The Grand Del Mar — A Perfect Winter Getaway

8/13/2019 The Grand Del Mar A Perfect Winter Getaway

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ELEGANT ACCENTS FALL/ WINTER 20142 The resort pool offers just one of the picture-postcard views at the Grand Del Mar


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After my best friend moved from New York to California,we had to create opportunities to meet and catch up. Sowe try to have a girlfriend getaway once a year, during

the winter. Its usually in California, where the weather is (almost)always balmy and there are plenty of wonderful resorts withspas (a must). Leaving my East Coast freeze behind, I arrived,with my friend on a brilliant California day, on the sumptuousgrounds of The Grand Del Mar.

Though the resort is only about a 20-minute drive from LaJolla (our starting point), it looked, as we approached, like aworld apart: a grand Mediterranean palace in Tuscany or Spain,rather than a fairly recent (2007) creation in southern California.

Snugged against the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, this$300-million five-star resort evokes legendary architect AddisonMizners romantic Palm Beach creations of the 1920s; compa-risons have even been made to the glamour and grandeur ofHearst Castle. The colors are richly realized, the gold, terracottaand rose, accented by cooler shades of green and blue. To thegrandeur of the past, architect Robert Altivers has infused asense of comfort and hospitality, for while the resort impresses,it does not overwhelm.

After a warm welcome during the painless check-in, Maggieand I were escorted to a sumptuous suite that was larger thanmy first New York apartment, with not one, but two, very spa-

The Grand Del MarA P E R F E C T W I N T E R G E TA WAY

By Lillian Africano

The hot stone massage is one of the many treatment options the spa offers for both men and women.

The womens lounge, a part of the 21,000-square-foot spa.


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cious bathrooms (each with a deepsoaking tub, shower, double sink andupscale amenities), a sitting room fitfor landed gentry, a dining room thatcould seat a holiday crowd and awell-equipped kitchen.

The heated terrace had com-manding views of the lush Tom Fazio-designed golf course, but as neitherof us was interested in the sport, wesimply admired the view. Hunger led

us to Amaya, the resorts casual res-taurant, though the service and foodhere are anything but casual. Thedcor is Mediterranean, the diningroom relaxed, the shaded terrace,appealing. The menu offers Americanfood with Mediterranean influences.We both asked for variations onmenu items and the response was:Of course and My pleasure, thesame response given to any requestwe made during our stay.

When our dishes arrived, Maggieremarked (to me): When I make thisdish at home, I usually serve it witha lot of sauce. The server, standingnearby, asked: Would you like me tobring more sauce? And within min-utes, she did. Just as it should be atsouthern Californias only triple-five-star resort.

The Addison is Southern Californias most acclaimed fine dining restaurant.

Glowing fire pits complete the relaxation experience at the main Resort Pool ELEGANT ACCENTS FALL/ WINTER 20144

cious bathrooms (each with a deepsoaking tub, shower, double sink andupscale amenities), a sitting room fitfor landed gentry, a dining room thatcould seat a holiday crowd and awell-equipped kitchen.

The heated terrace had com-manding views of the lush Tom Fazio-designed golf course, but as neitherof us was interested in the sport, wesimply admired the view. Hunger led

us to Amaya, the resorts casual res-taurant, though the service and foodhere are anything but casual. Thedcor is Mediterranean, the diningroom relaxed, the shaded terrace,appealing. The menu offers Americanfood with Mediterranean influences.We both asked for variations onmenu items and the response was:Of course and My pleasure, thesame response given to any requestwe made during our stay.

When our dishes arrived, Maggieremarked (to me): When I make thisdish at home, I usually serve it witha lot of sauce. The server, standingnearby, asked: Would you like me tobring more sauce? And within min-utes, she did. Just as it should be atsouthern Californias only triple-five-star resort.

The Addison is Southern Californias most acclaimed fine dining restaurant.

Glowing fire pits complete the relaxation experience at the main Resort Pool


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Later, we headed to the spa: 21,000 square feet of luxury. There are11 spacious treatment rooms, a romantic couples suite, separate mensand womens lounges, with inviting relaxation rooms (with fireplaces),showers, steam and sauna areas and indoor whirlpools. Outdoors,theres a shared whirlpool and a Relaxation Pool.

Though neither of us planned any vigorous exercise, we took noteof the (complimentary) Fitness Center, which features state-of-the-artequipment, including a variety of cardio and weight machines and freeweights. Personal training (reservations required) and fitness classes inthe Movement Studio are also available.

I was scheduled for the Renaissance Treatment (90 minutes, $310)followed by 30 minutes ($100) of MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage). Mytherapist extraordinaire, Jennifer Woog, explained that this was the spassignature body ritual, as she applied mineral-rich mud combined with

warm aromatic oils to my body while I was cocooned in the womb-likeembrace of the free-floating soft pack bed.The next part of the treatment was a bracing rosemary-infused

Swiss shower followed by soothing, tension-relieving touch therapy, nota massage but a series of gentle rhythmic rocking motions that almostput me to sleep. The finale to my two hours of relaxation and content-ment was the Manual Lymph Drainage.

