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Archive for January, 2007
January 29th, 2007 by Teresa
Kathleen Baty, Stephania Bell, Robert Bailey, and yours truly are hosting a fabulous soiree to raise funds for Gavin Newsom.
If you’re in San Francisco and want to meet some great people, join us on Tuesday night in the Marina.
Location:
CIRCA Restaurant
2001 Chestnut St. (at Fillmore), San Francisco, CA View Map
When:
Tuesday, January 30, 5:30pm – 7:30 pm
**Please RSVP to Paige at Mayor Newsom’s office
(415)288-5985
*Please note: Donations cannot exceed more than $500/person.
January 27th, 2007 by Dining Diva Janice
 Relaxing, Refreshing and Rejuvenating just doesn’t come any easier than this. With only 40 rooms and a caring staff of over 200, y’all be spoiled beyond belief at the award-winning (and deservedly so) Lake Austin Spa Resort.
Why? After just 2 days of pampering, I was as unstressed as a newborn filly. I was lovin’ the Texas-we-like–it-bigger 25,000 square foot spa facility with 21 treatment rooms (9 are located in the great outdoors,) so there was none of this having to book weeks ahead for a decent time slot. The only problem was trying to choose from the smorgasbord of over 100 services.
Where is it? The Texas Hill Country spa, located just 30 minutes outside of Austin, nestles right up to the sparkling, pristine lake, providing the setting for many fun-filled water classes, such as sculling, kayaking, or water skiing. I was there in December and if the weather could get any better than the 65 degrees with no humidity, I’d have to hire someone to help me enjoy it.
Who comes there? Mostly business women (I only saw one token male during my stay) who know that the cost of complete relaxation and wellness is… priceless. (In other words, this place is not for someone who is counting their pennies.)Although luxurious, the ambiance is one of casual elegance with an unpretentious, friendly vibe. Translation: no women with big hair-only BIG Smiles.
Rooms? The owners want you to feel like you are spending the night at your best friend’s lake house. I only wish I had friends with such good taste! The comfy, sun-lit rooms are filled with thoughtful amenities: signature lavender bath products, the world’s coziest robes, (some people even wore them to dinner,) private outdoor seating area, soaking tub….and the list goes on. After a perfect night’s sleep bundled in their ultimate-thread count and down covered bed, I was a contented as a gopher in soft dirt.
Activities? Classes are held in a spacious new room, complete with awe-inspiring lake views. Fitness classes run the gamut from the aerobic spinning, weight-training, and kickboxing workouts to the more “zen” offerings of Pilates, Nia and Tai Chi.
Night offerings include many special events and talks given by lifestyle experts on a variety of topics such as nutrition, design, crafts, even Texas Hold’em poker.
Cuisine? Lake Austin Spa’s kitchen is where “healthy” and “delicious” hook up to offer some mighty fine tasting vittles. The dining room menu has a variety of innovative, wholesome, low-fat choices, and every item includes the calorie count. For breakfast I ordered (with typical Texan largess) a spicy green chili and cheese omelette and a side-order of gingerbread pancakes. At dinner you’ll select from a four-course menu that might feature a regional favorite such as Coffee-Crusted Sirloin with Jalapeno Red-Eye Gravy, accompanied by a colorful salad and vegetable, fresh from their on-site organic garden. Thoughtfully, there is one “friendship” table in the dining room reserved for singles who don’t want to eat alone, or else meals can be delivered to your room-which is a nice touch if you’ve just had a relaxing massage.
Pros? Extra credit points for the outdoor Yoga deck, and the indoor Junior Olympic –length lap pool. But every guest I spoke to there said they keep returning because of the incredible staff that all exude southern hospitality and bone-deep niceness. Oh, and I can’t forget the complete booklet of Spa Services. Just reading it now puts a smile on my face as I remember my “Texas Starry Night” massage. But for me, the best pro is that wine is available at dinner!
