The Cliffs Resort and Spa in Pismo Beach provides its guests a perfect getaway with a view

The Cliffs Resort has been a favorite of Food and Wine aficionados for many years. Major annual wine events such as The World of Pinot Noir and The Central Coast Wine Classic are held right on their grounds with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop.

Located  halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, The Cliffs Resort is perched atop bluffs overlooking some of the world's most pristine beaches. The Cliffs  Resort is unlike any other we have visited in our travels. This beautiful resort and spa is  in harmony  with nature with its breathtaking ocean setting.

Built in 1987 , the Cliffs has taken its place among the best on California's Central Coast and its awards speak for itself.  Many hotels are close to the water  but this one sits on its very own bluff,  Now how special is that ?

Accommodations:

Every guest room and suite at The Cliffs Resort brims with extraordinary indulgences. Guests  find upgraded bath amenities, enjoy complimentary wireless Internet access and spacious work areas. As the luxury alternative to traditional Pismo Beach  hotels, this award-winning resort boasts guestroom accommodations to suit every taste and wallet .





We opened the door to our suite and we gasped with excitement.  The Signature suite is the  largest and most well-appointed suite in the hotel. Our attention was immediately drawn to the patio doors.  We opened the  doors a  found a beautiful  grass lawn and bluff overlooking the Pacific ocean less than 50 yards away from our patio.




This  large multilevel floor plan has a separate living room and seating area just inside the patio doors with a panoramic view of the bluffs. The Italian marble bath with a whirlpool provided a nice way to relax after a long day and read the newspaper over a nice glass of Central Coast wine. And as night falls,  what a better place to sleep but on the pillow-top king size bed with sounds of the ocean right out side of your door.

The SPA :




Guests at the Cliffs can enjoy award winning pampering at their Spa.
Ease away tension with a variety of Massages from the Signature Massage , Deep Tissue and Thermal Sea Stone Massage just to name a few.  Or  cleanse your skin with a Skin Soother such as the Sea and Salt Scrub or the enticing White Wine and White Algae Mask.




Whether your preference is a relaxing, full-body massage or extra attention paid to areas that requires a  particular focus, their  gifted therapists will tailor your treatment to best accommodate you. The Spa's  Skin Soothers  draw inspiration from both the nearby wineries and the Pacific Ocean located right outside the SPA windows

 The Spa at The Cliffs features facials by Osea and Epicuren. Osea has become the industry leader in high-tech, all-natural, marine-based skin-care products to balance and care for your skin. Epicurean products incorporate active enzymes and gentle ingredients, to provide advanced therapeutic facial care to cope with all skin imbalances and conditions.

With services for Men and Women alike , The Spa  at the Cliffs Resort is a great way to relax and rejuvenate your mind and body .


Marisol at The Cliffs Resort

“Marisol” translates to "The Sun and the Sea" and no where is this more evident than through the flavors of the food at this ocean view restaurant . The menu at “Marisol” has been developed as a marriage of California Coastal Cuisine and Modern Latin Flavors






 All of the dishes at “Marisol” are prepared  by, Chef de Cuisine Gregg Wangard featuring produce from fields of local farmers, seafood fresh off the boats of local fishermen, and naturally raised meats and poultry.

We stopped in at Marisol numerous times during our visit for Lunch , Happy Hour , Dinner and Breakfast . No matter what meal we were having the entire staff from the bar , servers and Management and the Chef himself were friendly and personable.

Fried Calamari – Marinara, Basil Pesto Aioli and Lemon was a lunch favorite as well as the Morro Bay Oysters that were so fresh the melted in our mouths.

Dinner at Marisol  provides a wonderful way to dine and watch the  sunset over the Pacific Ocean.  Chef Gregg Wangard's Ricotta Ravioli - Sausage, Fennel,  and Lemon Crema dish provided an nice combination for an earthy dish with locally produced ingredients.

  

Salads at Marisol are fresh from the near by farms with one of our  favorites being  the Ralph Johnson Little Gem Caesar Salad  with White Anchovy, Parmesan and Herb Croutons .







Marisol offers casual lunch dining, Evening cocktails, daily Happy hour appetizer specials a Sunday Brunch and a   breathtaking Bar and outdoor patio, overlooking the pool and ocean to locals and guests alike. Of course their large wine list is a who's who of the Central Coast Vintners and their wonderful products from Rose to Syrah.






