas that are now forbidden to tourists — no doubt due to rascals like us tearing up this historic cultural center. Monte Albán was the capital city of the Zapotecs, a cultural group that still exists in and around Oaxaca.  It’s a grand esplanade filled with pyramids, temples, and the famous ball court.  Even back then, they took their sports very seriously with the winners being sacrificed to the Gods.  The high point for the Zapotecs at Monte Albán was during the Classic period from 450 BCE to 700 BCE (before the common era).

Monastery and Church of Santiago Cuilapan
Cuilapan de Guerrero is located some 10 km. south of Oaxaca city.  This is one of the oldest settlements in the Valley of Oaxaca.  Easily visible from the highway, the monastery and church of Santiago Cuilapan was founded by the Dominicans in the 16th Century.  The early date of the building indicates that there must have been a large Mixtec population (another of Oaxaca’s indigenous groups) there.  At the same site there are also ruins of a pyramid which, (similar to all earlier important pyramids) was built as a tomb for an important person or persons.  It is clear that the Dominicans built their church on top of or near the holy ground of the local people — just where their pyramid would have been if the Spanish had not arrived!  The church itself is unique as there is a roofless nave.  Open-air chapels were not common at the time of its construction, but open-air services were common since the local people found indoor ceremonies kept them away from the natural world and their source of the sacred.  Another interesting point is that inside the church you will see not only Spanish decorations but, as well, Mixtec motifs.

Mitla
Mitla is a local Oaxacan town, (officially called San Pablo Villa de Mitla), and marketplace, and has an important Zapotec archeological site which was build around 100 BCE — so, much later than Monte Albán.  The site was occupied until approximately 1521 when the Spaniards arrived.  Its characteristic geometric designs on the buildings are often reproduced in the local Zapotec blankets and rugs woven in various valley villages — especially the village of Teotihuacán del Valle which lies just north of Mitla.

Santo Domingo de Oaxaca
The motherhouse for the Dominican order in Oaxaca and the largest Domican building in Mexico is Santo Domingo de Oaxaca, which lies in the colonial heart of Oaxaca.  Santo Domingo was founded in the 1570s and completed in the mid-1600s.  The building is extremely ornate: a golden baroque interior, a polychrome relief of the Lineage of St. Dominic and a spectacular ceiling of golden blossoms and painted stuccowork.  This tradition of decoration is called the Pueblan baroque tradition.  Also part of the priory is the ex-convento, which is now a world-class museum containing colonial and pre-Columbian art and artifacts along with a great museum store.  As well, the Instituto Nacional de Anthropología along with other national agencies are planning an extensive archives, a conference center and an ethno-botanical garden.  The area surrounding Santo Domingo is completely beautiful. During the week there are concerts in the building (the acoustics are wonderful!), and outside where folks can dance.  There is also a nearby market, which sells exotic Zapotec, and Trique wares.  This place will feed your soul.

Ocotlán de Morelos
Ocotlán de Morelos is another well-known tourist destination, only 30 km outside of the city of Oaxaca.  In Ocotlán you will find yet another Dominican church which was recently restored.  If you are captivated by Mexican art then you cannot miss the exhibit at the home of the late painter Rodolfo Morales.  In addition to being an important painter in Mexico he is responsible for the restoration of the Dominican church.  Also, there is the Biblioteca Morelos, which is a cultural center, which offers concerts, English lessons and intercultural programs.  Try to go on a Friday when you can stroll the local and very large market that takes place there.  You will find great foods, little wooden animalitos and the famous black pottery started by Dona Rosa. You will be captivated!

FOOD
The Market
Located just off the Zocalo (center square), the market is chock full of interesting food, mescal, spices, clothes, shoes and more.  This is where they sell dried grasshoppers, which are used to spice up soups and tamales (they taste very salty).   Like most city center markets, bring cash and prepare to haggle over prices.  The street cooking is really tasty but be sure that you have a strong stomach.  I prefer to douse my tacos in super spicy hot sauce to kill any potential bugs.  Located on 20 de Noviembre which is just off  the Zocalo

Casa de Oaxaca
This is the most upscale and impressive restaurant in Oaxaca. Tableside salsa preparation, exceptionally fresh ingredients and modern cooking techniques produce divine cuisine. It’s a fancy restaurant with an attentive staff, a great option for your special occasion dinner.
www.casaoaxaca.com.mx

Cocina Tipica Napolitana
This is the best restaurant in town.  The owner and chef, Enrico de Rosa prepares each meal to order.  Using the best ingredients available he is trying to redefine what it means to eat Italian food in Oaxaca.  His restaurant is small, perhaps 20 seats, and comida takes a good three hours to enjoy.  At the end of the meal he treated us to homemade Limoncello that was the perfect mix of sweet, lemon and alcohol.  Located in the Calz. Del Panteon 801B in the neighborhood of San Felipe del Agua, Oaxaca.

