May 9, 2012
Expat American finds love in Costa Rica
An estimated four to six million Americans live abroad. This is one in a series of interviews with American expats, who offer a unique perspective on the world, and a look at life outside the United States that guide books could never capture.
Kristine Jiménez’s connection to Costa Rica started with a love story.
During the second semester of her junior year at Reed College in Portland, Ore., she did a semester abroad at the University of Costa Rica. The first weekend she arrived was also her birthday weekend, so she convinced some friends to go to the beach. The group took a bus to Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast, and ended up staying at a hotel called the Cabinas Talamanca, which cost $5 a night.
A month later, the group went back and stayed at the same hotel. It was then that Jiménez met the hotel’s assistant manager.
“My Spanish was mediocre at best, and Eduardo didn’t speak any English, but our connection was electric,” she recalls. “From then on, I traveled between (the university at) San Jose and Puerto Viejo. It was an amazing experience.”
Jiménez returned to Portland to finish her degree, then returned to Costa Rica in 1998. Eduardo had built a bamboo hut on his property, and the two lived there for seven months without running water or electricity, bathing in river water, “until I got a staph infection on my skin and decided I’d had enough of playing Tarzan and Jane,” she laughs. “Besides, my student loans were coming due, and it was time to start thinking about next steps.”
Madly in love, the two wanted to stay together, so when Jiménez moved back to the States, she arranged for a fiance visa for Eduardo, who arrived in Seattle, where Jimenez was living in July 1999. Two months later, the 23-year-olds were married.
The couple stayed in Seattle for six years. Eduardo worked as a carpenter and she did public relations work in corporate America. Then, through a random sequence of events, she discovered the EARTH University Foundation.
EARTH University offers studies in sustainable agriculture and natural resource management, with an emphasis on ethical entrepreneurship, community development, and environmental conservation. Most of its 400 students come from disadvantaged, rural communities around the world. The school’s hope is that after graduation, students will return to their countries to promote social, economic and environmental well-being.
Based in Guacimo, Limon Province, Costa Rica, the campus is in the middle of the tropical rainforest. When Jiménez was offered a job as assistant to Jose Zaglul, the university’s president, she said yes and the couple moved back to Costa Rica in 2005.
“We’re almost finished building a weekend home in the same spot where we had the bamboo hut, and I LOVE what I do,” says Jiménez, who is now director of public relations for EARTH University. “I have a purpose, and in some small way, I am helping to change the world.”
Jiménez, who grew up in Colorado, has a Cuban immigrant mother and a Caucasian father. She says she didn’t grow up speaking Spanish, and thinks her gravitation to Latin America is probably related to her desire to connect with a part of her background she didn’t really experience while growing up in Colorado.
“People’s social networks are fulfilled by family here,” Jiménez says. “My husband has a huge family, and I have a very small family. I find it overwhelming sometimes, but it’s also very comforting to know that so many people are there for you.
“As for cultural differences, people are always late here, and there is a bigger emphasis on appearances. But people are also so incredibly generous with their time, and are always polite.”
Today, the couple has two children — Jacob, 4, and Maya, 2. They live on the EARTH University campus in a three-bedroom house that’s a 10 minute walk from her office and a five minute walk from the elementary school where Jacob attends pre-school. Eduardo does carpentry work, and a nanny watches the children and cleans the house.
“We’re very close to our neighbors here,” she says. “We’re kind of one big family. In the United States, we could go months without talking to our neighbors. Most of us are expats here, so we all rely on one another for our social needs.
“Our kids are growing up here with a lot of peace. They are connected with nature. They are in a safe environment on this campus. They’re being raised fully bi-lingual, and get exposed to a lot of different cultures. There isn’t the pressure for material things that there is in the States.”
She notes there are disadvantages of rearing children in the middle of the rainforest, including the lack of art and sports programs, and an educational system that is adequate, but will probably require some supplemental home schooling.
This Sunday is Mother’s Day in the United States, and Jiménez is thinking of putting together a video message from her children and herself for her mother, who now lives in Birmingham.
“Maybe we’ll do something ridiculous, like dance to one of her favorite songs,” Jiménez says. “She hasn’t seen the kids since Christmas, so I think it will be a nice gift for her. She taught me to always try my hardest and teach my kids to do the same, and to encourage my kids to be independent. She taught me that I can be successful professionally, and still be a good mom. It’s not always easy, but it can be done.”
And how will she be spending Mother’s Day in Costa Rica?
“Mother’s Day is a national holiday in Costa Rica, only it’s August 15, not in May,” Jiménez explains. “Since my husband is Costa Rican and we’re living in Costa Rica, we will wait to celebrate in August.”
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For those who want to visit Costa Rica, Jiménez recommends visiting Puerto Viejo, the beach community where she met her husband and fell in love.
Her favorite restaurants there include Maxi’s in Manzanillo, “a funky family-owned restaurant right on the beach that serves traditional Caribbean food from Costa Rica — kind of a mix between Jamaican and Costa Rican food with lots of coconut;” Cafe Viejo, “a hot spot at night that serves delicious and simple Italian food,” and Pecora Nera, “a high end Italian restaurant that is perhaps the best food I’ve had in Costa Rica. It’s expensive, but well worth it. There are a lot of Italians who have settled in Puerto Viejo. Thank goodness for that!”
And if you’d like to experience life in the rainforest, EARTH University offers educational tourism packages, and has a hotel on campus, where visitors can stay. Check out www.earth.ac.cr for more information.
April 11, 2012
Spa-delicious time at Paradise Point
Choosing a treatment at The Spa at Paradise Point in San Diego is like taking a mini-vacation on the island of your choice.
My sister Linda and I, who love getting massages, recently stayed at the luxurious Paradise Point resort on Mission Bay, and decided to spend an afternoon relaxing at The Spa. As we perused the spa’s offerings, it was hard to decide what to try.
Following the theme of the resort, The Spa offers treatments and services that use techniques and ingredients from four exotic destinations — Hawaii, Bali, Fiji and Thailand — as well as the usual Mainland fare.
Samples from the menu:
* Blissful Stone Massage (Fiji) (50 minutes for $150 or 80 minutes for $200) : An ancient massage technique uses heated volcanic river stones to penetrate the deeper layers of your muscles to create a deeper level of relaxation;
* Organic Cocoa Cream Wrap (Bali) (50 minutes for $130): Therapeutic dry brushing prepares the skin for a blend of warm organic cocoa cream and coconut oil infused with vanilla and bergamot, before receiving a face, scalp and foot massage;
* Bamboo Scrub (Hawaii) (25 minutes for $75): A delicate scrub using micro-particles from bamboo to massage and exfoliate, essential oils and a finishing spray of Oligo Relax Mist;
* Heavenly Soak (Thailand) (25 minutes for $75): Unwind in a traditional Japanese soaking tub with a fusion of rich mineral sea salts and essential oils; or
* Tension Tamer (Mainland) (50 minutes for $130 or 80 minutes for $180): Swedish, Deep and Sports techniques combine for a personalized massage treatment.