Bring the Entire Family on your visit to the Cliffs:

The Cliffs offers many amenities and great service to its guests .  On our visit we brought our entire family to enjoy this very special resort with a view. The  Resort is pet friendly and your best friend is also invited to dine alfresco at Marisol and then take a relaxing walk along the bluffs above the Pacific ocean.

Shortly after we checked in , a knock at the door brought us a very special amenity.  A large pet bed , two silver bowls and a special dining menu. Pets have the option of many dining choices at the Cliffs  that include in room and alfresco dining .



The Woof Woof Boeuf :
 
Steak , Eggs & Hashbrowns
   Tenderloin Tips , Scrambled Eggs , Hashbrowns , Pig Ear "  Bacon Bits "

Chow Hound Chicken
   Boneless , Skinless Chicken Breast , Bamati Rice and Scrambled Eggs

Tree Hugger
  Brown Rice , Green Beans , Carrots and Potatoes

 

We travel in the Central Coast often and will return to The Cliffs Resort and Spa. Where else can you have nice glass of wine from your private balcony  with a view, take a dip in the pool overlooking the ocean and dine at one of the areas best restaurants.  Staying at the Cliffs makes it very hard to go anywhere else.




For more information about the Cliffs Resort please visit The Cliffs Resort and Spa

Wine , Food and History come together at Mission San Luis Opispo de Tolosa for SUNSET Magazine's SAVOR the Mission

California's Central Coast is well known for its Vineyards , Seafood , Agriculture and a long history of Spanish Influence that goes back over 200 years.










SUNSET Magazine brought all of these elements together under the  stars  in Mission Plaza at Mission San Luis Opispo de Tolosa for a very special evening to SAVOR the Mission.


Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was founded 1772 on the Central Coast of California  on a site located halfway between Santa Barbara  and Monterey . It was named after Saint Louis of Anjou, the bishop of Toulouse. The Mission church of San Luis Obispo is unusual in its design in that its combination of belfry  and vestibule is found nowhere else among the California missions. The main nave is short and narrow (as is the case with other mission churches), but at San Luis Obispo there is a secondary nave of almost equal size situated to the right of the altar, making this the only "L"-shaped mission church among all of the California missions. The Mission is still active today 238 years after it was founded.

As you walk through downtown San Luis Opispo one can not help but feel this historic Mission's presence before you even see it.  This is a dinner that many were looking forward to from the minute SUNSET Magazine announced its events for this very special weekend.  Guests arrived looking forward to a dining experience that  featured the culinary talents of some of San Luis Opispo's best Chefs and a very impressive line up of Vintners as well . Sunset Food Editor Margo True was on hand to enjoy the Food , wine and what should be interesting conversation at the long communal tables.

San Luis Opispo Vintners had a nice line up of their best waiting for the guests as they entered the plaza. Eleven  nearby wineries of Alapay , Ancient Peaks , Cerro Caliente , Chamisal Vineyards , Claiborne & Churchill , Edna Valley  Vineyard , Laetitia , Niven Family Wine Estates , Pithy Little Wine Co, Salisbury Vineyards , Saucelito Canyon , Sinor La Vallee , Talley and Tolosa  all took time out from a busy harvest to attend this historic event.

We have attended events in the past where guests are seated at long tables and we find this quite enjoyable. On this night , locals from San Lusi  Opispo , many from elsewhere in California and those who traveled many miles, all dined  together and in many cases made new friends by the time the event came to an end.

Music was a big part of the event . Once the guests were seated and the winemakers started making their  first visits to the tables the legendary Red Holloway and his Band took the stage . Red and his band provided the final ingredient for this one of a kind dining experience with the Mission serving as the backdrop.






Passed Appetizers :

Spicy Ahi " Tacos "
Native Restaurant and Lounge
Chef Sean  Faries

Sauced Cocktail Frites
Bel Frites
Fred and Joyce O'Toole

First Course :

Two Color Melon Gazpacho with Arugula
Big Sky Cafe
Chef / Owner Charles Myers



Main Course :

Grilled Lamb Loins , Potato Dauphinois  and Seasonal Vegetable Ratatouille
Et Voila
Chef Jose' Dahan

Salad Course :
Local Mixed Greens  with a Goat Mozzarella Tartlet
Cafe Roma
Chef Marco and Saro Rizzo

Dessert Course :

Bombe ( Quince Sherbert , Apple Mousse , Caramel Cigar with Rum Caramel Sauce.
Two Cooks Catering
Chef Russ Thomas



Bread by Hush-Harbor Artisan Bakery

 Many were in awe of this dining venue on  a perfect fall evening in the very alive and vibrant city of San Luis Opispo .  The Mission provided diners a venue with spirituality and history along with San Luis Opispo's hottest Chefs and of course wines from only a few miles away. The conversation at the tables was informative and lively and we are sure new friendships were  established.  SUNSET Magazine's SAVOR the Misson was an enlightening experience for all that attended this unique dinner.