Hacienda San Agustín
This restaurant is meat paradise.  It’s great for the whole family including vegetarians but the meat eaters with really enjoy the variety and flavor of the carnivorous offerings.  Grilled beef, pork, sausage, cheese — yes, it’s a heart attack on a plate but it’s a really good tasting heart attack.  The restaurant is set on a large family style house complete with a backyard and playground for the kids.  Also spotted were beautiful parrots.
haciendasanagustin.com.mx

Two of the best nueva cocina restaurants in Oaxaca are La Biznaga (Garcia Vigil 512 Centro Historico) and Los Danzantes (Mecedonio Alcala 403-4 Centro Historico)

HOTELS
Hacienda Los Laureles Hotel & Spa
The Hacienda Los Laureles Hotel & Spa is located in an upscale residential area located about ten minutes outside of the center of town called San Felipe.  It’s got a great spa and large rooms.  Built in the late 18th century, the hacienda is surrounded by forest and mountains.  There are gardens, as well as arched and open walkways in traditional Mexican style.  The spa is immediately relaxing and very upscale.  There is a full service restaurant with very good breakfasts.
www.hotelhaciendaloslaureles.com

Camino Real Oaxaca Hotel
This is the most regal hotel in town and is the site of a former convent turned five-star hotel.  Built in 1576, the Spanish Baroque architecture and long tiled walkways make you feel like you are a part of something very special.  Also onsite is the washing well which is located in the courtyard and has twelve stone bowls.  This is where the nuns did their washing up.  Guestrooms surround the outdoor pool and have been redone and offer modern amenities.  The grand ballroom is the old cathedral area and would be perfect for a wedding.
www.camino-real-oaxaca.com

Mar 12, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post
Palm Springs

Palm Springs

Remember when Hollywood had class? If you were around before the days of leaked sex tapes and the pestilence of the paparazzi; you too might remember the golden days of Hollywood when naughty behavior was kept out of sight and there was some semblance of mystique to the stars. Although it may have been ages ago since this was a reality, only 100-miles outside of the hustle and bustle of L.A. sits an oasis that maintains this feeling. Shrouded by mountains in every direction, the city of Palm Springs has somehow managed to preserve the feel of “old school Hollywood” that kept the likes of Frank Sinatra, Merv Griffin, and Sonny Bono coming back and even owning homes in the hills above the city. But for those of us who aren’t lucky enough to own a mansion in the hills above this town, how is one to determine where to stay?

PARKER MERIDIAN

Originally Palm Springs’ first Holiday Inn and also having lived past lives under the identities of Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch and Merv Griffin’s Givenchy Resort and Spa, the Parker Palm Springs has addressed everything that a resort should offer. Redesigned by New York ceramist Jonathan Adler to mimic the feel of “your great-aunts’ estate” the Parker’s interior sports a chic 60s era décor combined with modern glitz that borders over-the-top. The exterior of the grounds are no slouch either; adorned in the most luscious greenery in Palm Springs, the Parker features community fire pits, two outdoor pools, four European-style clay tennis courts, multiple croquet lawns and a Petanque Court (think Bocce Ball) to boot. A personal favorite of mine was the 10’x10’ novelty-sized chess board conveniently located next to the (21+) lemonade stand. However, if you’re seeking more than simple adult lemonade, there are two restaurants available for your choosing; Norma’s serves breakfast all day and Mister Parker’s provides a more refined atmosphere Wednesday thru Saturday nights. There’s also a full bar located on site just adjacent the lounge area. The rooms maintain a muted version of the décor seen throughout the interior including sheepskin throws next to the bed and bright colors all round. Another nice feature about the property is whether you’re staying in a “basic” Estate Room or you’re lodging in one of the twelve private villas, you’ll have your very own hammock-equipped patio or balcony to lounge on. Also on site is the Palm Springs Yacht Club, one of the largest spas in Palm Springs with its two indoor pools and separate his-and-hers treatment areas.