“All of these treatments are more than just pampering,” says Brenda Larnin, director of The Spa. “Baths are detoxifying. Massage breaks up lactic acid and pain in the muscles. Getting a massage after strenuous activity can be the equivalent of taking two aspirin. After a treatment, the therapist will tell you to drink water when you leave. The health benefits from a couple of extra glasses of water a day are great.”
Larnin points out that stress is an underlying cause of most diseases, so it’s important to unplug and relax, even if just for a 25 minute massage, or a bath treatment.
“You can’t bring that phone into the treatment room with you,” she says. “The recession’s made people more leary of spending money, but once people come, they appreciate the amenities and experience. You get the pool, fitness center, sauna, relaxation, and you can make a whole day of it.”
Linda and I certainly enjoyed our afternoon experience. Entering The Spa, we passed the outdoor pool, a well-equipped fitness center, and gift shop area before walking into the quiet retreat. A salon offering hair, manicure, pedicure, and makeup services was nearby.
After changing into robes and slippers in the women’s locker room — which features dry sauna and steam rooms — we met our spa therapists and parted ways.
Linda went with Mandy, an aesthetician and massage therapist, for her Signature Tropical Paradise Facial from Hawaii (80 minutes for $185), which began with a 25 minute neck, back and shoulder massage. “I really liked it that Mandy was so knowledgeable about skin care,” Linda said later. “She answered all my questions about the procedure, and it was so relaxing to get the massage on the upper body.”
I went with another massage therapist, who gave me a Tropical Essence Massage from Fiji (50 minutes for $160), a treatment that combines the exfoliation of a scrub and the moisturizing feel of a massage. While the massage was competent, it felt a little rushed. The therapist worked to exfoliate the skin, then gave me a few minutes to shower off the scrub before quickly finishing up with a massage. If you’re looking for true relaxation, I wouldn’t recommend this treatment.
After our first treatments, Linda and I sat for a few minutes in the Relaxation Lounge, a quiet waiting area that offers fruit and water. Those making a day of it can order food from a menu, as well.
Before long, therapists came by to get us for our second treatment of the afternoon. Linda went to get the Balinese Massage (50 minutes for $150), which combines techniques of palming, kneading, stretching and pressure point massage to create a calming and invigorating experience.
I chose the Na, Tropical Fruit and Flower Facial (80 minutes for $185), an organic therapy for the face combined with an aromatherapy massage up the shoulders, neck and scalp. Mandy, who also worked on me, said that most customers getting a facial are concerned about aging skin, acne or sun damage.
By the time she was done with me, I felt every bit of tension leave my body. Looking in the mirror, I could see a visible difference with lighter, brighter skin. Needless to say, when we left, Linda and I both bought the facial exfoliant Mandy recommended for our skin, Hylunia’s Grape Seed Exfoliating Scrub ($32).
There’s nothing that lifts the spirit and pampers the body like treating yourself to some time at a spa. So if you’re in San Diego, and relaxation is on your mind, be sure to check out The Spa at Paradise Point.
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The Spa offers daily specials, and will be offering a promotion rate to celebrate Paradise Point’s 50th anniversary. For any massage that offers an 80 minute and 50 minute option, spa goers can get the 80 minute massage at the 50 minute price, subject to availability, from May 1 until the end of the year.
For more information, check out http://www.paradisepoint.com/san-diego-spa-deals.php on the Internet.
April 5, 2012
Finding paradise along the way
Drive onto the grounds of Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego at night, and your body will instantly relax. The lights that lazily wind up the trunks of trees along the driveway entrance say welcome to our island on Mission Bay, leave your cares behind, and listen for the sounds of wind and water.
When my sister Linda and I decided to take a weekend trip to San Diego, home to the first permanent Spanish settlement in California, we wanted to try a spot close to the water. So we chose Paradise Point, a luxury resort that sits on 44 acres of private beaches, walking trails, and tropical greenery.
Built by Hollywood producer Jack Skirball, the resort offers gorgeous views of the Bay, bonfire pits on the sand, and a wonderfully friendly staff that doesn’t mind pointing you in the right direction when you get lost on your walk.
After checking in Friday night, we found our way to our assigned “bungalow,” which was not a free-standing structure, but offered a sense of privacy just steps away from the beach. Walking out the back door, we had our own little patio and could easily imagine ourselves in a tropical paradise.
The recently-renovated guest room had an Indonesian-inspired decor, with teak furnishings and a flat screen television on one wall. The wireless Internet worked well and the lights above the beds were great for reading, but the floors were cold underfoot with no floor coverings.
As we got ready for bed, we caught up on family news and what was going on in each other’s lives. Since Linda lives in Houston, and I live in Los Angeles, it isn’t often that we get the opportunity to spend a few days together and just share. Life goes by so quickly, yet family time often gets put on the back burner.
The next morning, Linda and I took a stroll around the resort. Families are sure to love the numerous swimming pools and water sports offered here. You can go sailing, jet skiing or kayaking at the resort’s marina, or rent a bike and explore the island with pedal power. A SeaWorld water taxi ($9 for adults, $5 for children) will ferry you across the bay if you want to bypass the crowds this summer and avoid the traffic.
As we passed tennis courts, ponds, and the resort’s putting green, Linda’s eyes were drawn to the Island Market, an extensive boutique offering everything from apparel and accessories to forgotten sundries and reading material. So we went in to browse before asking a sales clerk for directions to our afternoon activities.
Happily, everything seems close in San Diego, so it didn’t take long for us to drive downtown for a Flagship whale watching cruise, which features commentary by experts from the Birch Aquarium at Scripps (www.flagshipsd.com). Adult admission is $35 weekdays, and $40 weekends. Youth, ages 4 to 12, cruise for $17.50 weekdays and $20 weekends. Children ages 3 and under are free.
“We’re watching the whales during their migration from Alaska,” explained Rachel Pound, an educator from Birch Aquarium. “They leave home during October and we start seeing them here in December to mid-April. They’re solitary creatures, so they’ll be by themselves, or be with five other whales, 10 at the most. We also see dolphins, who will play alongside the boat, and California sea lions and other species.”