Ancient Peaks winemaker dinner with The Range in Santa Margarita shows some of the areas best as we SAVOR the Central Coast with Sunset Magazine

SUNSET Magazine's 1st SAVOR The Central Coast featured the best everything the Central Coast of California has to over from world class wines , sustainable and organic seafood , grass fed beef and free range chicken as well a fascinating history that pre-dates the United States. Winemaker dinners were held all over the Central Coast.   We joined winemaker Mike Sinor at the Range in Santa Margarita for a dinner that still has our mouths salivating for more.

The daily topic as guests attended the many SAVOR events was "where are you going to eat tonight ? "  We answered we were going to The Range in Santa Margarita for a dinner under the stars .  The reaction was always the same.  " The Range ?  You will LOVE  it !  "  We have felt that we know this area pretty well but , The Range is the best kept locals secret we have found in this area for a very long time.



Jeff and Lindsey Jackson offer an old west , casual atmosphere and feature a menu that is constantly changing.   The menu shows Chef Jeff's  inspiration to source products from small local producers many of which produce organic and sustainable goods.  His wine list of course features the best of the central coast as they are located right in the middle of it.  This restaurant is small and keeping with its old west decor and atmosphere , no reservations or credit cards are accepted.  First come , First serve is their motto so our suggestion is to get there early.

As the appetizer of Bloom Micro Greens  and Ancient Peaks Sauvignon Blanc 2009 was served , winemaker Mike Sinor explained the wonderful history of Ancient Peaks Winery. Millions of years ago the ocean floor rose and  the earth's coastal plates  collied and  formed tall peaks that surround their organically farmed Margarita Vineyard near Paso Robles.  Ancient Peaks has produced wines that have caused  quite a stir in the world of wine.  For example , the Oyster Ridge 2006  earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast , the Zinfandel 2006 scored a very nice 93 points from Wine Spectator and the Merlot 2007 earned 90 points and was Editor's Choice of Wine Enthusiast.

This family owned winery specializes in estate-grown fruit and is owned from three long time winegrowing famlies the Filipponis , Rossis and Wittstroms. Mike Sinor is a hands on winemaker and makes sure the vineyard's true character is reflected in his wines made  with Sustainable viticultural practices.  The Margarita Vineyard has earned the very difficult SIP  ( Sustainability in Practice ) certification that shows the quality of the winemakeing that is done in the vineyard .

First Course :
Babe Farms organic parsely root bisque with hazelnut sage brown butter
Ancient Peaks Sauvignon Blanc 2009 
The fresh sage and parsley  paired with the crisp Sauvignon Blanc provided  notes that showed off the dish and its natural flavors and aromas of the area.

Course Two:
 Roasted Cal Poly Organic Free Range Chicken , Kendall farms creme fraiche and shitake mushroom stroganoff in puff pastry.
Ancient Peaks Malbec 2007
We had many great dishes over this one of a kind weekend , but this dish is most likely THE BEST dish we had the entire time we were in this very special area.  The chicken was moist , full of flavor as the shitake mushrooms added body and earth elements that paired well with the Malbec.

Course Three :
Santa Margarita Ranch Grass fed beef daube , Babe Farm celeriac root puree , baby carrots and Oyster Ridge brasing jus.
Ancient Peaks Osyter Ridge Cuvee 2007
This dish provided the guests a feel for what this area is all about.  The vast and historic Santa Margarita Ranch is literally located right out side of  the windows of The Range.  The ingredients combine for a taste of Santa Margarita itself with Chef Jeff using the Oyster Ridge Cuvee provided  a nice touch.

Course Four :
Bitter Chocolate Torte Cabernet Sauvignon , plumped cherries and chilled cardamom sabayon
Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Yes,  you can use a big Cabernet with dessert when done correctly. This  Cabernet Sauvignon from the close by Margarita Vineyard  was a  spot on pairing with the last course.  Aromas of plum and cherry come through on the nose with cassis and  black berry jam ending with a long finish with balanced tannins.

Historic Santa Margarita provided a very special backdrop at The Range and Ancient Peaks winemaker dinner.  This intimate affair at SAVOR the Central Coast provided guests a dinner that showed off the food and wines of the area with an historical and sustainable perspective. Both terms describe the Central Coast of California to a Tee . We travel this area often and we know The Range and Ancient Peaks Winery will be two stops we will not miss .