RIVIERA RESORT AND SPA

Having hosted the likes of Elvis Presley and Dean Martin, the Riviera Resort and Spa has been a Palm Springs icon for nearly half of a century. And having a received a massive 70-million dollar makeover just two years ago, The Riviera is aiming to retain its status as a landmark in the area with its retro but brand-new look. With over four-hundred guest rooms including almost one-hundred and fifty suites and spanning over an area of twenty-four acres, it’s pretty safe to say that the Riviera is among the largest resorts in Palm Springs. In the center of The Riviera’s unique wheel shaped design lies its main pool. Surrounded by plush lounge chairs, over-sized daybeds, and a hand-woven hut that houses the Bikini Bar only a couple footsteps away, hours can be wasted away without effort. If and when further indulgence is required, their newly renovated 11,000sq-ft SpaTerre can provide everything from a simple Pedisage to a full scale Balinese Body Treatment. Housed within the spa facility are eighteen exotic treatment rooms, full service salon, private saunas, fitness center, and a gorgeous indoor Watsu relaxation pool surrounded by waterfalls and palm trees. Analogous to the spa, dining at Riviera’s signature restaurant, Circa59 offers an unparalleled experience to the most discriminating diners. Wowing you with its lavish red upholstery and gigantic chandeliers, Circa59 offers a self proclaimed “ocean inspired version of a classic steakhouse” with menus that change daily. Circa59 prides itself on its eco-friendly cooking practices, as well as their incorporation of organic ingredients. For post-dinner cocktails simply head to one of Riviera’s two lounges: The Starlight or Sidebar, each featuring their own signature drinks.

ACE HOTEL & SWIM CLUB

Built from the foundation of a 1960’s era Howard Johnson hotel, the Ace brings to the desert a hipster heaven without the pretentious feel that surrounds many resorts in the area. With its concrete floors, canvas wall coverings, and denim headboards, the Ace Hotel and Swim Club has brought a whole new trend to Palm Springs resorts. Even though the rooms may seem like an indoor campsite at first glance, the vintage furniture, modern flat-screen TV, incredibly well-stocked mini-fridge, and old-school turntables all mesh together to create a pleasant balance between utility and amenity. On the grounds of the hotel you’ll find two pools (one of which turns into an outdoor concert venue at night), plenty of lounging equipment, shared community fire pits, and a caravan that sells booze-infused sno-cones. Like the rest of the Ace Hotel, the spa is funky and cool but not glamorous. However, the treatments are as good and any upscale spa. Efficient and real with options like getting massaged in a Mongolian yurt or breathing in the essence of the cedar lined treatment rooms. Although the facilities are simple, they do not disappoint. The Ace also features King’s Highway restaurant; converted from a Denny’s, this eclectic diner features what they call a new interpretation on American Peasant Food. You can also find the poolside bar called the Amigo room attached to the back of the diner.

VICEROY

The Viceroy is classic, old school Hollywood Palm Springs. With three pools and on five acres, The Viceroy includes a dozen villas that date back to the early 30’s. When the stars stayed there (including Marilyn) they would have their names on the villas and if those walls could talk. The décor of the hotel is Hollywood Regency Style. Iconic for it’s old Hollywood glamour, the Estrella Spa at the Viceroy is everything you would expect from a top-notch spa. They offer a number of services including a 60-minute Head to Toe Indulgence where you get a facial while having a foot massage and reflexology. It’s double the pleasure! Treatment rooms can be indoor or outdoor and are located just off the pool area.

COLONY PALMS HOTEL

Originally built in 1936 by Purple Gang mobster Al Wertheimer, the Spanish Colonial-style hotel was once scandalously known as a speakeasy and gambling house frequented by the likes of Hollywood elite, including Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable and Carol Lombard. In the late 1940’s, the property was sold to Robert Howard, grandson of the owner of champion thoroughbred Sea Biscuit, and renamed the Howard Manor. Over the next 25 years, the hotel continued as a haven for Hollywood, with guests including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Rita Hayworth and boxing great Jack Dempsey. After an extensive renovation, the hotel remains a favorite for the young and fabulous seeking a dessert get-away. Offering top-tier amenities through their luxury Moroccan themed spa services and delicious culinary creations from their on-site poolside restaurant The Purple Palm, this 57 room boutique hotel continues to reinvent the relevance of Palm Springs as destination and is once again Hollywood’s home away from home.

