I’ve always loved whirlwind holidays. So when I was told that Sydneysiders think nothing of enduring the 14 hour flight for a day in L.A., the thought occurred that Manhattanites did pretty much the same thing, going bumper-to-bumper for 3 to 5 hours to the Hamptons. So why shouldn't I check out a quick-and-dirty trip to la--la land?
My recent trek Down Under gave me the opportunity to break the journey in L.A., over and back. I had such a great time, so I retraced the journey (the L.A. portion that is) over a weekend, with great success. To make the experience full, fun and stress-free, I suggest dividing your time between two hotels of different temperament. I chose the spanking new Le Margot, Santa Monica’s newest and most delightful hotel for a beach-y holiday on arrival and the enduring Beverly Wilshire, a personal favorite in Beverly Hills, before returning to the airport from hell -- LAX. I also used limo pickups, and shuttles between restaurants, which seemed decadently appropriate in the City of Angels.
A late arrival at Le Margot Santa Monica Beach Hotel (1740 Ocean Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90401, TELEPHONE: 310/395-9700, Reservations: Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide at 800/323-7500 or online at <www.LeMerigotHotel.com.>) was no problem, since service is personalized and outstanding. Santa Monica ranks as one of the premier United States destinations, which is one reason Columbia Sussex chose the last vacant lot at 1740 Ocean Avenue to debut its new luxury hotel product.
Le Merigot is a new prototype for the property management/ownership group that plans to open additional hotels domestically.
The competition fails in comparison to Le Merigot’s subtle design and presentation of European elegance, a direct contrast to more traditional beach dwellings. Le Merigot’s attention to detail is its strong suit. It sports a bright, contemporary design and sophisticated food and beverage choices. In-room breakfasts are promised in 15 minutes. Warm muffins, fresh-squeezed orange juice, a pot of coffee made it to ours in 13 & ½!
Le Merigot’s boutique-style setting is not casual, "shabby chic" either. Sela Ward of "Now & Again" was the first to sleep in a Le Merigot bed and now chooses to do her photo shoots from an ocean-view suite. Harvey Kietel and the "Nailed" feature film production crew used the prime location for one of their shoots. Other celebrities include Robert Conrad, Bob Saget, Suzanne Somers, Ed Begley, Jr., Keanu Reeves, Jeffery Katzenbeg, and regular Bruce Willis with dog in tow.
Here is where guests, come to relax by the pool across an expansive checkerboard slate courtyard, unwind in The Spa at Le Merigot, congregate at Le Troquet, Le Merigot’s lobby bar, attend events or dine in Cézanne, the award wining fine-dining restaurant.
Oddly, the newest hotel in Santa Monica is also one of the most affordable. The horseshoe-shaped design of the property maximizes the view of the Pacific horizon as well as the Santa Monica pier while taking into account the restoration of a 1920’s apartment building that is directly west of the hotel.
The elegance of Le Merigot can be found in its sand and rust veined Alabaster marble, imported African Fiddleback anagre wood, overstuffed harlequin and petite floral upholstery, Frette linen, stem crystal and cotton pique robes. Amenities include Bare Escentuals fine toiletries, Luxurious feather pillows, Armoires, Custom honor bars, Thick oversized towels, Terry robes and slippers, Three phones (Two phone lines per room), Computer modem hook-up, Remote control TV with in-room pay movies & Voice mail service.
Many of the ocean view suites are equipped with over-sized balconies ideal for corporate entertaining. Guests can receive 24-hour mending and pressing of clothing, complimentary shoe shine, morning paper, an evening turndown, and upon request, the packing and unpacking of luggage. A programmable cellular telephone, a fax or VCR, 24-hour in-room dining and Butler Express service (a one-stop shopping department which guests can use for all requests) round out premier attention to guest services.
Deluxe ocean view suites offer the luxury of a separate parlor setting, capable of accommodating small business meetings or intimate gatherings. The suites range from 475 square feet to 850 square feet and are priced from $559 - $1800 per night.
