A new year means a new schedule of foodie fun at one of San Diego’s most distinguished hotels, The Grand Del Mar. Named California’s #1 Resort in Travel + Leisure’s 2013 World’s Best Awards and #1 Hotel in the United States 2014 by TripAdvisor, this luxurious SoCal destination knows how to show its guests a good time, and its 2014 lineup of events should be no exception.
Club M’s Salsa Night: Dance the night away to the Cuban beats of Combo Libertad every Thursday from 7-11 p.m. beginning January 23. Cool down with one of the bar’s specialty rum cocktails and take advantage of happy hour specials all evening and no cover charge at the door.
The Red Ball at Club M: Ring in the Chinese New Year at Club M on Friday, January 31 from 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Show up in your swankiest red cocktail attire ready to celebrate the Year of the Horse, while Mark Fulton and The Mighty Untouchables play Top 40 hits and DJ Mike White keeps the party going all night at the turntables.
Love on the Rocks Mixology Demo: The Grand Del Mar’s master of mixology, Levi Walker, will be shaking things up with his expert tips and tricks to create the perfect evening with cocktails. Paired with his romantic concoctions will be hors d’oeuvres from Amaya’s Chef Matthew Sramek. Such pairings will include the Caribbean Grasshopper with rock shrimp spring roll and cucumber gastrique; the Fireside Toddy alongside duck confit beignet with a kumquat glaze; and the Chocolate Covered Strawberries Cocktail made with Bombay Sapphire, Crème de Cacao, and muddled strawberries, topped with Champagne and served with walnut bread crostini, fresh cheese and black pepper. The event takes place Wednesday, February 5 at 7 p.m. and starts at $55 per person.
Fiddlehead Cellars Wine Dinner: On Thursday, February 20, Chef Matthew Sramek will prepare a special three-course dinner paired with Fiddlehead Cellars renowned Lompoc vineyard wines. The menu will feature pairings of Seared Diver Scallop with cauliflower velouté and Tuscan kale and 2010 Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc; Crispy Skin Duck Breast with cherry-red rice risotto and 2009 “728-Fiddlestix” Pinot Noir; and for dessert, Explorateur Triple Cream Cheese Fritter with a glass of 2012 “Sweetie” Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc. The dinner is priced at $85 per person with reservations beginning at 5:30 p.m.
86th Academy Awards Soiree: Come watch all the Oscars excitement unfold on Club M’s 85-inch flat screen TV on March 2, 2014. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., you can check out everything from the red carpet arrivals to the acceptance speeches while drinking delicious cocktails, listening to live music, participating in winner-prediction contests, and savoring a global tapas menu. Dishes include Crispy Chicken with Oaxacan Mole, Duck Confit Flatbread, and Citrus-Honey Crab Salad. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited. Don’t forget to dress to impress—you don’t want to make the dreaded ‘worst dressed’ list.
Robert Foley Vineyards Wine Dinner: On March 13, owner of Robert Foley Vineyards, Bob Foley, will be at The Grand Del Mar to speak about his award-winning wines as diners feast on a three-course meal from Chef Sramek paired with the Napa Valley varietals. Designed specifically to make the wines shine, dishes include Chilled Melon Consommé and Goat’s Milk Ricotta Gnocchi paired with 2010 Pinot Blanc Napa; a second course of Espresso Roasted Duck Breast with sour cherry jus and 2010 Merlot; and Rogue Creamery Smokey Blue Cheese with cranberry and chocolate bread for dessert, accompanied by 2009 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. The dinner is $85 per person and reservations begin at 5:30 p.m.