Mar 12, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post
The Hidden Gem of Southern California

The Hidden Gem of Southern California

By Kelly Mayerick

It is highly unlikely that one would chance upon this beautiful resort just driving through San Diego. Just off the beaten path from the frequently toured Del Mar Fairgrounds sits an old-world palace atop the hills about five miles from the coast. Opened in the fall of 2007, The Grand Del Mar transcends the ordinary and delivers a world-class Southern California resort experience, ideal for escaping, gathering or celebrating.

The Grand Del Mar is set amidst San Diego’s serene Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. This luxury resort masterpiece captures the elegance and comfort of a classical Mediterranean estate and is par excellence. It serves as an oasis for guests seeking tranquility and solitude among a truly remarkable setting with its spacious 249 elegantly appointed guestrooms. The attention to detail is stunning with graceful archways, bold wrought iron and ornate stone accents; wood-beamed ceilings and decorative columns surround you. This sanctuary is inspired by the exotic architectural style of Addison Mizner, who pioneered the look of the resort communities of Boca Raton and Palm Beach in the 1920. The grounds feature whimsical stone walkways, manicured courtyards, hidden gardens, tinkling fountains, all complemented by commanding golf course views. The lush grounds create an atmosphere perfectly balanced between heavenly opulence and natural beauty.

As you enter the resort through huge mahogany and iron double doors, guests feel as if they have entered a lavish Renaissance palace complete with plush sofas and chairs, thick Turkish rugs, tall French windows, a wood-burning fireplace, and the fragrance of fresh flowers permeating the air. It is a grand reception, those first few steps into the resort, and one that captures the splendor of The Grand Del Mar experience.

Our first night stay, my husband and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary (child-less) by indulging at the award-winning Addison restaurant. Addison is a contemporary French restaurant located within The Grand Del Mar Clubhouse and is the only San Diegan restaurant to be awarded the coveted Five Diamond award from the AAA (November 2008), Five Star award from Mobil Travel Guide (January 2009) and the most recent Grand Award from Wine Spectator (July 2009). Chef William Bradley suggested Addison Carte Blanche table service, an epicure’s fantasy that puts the element of surprise as the first ingredient. The chef chose each of the seven courses for us (nine if you include the amuse bouche, or pre-course, which was chilled Cavallion Melon Veloute with a hint of basil crémeux soup to cleanse our palette and the Parisian Macarons , the third after-dinner dessert) using all fresh local ingredients. WOW, were we blown away. Each course was perfectly paired by head sommelier and Wine Director, Jesse Rodriguez, with wines from all over the world. Yes, this means seven full glasses of wine during dinner, plus a glass of champagne that set the tone for the entire meal. Talk about needing to pace yourself!

The two courses that stood out the most for the both of us were the third and fourth courses. A beautifully decorated bowl filled with Parmigiano Reggiano Risotto with pistachios, crispy shallots and garlic, paired with a 2006 Pinot Noir from Martinborough, New Zealand. Followed by renowned Braised Short Rib with smoked potato purée, horseradish crémeux drizzled with port wine paired with a 2000 Syrah from Rhône, France. As each course arrived, a detailed description was given of what we were about to taste, and the same went for the wine selection. We found the staff at Addison to be extremely educated, respectfully polite and extremely personable and professional.

At the end of our incredible dining experience came an elegantly embossed, brown envelope. It contained a customized list of each Carte Blanche item we were served along with the wine selection for each pairing signed by Chef William Bradley himself. This was an extraordinary anniversary celebration and I highly recommend Addison to even the pickiest A-list celebrity. You will not be disappointed.

We stayed two nights in a spacious 1,010-square-foot Executive Suite with large French doors that opened to a small veranda overlooking the emerald green golf course. While described as a one-bedroom suite, it included a guest bathroom, living room with comfortable queen-sleeper sofa, kitchen, two 40-inch flat screen LCD TVs with HDTV and two additional 13-inch LCD TVs – one in each bathroom. I suppose with the hefty $270 million price tag, the resort is one of the highest priced new builds in California, averaging more than $1 million per room of invested luxury.

