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Westlake Village Inn Saddle Peak Lodge
Two Old World Gems
By Patricia Bradford Rambo II
Nestled in the tranquil village of Westlake just outside the San Fernando Valley lies a hidden treasure, The Westlake Village Inn. This vast property is situated on 17 luxurious acres of exquisite foliage, meandering creeks, a barrage of wildlife, rose arbors and soothing fountains. But the property also encompasses a modern village of upscale Mediterranean style rooms and suites with luxury amenities including a 18 hole golf course, one of the only two spherical-shaped resort pools in Southern California, lakeside weddings, tennis courts and scenic views of both the mountains and the sea.
This beautifully appointed hotel is so tucked away; it is no wonder that it has been a respite for the affluent residents and their families nearby for decades. Film and sports celebrities alike are often known to visit the solitude of this rustic sanctuary. The likes of Tiger Woods, Hulk Hogan, Sean Connery, and even Vice President Dick Cheney have soaked in the ambiance of this retreat. The rich and famous know that they can enjoy the privacy of this charming lodge.
The striking entrance of the lobby is marked by a pair of uniquely ornate iron gates framed by glass, which enter into another world of lavish secrecy. Beyond the intimate check in desk and enormous fireplace is a private area adorned with a pair of beautifully hooded, curved back chairs beckoning one to sit down, rest awhile, and enjoy a game of chess with a fresh glass of pink lemonade on a hot summer day. Pass through the lobby to the quaint outdoor patio and into the very secluded pool and spa area pardoned by an iron fence guarded by chirping birds, and lovely greenery abounding the surrounding area.
This boutique hotel was envisioned by philanthropist John L. Notter. This local developer established the property in 1968 from Los Angeles and California's Central Coast along historic El Camino Real. A major renovation took place in 2007, which transposed the gracious landscape into seven freestanding inn houses, the Capri, Tuscany, Portofino, St. Tropez, Monte Carlo, Marabella, and the Atrium. The villas contain not only 141 individually appointed guestrooms, but also include 76 suites that range in size and accoutrements. Each room features the utmost of style and elegance, and no two rooms are alike. However, all rooms include private terraces or balconies and some even offer private entrances for the most discerning traveler.
The modern amenities include flat screen televisions, high speed wireless internet service, Italian Marreo bedding to sink into with Bose wave radios bedside, and original artwork. The expected comforts are of course also available in the luxurious rooms and suites: Plush terry bathrobes, hair dryers, mini-bars, and complimentary continental breakfast. However exceptional comforts are also offered, prepared picnic baskets, complimentary cruiser bikes, and unpacking valet services.
Elegant weddings are undoubtedly a specialty in this very romantic and secluded hideaway. Not only are there a plethora of garden and lakeside settings available for that special day, but so is one of the most extravagant honeymoon suites in Southern California. The Villa is a two-story, 1,500 square foot love nest. The suite contains a pair of fireplaces, a grand piano, a dramatic spiral staircase, an enormous bathroom complete with a two-person Jacuzzi tub, original trompe l'eoil paintings, and a granite kitchen for professional chefs to prepare a rehearsal dinner and a private garden patio and balcony.
The hotel also offers a full service staff for an unbelievable wedding to remember, complete with everything one can imagine to make sure the bride's dream wedding comes to fruition. No matter what the request, there is no end to what the wedding coordinators at the Inn are capable of, whether it is bagpipes, a designer wedding cake, or simply a small gathering with geese and ducks with on the back forty in the horizon.
Whether you are staying in the hotel, or simply looking for a gourmet dining experience, the Inn makes its mark. Mediterraneo is a dining destination, under the direction of culinary expert, Chef Alberto Vazquez, and the world of his exquisite taste is not to be missed. He mastered his expertise as a child under the guidance of his mother and never left those memories behind when creating his signature dishes under the tutelage of Tommasso Barletta, chef/owner of the renowned Tuscany restaurant in Westlake Village. He took charge of the kitchen, both creatively and managerially.
Bottom line, the Westlake Village Inn is a one of a kind entity unrivaled by any boutique hotel on the west coast, an experience not soon forgotten.
Located at 31943 Agoura Road in Westlake Village, California for reservations and more information: 800.535.9978 or www.westlakevillageinn.com
Another notable site in this lovely area is the Saddle Peak Lodge, discretely located by Malibu Canyon State Park, surrounded by trees and unbridled nature. This lodge is a once in a lifetime experience not to miss. Themed as a hunting lodge with game heads displayed proudly on the log cabin walls, the restaurant combines casual elegance with rustic décor. The menu has a delectable selection of wild game specialties cleverly fused with traditional favorites by Chef de Cuisine, Adam C. Horton.
The restaurant offers a weekend brunch as well as a summer and fall wine and dinner series. Each gathering features a guest winemaker presenting favorite vintages, as well as a six course dinner with Saddle Peak Lodge's Michelin award winning culinary team of Chef de Cuisine, Adam C. Horton and Sous Chef Chris Kufek. Reservations are limited to 40 people to create an intimate gathering. Immediate reservations are suggested either via email: john@saddlepeaklodge.com or by phone, as this series is bound to sell out.
