* 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.