Cons? (See rates) Also,this might not be the optimal choice for a hard-core hiker.
Rates? Rates start at $1,455 for a three-night stay, double occupancy, which includes meals and classes. Spa treatments are additional. (But check for special package rates that are offered periodically)
W: Lake Austin Spa Resort.
A: 1705 South Quinlan Park Road, Austin, Texas 78732
T: 1-800-847-5637
January 27th, 2007 by Dining Diva Janice
 The Assignment:
Write up my most memorable upscale meal of 2006.
My Answer:
This one was simple—The Restaurant at the Setai Hotel, Miami Beach. The only thing NOT memorable about this place is its name!
The Ambiance:
Dramatic glass and austere grey stone walls, accented with lavish touches of mother-of-pearl, rich teak flooring and huge bronze panels make up the almost 15,000 square feet of Asian-inspired restaurant and bar dining options.
 If you’re a frustrated chef-wanna-be, then choose a seat by the expansive exhibition kitchen, where you can watch and learn from the cadre of international cooks working the silver rotisseries, giant woks, tandoori and pizza ovens.
Prefer a more romantic setting? The Restaurant offers al fresco dining in the elegant courtyard, where you’ll be seated in luxurious sunken pods, where you’ll be able to gaze at the sunset, the Zen-like reflection pond, or into each others eyes.
The Cuisine:
The uber-talented Aussie chef, Shawn Hergatt, describes it as “trans-ethnic.”
 Stand-outs:
• Salt –pressed Tasmanian Trout with asian pear and daikon sprouts, and a citrusy Kalamansi Dressing.
• Green Curry Chicken redolent with basil and lemon grass.
• Stone-oven Bianca Pizza laden with black truffles.
• Kurobuta Pork (Japan’s prized pig) lavished with five-spice barbeque sauce.
• Tropical-flavored Ice Creams and Sorbets
If you have an extra $68.00 burning a hole in your pocket, the piece de resistance is:
• Grilled Sirloin of Wagyu Beef, as deliciously classy as Nicky Arnstein’s monogrammed shirts.
The Wine:
Wine guru, Alejandro Ortiz, has assembled an eclectic award-winning list featuring unique selections from Turkey and India as well as many local organic family wineries.
The Price:
Plan on about $200+ per person with wine. (Though mine probably cost about $500!)
The Details:
W: The Restaurant at the Setai Hotel.
A: 2001 Collins Avenue/ 20th Street, Miami Beach, FL.
T: (305) 520-6400.
January 27th, 2007 by Dining Diva Janice
Last December I discovered another earth-shakingly incredible group of spas. I was invited to Prague to cover their famous Christmas Market. This runs for the month of December and the market was filled with European tourists, stocking up like it was Costco. It was freezing cold, so although I enjoyed the hot mulled wine and nibbling on bits of the superb roasted pig — while warming my hands by the BBQ pit, the shopping was a major disappointment. Buying old lady knitted tchotchkes, heavily-scented candles, or trying to choose from hundreds of dust-collecting wooden puppets, really isn’t my thing.
However, I did love exploring Prague, and have to second TangoDiva Teresa’s rave review of Hotel Josef, the mid-town, totally hip, cool, edgy glass-filled hotel. But as interesting as Prague was, I couldn’t wait to get out of town.
A few months ago, at a local spa in the US, I overheard two well-manicured (I was going to say well-heeled but since this took place in a sauna I couldn’t really tell) women reminiscing about their amazing spa vacation in Karlovy Vary. Gotta admit, I had to Google it to find out where it was. A little more searching and I discovered that:
“The Czech Republic boasts an extraordinary number of natural mineral springs, which gave rise to many famous spa towns such as Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) and Marianske Lazne (Marienbad).