We had a sunny afternoon for our four-hour cruise, and were lucky enough to not only have two whale sightings, but a number of dolphins also swim with us part of the way. While most of us get to see marine life in aquariums, it was amazing to observe sea creatures in their natural habitat.
For dinner that evening, we decided to head to Old Town, the oldest part of San Diego. Mexican lore and historic sites can be found at every turn in the crowded neighborhood that features mostly Mexican restaurants. Traffic is everywhere, so be prepared to walk from wherever you can find an open spot.
One of the oldest surviving buildings in San Diego is the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant (http://oldtowncosmopolitan.com/), which is now the only bed and breakfast hotel in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Catherine Miller, one of the co-owners of the concession, gave us a peek at one of the 10 private rooms with private bathrooms above the restaurant.
“This is the largest house in the square, and everything is furnished with period antiques,” said Miller. “The 1870 bar downstairs came from a saloon in Silver City, Idaho. It was apparently bought by Wyatt Earp, put in storage, and then was found through eBay. The property has wonderful trees. We have lemon, lime, olive, fig and loquat trees that give us fruit that we use in the bar and kitchen.”
The kitchen, under the direction of Executive Chef Andrew Sasloe, produces an amazing variety of dishes with a distinctive flair. Dinner entrees run the gamut from seafood and pasta to chicken and steak, as well as Mexican favorites.
The appetizers ranged from house-made Guacamole with Sea Salted Chips ($7.25) to an Artisan Cheese Board ($14.95). We tried the Beef Fritters with Chimichurri Pesto ($9.50), which turned out to be the one disappointment of the evening, as the meat was a tad tough.
For her entree, Linda decided to try the Expresso-Braised Kobe Short Rib, with Smashed Potatoes, and Root Vegetables in a Cabernet Reduction ($17.95). She raved over the flavor of the tender short rib and said all veggies should taste so good.
I chose the Jumbo Shrimp Scampi with Portobello Mushroom Ravioli, Oven-Dried Tomato and Shaved Black Truffles ($17.95). It was a heavenly combination that made me want the recipe. After tasting Linda’s entree, as well, I would say that dinner at this restaurant is a fantastic find, especially with its reasonable price point.
Desserts (at $6.95) included Seasonal Gelato, Cinnamon Churros, and more. We gave in and ordered the Cardamom Spiced Carrot Cake Pop-Over, which was a sinfully rich indulgence with citrus cream cheese, crystalized ginger, sun-dried cranberries and slivered almonds. If you’re in Old Town, this is definitely the place to dine.
A visit to Old Town would not be complete without exploring the mystery of Whaley House (http://whaleyhouse.org/ghostly.htm), known as a San Diego historic landmark and one of the most famous haunted houses in the country.
From the outside, the mid-19th Century Greek Revival home doesn’t look spooky at all. But when you take the last tour of the evening at 9:30 p.m. and listen to a tour guide share the history of the place, you just might get a chill.
Built on land where people once hung from the town gallows, the building that stands there has alternately served as a granary, courthouse, general store, and commercial theater, as well as the home of Thomas Whaley and his family.
Visitors have reported seeing several ghosts in the house, including those of Thomas Whaley, his wife Anna and the family dog, Dolly.
“There have been seven identified spirits in the house, none of them malicious,” said Andrea, our tour guide for the evening. “I’ve worked as a docent here for four years, and have experienced numerous things. Creaking floors, chandeliers swinging. One night, one of the crystals in a chandelier started vibrating and I saw it. Why was it happening? It didn’t make any sense, but these things happen frequently.”
Linda and I are both sci-fi fans, so we enjoyed the paranormal tales, even if we left with none of our own to tell. We were, however, happy that it was short drive back to Paradise Point. You never know when ghosts will choose to follow.
The next morning, we headed out to Little Italy where we had Sunday brunch at Davanti Enoteca (http://davantisandiego.com/), a wine bar bistro with a lovely courtyard and private booths out back.
The intimate eatery, with wood plank walls and exposed beams in the ceiling, is reminiscent of neighborhood restaurants on New York’s East Side. A Sunday brunch menu features Italian fare that’s plentiful and filling.
Linda enjoyed the Davanti Burger ($12), which came with shoestring fries and the expected accompaniments, and an antipasti dish of Crispy Pork Belly and Peach Mostarda ($8). She deemed the burger an excellent choice, but said the pork belly was closer to its Chinese version than expected. “It was, well… just pork belly,” she said.
I had the Calzone del Mezzardro, folded pizza dough around scrambled eggs, potato hash, sausage and provolone cheese ($10). Unfortunately, the filling was slightly dry. For the price, though, the offerings were a great value.
It was neat strolling through the neighborhood of Italian bakeries (I had to pop into one for a bagful of cookies), grocery stores, gifts shops, and restaurants. Parking is difficult here, so be prepared to walk a few blocks.
The afternoon was spent back at Paradise Point, getting pampered in the resort’s wonderful spa, but more about that another time.
At the risk of sounding like foodies, Linda and I love to try different restaurants. There’s nothing as meaningful as breaking bread together, and we were happy to discover that Paradise Point has two restaurants well worth trying.
One morning, we stopped in at the Barefoot Bar & Grill, the more casual spot, for breakfast. Tables on the deck seemed a little chilly, so we opted for a spot indoors. Offerings here include the omelettes, French toast, and steak and eggs that you’d expect at any hotel restaurant. The difference is, everything was mouth-wateringly delicious.
Linda ordered the Eggs Benedict ($13), which were perfectly poached, and served with grilled potatoes. I had the Irish Steel Cut Oatmeal ($7), which came with dried fruit, roasted nuts and brown sugar, a hearty way to start the morning. Fresh orange juice was $4. While we arrived slightly after 9:30 a.m., the restaurant was already out of their fresh baked muffins ($3), so they must have been yummy.
Lunch, on another day, was equally satisfying. Linda’s Cobb Salad ($15) was excellent, and my Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Pulled Pork and Tomato Basil Soup ($14) hit the spot. You know a restaurant is solid when the popular dishes sound pedestrian, but please the palate.
Our last night at Paradise Point ended with an evening at Baleen, the resort’s restaurant for fine dining. In keeping with the resort’s paradise theme, fanciful monkeys are hidden in the restaurant’s wall murals and perch playfully around the chandeliers. An open kitchen sits on one side of the dining room, with a fireplace adding warmth to the other.
The service is here impeccable, and by the welcome smell of the house Monkey Bread — a Foccacia with rosemary, thyme, butter and parmesan cheese — you know it’s going to be a memorable meal.
