Sunday, September 27, 2009

Ribs and Coconut Cake

The Tap Room
at The Lodge at Pebble Beach
1700 17-Mile Drive
Pebble Beach, CA 93953


Located in the main building of the Lodge at Pebble Beach, the Tap Room a favorite destination for hungry golfers after an 18-hole game. Surrounded by a dark mahogany decor and the background noise of games playing on the television, the hearty dishes offered on the menu reinforce the feeling of comfort and warmth. The finishing touch is the amazing, towering coconut cake on display that tempts anyone who walk in the door.

Classic French Onion Soup
Toasted Croutons & Gruyère Cheese


Baby Back Pork Ribs
Slow Roasted & Grilled with a Smokey Barbeque Sauce, Cole Slaw & Fries


Kobe Brie Burger
Half Pound Kobe Beef Burger, Pepper Bacon, Brie on a Brioche Bun


Maine Lobster Salad Sandwich
Served Open Face, Celery Root, Watercress & Endive Salad

Coconut Cake
with fresh berries


Saturday, September 26, 2009

Stillwater Cove

Stillwater Bar & Grill
at The Lodge at Pebble Beach
1700 17-Mile Drive
Pebble Beach, CA 93953


Our first night at the Lodge, we had dinner at the Stillwater Bar & Grill. I had been craving oysters ever since I returned from Paris so I jumped at the chance of ordering some. They were delicious but not the best I've ever had. However, the arugula salad I had was amazing. The subtle hint of the vanilla bean in the vinaigrette was beautifully fragrant and complemented the grapes perfectly. Definitely the most memorable part of the meal. The manhattan clam chowder was flavorful but a bit too salty for my taste and the ahi tuna was well cooked but not anything special. The dessert, however, definitely satisfied the chocolate craving my mom and I had. I almost wanted to eat the rich chocolate sauce directly out of its cute little pitcher.


Atlantic & Pacific Oysters on the Half Shell
with Champagne Mignonette


Stillwater Red Clam Chowder
Little Neck Clams, Tomato Broth, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Garlic Bread


Wild Arugula & D'Anjou Pear Salad
Almond Brittle Crisp, California Red Grape with Tahitian Vanilla Bean Vinaigrette


Rare Seared Yelllowfin Tuna
Young Spinach, Charred Corn Relish, Bagna Cauda


Warm Chocolate Cake
with Raspberry Chocolate Sauce and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Carmel-by-the-Sea


Porta Bella
Ocean Avenue & Monte Verde
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921

Before I started school again, my mom and I went to the Lodge at Pebble Beach for a relaxing spa and food-filled week. Once we settled in at the hotel, we test drove the hotel's Lexus convertible into beautiful Carmel and stopped by at this quaint and warm restaurant right on the main street in Carmel. Porta Bella, the "quintessential Carmel restaurant," lived up to its name and my mom and I had a lovely light lunch.

Seared Scallop, Prawns, and Citrus Salad
organic spinach, citrus fruit, ginger dressing

Duck and Feta Ravioli
sundried tomatoes, sage, Romano cheese

homemade and delicious--brought back memories of the fresh raviolis I bought from the farmer's market in Paris

Espresso Chocolate Mousse Cake


Thursday, September 3, 2009

Parisian Macarons

MACARONS. I LOVE them.
I don't even know where to begin.

The pictures speak for themselves. ENJOY.

Ladurée
75, avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008

16, rue Royale, 75008




flavors (from left to right): salted caramel MY FAVORITE, pistachio, coconut, chocolate, coffee, red berries, and orange blossom

flavors (from upper left to lower right): rose MY 2nd FAVORITE, bitter chocolate, caramel, coconut, coffe, orange blossom, pistachio, orange bergamot...all in a beautiful little box



Pierre Hermé
4, rue Cambon, 75001

a beautiful display of rows and rows of perfect macarons sprinkled with iridescent powder

flavors (starting from top): jasmine tea, passionfruit milk chocolate, salted caramel, and apricot pistachio...the flavors here are much more inventive than the traditional ones are Laduree



and finally...
Nutella Macarons by Christina

My homemade macarons are nothing like the exquisite light, crumbly, delicate Parisian macarons but there's something about watching the foot of the macarons rise in the oven that is just so satisfying.