I’m in Las Vegas for a convention, and one of the ways I pass the time is interviewing others about where they’re from. They tell me about their favorite venues around the world. I met up with two fun Divas from France who love flying Air France – because of the free champagne – and still respect their new president, even though he left his wife after a few months in office and hooked up with an Italian super model.
You’ll learn the answer to this and many other fascinating historical tidbits during your stay at the newly remodeled (to the tune of $52 million and 20 months of meticulous renovation), .
Perfectly located just a hop, skip and jump from: the myriad of restaurants and clubs in the Gaslamp Quarter, the scenic waterfront for a sunset stroll, great shopping at the Horton Plaza Mall, San Diego’s Convention Center, The US Grant is a member of the elite Luxury Collection Hotel’s, the ultimate hotel seal of approval. Which is why I chose this Beaux Art beauty for my “home” during my recent visit to San Diego to cover the International Fancy Food Show. (This is the premier trade show for gourmet food products- more details on this to follow- and since I knew there were over 40,000 foods for me to taste, I REALLY needed to be guaranteed total comfort and tranquility, to rest my weary stomach at night!)
And boy, did they come through- on just about every count.
1. The service is sheer perfection. The beautifully trained staff jumped to assist me with every request. When I mentioned that I was allergic to down pillows, 5 minutes later there was a knock on the door and no less than 4 alternative pillows were offered. The young man who parked the cars cheerfully welcomed me by name (and even pronounced it correctly) and I hadn’t even parked a car with him! One night when I had to go out for a business dinner, I asked the concierge for suggestions, since I was completely sated from my day of tasting and really did not want to even think about another morsel of food. She suggested an ideal little Bistro just a block away, where I could just order a nibble if I wanted, and even thoughtfully phoned ahead so the hostess saved us a quiet table.
2. I would need to write a complete book to describe all the historical art collections and architectural details that were such an important part of the make-over, not to mention putting together the real scoop on all the notables who have stayed there for the last almost 100 years–no wait, luckily for you,
Mark Dibella
, the Executive Director of Media Community Relations, is just putting the finishing touches on his book that will regale us with all this and more. ***As a matter of fact- and he’ll probably kill me for this- but if you spy him in the lobby, beg him to take you on a brief tour to point out some of the highlights. My tour lasted 1 1/2 hours and both of us could easily have gone on for another hour or six. One interesting fact is that in 2003, the hotel was purchased by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, the Native American tribe who’s ancestors had originally settled on this same piece of land.
3. Some stand-out designer touches are: the cool “Presidential-seal” blue color used throughout that perfectly match the blue Belgian marble of the original 1910 lobby, the lush hand-loomed Persian silk carpets, the soaring ceilings supported by rich mahogany columns, the custom made Empire style furnishings, and the opulent Italian linens. But what I most appreciated was that the design team thoughtfully combined all this elegant tradition with the best of modern day luxuries such as 32″ flat screen televisions and wireless internet, double marble pedestal sinks in the bathroom, and my room sported a HUGE six-headed rain shower which I never wanted to leave. I also fell in love with their unique “Sleep with Art” headboards which were made of padded black-dribbled canvas paintings created by the world-renowned French artist, Yves Clement.
4.The legendary Grant Grill eatery, like the rest of the hotel, manages to create the elegance of by-gone days using rich dark wood, silver candlesticks and heavy leather chairs but somehow, pulls it off with a happier, light touch. Again, the service was exemplary. In all honesty, after three days of Fancy Food Show gluttony, I could barely do more than nibble, but managed to polish off a tasty cocktail, the “1969 Invasion”, so named for a group of women who stormed the Grill in ‘ 69 and insisted on being served lunch, which previously had been reserved for “Men Only”. The menu offers contemporary twists on the classics such as Chef Nieto’s “Mock Turtle Soup” as well as a nod to the original Native American owners, with their Roasted Corn Soup and Sage Fry Bread.
My one quibble that prevents me from giving The US Grant a perfect TEN was that the fitness room was a bit on the small size. But wouldn’t you know it…they are already hard at work on adding an 8,000 square ft. two story spa with an indoor pool!
A: Ulysses S. Grant born Hiram Ulysses Grant wrote his name in the school register as “Ulysses Hiram Grant” because he was concerned that he would otherwise become known by his initials, H.U.G.
THE US GRANT 326 Broadway · San Diego, California 92101 · United States Phone: (619) 232-3121 · Website
For all you Australia Divas, listen in on Wednesday morning to 702 ABC Radio, Sydney. I’ll be talking about FLY SOLO and TangoDiva.com and how important it is for women to go out and explore the world.
I lived in Australia for five years and I absolutely loved it. It was in Australia that I got the travel bug while modeling and working for a game show called Blind Date. I traveled throughout Australia with the winning contestants. My job was to write the segment re-caps and direct the filming of the winning "couples." I spent a lot of time alone, because it was supposed to be a "romantic" weekend for the winners, so it was during this time, I learned to travel alone and ask others for advice about where I should go and what I should do solo.