As Jennifer began the delicate massage of my face and neck, I ex-pressed surprise. In the past, when Ive had a facial and it included whatthe esthetician described as lymph drainage, the touch was muchfirmer. No, Jennifer explained, the proper way to perform this treatmentwas what she was doing, to improve functioning of the immune systemand to induce the relaxation response that allowed the body to heal it-self. The treatment, she explained would reduce inflammation, minimizestress and heal a number of conditions. Apparently clients who have hadplastic surgery often choose MLD to accelerate healing and reduce the

pain and discomfort following surgery. When my treatment was over, Ifelt as if I could sleep for a week.

Maggie was signed up for the Extremities Treatment (90 minutes,$270). As described, that treatment begins with a therapeutic herbalfoot bath followed by a healing reflexology massage on the hands andfeet; this is intended to stimulate energy pathways. Maggie said she wasalso served a refreshing herbal tea. Next, she was treated to a soothingscalp, neck and shoulder massage with warm aromatic oils.

We met later in the relaxation room, both content to drift awaythe remainder of the afternoon until it was time to dress for our much-anticipated dinner at the resorts celebrated Addison restaurant.

Addison is something of a legend in the San Diego area. Directorand Executive Chef William Bradley has garnered kudos from Esquire,the Los Angeles Timesand Forbes.comfor his outstanding and creative

contemporary French cuisine and for presiding over one of the nationstop chefs tables. The prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel restaurantnamed Bradley one of their distinguished Grand Chefs, making himone of only 160 in the entire world. (A great chef attracts the attentionof other chefs and I wasnt surprised to learn that master chef ThomasKeller of French Laundry fame has dined here.)

The restaurant is the like the resort: opulent, masterfully decorated,with soft lighting and limestone and marble flooring, suggesting thedining room of an old world country home. Tables are well-spaced,allowing for comfort and private conversation; upholstered chairs anda fireplace create a cozy ambiance.

Our tasting menu selection began with a raspberry consommamusebouche accompanied by pink champagne as if we werent alreadyin a celebratory mood! The first course was caramelized endive with

The Mizner suite encompasses 2,840 square feet of unabashed luxury.


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whipped chvre and candied quince; the wine, a lovely 2010 GermanRiesling exclusively bottled for Addison. Next came a Baked St. Pierre,calamari grill and bouillabaisse with a Domaine de Fenouillet, Syrah/Grenache, Ventoux, France 2010.

Though Im not always fond of duck, the Canard Rti with liquorice,leeks and ruby red beets was a rare treat, succulent yet light; the wine,Bodegas Ontan, Temparillo, Rioja, Spain 2004.

With our selection of artisanal cheese came homemade watercrackers so light and airy, they were simply a platform for the cheeseplate. I should mention that all the bread products served are home-made, save for the brioche with fleur de sel, which came from thenearby Village Mill. (Our server explained that Chef Bradley likes these

and that he also likes to support local products.) My favorite bakeditems were the homemade griss ini with Meyer lemon.

The dessert course was a caramelized banana bread with salted-caramel crme glaage accompanied by a raspberry Belgian ale. Thissounds like an odd pairing, but it was sublime.

This also sounds like a great deal of food; to me it was exactlyright. The tasting portions are enough to satisfy robust appetites, but notdaunting for someone who prefers lighter meals.

The wine pairings were sublime. What I especially liked was find-ing that the wines I enjoyed most were readily accessible at home andnot terribly expensive.

After a dining experience like this, with food as nourishment, asentertainment and as sheer pleasure, we had to pay our respects to the

chef, who is as gracious and articulate as he is creative. He spoke abourespecting his ingredients, of being product-driven and of offering sea-sonal menus based on local foods and products. His kitchen was one othe most beautiful I have ever seen.

After a glorious day like this, there was nothing to do but enjoy thecomforts of our suite. The following morning we shared a room-servicebreakfast that arrived dead on time. The standout dish was the Mediterranean Breakfast, a thoughtful selection of cheeses, olives, fine coldcuts and artisan bread.

Amply fortified, I took a tour of the property, which has a grandballroom and various venues for weddings and special events. Out-doors, I found a stable and some friendly horses, for English dressage

or Western trail rides. There are three self-guided walking or joggingroutes with views of the canyon along the resorts perimeter. For moreambitious hikers, there are complimentary guided canyon walksDuring my walk, a staff member noticed that one of the straps on mytote bag had torn.

When I returned to the suite, the phone rang; a concerned voiceasked if I would like someone, perhaps one of the Grands seamstressesto repair my bag. I was, as the British say, gobsmacked. Fine service is onething; this was definitely above and beyond. I thanked the caller and saidno repair was necessary as this was an older bag that could be discarded.

While I had been exploring, Maggie had been back to the spa foyet another treatment. Neither of us wanted to leave this magical placeand we both agreed it had been our best ever Girlfriend Getaway.

The Grand Del Mar makes an ideal getaway for romance as well as for girlfriend reunions


6/7 ELEGANT ACCENTS FALL/ WINTER 2014 7Among the popular outdoor activities are Western-style trail rides.


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BLUEBERRY THAI BASIL MARTINIRecipe courtesy of Addison at The Grand Del MarYield: 1 cocktail

INGREDIENTS8 Blueberries5 to Thai basil leavesSplash of simple syrup2.5 ounces Stolichnaya Blueberry Vodka

METHODMuddle blueberries, Thai basil leaves and a splash of simple syrup in a

shaker. Add vodka and ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Fraise Petillant, Margarita Encender, and Blueberry Thai Basil Martini

AddisonSignatureCocktail

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The Grand Del Mar — A Perfect Winter Getaway