The spa towns have a long tradition, dating back several centuries. Their past clients include royalty (Czar Peter the Great, King Edward VII of England), composers (Bach, Beethoven, and Wagner), and writers (Casanova, Goethe, and Mark Twain). Since the 1990s, the spa houses have been lovingly restored and the lavish spa architecture and ambience are as much of a draw as the spa treatments themselves. Many people come to the spas not for a “cure” but to relax, increase their energy level, and get away from the grind of their daily life. New programs such a stress-relief, beauty and relaxation weekend as well as “pampering” stays have become very popular.
Some spa hotels cater exclusively to a leisure clientele, with luxurious rooms, gourmet restaurants, and Western-style spa facilities. Both Carlsbad and Marienbad have excellent golf courses, shopping (such as the celebrated Moser glass factory), parks, and plenty of other historical sites in the surrounding area. Both spa towns offer regular concerts and annual cultural festivals.
January 27th, 2007 by Dining Diva Janice
Note: This is the third of a multi-part series on Czech Spas.
My first town during last December’s spa tour wasKarlovy Vary (a.k.a. Carlsbad), the Grand Dame of Czech Spas Towns. It’s about a two-hour scenic ride from Prague.
K.V. is loaded with hot springs (12 to be exact — the mineral waters range from 110° F to 162° F) and feature cool architecture. So cool, in fact, that many of the stunning location shots for the new James Bond movie “Casino Royale” were filmed here. The town is lined with gorgeous 20th-century Art Nouveau buildings, and is the perfect size for meandering. It nestles right up to the Slavkov Forest if you’re up for more strenuous hiking.
Many Europeans still come annually for “taking the waters” where one either drinks or bathes in the hot springs to cure a myriad of disorders. It’s quite funny to see everyone in town carrying “the cup” like some badge of honor. These strange-looking mugs have a built-in curved straw running through the handle, so the rotten-egg smelling mineral water goes to the back of your throat and won’t stain your teeth!
K.V.’s Spa Scene
You can experience the spas on a daily basis by just walking in for a swim or a massage — however, the real deal comes when you sign up for the whole shebang — which usually is for a minimum of one week and includes room, full board, and complete spa therapy regimen; special deals can be found for about $50 to $100 per person per day, depending on the time of year and where you stay. So even with airfare (at times as low as $300 RT) added in, it’s still an unbelievable deal. With about 100 spas to choose from, you’ll find something for every budget and taste.
Although it’s over 300 years old, a stay at the prestigious Grandhotel Pupp is still the final word in luxury, yet spa packages can often be found on their Website for as little as $100/day, which include lodging, treatments and meals. The elegant dining room served some of the countries best food.
Hotel Carlsbad Plaza
This new five-star hotel supposedly has some really good restaurants: La Boheme — French cuisine (and a French chef!!) and even a Japanese restaurant. The hotel features a “Wasserplatz” - with a thermidarium (kind of a pre-heating room), two pools with a whirlpool and thermal water, and a large swimming pool with a counter flow jet. The special sauna area offers seven kinds of sauna in the “saunadorf,” thai massages, and includes a garden with heated sun beds and relaxing music.
January 27th, 2007 by Dining Diva Janice
No matter where you stay in the spa-centric town of Karlovy Vary, you must schedule a visit for a day of treatments/swimming at Zámecké Lázně (Castle Spa). It’s like a Vegas nightclub, complete with light show, and I had my best massage here.
Wearing one of their plush robes, I was escorted into my room where I met my 8 ft. tall masseur, reminiscent of Lurch in the Addams Family. I think he spoke only one word of English –– which was “Strip!” When I looked at him hesitantly he commanded me again, “ STRIP!”
I dropped my towel and nervously stood there. He sharply motioned me to lie on my stomach on the massage table, which I did. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him reach for a folded towel, phew, which he then delicately draped over my ankles☺. Whatever! Every ounce of sensitivity Lurch had was where it was supposed to be –– in his fingers, which tenderly sought out my every aching muscle. It was true love.