Don’t miss the spa, which delivers myriad life enhancing services including facial treatments (oxygenation, European deep cleansing and glycolic peels) and body massages (deep tissue, Swedish, Shiatsu, Hot Stone and Reiki - an energy balancing and rejuvenating body treatment). A health club featuring Cybex cardiovascular and strength building exercise machines and innovative classes (yoga, Pilates, and cardio-kickboxing) are available in addition to an outdoor pool, a redwood sauna and a eucalyptus steam room. Private instruction with licensed and certified trainers is also available. I enjoyed a one hour massage experience ($90) complete with new-age music, aroma-therapy & walked out floating.
Le Merigot Santa Monica Beach Hotel, a member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, is located nine miles north of Los Angeles International Airport. Cézanne restaurant offers casual California cuisine for breakfast and lunch, fine French dining for dinner and a Sunday brunch.
SHOPPING: Third Street Promenade offers shops of every variety, including quaint outdoor cafes, coffeehouses, fine retail shops, superb restaurants, movie theaters, and bookstores.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & ATTRACTIONS: The hotel is within walking distance of The Santa Monica Pier and UCLA Ocean Discovery Center, and in close proximity to The Santa Monica Civic Light Opera, The Santa Monica Symphony, The Santa Monica Playhouse, The Museum of Flying, The California Heritage Museum and Bergamot Station which houses 30 art galleries including The Santa Monica Museum of Art. The Getty Center is within ten miles of the hotel.
Since this is a quickie & you have time for only one magical meal, Let that meal be enjoyed at not only the finest Italian restaurants in California, but one of the best in America: Valentino (3115 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, Phone, 1310-829-4313).
Mention any Italian wine, no matter how obscure, and Valentino owner Piero Selvaggio can find it in his 174,000-bottle cellar. More than 2,000 labels are on his list with everything from a $20 bottle of Inferno or Sassella to an 1891 Biondi-Santi Riserva Brunello di Montalcino, one of only four in the world, for, gulp, $25,000. Besides the wow of a wine list, the award winning sommelier is not only unintimidating and remarkably knowledgeable he is a total charmer as is, as is owner Piero Selvaggio.
The sprawling estate-like series of rooms is airy
and comfortable with its terra cotta color scheme; service is laid back
and helpful, and amazingly, the prices are unbelievably gentle with all
pastas going at an amazing $12 (add $4 if used as an entree). A sample
of our menu follows and I can assure you that from antipasti to pasta,
entrees, salads, breads and desserts, Valentino is one of the Los Angeles
area’s most rewarding (not to mention civilized) restaurants.
VALENTINO SEASONAL MENU
ANTIPASTI e INSALATE
Carpaccio di manzo con capperi di Pantelleria e radicchio - 11
Beef carpaccio, capers and radicchio
Tortino di funghi allo zafferano - 10
Mushroom timbale with saffron
Tonno al pepe con arance sanguigne e bottarga - 12
Pepper seared Ahi-tuna with blood oranges and aromatic
vinaigrette
Insalata di mille cosette - 11
Chopped fresh mixed greens and vegetables
Funghi, fagiolini e mozzarella in insalata - 11
Mushrooms, string beans and mozzarella
Calamari, polipo e patate al pesto - 10
Squid, octopus and pesto potato
Insalata di aragosta, couscous, rucola, e olive con olio agrumato - 13
Maine lobster salad with couscous, olives and orange infused oil
MINESTRE
Minestra di farro e lenticchie - 8
Spelt and lentil soup
Zuppa di orzo, patate, e funghi - 8
Barley, potato and mushroom soup