Things to Do At The Grand Del Mar

Guide Hike through Nearby Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve
Unlike any other resort I have visited, The Grand Del Mar employs an onsite naturalist, Dylan Jones and team, who leads guests on guided nature hikes and mountain bike excursions through the nearby 4,100-acre canyon. Intrigued, I opted for the guided nature hike as I was very interested in learning more about San Diego’s natural history. My guide, Robert Butterfield, spoke of the unique geology of the region, the types of plants that have flourished for thousands of years, and the recent footprints left in the sand from a furry, four-legged friend. He knew everything about the area and was very pleasant guide. On our hike, we explored a montage of different color schemes created by elevation changes punctuated by a peacefully flowing waterfall. Natural lovers will surely find this outdoor recreational activity inspirational.

The Spa at The Grand Del Mar
Embracing the creative and rejuvenating spirit of the Renaissance, The Spa at The Grand Del Mar in décor, design, practice, and philosophy, epitomizes that golden era. Utilizing an eco-friendly, holistic approach with a homemade, organic product line consisting of wild herbs, mineral-rich clays, and a plethora of local elements each spa service will invigorate and replenish the spirit. Overwhelmed by the rich menu of  spa treatment from which to choose, I eventually selected the Renaissance Touch Therapy. During this signature body ritual, mineral-rich mud combined with warmed aromatic oils were applied to my body then I was embraced in a warm body wrap before resting in a relaxing free-floating bed. It was unlike any other spa treatment I have ever experienced. An exhilarating Swiss shower followed, along with a relaxing, stretching massage. The whole experience was a heavenly 90 minutes, proceeded by the hour and half I spent taking full advantage of The Spa’s luxurious lounge facilities, which include European-style wet rooms; indoor whirlpools; complimentary water, hot tea and other organic refreshments; top quality spa products; and lavishly appointed relaxation rooms.

The Grand Golf Club
While I was hiking and getting pampered, my husband and his friend, teed up to play one of the regions most dramatic and challenging 18-hole golf courses. Designed by Tom Fazio, the 7,160-yard, par-72 Grand Golf Club spans 380 spectacular acres and accommodates all levels of play. The eager two-some, accompanied by a professional forecaddie, hit the links. The stark, white sand traps, undulating greens and lush canyons challenged their game. The most memorable was Hole 17, a long par-3 into the wind, with a lake that surrounds most of the green giving the impression you are hitting to an island.  On their first attempt, both players donated their ball to the lake, but with the assistance from the forecaddie who provided tips all day on yardage, breaks in the greens, and club selection, both my husband and his buddy, corrected their mishap and completed a very enjoyable golf experience.

Bring the Kids
The second night, we chose to experience a completely different side of the resort; the kid-friendly side by including our two-year old daughter. The concierge sent a real crib with fitted-sheets and bumper, accent pillows, a few toys and a bag of infant toiletries to accommodate the additional guest. We spend the remainder of the day splashing in the heated kid-friendly pool area with underwater speakers, while sipping strawberry daiquiris. We ordered dinner from the 24-hour in-room dining service and ate a delicious meal at our dining table with eight captain’s chairs. If you have had the joyous experience of eating with a toddler, you know that dining in the privacy of your own space is much more relaxing for all.  What a wonderful way to conclude an amazing stay.
The whole experience while staying at The Grand Del Mar made it a destination unto itself with no feature overlooked. The Grand Del Mar is truly grand.

Upcoming Events at Addison
Once-a-Month Classes Taught by The Pros Throughout 2009
Monthly series offerings taught by the culinary team at The Grand Del Mar highlight holiday celebrations as well as seasonal ingredients and wines. Each session is conducted on designated weeknights from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Classes are limited. For reservations and more information, please call 858-314-2000.
Inventive New Golf Program for Kids Underway
The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) has joined forces with The Grand Del Mar to launch the TPI Junior Performance Center – a groundbreaking 38-week program designed to maximize the potential of junior golfers of all ages, from kindergarten through ninth grade. Combining unique physical and mental challenges, the program – the first of its kind – began Monday, August 31, on a 22,000-square-foot space on The Grand Del Mar’s elevated driving range tee box. Each session is $40. For more information on the program or to sign-up for a session or a series, please visit ww.thegranddelmar.com.