Located at 419 Cold Canyon Road in Calabasas, situated off Malibu Canyon Road four miles from the 101 and an equal distance from Pacific Coast Highway. For reservations, call 818.222.3888 or reserve a table online at www.saddlepeaklodge.com
Morels, Dinner Loves & Vines: The Gentle Brilliance of Idaho
By Tim Wassberg
Snow peaks quest the adventurer as the lights of Boise Idaho fade. The late downtown edge viewed from the Hampton Suites (www.hamptonboise.com) had begun the night fantastic. Laughing Dog Brewery (www.laughingdogbrewing.com) paints with a tickle of huckleberry ale at the Red Feather Lounge (redfeatherlounge.com), the unfettered pick of locals with its blue-immersed wine cellar and sultry brilliance. The Pie Hole (pieholeusa.com) gave slices a NY resonance with the ooze of spinach Alfredo and Italian sausage, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.
The Sun Valley Food & Wine Festival (sunvalleyfoodandwinefestival.com) drew us in.
Sun Valley is a paradise in winter. It transforms in summer to a green, high-taste Mecca where chefs are all the rage.
Cat Cora’s early morning soiree at Ciro's (cirosunvalley.com) had fans watching the preparation of beets wrapped in a salad with toasted pistachios and cherry vinaigrette coupled with a fillet of beef.
The local chef presentations were intimate and rich. At Cristina's, the focus was on crepes as chocolate flowed with pure whipped cream. The essence of chicken Florentine took breath as Chef Cristina Ceccetelli Cook played along. Over at Riccabona, raviolis stuffed with lamb and local mushrooms were created from scratch. On a plateau outside town, Lava Lake Lamb (www.lavalakelamb.com) set up a round circle cookout. The Vintner Dinners highlighted local wines and food.
The night was spent at Sun Valley Lodge (www.sunvalley.com/SVLodging/info/svl.aspx). Oysters bathed with a slight limoncello sauce began the proceedings as Italian wines wrapped the lake perch and the luscious grilled quail into an aromatic potpourri. The veal chop was nearly overwhelming with the advice to "do your best".
At Roosevelt Grille (therooseveltgrille.com) the night was more intimate and casual as "tater-tinis", potato vodka, intermixed with appetizers of tart bruschetta. The "Idaho Surf & Turf" of lamb and trout with a Cold Springs Winery Cabernet segued into the progression of a Hot Rod Red.
Whiskey Jacques (whiskeyjacques.com) was where the pairing of hip pop and rhythm made the dancers move to the floor. Fat Tire let Usher break down as girls swirled and waved. The Casino Club, a bar where Ernest Hemingway once downed his sorrows, is beautiful.
From the brimming of sunrise evolved The Redfish Lake Lodge (redfishlake.com) with hometown tranquility along with some scrambled eggs and a grilled trout fillet. The progression through the day took us along scenic byways which twist and turn through a variety of topography After a beautiful lunch at Southfork Landing (southforklanding.com) and cocktails at the epic Whitetail Club (www.whitetailclub.com), the Tamarack Resort (tamarackidaho.com) brought us into focus at the base of one of the state's most beloved ski runs. Chef Gary Kucy of Morels Restaurant educated us on the art of the "morel" which is a mushroom. His stuffed morel followed by a juicy bit of Kobe beef and topped with a lemon tart sent most into the stratosphere. The outside hot tub was grand and overflowing.
Early morning "morel" hunting took us near the Super Pipe. Wandering led us to Cascade Lake. There was a feast with salmon, fried cheese and grilled lamb. The white water on the Payette River proved to be a little rough. Hitting it with right raft requires skill.
Heading out through the winding Sunny Slope area, the wineries permeate into view. St. Chapelle (stechapelle.com) crests on a hill where its Special Harvest Riesling burrows into the soul. At Koenig (www.koenigdistillery.com) on the river barrier, a back-room opens to reveal a distillery artistic in the vein of "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory" where potato vodka and brandies swirl as the wind meanders. The Syrah grapes at Skyline Vineyard are just beginning to grow as hundreds of acres spread out into the vast landscape like
a painting. Inside Sawtooth (sawtoothwinery.com), barrels rest as an oak Sesamo, unbottled and fresh, flows through the clarity of the glass.
Later that evening Bistro 29 (brick29.com) in Nampa meditates food fantastic within a redesigned Masonic temple where asparagus-filled ravioli and huckleberry cobbler dance in splendid harmony with the help of a glass of Uncle Dunkel Lager. In Eagle, Franco Latino (francolatino.com) dances with temptation as Chef Jon Mortimer serves a silky-induced meal of mushroom risotto dressed in cream and a pork loin seasoned to perfection.
Heading out into the deep night, Bar Gernika provides back-room French fries and croquettes with a Basque twist as snow stories and road trips are recounted. The Red Feather Lounge returned as absinthe was lit on fire with Lucid anticipation and sugar was dissolved. The intensive goodness of gyros at The Pita Pit rinsed the dark as the raindrops fell.
The many tastes and senses of Idaho (www.visitidaho.org) flow through the mind as the irrepressible and diverse landscapes beautify the vision. But as a huckleberry shake is creamed through the kitchen of Big Juds (bigjuds.com) and hand carved Idaho fries and a one pound burger gives one breath, the fun and frolic of this Northwest hideaway brings the ideal of life and living home.
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