My weekends went like this: On Thursday night, I would arrive at Channel 10, where Blind Date was filmed. There I would meet with the producers and check out the bios of the contestants. The show would film and I would wait in the greenroom with all the contestants. One girl and three boys or vice versa. They would ask silly questions and then the one contestant would choose her/his blind date for that weekend. Then, the host would announce their winning weekend holiday. It was usually a fabulous 5-star beach resort in the Great Barrier Reef. Then, I would meet with the winners in the greenroom and let them know I would be picking them up the next morning at the crack of dawn.
On Friday morning, the limo would pick me up first (usually at around 4:00 am) and I would have all the tickets and booking information for the winners. We’d fly off to the destination, when we arrived a limo driver with a “Blind Date” sign would pick us up. Everyone watched the show, so the arrival scenes could be pretty hectic with people coming up and talking about the show and wanting to meet the winning contestants.
I’d organize activities for the winners to do all weekend. From parasailing to scuba diving, there was nothing we did not do. The film crew would show up on Saturday mornings and we would spend the mornings taping re-cap segment scenes. My job – besides staying out of the winners’ way and making sure no one got too drunk or arrested – was to find dirt about each of the contestants. Then, the host could use it on the show when they returned. It was pretty basic stuff, like the guy left his room and hooked up with another girl or the girl had really bad breath and they guy did not want to kiss her.
So, while they winners were frolicking in the blue waters of the Reef, I would chat with the locals and find out about places and activities I could and do without others. It was during this time that I became very comfortable with spending time at beautiful, romantic locations by myself. And, I really did honor and enjoy my time alone because it gave me an opportunity to reconnect with myself. My life back in Melbourne was crazy, I was in university full-time, modeling a lot, a fashion editor for a radio station, and working for the game show from Thursday to Sunday night.
Sometimes I miss those really crazy days of jetting off every weekend to an exotic location where I am treated like a princess while getting paid (crazy, right?). But then, I really can’t complain about my life now! I love sharing travel advice and acting as a voice for women travel. It brings me great joy to know that I am helping shape the positive changes that are taking place in women and solo travel.
This cold, gray stormy weather can really make you crabby so why not just go with it–in a good way. The best thing about January is that it’s Dungeness Crab season, and one of the very best places to experience this delicacy is at the Rendezvous Inn in Mendocino. Actually, as far as making your own fun, Mendocino believesa in making their own fun and kicks off the new year with a bang, offering a variety of special food and wine events such as mushroom foraging, crabcake cookoffs, cioppino galas, and it’s also the perfect time for whale-watching. Plus, many of the local inns and restaurants are offering fantastic rates that you can enjoy without hassling the summer crowds. For special winter offerings go to: www.gomendo.com.
I love the coziness of Rendezvous Inn and both their special Dungeness Crab Tasting Menu and Wild Mushroom Tasting Menu are calling out to me. The crab menu offers the Big Three : Dungeness Crab Bisque,Crab Ravioli, and Crab Cakes, and each course is paired with a local wine. This will be offered throughout crab season. Their wild mushroom tasting menu will only be available through the end of this month. You can view that menu at www.rendezvousinn.com/ShroomTastingmenu08.php.
And if you don’t believe me, just read the write-up in the 2007 Zagat:
“A magical evening awaits guests of Kim Badenhop, a classically trained chef-owner and wonderful host whose little New French gem tucked away in Fort Bragg is the nicest place for miles and miles. Stopping by to chat with all comers to the romantic, redwood-paneled spot, he handpicks wines to complement the fabulous, organically inflected, creatively presented fare (of course, the outgoing staff really knows the menu too). Bottom line: it’s worth every dollar for anniversaries, birthday dinners or even once a month.”
Rendevous Inn
647 North Main Street Fort Bragg, California 95437 707.964.8142 : 800.491.8142 www.rendezvousinn.com
Having never been to Iceland, when I received my invitation to attend a special Thorrablot feast, (which I had never heard of before,) I was ready to book my flight.I always say I will go ANYWHERE for a good meal…but I can’t tell you how thankful I am that I looked up the menu for a typical Thorrablot dinner on About.com.Scandinavia travel, cuz they lost me at the first course: Purtifed Shark!
Iceland’s midwinter feast Thorrablot held at any time during the month of Þorri, which begins on the first Friday after January 19th. This Scandinavian tradition takes place during the coldest dark days of the year, and many of the foods served are the smoked/pickled produce of the previous year.
For the midwinter feast, Icelanders serve what was normal day-to-day food for Vikings, and turn back to nature-made food that was smoked, laid in mysa (a sour milk-product), salted, dried or kaestur (rotting and setting meat).
Diva-roos! How is everyone today? Well after a fortifying Classic hot chocolate from Bittersweet, I am ready to share some gorgeous thangs with you…
1. Lisa Gatewood: Ooooh, a great new chanteuse of the original, acoustic folk variety. This Wisconsin woman will surely get you tapping your feet, and thinking, too. Check out Lisa Gatewood’s debut album, "I’ve Read Salinger". And catch her in Waukeesha, Wisconsin, at the Main Stage on January 29th.