Brodetto di vongole al peperoncino - 9
Tomato and clams in spicy broth
PASTE
(All pastas are 12, add 4 if entrée)
Gnocchetti di patate e spinaci con salsa di noci
Potato and spinach gnocchi with walnut sauce
Fusilli al ragù d'anatra
Duck ragù
Linguine con vongole e aglio dolce
Clams and sweet garlic
Spaghetti Martelli ai due formaggi e pomodoro
Martelli brand pasta with tomato, fontina and Parmesan
Pappardelle con pesto di rapini al pomodoro e ricotta salata
Egg pasta with wild greens, fresh tomato and aged ricotta
Ravioli di fonduta con salsa di funghi di bosco
Cheese ravioli with a mixed mushroom sauce
Cavatelli con granchio, zafferano, olive, and capperi
Shell pasta with crab, saffron, olives and capers
Maccheroncini con ragù di salsiccia e melanzane
Peasant style pasta with sausage and eggplant
RISOTTI
Risotto ai frutti di mare - 16
Risotto with seafood
Risotto con peperoni e mais - 15
Corn and pepper risotto
Risotto con prosciutto, spinaci, e asparagi - 16
Prosciutto, spinach and asparagus risotto
SECONDI
Pesce spada ai sapori del sud - 24
Swordfish steak with onion and olive caponata
Salmone dell'Atlantico con asparagi ed olio al basilico - 24
Atlantic salmon with asparagus and basil oil
Piccione cotto a scottadito con fichi e miele - 24
Grilled pigeon in a honey, fig sauce
Fegato all'aceto rosso con burro e salvia - 22
Sliced calf's liver with butter and sage
Osso buco con misticanza di verdure - 25
Osso buco braised in veal stock
Costoletta di vitello con salsa al Marsala, panna, e prosciutto - 26
Veal chop with cream, prosciutto and Marsala wine
Pollo ruspante, alla Diavola - 21
Grilled spicy free range chicken
Filetto di manzo al Barbaresco - 26
Beef filet in red wine sauce
Animelle di vitello alle cipolle e zucchini croccanti - 23
Crispy sweetbreads with zucchini and Maui onions
Petti di pollo e porcini - 21
Chicken breast with a creamy porcini mushroom sauce
I formaggi misti - $10 per person
THE EXTRAVAGANZA MENU
Selected daily by the chef
$65 per person
(This is what we ordered & it was divine)
VALENTINO SUMMER MENU INCLUDES
House smoked, orange flavored salmon with potatoes and blackberry vinaigrette - 11
Shrimp and lobster cakes with braised leeks and balsamic - 11.50
Sautéed endive, shiitake and asparagus tips on mache with caprino - 9.75
Day-boat jumbo scallop medallions in porcini crust with green onions - 11
Beggar purses with crab and Pacific oysters in champagne mustard sauce - 11.50
Potato cannelloni with ricotta and prosciutto on sweet pepper puree - 9
Cured beef (Bresaola) and artichokes salad with shaved parmesan - 10
Soup of the week - 7
Home made spinach tagliolini with Maine shrimps, bacon and potatoes - 13.75
Baked open ravioli with quail with black truffle and cream - 14.50
Wild mushrooms stuffed cappellacci baked in checca sauce - 12.75
Fresh garganelli, white and green asparagus with roasted duck and garlic in red wine- 14
Rigatoni, eggplant puree and tomato ragù with fresh mozzarella - 12.50
Spicy risotto with shrimp and cream of sun-dried tomatoes - 16
Risotto with chicken sausage and seasonal mushrooms - 15
THERE IS EVEN A INSIGNIFICANT CORKAGE FEE: $15
So soak up the sun, spoon in the pasta and prepare
for day two and the chic of Beverly Hills -- coming up tomorrow.
Le Marigot & Valentino rate A+ on my Travel & Restaurant Report Card.
I'm J. Walman & my reviews are available & have been seen on the Internet <http://punchin.com/punchin>, The Culinary Gourmet of New York <http://culinarygourmet.com>, Broadway-On-the-Net <http://punchin.com/punchin/broadway.html>, Dinner’s On Us <http://www.dinnersonus.com> Or Click here to see the review on the worldwide web <http://punchin.com/punchin/wevd/laquickie1html>.
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