Appetizers range from an Artisan Cheese Plate ($15) to Seared Diver Scallops ($19), but since both Linda and I didn’t want to stretch our tummies too much, we decided to just split the Poached Pear and Arugula Salad ($11), which came with Bosc Pear, Candied Walnuts and Roquefort Cheese.
For an entree, Linda chose the Apple Brined and Glazed Pork Chop, accompanied by a Chipolte Sweet Potato Gratin, Smoked Apple Slab Bacon, Apple and Pecan Relish and Long Beans ($28). I selected the Wood Roasted Half Chicken with Seasonal Baby Vegetables, Goat Cheese Arugula Potato Puree, and Wild Mushrooms in Herb Citrus Butter ($26).
If you think those descriptions are a mouthful, they were, but oh, what a mouthful they made. The nicely seasoned, pork chop was thick and tender. The chicken was juicy and nearly melted in my mouth. We both cleaned the vegetables off our plates.
When it came to dessert, we almost declined, but when the house specialty was described, we couldn’t resist. The Black Bottom Creme Brulee with Fresh Berries and a Cookie ($8) came with a chocolate surprise underneath the traditional French custard. Needless to say, we left Baleen that night wishing we had room for more.
Our weekend in San Diego was jam-packed with sightseeing, and staying at Paradise Point turned out to be a luxurious treat. Not only was it within a 15 minute drive of everything we wanted to see, it was a comfortable retreat to return to each night.
It’s nice to know that even if you’ve only got three nights to get away, paradise can still be found.
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For room rates and more information on Paradise Point, check out http://www.paradisepoint.com/ on the Internet.
March 28, 2012
Seaside fun found in San Diego
The best thing about traveling with your sister is having a companion who knows your tastes and habits, and doesn’t hold it against you.
My sister Linda and I recently spent a lovely weekend in San Diego, a beautiful city on the California coastline that offers everything from whale watching and tours of historic ships to shopping and dining in ethnic neighborhoods. And that’s just a fraction of the fun we were able to squeeze into our two-and-a-half day trip.
Our first stop on Friday afternoon was at the Maritime Museum of San Diego (www.sdmaritime.org), which boasts an amazing collection of historic ships that visitors can walk through and experience first-hand. Aboard the Star of India, which launched in 1863, we watched a group of school children turn the wheel that hoisted a sail under the watchful eye of a museum instructor in period costume.
“Aye, aye, Captain, sir!” the students called out, enthusiastically, as they took turns at the capstan.
The exhibits, which chronicle the adventures of the immigrant ship and commercial vessel, were fun to walk through. We marveled at the size of the bunks, which must have accommodated very short sailors.
After a peek at HMS Surprise, a replica of a late 18th century Royal Navy frigate used in the production of “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” we went down the hatch of a B-39 Soviet attack submarine built in 1974 that was one of a fleet of Soviet subs that shadowed U.S. Navy ships during the Cold War.
Linda was a good sport about indulging my museum-going interest. I know she’s the type who can run through museums that don’t interest her, so I thought this unique collection of ships would offer an interactive experience she’d enjoy.
There’s no better way to learn about history, after all, than to put yourself in the shoes of the past, and this unique museum was definitely worth the visit to both of us. Admission costs range from $8 for children 6 to 12 to $14 for adults. Children 5 and under are free. The museum also offers an historic Bay cruise for $3, with museum admission, on the Pilot, a restored 1914 boat that ferried harbor pilots to merchant ships entering San Diego Bay.
Not far from the Maritime Museum was another amazing and inspiring museum — the U.S.S. Midway, an aircraft carrier that was converted into a naval aviation museum in 2004 (http://www.midway.org/). We didn’t spend enough time at this stop, but were able to take in the planes on the hanger deck, the officers’ quarters, kitchen, and, of course, the gift shop.
Next on our itinerary was a stop at nearby Seaport Village (http://www.seaportvillage.com/), a sweet shopping and restaurant destination on West Harbor Drive. Visitors will find more than 50 shops and 17 eateries here, perfect for those looking to spend some tourist dollars.
Linda, who LOVES to shop, enjoyed walking through various boutiques to check out their island-themed merchandise. My favorite shops were the Upstart Crow, a bookstore and coffeehouse that had wonderful children’s books and gifts, and Silver Crossing, a jewelry shop that specializes in silver, crosses and inspirational gifts. Since I don’t have pierced ears (and refuse to poke holes in them), I loved that you could buy any pair of earrings here and have them converted on the spot to clip earrings.
“My dad retired from the Navy and learned how to be a silversmith,” says Cindy McAdams, the owner of Silver Crossing. “My mom designed jewelry sometimes, and they taught me most everything I know.”
It’s always nice to see interests pass down to the next generation, and yes, I bought a lovely pair of dangling rose quartz earrings. After McAdams converted them to clip earrings, Linda suggested that I wear them through dinner so that I’d know if they needed further adjusting before we left Seaport Village.
When it came time for dinner, Linda and I sampled the offerings at the Edgewater Grill (http://www.edgewatergrill.com/), one of several eateries at Seaport Village. The restaurant, which features views of San Diego Bay and Coronado Island, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a happy hour at the bar from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
The dinner menu includes appetizers that range from $9.95 for three sliders to $14.95 for steamed clams or ceviche. We sampled the fried calamari ($12.50), which were crispy with the right amount of salt, and a cup of New England clam chowder ($5.95) for our starters.
The menu offers everything from an Ahi Salad for $19.95 to gourmet pizzas for $14.95. Linda, who loves Mexican food, decided to try the fresh fish tacos ($16.95), which came with grilled white sea bass and avocado cilatro crema on corn tortillas with ficama slaw. While the fish had a nice flavor, she thought the two tacos were somewhat tasteless.
I chose the seared scallops ($26.95), which came with slow roasted garlic potatoes and mixed vegetables. The scallops had a lovely applewood smoked bacon ibeurre blanc sauce over them, but the mixed vegetables were a mixed bag — the zucchini was nicely done, but the carrots weren’t cooked enough, for my taste.
There were numerous dessert options, and we chose the apple pear strudel with vanilla ice cream ($8), which made a sweet, conventional ending to the meal. For a dinner menu that offers a little something for everyone, The Edgewater Grill hits the spot.
After dinner, my earlobes started complaining that the new earrings needed further adjustment, so we headed back to Silver Crossing before it closed.
“See?” said Linda. “Aren’t you glad you wore them through dinner?”
Yes, it’s true — sisters often know best.