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The 5th Annual Wine Amplified Festival featuring THIRDEYEBLIND is a perfect blend of Wine , Music and a Beach

We have had the pleasure of attending most of the heralded Wine Amplified events over the last five years.  Each one of these events has its own personality and the 5th Wine Amplified festival was no different being unique in its own way.

Rock n Roll wines has been a real success story .  Chris Hammond while studying for his Sommelier Exam gathered his close friends together  to help him study wines.  They came up with the novel idea of listening and "pairing" wines with music.  Their Rock n Roll wine  events had beginnings in small venues and has grown into events in some of the "hipest" venues in town.  The Amplified  events in Las Vegas draw thousands to Mandalay Bay's  Beach for great wines , music and food.

This  years Wine Amplified  Festival featured THIRDEYEBLIND a group that is no stranger to any lover   of most types of music. In addition to this renown group , guests were treated with the sounds of Jarrod Gorbel and Locksley as the anticipation built for the main featured act to take the main stage.

The Main Stage was not the only source of entertainment.  The MJ Christensen Diamonds Lagoon featured wines such as Rock n Rolls own wines , Rhapsody and The Grotto as well as Conundrum , Dr Loosen  , Kim Crawford  and Estancia just to name a few.  With a stage of its own, The Marketplace Brothers and DJ Robert Oleysyck provided the guests with "tunes to sip by "

The Beach at Mandalay Bay Resort is known throughout the world for  its wave pool and flowing lazy river.  It is also the location of the main stage and even more wines.

Winemakers also attend these events in person.  Winemaker Stillman Brown of Red Zeppelin wines was  present and  pouring his 2006 Red Zeppelin Chardonnay , Red Zeppelin Vindication NV and his very delicious 2007 Zeppelin Syrah by Stillman Brown.

This unique venue provides a very laid back atmosphere to enjoy wines from all over the world and listen to great music  as they sit  , stand  or stroll through the sand and the water under a moonlit Las Vegas evening.

The Beach featured wines that are very well known.  Moet Hennesey and Domaine Chandon were are first stops as we walked down the beach.  Trinchero Wines had 14 wines for the guests to indulge their palates. If your type  of wine is SAKE , Sake One was in the house with their G-Joy and Moonstone Sakes for a taste of the Far East. TY KU also featured very nice Junmani Ginjo and Junmani Diaginjo as well.

The music was electrifying and the wines palate pleasing but no event would be complete without some great dishes.  Las Vegas is  well known world wide for its dining venues with award winning Chefs.  The Mandalay Bay is home to many of these  culinary stars. AUREOLE was on the beach with House Made Spicy Italian Sausage with caramelized onion , peppers and Chipotle sauce.




AUREOLE's very talented pastry Chef Megan Romano herself was serving a luscious Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter  Bar.

Chef Hubert Keller's Fleur de lys was showing off their best with  Cold Beef Salad with Granny Smith Apples and Horseradish that left everyone wanting more.

STRIPSTEAK was our next culinary stop on the beach and we enjoyed American Kobe Sliders with Fennel Slaw and Watercress that was a carnivores delight.

MIX which is very famous for their dishes and their view gave us a nice Red and Yellow Gazpacho with a Spicy Crab Salad that went well with a lovely Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc.

Our last culinary stop off was a touch of Asia with  Barbecued Pork Salt and Pepper Sea Bass from Shanghai Lilly

It was now time to take things upstairs for a view , food and of course more delicious wines.  The Land Rover Pinnacle Club at Moorea was well worth the walk as we were very well rewarded for our efforts.





We noticed  Rick Moonen's RM Seafood and ran,  not walked to their table across the Moorea pool  and were greeted by Chef Rick Moonen and Chef Adam Sobel in person serving some of this renowned restaurant's best sustainbale delights  from the sea as only they can do.

  

The wines at the Pinnacle Club were spectacular  with Cave De Lugny , Hoffman Family Cellars , Wagner Family wines and wine maker Richard Oh of OH and Otter cove wines  showing off his very nice new release , OH Syrah

Chris , Sonny and their entire staff did another spectacular job putting on an event like none other in the country.  The Mandalay's Beach , music , the food and wines all came together on a cloudless starry night in Las Vegas for a festival to be remembered.  Count us in for next year !

For more information about Rock n Roll wines and the Amplified Festivals please visit Rock n Roll Wines