2. The Store By Girlie Designs: LA’s newest, hottest boutique. Owned by designer Canadian Diva Linda Antwi, who "believes in empowering women and following the call on your life," the t-shirts are rad and the jewelry is to-die-for!! The next time you’re in West Hollywood, check out The Store By Girlie Designs.
3. Grey Goose Yummy Winter Cocktail Recipes! Delicious! Warm yourself with these cocktails, and don’t skimp on the vodka, Dahlink!
–Peppermint Froth:
1 1/2 parts Grey Goose Vodka
1 part peppermint schnapps
1/2 part simple syrup
1/2 part cream
candy cane or peppermint patty for garnish
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosted and beaded with sweat. Strain into rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with candy cane or peppermint patty.
–Ginger Snap Martini:
1 part Grey Goose La Poire Vodka
1/2 part Disaronno Amaretto
1/2 part simple syrup
1/2 part molasses
2 1/4 part thick slices of fresh ginger
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of clove
pinch of allspice
crystallized ginger for garnish
In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, place the ginger, molasses, simple syrup and spices; muddle well. Add ice and the rest of the ingredients. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosted and beaded with sweat. Strain into prepared cocktail glass. Garnish with ginger.
I’ll have to remember to ask Chef Bruce Paton, who simply refers to himself as a Beer-Chef, when I see him at his next Beer & Food Pairing Dinner, which features the finely crafted ales of Pelican Pub and Brewery. If you’ve never been to one of the Beer-Chef’s dinners, you are in for a fantastic experience. This ain’t no “grab a slice, a dawg, and a brewskie shin-dig.” Dinners with the Brewmaster are every bit as sophisticated a food pairing as the most haute wine event, they’re just a lot more fun! One Wine Valley Chef even said, “The magical way that Chef Bruce pairs Beer & Food should have the wine industry very nervous”
Read the menu below and you’ll see what I’m talking about:
THE BEER CHEF Presents Dinner with the Brewmaster Friday January 18, 2008 The Cathedral Hill Hotel Featuring:Pelican Pub and Brewery
Reception 6:30 PM Beer Chef’s Hors D’Oeuvre Selection India Pelican Ale
Dinner 7:30PM First Course Ceviche of Day Boat Scallop with Lobster Emulsion Saison du Pelican
Second Course Crispy Pork Belly with Slow Poached Egg and Ancho Chili Hollandaise Stormwatcher’s Winterfest
Third Course Slow Roasted Duck Breast with Bellwether San Andreas Cheese Grits, Satsuma Mandarins and Fig Gastrique Grand Cru de Pelican
Fourth Course Nutmeg Flan with Vanilla Bean Chocolate Barbecue Sauce Le Pelican Brun
$75 per Person Inclusive of Tax and Gratuity Please Make Reservations At www.beer-chef.com Bruce D. Paton CEC bruce@beer-chef.com
***If you can’t make this dinner, the Beer and Chocolate Tasting on February 15th, would make the perfect Valentines gift.
Sometimes it is easy to forget how blessed we are. Our wealth and abundance was never clearer than when we were delivering toys to children in Mexico. My husband and I spent the day riding in the back of a truck giving toys to kids in Playa del Carmen and Puerto Adventuras. It was one of the best days of our lives.
If you want to donate to Angel Notion, the charity that has been handing out toys for almost a decade.
Playa del Carmen has become my home away from home, and so this year, we decided to donate to a local charity there and spend the day helping out. We worked with Angel Notion. Angel Notion is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and donations to provide education, medical aid, and opportunities for people of lesser means and special needs. Angel Notion is located in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
Here is a video of us filling trucks with thousands of toys that we delivered.
This cold, gray stormy weather can really make you crabby so why not just go with it–in a good way. The best thing about January is that it’s Dungeness Crab season, and one of the very best places to experience this delicacy is at the Rendezvous Inn in Mendocino. Actually, as far as making your own fun, Mendocino believesa in making their own fun and kicks off the new year with a bang, offering a variety of special food and wine events such as mushroom foraging, crabcake cookoffs, cioppino galas, and it’s also the perfect time for whale-watching. Plus, many of the local inns and restaurants are offering fantastic rates that you can enjoy without hassling the summer crowds. For special winter offerings go to: 
Having never been to Iceland, when I received my invitation to attend a special Thorrablot feast, (which I had never heard of before,) I was ready to book my flight.I always say I will go ANYWHERE for a good meal…but I can’t tell you how thankful I am that I looked up the menu for a typical Thorrablot dinner on About.com.Scandinavia travel, cuz they lost me at the first course: Purtifed Shark!
I’ll have to remember to ask Chef Bruce Paton, who simply refers to himself as a Beer-Chef, when I see him at his next Beer & Food Pairing Dinner, which features the finely crafted ales of Pelican Pub and Brewery. If you’ve never been to one of the Beer-Chef’s dinners, you are in for a fantastic experience. This ain’t no “grab a slice, a dawg, and a brewskie shin-dig.” Dinners with the Brewmaster are every bit as sophisticated a food pairing as the most haute wine event, they’re just a lot more fun! One Wine Valley Chef even said, “The magical way that Chef Bruce pairs Beer & Food should have the wine industry very nervous”