March 14, 2012
Scarpetta shines at modern Italian cuisine
A long, thin bar runs the length of the entrance to Scarpetta in Las Vegas, parallel to a series of semi-private cubby-hole tables set into the opposite wall. It’s a cool, contemporary look that sets the tone for the menu and dining experience at celebrity chef Scott Conant’s home for Italian cuisine in Sin City, located on the third floor of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Like the other four Scarpetta restaurants — in New York, Beverly Hills, Miami, and Toronto — the Vegas rendition offers a modern interpretation to Italian classics, starting with Conant’s signature spaghetti with tomato and basil, served al dente with lots of basil and a hint of red chili flakes.
About a third of the menu is comprised of Conant staples, with the rest of the offerings created around what’s available locally. Vegas may be in the desert, but the restaurant imports fresh produce and meat from neighboring California.
Bread lovers will swoon over the four Italian bread offerings — filone, a classic yeast bread similar in texture to the French baguette; a whole wheat foccacia, stromboli filled with meat and cheese, and ciabattini. But don’t fill up too fast because there’s so much more to savor.
Primi piatti standouts include the roasted chestnut soup ($15), a delicious fricasse of black truffle mushrooms with polenta ($17), and Executive Chef Dan Rossi’s roasted sea scallop with cauliflower, bottarga, chili and caper salmoriglio ($18).
The one small disappointment amidst the pasta offerings was the short rib agnolotti ($25), which was more gamey in taste than expected. Entrees range from roasted organic chicken ($31) and black cod ($32) to a 24 oz. beef ribeye ($62). Meat lovers will be happy with the Colorado lamb loin ($40), which came nearly rare, accompanied by eggplant, artichokes and pearl onion.
Wine connoisseurs will appreciate the restaurant’s extensive wine collection. However, it’s a shame that the odd-shaped dining room, which offers a splendid view of the Bellagio water fountains and Strip, is so dimly lit with a monotone feel. Food so delectable should be served in a more distinctive setting.
For dessert, don’t miss the coconut panna cotta ($11) with coconut sorbetto, guava soup and pineapple. The Amedei chocolate cake, with toasted almond gelato and salted caramel sauce ($11) is a close second.
A signature tasting menu ($110 per person) with two appetizers, pasta, two entrees and dessert will leave diners more than satisfied.
The service here is impeccable, with a wait staff that anticipates when you need more water in your glass, or a new fork for the next course. But traditionally stuffy this place is not.
“The trend in fine dining is refined, but approachable,” explains Executive Chef Dan Rossi, who joined Scarpetta after serving as executive chef of the former David Burke Las Vegas restaurant in the Venetian Hotel down the Strip. “We offer incredible quality at a reasonable price. You can come here in a t-shirt and jeans and feel comfortable. It’s the new wave of fine dining.”
Rossi, who favors wearing a black chef’s coat and jeans, is passionate about the dishes he and his staff of 26 create. He credits his boss with creating a restaurant concept that’s easy for foodies to love.
“Scott is very down to earth and knows what he wants,” Rossi says. “The food is straight-forward, so it was a natural fit for me. Italian food is genuine. It’s very rustic and peasant-like, but we have a certain sophistication here. Scott calls it modern Italian.”
Rossi, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, started cooking at 14 years old, and did his share of washing dishes and prep work in an Italian family restaurant before attending the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute in Pittsburgh. He’s studied with a number of notable chefs, including Alessandro Stratta, working at four of his restaurants.
“I knew I wanted to do this at a young age,” Rossi says. “I’m a perfectionist in the kitchen. Sometimes I’ll raise my voice, or throw something, to get things moving. But I want people to have a great memory of their experience here. I’ve worked at a lot of great restaurants, and what people get here is incredible.”
Buon appetito!
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For hours and menu information, check out http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/taste/restaurant-collection/scarpetta.aspx on the Internet.
March 7, 2012
Stroll through Monet’s ‘Impressions of Light’
The Bellagio Las Vegas is known for many things, such as its dancing water fountain show, gourmet dining, and high end casino gaming featured in the 2001 remake of “Ocean’s Eleven.”
What many visitors may not realize is that the art gallery in the movie actually exists at the resort, as well. A hidden treasure that would delight any art afficionado, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art lies down a corridor past the guest rooms and shops, offering a peaceful respite from the sound of slot machine trills and roulette wheels.
The current exhibition, “Claude Monet…Impressions of Light,” features 20 works by the famous French impressionist, along with eight other paintings by Monet’s predecessors and contemporaries, including Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Camille Pissarro, Eugene Louis Boudin, Constant Troyon, Charles Francois Daubigny, and Paul Signac (a neo-Impressionist whose Pointillist style followed Impressionism).
The 11-month show, organized in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, will be on display until Jan. 6, 2013.
“We’re getting an overwhelming response to this exhibition,” says Tarissa Tiberti, director of the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. “The past couple of shows have been summaries of the figure and landscape. I thought this would be a good time to go deeper into Impressionism. The whole show is dedicated to one genre. It’s also a bit more what visitors are used to seeing.”
The gallery space is small and can be toured in less than half an hour, but the exhibition is nicely mounted, and visitors can take a self-guided tour with audio wands that are included in the price of admission. A docent-led tour is also offered daily at 2 p.m.
The $15 general admission fee seems excessive, given that admissions to entire art museums across the country are comparable in price, or slightly higher. But since gaming revenue isn’t what it used to be, ancillary casino attractions are clearly expected to help make up the difference.
The paintings in this exhibit span four decades of Monet’s career, and include many of his most recognized works, including “Camille Monet and a Child in the Artist’s Garden in Argenteuil,” 1875 and “Charring Cross Bridge (Overcast Day),” 1900.
Monet’s words on one wall of the gallery reveal a perspective that could be said of life itself: “For me, a landscape does not exist in its own right, since its appearance changes at every moment; but the surrounding atmosphere brings it to life, the air and the light, which vary continually… For me, it is only the surrounding atmosphere that gives subjects their true value.”
For those who would like to have a more interactive conversation about the exhibition, the gallery offers “Art & Wine” talks every second Wednesday of the month.
“Jason Smith, the master sommelier and wine director at the Bellagio, pairs wines — and possibly champagnes — with the artwork,” explains Tiberti. “He will talk about the wine selections, and I talk about the artwork.
Tiberti says the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is the only fine art museum in a casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
“Thirteen percent of our visitors are locals, and the rest are tourists who come from all over,” she notes. “We provide a unique, intimate viewing experience. It’s a chance to get away from the casinos, and provides a different kind of entertainment. It’s different from the norm of what you expect to see in Vegas.”
