* An LA’s The Place Top Pick for 2010
Set in the understated elegance of the St. Regis Monarch Beach, Chef Michael Mina’s Stonehill Tavern is as accessible as it is beautiful, with personable service and expansive views of the pristine California coast. In the evenings, guests will be treated to a truly grand scene – a blood orange sun setting on the shimmering blue of the Pacific. As the light fades, water on the horizon shifts from navy, to gold, to a trembling and pearlescent black.

The décor inside the restaurant is simple, but bold: low lights, white tablecloths set against striking natural tones, and tables placed for intimate dining. And you won’t find your place setting adorned with superfluous silverware. It became clear throughout my evening there that neither Stonehill Tavern nor the St. Regis is about pretense. The skilled servers know exactly when to offer up their expert advice and when to fade into the background.

Stonehill Tavern's Dining Room

There is something special about Stonehill Tavern –something rare, unique, and almost wholly indescribable. Too many restaurants feature a kind of “revolving door” mentality – packing guests in and then rushing them out the door as if they hardly deserved to dine there in the first place. Stonehill Tavern is not one of those restaurants. Rather, it seems imbued with a subtle hint of romance – and each evening is tinged with a warming glow of nostalgia.

Perhaps I haven’t earned the credentials of a tried and true food critic, so far be it from me to lament the [shall we say “uncultured”] palate of most Americans, but I should say this: far too often, we forget what a meal has the potential to be. Most of us spend our days eating fast food and running from breakfast to lunch to dinner with a sort of recklessness that prevents us from truly appreciating any of it.

Step into Stonehill Tavern and you’ll find the cure. With each bite of foie gras, and each sip of one of their signature cocktails (the Blood and Sand was a personal favorite), everything else starts to melt away. You’ll savor each taste in a way you forgot was possible.

Visit Stonehill Tavern online.

Michael Mina

Michael Mina, head chef at Stonehill Tavern and the creative genius behind the menu, is already something of a heavy-hitter in the culinary world. Along with his partner, tennis legend Andre Agassi, Mina owns a total of 16 restaurants across the United States.

Mina has received numerous accolades for his culinary prowess, including Bon Appétit Chef of the Year in 2005, San Francisco Magazine Chef of the Year in 2005, and many more.

Chef Mina’s inspiration for much of Stonehill Tavern’s new menu is rooted in the desire for everyone to be able to enjoy his newest creations.

“I wanted to offer a menu that took the restaurant from a special occasion dining experience to a more relaxed neighborhood tavern that caters to locals as well as to the St. Regis hotel guests,” said Mina. “I’m confident that Stonehill Tavern diners will appreciate the new approachable cuisine and price points while they continue to enjoy our contemporary twists on classic tavern dishes.”

New menu additions include “Snack and Finger Foods” like the irresistible Lobster Fritters or local Fish & Chips, as well as modern takes on classic cocktails. The Aviation, Pimm’s Cup, and Blood and Sand cocktails are just a few of the unique drink creations found at Stonehill Tavern.

“Happy Hour” will run nightly from 5-7PM and include drink and snack specials.

It’s been 3 days, and I’m still under the spell. I can still taste the truffle macaroni and cheese, savor each bite of the lobster pot pie, and feel the warm lightness of the banana soufflé. With every indulgent daydream, I’m left with a longing in my heart (and my stomach) to return to executive chef Michael Mina’s Stonehill Tavern.

St. Regis Monarch Beach

The hotel itself seems content with the role of spectator rather than spectacle. While the graceful architecture certainly has an air of opulence, it does not overpower, and it surrenders without pretense to the majesty of the landscape.

As with Stonehill Tavern, service is absolutely impeccable. On no less than 3 separate occasions did I leave my room for a period of around 30 minutes, only to find upon my return that [seemingly invisible] guest services had provided some new comfort (a bowl of fresh fruit, a pair of chocolates, etc.) for me to enjoy.

My only regret is that I couldn’t stay long enough to play the stunningly manicured Monarch Beach Golf Links, which lie on the coast at the foot of the hotel. In terms of natural beauty, they may only be matched by Pebble Beach or Turnberry.

Monarch Beach Golf Links

Many resorts are nothing more than a grand façade – empty shells where the conditions of luxury are neither met nor maintained. The St. Regis Monarch Beach, however, is the genuine article.