Jan 30, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post
Photographic Legend

Photographic Legend

HENRY DILTZ: PHOTOGRAPHIC LEGEND

In 1977, as Paul McCartney headed out on a boat in the Caribbean to record his “London Town” record, he went out of his way to request the accompaniment of now legendary photographer Henry Diltz so that Diltz could do his “fly on the wall thing.”  And indeed, this “thing” has always been what has made Diltz so famous in the normally private lives of music’s royalty.  Diltz never went to photo school and never studied photography.  In fact, the only instruction he ever got was from the back of the little yellow Kodak film box that told him, “If you are shooting in sunshine, make it “250ths of a second and F8.”  And out of that lesson, sprung much of Rock n Roll’s most legendary photographic history.

“Photography became my career the first year I was taking pictures, which was 1966.  I was a folk musician in the band, Modern Folk Quartet and we were traveling around the country doing concerts.  In one trip we stopped and bought these funky cameras and photographed each other for the rest of the tour and got back to LA and had a big slide show for all of our friends and it was so entertaining that I wanted to take a lot more pictures so I could have more slide shows.  So I would photograph my friends quite a bit and some of my friends were well known, like David Crosby, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Mamma Cass.  And so I would photograph them, but they were always friends first.  I would be at Mamma Cass’s house and at the swimming pool or at Stephen Stills’ house or whatever and I would take their picture, not because they were famous but because they were friends of mine.”

And through this friendship, Henry had unprecedented access and the ease of his subjects, which would enable him to capture such authentic and genuine moments.  “They didn’t see me as a photographer.  I was just their friend with a camera in my hand, so it was just a very natural thing.  I would get these very relaxed photos and suddenly people wanted to use them on album covers and for publicity photos and everything else.  And so, it became a way of making a living, an accidental occupation.  I’ve thought of it as that for the 44 years I’ve been shooting.”

“Eventually after 30 some odd years of taking photos, people started asking me about my archive.  And I would think, “archive, what the hell does that mean?”  And I would say, “No I just have a bunch of pictures laying around in boxes.”  About 10 years ago, my pictures starting getting used for their historical value and that has become my primary job these days, sending my work out for books, magazines, newspapers, documentary films, all kinds of things.  There became such a demand that now we have photo galleries in New York and San Diego and we represent 62 other photographers as well.  The galleries are named after one of my more famous photographs, the Morrison Hotel, which became the cover for a Doors album.”

“Naturally, a lot of my photos were taken in concerts, but the ones that people like and the ones that end up on the gallery wall are really shot behind the scenes.  People really like to see what it’s like for these people in their real life.  Ya know, in their back yard or in their living room or even on the tour bus or in the back of the dressing room.  Everybody can see these guys on stage, and any photographer can take the same picture of these artists performing.  All of those photos look very similar, of course, but it’s when you get that one of a kind thing that’s shot when their guard isn’t up, when they are not on stage, that is what people like to see.  And I was lucky enough to get to hang out with these musicians in that way.”

Crosby Stills & Nash:

“That’s the famous first album cover for Crosby, Stills and Nash.  That was taken casually one afternoon for a publicity shot.  They wanted to use it as an album cover, but they were sitting in the wrong order because this is before they finalized the name of the band, the order of their names.  They are sitting in the order of Nash, Stills and Crosby, so I said, no problem, we’ll go back in a couple of days and retake the photo, but when we went back, the house was gone.  It was abandoned and they demolished it.  So we had to use the photo for the album cover with the band sitting out of order.”

Tom Waits

“Tom was a friend of mine and he was working on the music for Coppola’s movie, “One from the Heart,” and I took those pictures while he was doing an interview.  I really like the feel of that photo with the piano in the foreground and Tom Waits singing back on the chair with his pointy shoes and sheet music all over the floor.”

Joni Mitchell

“Joni is in the window of her home in Laurel Canyon.  She was a neighbor of mine, we both lived on Lookout Mountain Avenue and she was living in the house that had the famous Graham Nash song, “Our House is a very, very, very fine house.”  And I would stop by from time to time and I took pictures every now and again.  Joni is a very beautiful person and artist.  She was one of those artists where it came straight from the heart.  That house is still there today.”

The Doors

“That was a transient hotel in downtown Los Angeles.  The sign in the window says rooms, $2.50.  It was a place where winos and transients lived.  And the guy at the front desk wouldn’t give us permission to shoot photos in the lobby so we went outside and when we got outside I saw the guy leave and get in the elevator so I said, “Quick, run in there you guys,” and we shot it in five minutes, click, click, click and got out of there. And that later became the Doors album cover.”