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Hours of admission are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with last admission at 7:30 p.m . General admission, $15; Nevada residents, $12; Wednesday Locals Night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. ($8 admission with valid Nevada ID); Seniors 65 and older, $12; Students/Teachers/Military, $10; Children 12 and Under, free.
For more information, call (702) 693-7870, or check out http://www.bellagio.com/attractions/gallery-of-fine-art.aspx on the Internet.
November 26, 2011
‘A Country Christmas’ of hope
Winter may signal chilly weather to most of the country, but it also brings the holiday season, filled with the promise of joy and hope. My friend Christine, who lives an hour outside of Nashville, has often told me about an amazing exhibition of ice sculptures that is held annually at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, carved by artisans from Harbin, the capital city of China’s northernmost province, across the border from Siberia.
This year, in celebration of her second year of remission from ovarian cancer, we went to Opryland for a girls’ weekend, and were able to get a preview of ICE!, an indoor wonderland of larger-than-life sized sculptures and ice slides that kids and the young at heart can play on.
The attraction, now open through Jan. 3, 2012, is part of the resort’s 28th annual “A Country Christmas,” which includes shows with The Radio City Rockettes, Louise Mandrell and interactive events with animated characters from various DreamWorks movies.
This year’s ICE! show — “DreamWorks’ Merry Madagascar,” featuring interactive scenes from the movie — will be held in a new 40,000 square foot building on the resort, erected in the aftermath of last May’s flood.
“We used to do it in an old theater, but the flood took it away,” says Ken Groneck, special events director for Opryland. “This is our 10th anniversary show. In the beginning, International Special Attractions (ISA) approached us with the idea for the show. It was so popular the first year, we brought it back. We did generic water ice scenes for the first few years, then added the ice slides.”
By the mid-2000s, colored ice was added to accentuate the designs, then interactive exhibits, like an ice train that kids could walk through. Each year, 40 master carvers from Harbin arrive 30 days before the show’s opening to begin work on the masterpieces.
As we walk through part of the exhibit, dressed in thick parkas against the chilly 9 degrees, we catch glimpses of an amazing ice castle and giant ice slide. Some of the artisans, busy at work, stop to look curiously at us as we walk by. Others are too absorbed in their task to glance up.
My request to interview an artisan is denied, with time being short before the show opens, and I wonder how much of the reluctance is due to fear of Chinese government reprisal for any misinterpreted comments. It’s sad that there isn’t more interaction between the Americans and Chinese while they’re here to bridge our cultures, but at least visitors to the show will gain an appreciation for the artistry that comes from China.
After saying farewell to some icy “Merry Madagascar” characters, Christine and I leave the building to get some lunch at the Cascades American Cafe, back at the hotel. Talk about change of scenery. As we sit in an alcove under tropical greenery, we listen to the sound of a cascading waterfall nearby and peruse the menu.
Appetizers here range from a trio of artisan cheeses for $14 to Korean barbecue lettuce wraps for $16. We choose to share the low country crab cake appetizer for $18, which is easily the best thing on the menu. Made of pure crab meat with a little filler of panko bread crumbs, the crab cakes are a taste from seafood heaven.
Soup and salad offerings are fairly typical, including crab bisque for $9 and a Caesar salad with chicken, steak or shrimp for $16. Entrees, in the $17 to $22 range, run the gamut from San Diego fish tacos and a grilled cheeseburger to a Tuna Caponata salad, with seared tuna and warm eggplant.
Chef Seth Kondor, who used to run the Old Hickory Steakhouse at the resort, is changing the menu at Cascades to center around Southern comfort food. As a result, the Blue Plate Special, which Christine orders, is macaroni and cheese with pulled pork and barbecue sauce. It’s an interesting combination, but needs more cheese.
I get the griddled Monte Cristo sandwich, a ham, turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich on brioche bread, with French fries. For $17, the sandwich is tasty, but disappointingly small in portion size. Traditional desserts, priced at $8, include seasonal fruit cobbler, Southern pecan tart and chocolate toffee layer cake.
As we finish our meal, Christine and I talk about the things we’re working on in our lives — my next magazine project, Christine’s next Humane Society fundraiser — then the conversation turns back to the things we need to do to stay healthy.
“One of the first things my oncologist said to me was to be serene, and live in the middle of the road,” Christine says. “It’s taken a long time for Americans to understand the Asian philosophy of living in the middle of the road, not being frenetic all the time, or angry all the time.”
Being a former space biologist for NASA, Christine added the scientific rationale behind the philosophy. “Cortisol levels rise when you have anxiety or are frenetic,” she says. “It acts like an acid running through your bloodstream, and undermines the health of everything — your heart, your arteries. Constant noise increases cortisol levels, too. We need time for serenity, peace, and quiet, and in today’s society, that freaks people out.”
It’s sad that creating time for rest and relaxation can be frightening to some, since all work and no play just makes crazy, stressed out people.
After lunch, Christine and I head for the resort’s Relache Spa, where Christine enjoys their 50-minute signature facial ($145) and I get a 50-minute Swedish massage ($140). It’s hard to get up after your muscles have turned to mush, but Christine heads to the indoor pool for a swim, and I catch up with spa director Yolanda Harris-Jackson.
“While some consider us to be a luxury business, I consider us as fostering wellness in life,” Harris-Jackson says. “The economy’s been crazy, but business is getting better for us. People are coming in to take better care of themselves because they’re stressed out. Conventions are adding new rejuvenation breaks during their meetings.”
The spa created a three-hour mind-body-spirit session that convention groups can add to their program. Sessions include meditation, education on skin care, and a yoga, pilates or stretching class. The spa also organizes 5K runs around the property early in the morning for convention-goers.
“Groups are learning that these things help with productivity,” Harris-Jackson says.
That evening, Christine and I head to the Old Hickory Steakhouse for dinner. The restaurant, which features certified Black Angus beef from the Harris Ranch in San Joaquin Valley, is in a replica of a Southern mansion.
The menu here offers appetizers ranging from escargot with Shitake mushrooms ($13) to a poached duck foie gras with lemon cornbread cake and blackberry jam ($19). Soups and salads are standard fare, with side dishes like asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, or blue cheese and thyme potatoes au gratin, served family style for $10 each.
This time, Christine opted for the filet mignon ($39) with a crab oscar topping ($14) and a tomato salad of heirloom tomatoes, arugula, and Maytag bleu charred onions in tomato vinaigrette ($12). While the salad was light with a nice blend of flavors, the filet was overdone, which was disappointing for a steakhouse.
I chose the cast iron seared salmon with grilled romaine, summer squash, and panzella salad ($36), which was delicious. Bits of fried zucchini blossom and roasted pepper gave the dish a nice texture, and the salmon was done perfectly.