FYI: If you’d like to include a little culture with your R & R, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is the place to see and be seen. Each summer (in early July), the international film stars can be spotted taking part in one of Europe’s biggest film festivals.
January 27th, 2007 by Dining Diva Janice
Marianske Lazne (Marienbad) is located some 45 minutes further west from Karlovy Vary, about three hours from Prague.
I loved the picturesque park-like town dotted with fountains, colonnades and elaborate spa houses –– no wonder Goethe and Chopin often hung out there in the old days. The most stunning interiors are those of Hotel Nova Lane (New Spa), part of which was built to serve exclusively Edward VII, the King of England, who visited the spa town no fewer than nine times.
Be sure and try the sumptuous “Royal Bath,” beautifully decorated with mosaics and tiles. Website specials include a Wellness Week with 3-4 treatments a day starting at $700.
 Another gorgeous spa hotel is the Hvězda–Skalník. This March, it will unveil its new aqua centre with a swimming pool, whirlpool, salt cave and a fitness centre.
*** One Caveat: For almost all the spa stays: the food is nothing to write home about. It often reminded me of school cafeteria lunches, but I have heard that they have gotten much better –– and you can always ask for no sauces or become a vegetarian for a week.
http://www.marienbad.cz/
January 27th, 2007 by Dining Diva Janice
 Note: This is the final article in a week-long look at Czech Spas.
For the really “tired and poor huddled masses,” there is a fantastic sounding Velichovky Spa’s Wellness Week for Women Program offered to those who believe that “to invest in their health is to invest in their well being and happiness”… (Hey, can’t do any worse than my stock market investments.)
I have not personally checked out this area because it’s in Velichovky, which is about 90 minutes east of Prague. Spa Velichovky, made up of a group of hotels, is located in a beautiful mountainous area, which offers skiing, hiking, and biking. It also is supposed to have a great golf course.
ut the big draw is that the whole bloody week only costs about $300 (check its Website for the 2007 price list, which includes a simple room, meals, multiple spa treatments ranging from herbal bubble baths, moor packs, massages, and oxygentherapy, which is supposed to regenerate the brain cells and “forces thinking for many months, often it could be a year.” Lot cheaper than going to college!
Now, after reviewing all my notes, I have a serious crook in my neck…. Hmmm –– think I better check out Velichovky.
http://www.velichovky.cz/en/
Caption: Bathe in special Velichovky moor soil, which contains approximately 52% calcium carbonate. Suitable for patients who suffer from juncture, muscle or spine disorders.
January 27th, 2007 by Dining Diva Janice
 Mark your calendars for February 1. The American Insitute of Wine & Food (AIWF) in San Francisco is putting on a once-in-a-lifetime wine pairing dinner featuring some excellent wines from this wild and wooly area of Spain, as well as flying in one of the region’s top chefs, Nicolas Jimenez of Tubal Restaurant, to prepare this multi-course extravaganza.
There are only a few tickets left. Otherwise, you’ll just have to be content with my review of the extraordinary evening featuring a wine tasting followed by a multi-course sit-down dinner paired with wines.
The Kingdom of Navarra Visits San Francisco: Spanish Wine Dinner
Place: Palace Hotel, 2 New Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94105-3402
Date: Thursday, Feb. 01, 2007
Phone: 415.383.6070
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Email:elissa.aiwf@att.net
Cost: $75 AIWF members; $125 non-members (join now and save).
Registration and more information. http://www.aiwf.org/norcal/chapter_news/article.html?news_id=1251&
January 27th, 2007 by Dining Diva Janice
 Pretty ballsie play –– to write up the year’s best meal when we’re only three weeks into 2007. But I gotta tell you –– I’m feeling pretty confident here. I was in Bali over the holidays. An island known for its beautiful women, dependable sunshine, numerous temples, silver jewelry, colorful batiks, etc… but hardly for its gourmet food.