Keith Richard/Ron Wood

“This was taken in a Learjet when we were flying from LA to San Diego and those guys were a captive audience for my camera, but on the other hand, I was a captive audience for their little Keith and Ronnie show that they were doing.  They were constantly joking and messing around.”

Neil Young Ranch

“That was taken one morning in 1971, at Neil’s California ranch.  We were walking around with his” dog and Neil stepped outside of a barn for a moment and I saw him standing there and I took a couple of frames.  Like many of the photos, it wasn’t something that was planned, it just happened in an instant.”

Everybody from Matt Damon to Sheryl Crowe and the Olsen Twins have acquired Henry’s photographs and they are publicly available to be viewed or purchased at the following locations.

The Morrison Hotel Gallery- NYC
124 Prince Street
NY, NY 10012
p): 212-941-8770

The Morrison Hotel Gallery- San Diego
2670 Via De La Valle
Del Mar, CA 92014
p): 85-350-3777

www.morrisonhotelgallery.com

Jan 30, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post
Celebrity

Celebrity

We’re Los Angeles. We love celebrities. Of course we’re also sharing Los Angeles thru the celeb’s eyes (“My ‘hood, my ride, my jam, my Monday night pasta spot”…and most importantly, “my LA story.”)

Jan 30, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post
LAX Info

LAX Info

As the top Origin and Destination airport in the world, with over 61.4 million passengers per year, LAX serves as the global gateway to a modern Los Angeles. Check to get the new news of our beloved airport.

Landmark Theme Building Observation Deck at Los Angeles International Airport to Re-Open This Saturday July 10

LOS ANGELES, July 9, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Observation Deck atop the iconic Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will once again delight travelers and families with a 360-degree view of the airport as it re-opens to the public on weekends only with limited hours — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays beginning this Saturday, July 10, 2010. There is no time limit for how long visitors may stay on the deck. Together with the space-age, retro-themed Encounter Restaurant housed inside the building, the re-opening fully restores an LAX experience that had been a major draw to travelers from around the world.
The Theme Building recently finished a three-year, $12.3-million renovation, which made the structure safer and more accessible. 
The Observation Deck was closed due to security reasons following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the East Coast. New security measures will be in place, including inspection of personal belongings before visitors enter the nonstop elevator for a quick ride from the lobby to the Observation Deck.  Prior to its closing, the Observation Deck welcomed nearly 3,000 people monthly.

U. S. Court of Appeals Decision Allows Enforcement of Non-Solicitation of Funds Policy at Los Angeles International Airport

LOS ANGELES, July 7, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and airport officials are pleased with today’s decision by the United States Court of Appeals lifting the preliminary injunction, imposed in 1997, allowing Los Angeles Airport Police to enforce a Los Angeles City ordinance prohibiting solicitation and receipt of funds in the terminals, parking areas, and adjacent sidewalks at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
“This is a huge step forward in ensuring the comfort and safety of the traveling public at LAX,” said Los Angeles World Airports’ Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey. “From now on the traveling public will not have worry about solicitors asking for money.”
With this decision, Los Angeles Airport Police are able to enforce the ordinance passed by the Los Angeles City Council on April 1, 1997, and upheld by the California Supreme Court on March 25, 2010, to prohibit the International Society for Krishna Consciousness of California, Inc. (ISKON) and other groups from solicitation and receipt of funds in the terminals, parking areas, and adjacent sidewalks at LAX.
Los Angeles Airport Chief of Police George R. Centeno said, “The recent lifting of the court injunction means airport police law enforcement can enforce our City’s laws. This ruling allows us to exercise a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to solicitors asking for immediate donations at LAX.”
Organizations still can distribute literature and speak to willing travelers. They can even seek financial support, as long as they not request the immediate exchange of funds.
Violators face a penalty of up to six months in jail or a fine of $1,000, if convicted.