When it came to dessert, I couldn’t resist the chocolate hazelnut bar with espresso anglaise ($12), which was scrumptious. Can you tell I have a sweet tooth?
The resort has a good blend of restaurants that offer fare at various price ranges, but as our experience at Old Hickory Steakhouse shows, what you get on any given day is only as good as the cook and waiter on duty.
For example, we had a very nice meal at the moderately priced Jack Daniels, where we stopped in for breakfast before checking out. Designed to be a night spot in the evenings, Jack Daniels is experimenting with breakfast fare, and offers a buffet for $13.95.
The scrambled eggs, biscuit and gravy, fried green tomatoes, hash brown casserole and Texas toast give a nod to Southern tastebuds, with some Southern grits that had Christine swooning.
It was hard to leave after two days of eating without restraint, getting pampered at the spa, and enjoying the holiday sights at Opryland. Clearly, we picked the right place for our girls weekend.
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For room rates and special packages, check out http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-opryland/.
November 23, 2011
Opryland reunion brings joy
Two years ago, my friend Christine received the shocking news that she had ovarian cancer. Thankfully, doctors did surgery immediately, and the tumor was removed before it could spread.
Ignoring the rocky economy, we decided to celebrate her continued remission recently with a girls’ weekend at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville near her home. Call us sentimental, but being surrounded by beautiful holiday decorations in a landmark resort that has come back from a devastating flood was particularly inspirational.
When Middle Tennessee experienced a series of storms last May, the resort and its indoor atriums were flooded under 10 feet of water and had to close for several months. Walking through the resort today, you’d never know that guests had to be evacuated in the pouring rain as electricity failed and darkness fell over the area.
“The lower rooms flooded in the Delta section of the hotel, and people were bused to a local high school,” remembers Hollis Malone, director of horticulture at Gaylord Opryland. “It was a horrible sight to see all the chairs floating over all my plants. It was all mud. When the water in the Cumberland River went down, we mucked the place out, and cleaned and disinfected the hotel. Everyone rallied to the cause.”
More than 3,000 cubic feet of soil was removed to get the odor and contaminants out, and while the plants outside the hotel survived, much of the greenery inside was destroyed. So Malone ordered new plants and restored the gardens with 14 tractor-loads of greenery.
“I like to display different varieties of plants because most people don’t get to see them,” says Malone, pointing out various poinsettias — Sonora White Glitter, White Star, Ice Punch and more — on display for the holidays. “Artificial light makes the bracts fade, so we change them out a couple of times during the season. In the conservatory, no matter what the weather is outside, you feel like it’s a a good day in here.”
Malone’s staff takes care of the waterfalls and fish in the ponds, and maintains 10 greenhouses that are the holding ground for green plants on the property. This year, they’ve also strung more than 200,000 Christmas lights inside and two million lights in the trees outside.
Walking among the twinkling lights creates a feeling of wonder and joy, reminding the spirit that no matter what happens, Love will prevail. In a world where daily schedules can be frenetic, it often takes a jolt — like a health crisis — to make us stop and think about what we’re doing.
Christine’s cancer diagnosis made her examine her life and slow down for the really important things. Her illness made me appreciate our time together all the more, and while we live in different parts of the country, we both resolved to visit together in person more often.
That evening, Christine and I head for Ravello, a new Italian restaurant at the resort named after a resort town on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Ravello features seafood, spices and vegetables from the area, as well as cheeses and wines from the Campagna region.
The maitre d’fromage comes by with an antipasti selection of cured meats and cheeses that looks wonderful, so we choose a few to try (price varies by selection), along with an eggplant parmesan appetizer ($12) and a caprese salad of mozzarella cheese, slow roasted jewel box tomatoes, and fried basil leaves ($11), which we shared.
I’m not a big fan of cured meats, but the prosciutto di Parma was fabulous, and the Asiago cheese was delicious. The eggplant parmesan had a nice flavor, but was not as tender as we would have liked. Both of us thought the eggplant rind should have been peeled off, which makes eggplant easier to digest. The peeled cherry tomatoes in the caprese salad, however, were outstanding with the mozzarella cheese and garlic olive oil, balsamic vinegar and pesto dressing.
For our entrees, Christine chose the sea scallops and sweet potato ravioli in pumpkin seed pesto with whipped marscapone cheese ($32), and I ordered the filet mignon, served over butternut squash risotto, with mushroom conserva and crispy spinach ($42). Both of us were impressed with our dishes.
Our waiter, a fellow named Samir from Egypt, was so attentive, he asked whether my “medium” preference for the filet mignon should be closer to medium rare or medium well. The steak was done to perfection, which is rare for a non-steakhouse restaurant, and presented beautifully with the risotto and spinach.
Christine had no room for dessert, but I couldn’t resist, and ordered the tiramisu semifredo ($8), which was made with semi-frozen mascarpone blended with espresso and layered between ladyfingers. All I can say is… I cleaned the plate. Yum!
Our only criticism of Ravello was the design of the chairs, which have elongated seats. They’re cushy to sit on, but we noticed that all the women in the restaurant sat as we did — forward on the edge of their seats, without support for their backs. The men who had longer legs, however, could sit back and looked perfectly comfortable.
At the end of the meal, Samir packed a little leftover box for us and shared that he’d worked at Gaylord Opryland for more than a decade. “I take great joy in serving people,” he said. “I ask God every day to tell me how I can better serve.”
Reminders of what is important in life clearly comes into our lives every day. All we have to do is listen.
September 27, 2011
Winter needs a new home
Walk up to the pool where the real star of the new film “Dolphin Tale” lives, and you’re likely to get a curious look from the five-year-old female Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin named Winter.
Happy to speak her mind, the dolphin emits her signature whistle — a tweety bird sound — as she’s fed a snack by Abby Stone, senior marine mammal trainer at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA).
“We believe dolphins have a more advanced form of communication than other species,” Stone says, petting Winter’s flank as she stretches the rear end of the dolphin to work her muscles and tendons. “They’re good problem solvers and have good memory. The brain to body proportion is large, and while we don’t know what they use the larger brain for, in a group, they work together. They have cooperative hunting, are capable of play, and being deceptive.”
In other words, they know how to fool anyone who thinks they’re smarter than the average dolphin.
The story of this particular dolphin came to the world’s attention several years ago when Winter was found entangled in a crab trap near Cape Canaveral by a local fisherman. The wounds on the animal were so deep that the tail tissue was dead and fell off within a few days of being rescued and taken to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
“A lot of what you see in the movie ‘Dolphin Tale’ is what we do in real life,” says David Yates, CEO of the aquarium. “We’re on call 24/7. Our job is rescue, rehabilitation and release. If a wounded animal won’t survive in the wild, they’re kept here. We promote environmental work to inspire people to take better care of our marine life environment.”