Visit the St. Regis Monarch Beach here.

Nespresso was here in Los Angeles to launch the new line at Sur La Table, which is now carrying the CitiZ line. Gail Simmons of Food & Wine and Top Chef hosted the celebration, and celebrity chefs Nancy Silverton and Dahlia Narvaez of Mozza, David Myers of Sona and Comme Ca, Jorge Chicas of The Bazaar and Jon Shook, Vinny Dotolo of Animal and teen Chef Greg Grossman provided Nespresso-infused treats throughout the evening.

Unprecedented Functionality

Minimalist and sleek in design, Nespresso’s ambitious release includes a total of three machines that are distinctly designed to serve the specific needs of a user. Nespresso CitiZ is a single automatic espresso machine, Nespresso CitiZ&Milk adds to the espresso machine with a built-in fresh milk frother for cappuccinos and lattes and Nespresso CitiZ&Co brews new ground as the first machine that allows users to make two coffees simultaneously. The common denominator among CitiZ machines is their ability to effortlessly fit in even the smallest of home interiors, accentuating rather than overwhelming the existing décor.

The Look

Nespresso CitiZ machines capture the ambience and energy of an urban lifestyle while filtering out the parts of city life that intrude upon our tranquillity. Gone are the honking horns, ringing cell phones and loud conversations. What remains are the pulsating beats of urban life, achieved through designs influenced by the landscaping and architecture in iconic cities like London, New York and Chicago.

With vivid, shiny metals contrasting against bright, striking colors, renowned Industrial Designer Antoine Cahen and the Nespresso design team evoke the rugged brilliance of urban existence in Nespresso CitiZ machines, representing the strength, toughness and grittiness of the city.

Nespresso CitiZ is available in the high-tech style in steel grey and fire engine red by Krups and modern retro style of retro white and limousine black by Magimix. The CitiZ&Milk machines come in fire engine red by Krups and limousine black by Magimix while the colors in CitiZ&Co machines are steel grey by Krups and limousine black by Magimix.

Quality Held in the Highest Regard

When it comes to food and drink, dining in is the new dining out. Nespresso embodies this trend with an artisan-like devotion to realizing the highest quality in espresso. While urban life can be chaotic, there’s a consistency in Nespresso coffee that’s achieved in every pour. Nespresso promotes this consistency by sourcing the highest quality of coffee from across the world and adhering to a strict production and storage process. Their award-winning machine design (with the 19-bar high pressure pump of each CitiZ machine) guarantees the release of all the rich flavours and subtle aromas of each of the 16 Nespresso Grands Crus, produced at the optimum drinking temperature. From cappuccinos to espressos, Nespresso’s methodology and machine specifications provide a great cup of coffee for casual drinkers and aficionados alike.

Commitment to Sustainability

Nespresso employs sustainability practices so that farmers can operate in a way that is productive to them as well as their land. Nespresso partnered with Rain Forest Alliance in 2003 to launch the AAA Sustainable Quality Program. It guarantees small farmers a higher compensation than market price and offers training and support for producing sustainable beans of exceptional quality while remaining environmentally responsible.

Nespresso, the Company

Nespresso’s premium-portioned espresso is available to coffee drinkers in the comfort of their own homes as well as gourmet restaurants, high-end hotels, luxury outlets and offices. Nespresso is known in the industry for complementing the use of the world’s highest-quality coffees with the production of efficient and stylish espresso machines for home and office use.

Based in Switzerland, Nespresso’s operations are supported by more than 2,500 employees and an exemplary customer service experience. Nespresso sells products in more than 50 countries directly to its customers. As of 2007, the company operates in more than 117 boutiques around the world.

A Division of Nestlé

Nespresso is a division of Nestlé and is one of its “billionaire brands”. In consecutive years Nespresso was named the fastest growing company within the Nestlé Group, having achieved a growth rate of more than 40 percent in 2007. For more information, visit www.Nespresso.com.

To try delicious Nespresso CitiZ’s espresso for yourself, stop by the pop-up tent at the Santa Monica Sur La Table for free coffee and demos athrough August 16th, Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 9 pm, and Sunday 11 am to 7 pm.

Sur La Table
301 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, California 90401 (map)
(310) 395-0390

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