New Air Service, Flights at LAX Offer Travelers Additional Options for Summer Travel

LOS ANGELES, July 6, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — New air service and additional flights launched within the last two months at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) give travelers more travel options to destinations throughout the world, in time for the summer travel season and beyond.
Alitalia, Allegiant Air, American Eagle, Cathay Pacific, Copa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Horizon Air, JetBlue, Virgin America, and US Airways are offering new service or additional flights throughout the U.S. and overseas due to a slight improvement in the economy. Airport officials forecast 16.9 million passengers to pass through LAX during the summer travel season, an increase of 5.4 percent compared to 2009.
New air service includes:
Alitalia nonstop service to Rome five times a week, the only nonstop flight to Italy from the West Coast;

Allegiant Air nonstop service to Idaho Falls, Idaho, one flight, twice a week; Eugene, Oregon, Thursdays and Sundays; and Tri-Cities, Washington, Thursdays and Sundays;

American Eagle nonstop service to Reno, Nevada, three times daily;

Delta Airlines nonstop daily service to Columbus, Ohio; Hartford, Connecticut; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; and San Francisco;

Horizon Air nonstop daily flights to Mammoth Yosemite Airport and Sun Valley;

JetBlue nonstop flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport, four times daily;

Virgin America daily service to Toronto, Canada;

US Airways nonstop service to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, five and four times a week, respectively; Ottawa and Halifax, Canada, one and three daily flights, respectively.
Airlines offering additional flights on existing routes include:
Cathay Pacific nonstop service to Hong Kong, three times a week;

Copa Airlines daily nonstop service to Panama;

Horizon Air nonstop daily service to Reno, Nevada;
Emirates Airlines is running its “Kids Go Free” program until September 30, where two children under the age of 16 can stay, eat, and play in Dubai for free when travelling with two paying adults. LAX offers one daily flight to Dubai.
Several airlines now offer mobile check-in where passengers can check-in using a mobile phone or web-enabled mobile device. Passengers proceed through security screening and boarding without needing to present a paper boarding pass.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the third busiest airport in the U.S. and sixth in the world, offering more than 565 daily flights to 81 destinations in the U.S. and over 1,000 weekly nonstop flights to 65 international destinations on over 75 carriers. LAX is part of a system of three Southern California airports – along with LA/Ontario International and Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a department of the City of Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.lawa.org.

LAWA Receives LAX Coastal Area Chamber’s Sustainability Award

LOS ANGELES, June 28, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) received the LAX Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainability Award during the chamber’s recent installation dinner at the Westin Los Angeles International Airport Hotel.
“Our mission has always been to balance the needs of the traveling public and the needs of the surrounding community,” said LAWA Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey. “This is an exciting honor for LAWA and the fact that it comes from our immediate neighbor gives us great satisfaction that our efforts are making a difference.”
LAWA has a growing Sustainability Program that includes a comprehensive Sustainability Plan and Airport Sustainability Guidelines. For building projects, LAWA utilizes the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards of the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED standards are an internationally recognized green building certification system that incorporates strategies such as water efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to impacts.
LAWA’s sustainability achievements include improving the quality of air through its increased number of alternative-fuel vehicles, reducing traffic congestion in and around LAX, minimizing waste through its airport-wide recycling programs, and proactive measures to conserve water through the use of reclaimed water and efficient irrigation.
LAWA’s recently completed Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) renovation project achieved LEED Silver Certification and all new terminal facilities are also being designed to achieve LEED certification. The TBIT renovation project demonstrated LAWA’s excellence in promoting sustainable programs and was one of the reasons LAWA was selected for the award. LAWA is just the second organization to receive this honor from the chamber.
“The renovated Tom Bradley International Terminal was completed on-time and under budget, is the only LEED silver certified airport project for an existing building, and was renovated while the terminal was fully operational,” said Thomas Flintoft, chamber chairman. “I applaud Gina Marie Lindsey, her executive staff and the Board of Airport Commissioners for putting our airport on a course to become a world class airport, and for putting in place operational policies that will make LAX a sustainable transportation asset to the community.”

Jan 16, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post
Recent Videos

Recent Videos

Our top video selections

Jan 15, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post
To Do in L.A.

To Do in L.A.

 


We’ve been told too many times that LA is unfriendly. Really, it’s just…big! There are countless ways to meet new friends, colleagues and potential loves-of-a-lifetime.

Los Angeles is more than just a pretty face, and more than just a fantasy. Our multi-faceted city is full of surprises, hidden treasures and reasons to celebrate. Sure, we have enough star power to fuel the Dream Machine–but we also have heroes, geniuses and artists galore. Journey with us past the velvet rope and into the heart of our city. It’s everything you dreamed of, and more.

Nov 12, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post