Six years ago, the aquarium was in debt and in danger of closing, so Yates decided to use Winter’s story to draw attention to the animal hospital, holding a series of “Save Winter” events as fundraisers.
“When Winter’s tail came off, she shouldn’t have survived,” Yates says. “If she can’t swim and come to the surface to breathe, she’d die. So we held her up 24 hours a day until we could figure out what to do.”
News reports of the dolphin’s rescue and loss of her tail prompted Kevin Carroll, and Dan Strzempka, prosthetists with Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics (which makes prosthetic limbs for humans) to volunteer to try to make a tail for Winter. The two prosthetics designers, Dr. Mike Walsh, a marine mammal veterinarian, and CMA’s marine mammal trainers formed a braintrust that then created an artificial tail for Winter.
In the process, they also developed “Winter’s Gel,” a sock made of very soft rubbery material, to help keep the tail on the dolphin. “Winter’s Gel” is now used to also help many veterans and amputees reduce the pain of wearing their prostheses.
Winter now wears her tail four or five times a day as she continues to adapt to it. The dolphin is fitted for a new tail every two months because of her continued growth.
In addition to working with dolphins, CMA rescues turtles, river otters, and is on-call to respond to other marine animals in distress.
For the filming of “Dolphin Tale,” Alcon Entertainment built an addition to the aquarium where most of the scenes with Winter were filmed. The “Dolphin Deck” remains as a facility that is now used to rehabilitate wounded animals.
The aquarium has launched a campaign to “Help Build Winter’s New Home,” planning to build a new animal care area that would allow it to double the number of animals it can rehabilitate, and build a new dolphin complex to give Winter and her friends more living space.
“We’ve got commitments for $3 million of the $12 million that’s needed for the expansion,” Yates says. “We’re hoping that after seeing ‘Dolphin Tale,’ the world will help us build Winter’s new home.”
To see Winter’s real home at CMA, check out http://www.seewinter.com/.
July 21, 2011
Behind the buffet line…
If you love tasting a little bit of this and a little bit of that, the Bellagio Buffet in Las Vegas is the place to be… and if you look behind the scenes, you’ll understand why.
While many buffets suffer from heat lamp exhaustion and unimaginative menus, the buffet at the Bellagio offers a varied selection of freshly made items from cuisines around the world, as well as traditional American favorites.
On a recent visit, I watched fresh offerings rotate through the line constantly, with no dish sitting more than 15 to 20 minutes before being replenished with fresh fare. Now that’s how you keep customers coming back for more.
“At 10 p.m., we still have people paying to come in, so the entire line is restocked for the last half hour,” explains Executive Chef Gerald Harrington, who oversees the buffet. “Whatever’s not eaten at the end of the day on the line gets thrown out because you don’t want to contaminate anything. We have large dumpsters of organic scraps that go to a pig farm.”
Leftovers that have not been put on the line go to the employee dining room, which I can attest — after a sneak peak — looks better than most casino buffets in Vegas.
A walk through the kitchen was a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how soup is prepared and stored, how fruit is cut and plated, and how intricate garnishes are put together. You think it’s hard cooking the Thanksgiving turkey?
Imagine preparing 1,000 to 2,000 lbs. of crab legs, 800 to 1,000 lbs. of shrimp, and 500 lbs. of prime rib a day, not to mention all the side dishes, salads and accompaniments. Mashed potatoes are made four to five times a day (that’s Yukon gold with heavy cream and butter). Ice shrinks, so the cold stuff under the sushi must be changed three times a day.
Nearly 5,000 guests a day are served what must be the best food deal in the casino hotel.
The all-you-can-eat buffet features fresh seafood, live-action cooking stations with meals made-to-order, selections from China, Japan, Italy, Mexico, and more at prices — that in Vegas — are quite reasonable.
Open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., breakfast costs $15.95, lunch is $19.95 and dinner is $29.95. A gourmet dinner on Friday and Saturday nights is $36.95, and brunch is $24.95 ($29.95, with champagne). Kids ages three and under eat free.
“We try to change things with the seasons,” Harrington says. “I grew up in New England, so I like the apple, the maple, and will try to incorporate fall thinking through the year. A lot of things that you do in a restaurant, you can’t do in a buffet. If you put risotto on the line, it doesn’t hold well. So we cook our pastas al dente. Once they sit in the steamer tables, the sauce soaks them.”
Formerly the quality assurance chef for the hotel, Harrington knows what needs to be changed with the seasons. A couple of weeks ago, green beans were at their best. Now, it’s asparagus. The hotel buys from farmers in Mexico, following crops up the West Coast to the Napa Valley area, to ensure that vegetables are at their best. Winter crops come from Florida and South America.
“People love buffets because it’s six to seven restaurants in one,” Harrington says. “They get to pick up whatever they want. There are some people who only want the fish or sushi, and pile up on that. Our most popular items are the crab legs, rack of lamb, and Chilean sea bass.”
If guests have food allergies, some items can be cooked to order. Harrington notes that one regular customer always asks for a plate of salmon with nothing on it, so a chef will grill eight to nine pieces of salmon for him with no seasoning or butter.
That evening, my sister Linda, friend Michael, and I sampled the buffet for ourselves. In the mood to nibble, I tasted as much as my stomach could hold, and couldn’t have been happier. The prime rib and Chilean sea bass were my favorites, along with a three cheese tortelloni with sorrel, which was wonderful. The grilled asparagus and maple-glazed carrots were great, as was the bok choi and fusilli with eggplant and smoked mozzarella.
My only complaint would be that the leg of lamb was undercooked. It was so rare, my knife couldn’t cut it. Michael said his shrimp was a little mushy from sitting on ice too long, but everything else was great. Linda, who has a very discerning sweet tooth, thought the sugar-free cheesecake was excellent. Michael and I voted for the tiramisu.
Before leaving, Harrington suggested that I try a red velvet apricot, which I’d never had before. It had to be the most delicious apricot I’ve ever tasted.
“Seeing people try something for the first time is great,” Harrington says. “I tell folks, try it. You’re at a buffet. You can leave it on your plate if you don’t like it. The biggest part of my job is walking the floor and talking to guests. It makes the long hours worthwhile.”
There were more dishes in the buffet than anyone could possibly eat in one sitting. Be warned that if you go during peak mealtimes, the line to get into the buffet may be long.
But it’ll be oh, so worth it.
