The San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California underwent a $150 million renovation last year. Now they’re celebrating with a brand new package. Long known as a romantic getaway for such illustrious lovers as Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh and the honeymoon haven of John and Jacqueline Kennedy, it’s a discreet hideaway in a very…
I have always loved “The Del’s” fairytale castle exterior and they have done an incredible job with their extensive (read $$$$) renovations. However, I was not really looking forward to dining at their new restaurant, 1500 Ocean, for two reasons: 1. I usually do not like to eat in hotel dining rooms finding most of…
If your passion is Pinot Noir, head to Shell Beach (just south of San Luis Obispo) on March 7 and 8 for the 8th annual World of Pinot Noir, two days devoted to tasting, talking about and learning more about that fine wine. The festival was created by a small group of vintners from California’s…
As Snoopy used to write, “It was a dark and stormy night,” and I definitely was NOT in a good mood as I sat in the Bay Bridge traffic for over an hour just to drive 2 miles to my reservation at Epic. Not to mention, I totally ruined my new pair of leather boots,…
We’ve all heard of the slow boat to China. Here’s a Culinary Canal Cruise offered by my friend Chef Tom Herndon to the South of France from October 2-11. If fine wine, wonderful food, and warm fall breezes weren’t enough to entice you, he’s also offering a five-night extension for a Taste of Paris from…
But don’t forget to bring your Goldcard, because this place isn’t for the penurious. And just to get a few more housekeeping tidbits out of the way….YES, Waterbar does charge a 4% health initiative surcharge on all food and beverages- but don’t even get me started on this one–better yet, take it up with Arnold….
There is no shortage of restaurants to choose from in San Diego, with new ones popping up daily, however, being from San Francisco, I’m used to eating some damn fine California cuisine and we never really have considered San Diego as part of California’s culinary scene. However, after a week of dining out 3…okay make…
What better way to get ready for the Oscars than treating yourself to some old-fashioned Hollywood glamour? A day at the Estrella Spa in the Palm Springs Viceroy Hotel is a day of star-worthy pampering. Even just stopping by for a single treatment leaves you feeling like a movie glamorpuss from the 30s or 40s…
It took years from blueprints to blue tower, but the Intercontinental San Francisco will open on February 28 at Fifth and Howard Streets in the popular SOMA district. It will be the largest SF hotel to open since the Marriott “Jukebox” was completed in 1989. And it will be 100% smoke-free. The Intercontinental’s numbers are…
Since I’ve had many a great meal in Chicago I don’t know why it took so long for them to celebrate “Restaurant Week”, but after reviewing the 40 restaurants in this year’s line up, they are certainly making up for lost time. You’ll have the chance to enjoy special three-course lunches for $21.95 and prix-fixe…
I always just assumed that I had been to Glen Ellen since I’ve been to Sonoma umpteen times, but much to my chagrin, when I arrived there last week, I discovered that NO- I actually never had been there and what a major oversite on my part! Glen Ellen (a measly 60 miles from San…