After some silver jewelry power-shopping, a brief two-hour massage, and a late siesta, I barely had time to change for dinner. My expectations were high-after all, Mozaic is the ONLY restaurant in Southeast Asia to be recognized as a member of ‘Les Grande Tables Du Monde’ (The Grand Tables of the World), and Chef/Owner Chris Salans had worked alongside both New York’s David Bouley and Thomas Keller at The French Laundry in Napa Valley.
So even I can’t believe it when I tell you that dinner at Mozaic Restaurant Culinaire in Ubud was one of the best meals of…. hmmmm… probably my entire life.
 My tummy’s full, but I’m not particularly happy, as a matter of fact, I’m quite cranky. I just got back from trying the new restaurant in the Presidio, Pres a Vi. Living in San Francisco’s Marina area, I am thrilled they are finally opening some restaurants in the Presidio, and this is one BIG restaurant (must seat at least 200) with a lot of money behind it– but what part of hiring a decent chef was not in their budget?????
Ok, back to more pleasant memories…oh yes, Mozaic. As I said, I went with high hopes. Not only because of Chef/Owner Chris Salans impressive background, but also because last year Mozaic became the first restaurant in Southeast Asia to be recognized by the prestigious Tradition et Qualité Association as a member of ‘Les Grande Tables Du Monde’ (The Grand Tables of the World), joining famous restaurants such as Le Louis XV and Plaza Athénée (Alain Ducasse), Guy Savoy (Guy Savoy) and The French Laundry (Thomas A Keller). Remarkably, Chef Salans or his Pastry Chef, Francois Seurin, have worked with all of these.
The restaurant “had me at hello”… or at least the second my taxi pulled up to one of the most exquisitely dramatic restaurant entrances imaginable. All the more surprising since, in a former life, it was a meditation center. The magic continued once I entered Mozaic, and was seated on the veranda, hypnotized by the babbling brook, verdant rice fields, towering banana trees, hundreds of twinkling candles; all delicately perfumed by the surrounding jungle of tropical flowers. (Listen up, guys: If you’re getting ready to pop the big question, there’s no way she could say no in this romantic setting)
 The menu, which changes daily, consists of two six-course Chef Tastings. I couldn’t decide between the “Classic Cuisine”, a modern spin on traditional dishes, or the “Experimental Cuisine” offering a more innovative approach with unusual flavor combinations. So I was thrilled when Chef Chris came out to meet me and asked if I trusted him to prepare a special tasting for me.
“Hell, yes,” I replied. (Both tastings are priced at RP 450.000, which may sound like a lot but is only about $50. And you’ll be sorry if you don’t select the very generous international wine pairing offer for RP 350.000.)
And from the minute the impeccably trained wait-staff, brought me a flute of Champagne and brought a basket of piping hot rolls flavored with bits of seaweed, I knew I was going to be a happy camper.
Course after beautifully-plated course arrived, and after each bite I unconsciously let out a contented little “yum.” Particularly noteworthy: The Crispy Seared Fois Gras in a trio of Mango; Puree, Candied, and Chip; the Pyrenee Mountain Baby Lamb with red cabbage with a totally addictive topping of crunchy red pepper/palm sugar brittle.
As overdone as “foams” are in many high-end restaurants, the Peach Lemon Verbena Sorbet achieved perfection when served with a bittersweet Guinness Foam.
When I asked Chris how he described his restaurant, he replied, “It’s a compilation of a Balinese garden, a French American Chef, Asian flavours, Indonesian ingredients, French and American techniques of cooking and presentation, with international service done by Balinese waiters.”
Just what I was going to say! Now, thinking back about Chris’s dinner has my stomach growling so am taking a break to run out for dinner. Hate to write on empty.
By the way, though a meal like this was priceless, here’s the cost:
7 Course Menu Rp 302.500; Special Rate Rp 280.000.
(Chef Chris is shown on the right in the photo above.)
bicycle helmet prices pirodr! 666
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